A personal tribute to the songs of Woody Guthrie by Oklahoma born singer-songwriter James Talley. The band members on the Woody Guthrie album are: John Griffin - Acoustic bass; Richard Hardy - Mandolin, mandola, mandocell... more »o, and vocals; John Potrykus - Dobro, second guitar, steel guitar, and vocals; Tim Stroh - Recording and remix engineer (Stepbridge Studios, Santa Fe); James Talley - Acoustic guitar and lead vocals; Gregg Thomas - Drums and vocals; Thomas Blues Uhde - Harmonica.« less
A personal tribute to the songs of Woody Guthrie by Oklahoma born singer-songwriter James Talley. The band members on the Woody Guthrie album are: John Griffin - Acoustic bass; Richard Hardy - Mandolin, mandola, mandocello, and vocals; John Potrykus - Dobro, second guitar, steel guitar, and vocals; Tim Stroh - Recording and remix engineer (Stepbridge Studios, Santa Fe); James Talley - Acoustic guitar and lead vocals; Gregg Thomas - Drums and vocals; Thomas Blues Uhde - Harmonica.
CD Reviews
A beautiful surprise
Jerome Clark | Canby, Minnesota | 12/23/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Those of us who know Woody Guthrie's music can be excused for wondering why we should be asked to listen to James Talley's covers rather than Guthrie's readily available originals. The answer is in the listening. Talley's interpretive gifts are such that very soon into the CD the issue fades into inconsequentiality. This is, let there be no mistake, a Talley, not a faux-Guthrie, record. Talley's readings are subtle, nuanced, original, unexpectedly moving. No one -- and I've heard them all -- has done "Deportee" and (especially) "This Land Is Your Land" better. Where the latter is concerned, you'd think you'd never heard this well-traveled song before. Talley reinvents it and goes deeper into its American heart than any artist, including Guthrie, has ever managed to do. If there were any justice in this world, it would be played on every radio from California to the New York island. Talley has blessed us with a very fine record, and if you miss it, it's your loss. My advice: don't."
The greatness of Guthrie in a greatness of Talley
Matej Krajnc | Slovenia | 02/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I know James Talley by great songs like "I Can't Surrender" and "Working Girl", but nothing knocked me out more than listening to his latest album of Woody Guthrie's songs. It's the most brilliant tribute album of Woody's songs ever and a very subtile, great work of Talley, the work that succeeds to be his best work and probably one of the best albums of the year. I enjoyed the whole album very much, but the three songs that left me completely stunned were "Deportee", "I Ain't Got No Home" and "Dust Bowl Refugee" which is my favorite songs of Woody Guthrie. This album is highly recommended and, sure as hell, you'll enjoy it!"
A VOICE FOR EVERYBODY
BeatleBangs1964 | United States | 08/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Woody Guthrie was without a doubt the Godfather of Folk (alongside of Ledbelly, who was also a top contender for the title). This collection of songs will play every possible emotion, from the rousing "This Land is Your Land" to very sad "Pastures of Plenty" and "Deportee." (those two always did bring a lump to the throat -- they are very moving folk ballads). Woody Guthrie is the voice for everybody, the voice for all issues whether the issue is freedom, fairness in the unions (I thought of Lech Walesa and his successful goal to secure a democratic government in Poland and in the Polish Labor Unions during the 1989-1990 period whenever I heard these rousing freedom songs)or a tragic disaster, like "Reuben James." Guthrie was and remains topical to this day. His songs can be applied to just about any given case or scenario. From the 1930s labor unions to the current union workers' rights in Poland, Woody Guthrie could be counted on to provide the right song. From racial discrimination issues past and current, there is a relevant Woody Guthrie song. The real gift of Woody Guthrie (he died in 1967) is unity. He has unified generations with his messages and he also called for unity during his life time.This is such an outstanding collection. It is something to listen to and treasure."
Talley Scores Again
Robert E. Knittel | Vero Beach, Florida | 02/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"James Talley never ceases to surprise and amaze me. His poetry, his music, his orchestration, his phrasing, the way he consistently puts his words and music together to give just the impression or mood he wants to make, is phenomenal. In the space of one album he can bring you from laughter to tears or the other way around. Now, after he has proven his versatility andcraftsmanship with his own, original compositions, he surprises with the same kind of genius, performing the works of one of America's great folk singers. James Talley's new album, Woody Guthrie and Songs of My Oklahoma Home, I believe, surpasses Woody's own recordings which I have listened to many times. And I think there is a reason for that. Talley, whose father was a working man and a casualty of plutonium plant labor, (listen to Richland Washington on the Ain't It Somethin' album) worked among the poor people of New Mexico, seeing and feeling the pain, sorrow and anguish that those people felt, and through his artistry transforming all that intoan epic poem set to music titled The Road to Torreon. Professional reviewers have long noted Talley's passion for righting the wrongs of society and his tenderness in presenting vignettes of their lives. You must listen to all his works to fully appreciate his contribution to American folk music. James Talley is a poet of tremendous breadth and scope and the true troubadour of American life. He is an artist who paints with words and music, making broad canvases of American life with small poetic strokes."
Yeee-haw: faithful and true
Robert E. Knittel | 01/06/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD! Folk music seems to be a link to our collective past, our country's checkered and bumpy history. James Talley has an audible respect and reverence for Woody Guthrie's well-loved lyrics and music. However, he does his own thing, too - without introducing (forcing) his own style onto someone else's work. This can't be easy, yet this CD sounds effortless.It strikes me that here's an artist who simply loves to tell a story, and tell it in his gentle and personable way. I would wholeheartedly recommend this CD to all folk fans - even diehard Woody Guthrie fans. Give it a try - it's respectful, joyful and beautiful."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1