This Land Is Your Land
This Landis the first of four planned volumes that will comprise all of Guthrie's early masters for Moe Asch's Folkways Records. Many of the folk poet's favorites are found here in their earliest forms, including "Do-Re-Mi," "Philadelphia Lawyer," "Pastures of Plenty" and a previously unreleased version of the title track that restores a "lost" verse. The initiated will be thrilled by the raw grace of these recordings, rejoicing in Guthrie's casual performances and good humor. The uninitiated will undoubtedly discover why Guthrie has long been considered a national treasure. Guthrie Scholar Guy Logsdon's notes provide plenty of background. This is a great place to start a real folk music collection.--Michael Ruby