Woody Guthrie, Jack Elliot & Sonny Terry

Subject: Woody Guthrie, Jack Elliot & Sonny Terry
From: GUEST,Doc John
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 02:17 PM

I've just come across a recording on u-tube of 'Rail Road Bill' by the above trio. I guess from the sound of it, it was recorded on January 18th 1954 when the trio, who were said to been out on a drinking session, visited the Asch studio to record a number of items. These were Woody Guthrie's last studio recordings when he was sadly showing definite signs of Huntingdon's disease. Does anyone know how it got out onto u-tube?

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie, Jack Elliot & Sonny Terry
From: GUEST,C. Ham
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 02:57 PM

I'm sure it must be from the film doc, "The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack" made by Ramblin' jack Elliott's daughter about ten years ago.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie, Jack Elliot & Sonny Terry
From: frogprince
Date: 08 Dec 10 - 05:07 PM

What a mixed feeling; any chance to hear them together is special, but Woody was either fairly drunk, or, I suspect more likely, slurring because of the Huntingtons. I've seen mention of how conscientious he was about enunciation in singing.

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie, Jack Elliot & Sonny Terry
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 04:24 AM

Never heard it before, it's brilliant.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Woody Guthrie, Jack Elliot & Sonny Terry
From: GUEST,DocJohn
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 05:31 AM

Yes I like it too Dave but, according to a correspondent who visited the archive a while ago, Smithsonian-Folkways will not release this session because the singers are drunk and WG ill. A great pity I think. WG does sound slurred but, according to my wife, who works with HD patients, WG's disease would not be detected if you were not already aware of it. OK they may be a bit merry, but well worth releasing I thought. Bear Family did release a slighty earlier Decca recording of Woody Guthrie a while ago where the signs of HD are quite marked.
Thanks for the blue clicky thing, Joe