Like so many others, with sellouts around the USA, I caught the new Dylan bio-pic “A Complete Unknown” yesterday at the local mall. Fine movie overall, with more than a few flaws, but so much has been written about it already by good writers I don’t feel the need or desire to add to that right now. (I will say that the Joan Baez actress was badly miscast.) But I was happy and surprised to see so much Woody Guthrie in key scenes book ending the movie and at least once in-between. So, below, my little tribute to this giant of a man, mainly with cover versions of some of his songs. Note: You can still subscribe to this newsletter for free.
Years ago, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy in Grammy-winning “Mermaid Avenue” album, with Billy Bragg, took old lyrics by Woody and turned them into splendid new tunes, such as my favorite, “California Stars,” here with my man Jason Isbell on hot guitar.
Bragg and Wilco returned with what should be a hit next month around the Inauguration: “All You Fascists Bound to Lose.” Let’s hope.
Below, Dylan pays tribute to Woody’s classic about Dust Bowl refugees, “Do-Re-Mi.” Ry Cooder on guitar.
A “Christmas song” like no other, Woody’s “1913 Massacre,” and you will note that the melody was used by Dylan for his moving “Song to Woody” featured in the new film.
Rosanne Cash sings another Woody portrait of the dispossessed, “I Ain’t Got No Home.”
“Vigilante Man”—like Bruce Springsteen’s “Ghost of Tom Joad”—was inspired by Steinbeck’s “Grapes of Wrath,” below by guitar master Ry Cooder.
Below, U2 with a rocking version of Woody’s “Jesus Christ” (who would be killed even quicker today).
Below, an all-star offering of “This Land Is Your Land” with Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young, John Prine, Willie Nelson and more.
Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen perform the song for the Obama inaugural.
Another all-star rendering of the great “Deportee” with Joan Baez, Emmylou and Jackson Browne.
Hey hey, Woody Guthrie! Thanks, Greg.
Greg, Thanks for your very brief review of A Complete Unknown. I do hope, in time, you do choose to write your review. (I've not, yet, seen it. Too bad about the Joan Baez miscast.)