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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
"Believe it or not,you won't find it so hot;if you ain't got the Do Re Mi" Sep 06, 2009 Woody Guthrie probably left a greater mark on American Folk music than any other musician befor or since his time.Although he wrote thousands of songs, and many of them will live as long as the music of the people continues;he was little known while he was alive.
Fortunately ,the Lomax's and others were able to collect his prolific number of songs and with the help of the Smithonian Folksways Recordings,they are still available,though Woody has been gone for all too many years.
This "Vision Shared" is a superb collection of some of his songs performed as a tribute by some of his greatest admirers.
It includes but 17 of his songs,last for only a short 72 minutes;but nonetheless,will be seen as a treasure by anyone who ever enjoyed his music.I can't imagine a better cast of artists than the ones you will hear doing his songs.Each of the artists have their own identifiable way in doing a song ,and they use their own style in making their tribute to Woody.As you listen to these intrepetations,you can see the great love and respect they each have for Woody and his music.These recordings are sung with such intense feeling that you feel that Woody is right there beside them ,and his spirit hauntingly comes through.
Not only are the songs performed to perfection,but there is a lot of insightful comments accompanying them, by not only the artists, but also by friends and others who knew and loved him.
It is often said that a great artist can take a song and make it their own.Here,each artist does that,but at the same time the song remains Woody's and rather than taking his music;we get the artists making a sincere tribute.
The artists are the "best of the best".One thing that amazed me was Emmylou Harris singing "Deportee" with Arlo Guthrie, and she was reading the words from a songsheet.Their duet is nothing short of magnificient,and shows what excellent artists they really.But that is only one of the tributes;each one will impress you just as much.
As we watch these songs being done,keep in mind that these recordings were done in 1988--wow! that's over 20 years ago.Everything about these recordings has been done in a somewhat casual manner,keeping with the spirit of Folk Music ;and all the technical aspects of the recordings are par excellent.
As you watch the final song,"This Land is Your Land", done by various artists,at different locations and obviously at different times,then mixed later;you are going to be astounded at how excellently it has been accomplished.
It is impossible to choose one song and artist over another,and even though they are all so different,the tribute as a whole is is an amazingly smooth piece of work.
I know I will listen and watch this tribute over and over again and will find something new in it each time I do.
If you are a fan of Folk Music,Woody Guthrie in particulat,or any of the artists or people involved;this tribute is something you will love and enjoy over and over again.
If you enjoy Woody Guthrie,I strongly recommend ;
The Asch Recordings Vol.1-4 Box Set
Woody Guthrie
See my review,posted December 4,2005
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
This Land IS Your Land Mar 03, 2008 If any of the older generation needs an introduction to Woody Guthrie or Leadbelly then I ask what planet have you been on. Woody's This Land Is Your Land is practically a national anthem. And Leadbelly's Goodnight, Irene is in that same category. So to have the two highlighted on one program, as they had been in life on a number of occasions, is a treat. This tribute has the further virtue of highlighting both original performances by them and tribute performances by some of these who have been influenced by their work, individually or collectively.
Anytime you get Taj Mahal, Little Richard, Sweet Honey in the Rock (a real treat as I was not familiar with their work), Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen and a host of others under one cinematic roof you are bound to have a good performance. And added attraction was the appearance of Arlo Guthrie, Woody's son and a folk legend in his own right, commenting on his father's work. And, of course, an all too brief recorded performance by Bob Dylan, a man who probably did more to revive Woody's work in the 1960's than any other. For my money though, John Mellencamp and his ensemble band (including washboard player) stole the show at the end with their rendition of the afore-mentioned This Land Is Your Land. Watch it.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Don't Pass This One Up Mar 03, 2008 I've had the audio CD of this concert for several years and it is outstanding. I still play it many times. The Sweet Honey In The Rock track of Sylvie, but itself, is worth the price of this music.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A Vision Shared Feb 08, 2008 Seeing this video is like being in heaven.
It can be compared with documentaries like "Songs of the civil war" and "Bringing it all back home", to name a few. In all these documentaries the various artists put their best feet forward.
Strangely enough these are seldom seen on tv.
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
great covers of great artists. Nov 09, 2006 it's a little dated, esp. the little richard part, but well worth the money. john mellencamp's do re mi is fun, fulfilling, and true in spirit to woody. somehow, a synthesizer, 80s-esque little richard pulls off 'rock island line' and does leadbelly proud. i wished there would've been more 12 string leadbelly songs, but pete seeger does a fantastic job. arlo is spectacular as well. the whole thing is great. bruce takes creative liberties with vigilante man, making it menacing. for 10 bucks, its a steal. i wished they would've had a dylan performance though.
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