Customer Reviews

My Dusty Road

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I get a kick out of listening to Woody, and this collection of recently unearthed master recordings from 1944 is like a letter from home. The sound is clear and clean and crisp, a big step up from previous issues of this material. But there's the rub: the majority of these performances are already available in the box set of Asch recordings. There are a couple of "new" songs, and some previously unreleased every-man-for-himself instrumentals with Cisco Houston and Sonny Terry, but it's mostly well-covered territory. And, there's not that much of it: 54 songs on four CDs, none of which runs longer than 45 minutes, tucked into elaborate packaging, priced at almost $60.00. The download, however, is a bargain: all 54 songs for $19.98. At that price, you can afford to help support the Woody Guthrie Foundation, and enjoy sound so clear you'll think Woody's right there in the room with you. (Change chords, Woody!)

Addenda: Amazon's download price has gone up to $36 and change since I wrote this review, so the hard copy now looks less extravagant, but still formidable. You might try to buy it used, or get someone who loves you to give it to you as a Christmas present.

"Take it easy, but take it!" -- Woody

There is no question, if you are a fan you need this one for your collection. It's a beautiful package, the recordings are great and the presentation is wonderful. Nice job Rounder for delivering something that showcases this national treasure with a quality product. Worth the purchase, worth being one of the early adopters in order to make sure you get the first generation of this package. The limited number manufactured also makes it that more special.

The much-vaunted sound quality is an improvement, but only about a grade higher - i.e., an A rather than a B - than what is otherwise available. The question one has to ask oneself is how big of a Woody Guthrie fan are you? Is it really worth the investment to hear marginally better-sounding versions of songs that, in all likelihood, you already have?

The disks are rather skimpy in length. This entire collection could have fit nicely onto two disks. The extravangance of the packaging is at best ironic, given Woody Guthrie's famous proletarianism. This is a person, after all, who walked-out of a job at the Rockefeller Center because it was too far away from his beloved working-class. I'm certain that he would have objected to this fancy, pricey offering, especially in today's economic conditions.

Since my mother taught me not to say anything if I couldn't say something good, the liner notes are excellent.

That said, I wonder how well they did with the song selection. There are a great many songs from these sessions that are on the Asch Recordings Series that are simply better than what's on here. I have a sneaky suspicion that they selected more non-controversial material for inclusion on here. Disk four, in particular, seems laden with too many instrumentals. Woody may be an underated guitarist, but that's not what he's famous for.

I would advise beginners to get individual albums such as "Dust Bowl Ballads" or "Woody Guthrie Sings Folk Songs," rather than this collection. I would advise everyone else to get The Asch Recordings first. And then, of course, only if you have a secure job.

Is there such a thing as required listening in popular music? And is it possible that the music of a man who single handedly changed the course of pop culture with his songs can come alive again with a clarity and sound that feels like it was recorded TODAY? One cannot say enough about Woody Guthrie and his position in the world of great American music. I intend to invite my friend Bobby D over to review some of these songs for that there radio show he does. And then there's my seven year old son, a railroad song fanatic beyond reproach. He needs a track or two. Folkies? Welcome. Country? Thank you. Alt. ditto. A great man named Gram Parsons once set out on a quest to build on the tradition of Cosmic American Music. The songs and voice of Woody, especially as witnessed on this (slightly too preciously packaged but what the heck) boxed set is a key ingredient to that journey.

To a Guthrie fan, this collection is platinum on top of gold. The sound quality is pristine - it's like having Woody and his buddies in the room with you. Amazon's discounted price made this collection truly affordable. The little suitcase is cute but it's what's inside that is so great; the book detailing the painstaking restoration of old metal masters and the discussions of each song in the collection. Even if you've heard these songs before, this collection is a new listening experience.

Full of American History and they did a great job cleaning up these recordings. A must have for everyone that loves music.

Not only do I have a conversation piece, but it's the best sounding Woody Guthrie recordings I've come across!

Great sound quality. I especially enjoyed the written material -- the history of the music & the situations that inspired it.

If you love Woody Guthrie, this is the collection you want. Music, lyrics, (and even the packaging,) is great. With that lovely old folky sound, and words that are still relevant today, it's a top buy!

Woody Guthrie had so much influence on the music that came out in the sixties on up to today's music. This is a great box set that would fit into just about any one's library. As far as the recording quality, this set gets an A+.
So I highly recommend this. You'll love it.