The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4 [Box set]

Woody Guthrie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 17, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 17, 1999
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Smithsonian Folkways
• ASIN: B00000JWCQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,683 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > Traditional Folk
  • #50 in Music > Indie Music > Folk > General
  • #70 in Music > Country > Cowboy

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Poland-born, Brooklyn-reared producer and folk enthusiast Moses Asch maintained a suitably slack but ultimately productive relationship with Woody Guthrie. The notoriously unbound folksinger was free to stop by the New York studio unannounced and Asch would record whatever was running through the folksinger's fertile mind at the time. From the vast body of work the twosome came up with comes this cornerstone four-disc collection. All four CDs included in The Asch Recordings have been released individually--This Land is Your Land (something of a best-of set), Muleskinner Blues (a collection of the singer's old favorites), Hard Travelin' (a topical compilation), and Buffalo Skinners (Western-themed songs). If you have one or more of the aforementioned titles, finish off the set one by one. If you're interested in American folk music and you don't have the Guthrie/Asch collection, do yourself a favor and get it out of the box. --Steven Stolder

Product Description

Everything Woody ever recorded for Mo Asch's Folkways label, now available as a 4-CD set selling for $18 less than the four volumes cost singly! This is ABSOLUTELY one of the most indispensable bodies of work in American music; Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs and an entire generation of folkies worshipped at this man's feet because of this material. From This Land Is Your Land to Pretty Boy Floyd , history in every note.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Guthrie Discography Available, February 26, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4 (Audio CD)

Most listeners approaching Guthrie for the first time from more than a casual perspective will likely debate purchasing the Asch recordings or the Lomax archive recordings, a three-CD set. Both offerings are superb in their own right. The Lomax set contains some insightful banter between Lomax and Guthrie which gives you a good feel for the nature of the man and provides excellent context for the music.

This set, however, covers more groud musically. And while the production quality of virtually all of Guthrie's work is lacking by today's standards, this set is arguably superior to others.

If you are going to buy a Guthrie set (an indespensible part of any collection of American music) this is the best on the block.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Listening, August 25, 2002

By 

Eric Cason (Citizen of the World!) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4 (Audio CD)

Woody Guthrie is not only one the greatest American songwriters ever, but one of the most influential. His simple, yet emotionally complex songs have touched almost every facet of American Music, from the protest songs of the 1960's, to country music. This is by far the best way to become familiar with Woody because it covers so much. Which is also its only problem: there is so much music (near 30 songs on each of the four CDs at almost 75 minutes a piece), it can be tough listening. But that is only a minor quibble because it is far better to feel overwhelmed by Woody's genius than feel cheated. The sound quality is almost flawless, and the liner notes are amazing reading explaining each song in detail (which is great when the songs are about historical events that most listeners will not be familiar with). Anyone serious about American music or history (Woody's songs are more informative, and more pleasant than most history books) should buy this set immediately.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT FOLK HOUNDS HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR, January 7, 2001

By 

BeatleBangs1964 (United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4 (Audio CD)

This collection is definitely a must have for persons who love Woody Guthrie's music. Folk hounds in general will appreciate this collection. These CDs cover a wide range of Guthrie's music. Many of his signature songs are included with some of his lesser known tunes.

Guthrie, famous for the "three chord theory," plays human experience and emotions like a virtuoso. He ranges in all feelings from the lighthearted, almost silly "Car Song" to the sad, serious "Deportee" and "Reuben James."

The sound quality on these CDs is of extremely high caliber like the music. Woody Guthrie has raised the bar; he set new standards in folk music. If you're a folk hound like me, you will LOVE this collection.