Woody at 100 – The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection Smithsonian Folkways****

Given the times we live in, it was surprising that Woody Guthrie's centennial on July 14th was not marked with greater fanfare. This "Shakespeare in overalls", as one contemporary put it, was key to the evolution of the protest folk song and an inspiration for many, including Bob Dylan. Guthrie's songs survive him, many still striking a chord with their gritty, topical, empathetic, funny and fervent reflections of his left-wing politics and of the times he lived through. This three-CD collection is a fitting tribute. His most important song, This Land Is Your Land, is represented by both the best-known lite version and the more politically outspoken alternate. There's lots more, including The Jolly Banker, a savage song for our own times. Some things don't change. folkways.si.edu.

Download tracks:This Land Is Your Land (alternate), The Jolly Banker