BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody

Subject: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Skivee
Date: 07 Aug 06 - 11:22 PM

I just saw an ad inviting folks to expeience the New York City tourist experience. The beautiful high society folks were shown dining in fantastic NY retaurants, shopping in Chi-Chi Soho boutiques, having a great time touring upscale art galleries. Mayor Bloomberg invites us to visit and experience, and spend.
The whole while, a jazzy, hip trio is singing an updated version "This Land Is Your Land" while the rich tourists shop...You know the one. It's that song about breadlines, and downtrodden poor people, and land owners keeping the little people down, and...and...*POP*. Well there goes my brain.
What were they thinking. Was there no other better song to use???
BTW, they changed the tune, changed the lyrics and left only "This Land Is Your Land" intact.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 08:21 AM

They actually left a little more than that intact, but this is no doubt a different use. When I watch it, I wonder what Woody would have thought. We know from Klein's book that he was worried that the protest verses would be lost. In my rendition of that, I comment that for the most part he was right to be concerned. Yet I wonder if he would have enjoyed this. I don't know. It certainly is an interesting take on the song.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 09:20 AM

One of the tools that Woody used was to take a song that was already familiar to audiences. He picked "Darlin Pal of Mine" as the tune for "This Land".   The Carter Family sold a few 78's of "Darlin Pal of Mine" in their day. I don't think Woody used a single original tune in any of his songs.

It seems sort of ironic that "his" song is now being used in this fashion.   While I am guessing Woody would not be happy about it, but I think he was smart enough to understand how things work and he would not complain about something he was equally guilty of!

At any rate, the "protest" lyrics are probably more recognizable these days then they were when Woody was alive.   Moses Asch sold the song to schools, which is how it became popular. Those lyrics were not part of the recordings that Asch sold.

Ron

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 10:36 AM

Re-using a tune is not on a par with re-writing the words, thus the meaning, of a song, in my view. That's an entirely different kettle of fish. If the new version isn't another protest or a parody then it must be an advertising jingle, and they must have had to choose a song where copyright wasn't an issue to make the use and the changes you describe.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 11:19 AM

Well, Woody re-wrote the words to Darling Pal of Mine and only kept the tune, thus creating an entirely new song. Yes, that is an entirely different kettle of fish, but which kettle is better?

As far as I know, the song is still under copyright.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: jeffp
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 11:41 AM

It would be interesting to hear Arlo's opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Wesley S
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 11:54 AM

I felt the same way when Martin guitars put out a Woody Guthrie commemerative guitar costing somewhere over 3,000 dollars. It made me wonder if Woody would have bought one.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 12:24 PM

Nope, Wes, he would have waited for Will Geer, or Frank, or one of his other friends to buy one. Then he would borrow it, and that would be that. LOL. I guess Will lost more than a few that way.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Skivee
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 01:20 PM

FYI, The combo starts off singing,"This land is your land, this land is my land<" then they drop the reference to California, and it becomes just an instrumental background to the voiceover.
I thought the new tune was interesting. Then I started watching the whole thing...made me itchy.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 01:28 PM

Wonder what Arlo thinks? I suspect he owns the rights....

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 01:35 PM

Why Arlo?   He has a brother and sister as well.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 02:13 PM

Because his name came to mind -- I was thinking of the family.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 03:03 PM

Bourgeouis Blues.....

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: BS: NYC makes odd use of Woody
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 03:27 PM

Given the costs of rentals in NYC and the gentrification changing neighborhoods I would think that "How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live".   Not a Guthrie piece and it probably would not bring in too many tourists----ah---but the honesty.

Though who knows. About a year ago I interviewed a fellow for my Tabletalk program who runs tours to the areas that everyone thinks or thought "bad" in The Bronx and Manhattan. Strangely he has a nice turnout of young foreign visitors. ANother successful tour operation is Nosh Walks. I also interviewed her---walks through ethnic neighborhoods---not upscale to sample cuisine.

Perhaps honesty in advertising would pay.

Bill H