Various Artists: Note of Hope: A Celebration of Woody Guthrie

Rob O’Connor on November 1, 2011

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July 14, 2012 will be Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday. Guthrie’s daughter Nora conceived this 12-track album of primarily unpublished Guthrie writings put to music by former RatDog bassist Rob Wasserman. Not surprisingly, an A-list of liberal American voices agreed to collaborate for the tribute. As per usual with these big-name collections, the results veer all over the place. Tom Morello was born to deliver “Ease My Revolutionary Mind,” but Lou Reed just sounds like he’s mumbling to himself. For a great narrative voice, try Studs Terkel, Pete Seeger or the dark, devastating noir of Chris Whitley’s track, recorded just before his death. Kurt Elling has great R&B fun with “Peace Pin Boogie.” The best surprise, however, is the 15-minute Jackson Browne number, where his gentle tone makes Guthrie’s words go down like honey.

Artist: Various Artists
Album: Note of Hope: A Celebration of Woody Guthrie