A two-record set released on one CD, this collection of great
Woody Guthrie songs performed by some of
Guthrie's apostles, as well as by
Guthrie himself, serves as a nice overview of his music. From the opening notes of "This Land Is Your Land" and a composite arrangement that starts with
Guthrie and his guitar, then folds into
the Weavers completing the song, this is very special music. With the mix of performers, it's like a hootenanny featuring some of the top American folk music artists who had fallen under
Guthrie's spell. In addition to
Pete Seeger's Weavers, longtime
Guthrie cronies
Cisco Houston and
Ramblin' Jack Elliot are featured, along with the next generation's
Joan Baez and
Country Joe McDonald. Deep-throated
Odetta delivers the definitive version of "Pastures of Plenty," and
Guthrie is spotlighted solo and with pals
Sonny Terry and
Houston. A folk-music delight from beginning to end.
–
Jim Newsom, Rovi