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WE live in a world where art is often made before it is created. this was not the case with WOODY GUTHRIES style. BILLY BRAGG and the guys in WILCO really hit the old school mark with the 1998 release of mermaid avenue. named for the city street where WOODY and family lived. it is a collection of 15 songs left unfinished by this american master. WOODY usually wrote the lyrics first then set them to a melody. too ill to play guitar at the end of his life he continued to write until he could no longer hold a pencil, then was committed to the brooklyn state hospital where he died in 1967. WOODY despised and was despised by the establishment (you know, "the man"). WOODY was adored by the working class and championed the causes of the under privileged making him a true folk hero in "our land". WOODY sang/wrote of both the political and the spiritual thus making himself the first ever in what's now a long list of singer-songwriters. THE artists were provided access to WOODYS material left behind by NORA GUTHRIE, WOODYS daughter and curator of the WOODY GUTHRIE archive in new york city. the songs featured on mermaid avenue, run the gamut from silly FUN-TIME kids stuff like HOODOO VOODOO to creepy political topics like EISLER ON THE GO about his friend HANS EISLER who was called before the "house committee on un-american activities" and blacklisted then deported. (have you no sense of decency sir?). some tunes about WOODYS oklahoma childhood WAY OVER YONDER IN THE MINOR KEY and I GUESS I PLANTED songs about love real and imagined BIRDS AND SHIPS and INGRID BERGMAN. songs of love longed for, AT MY WINDOW SAD AND LONELY and SHE CAME ALONG TO ME. some songs of self examination ANOTHER MANS DONE GONE and THE UNWELCOME GUEST and the haunting ONE BY ONE. what would a WOODY GUTHRIE package be without songs of political protest? standout CHRIST FOR PRESIDENT is a masterful bullseye from across the decades straight into our 21st century living rooms, with lyrics = [the only way we can ever beat these crooked politician men, is to run the money changers out of the temple and put the carpenter in. every year we waste enough to feed the ones who starve, we build our civilization up and we shoot it down with wars.] the bells in your mind should be ringing right about now!! WOODY was the most prolific songwriter in history and we are very lucky to have these artists and the archive to thank for giving us a glimpse into the workings of the mind and style mind of this simple american genius. MERMAID AVENUE is highly reccomended by me as a great testament to WOODYS unrivaled skill, and can be enjoyed by anyone who is interested is art, music, their own inner workings or politics. i give my highest review and recomend all work from this american master. DENNIS ROPER, MUSICIAN AND COLLECTOR, TULSA OK p.s. this land is YOUR land, this land is MY landRead full review
This, undoubtably, is my favorite album of all time. The follow up CD, volume two, is a close second. The album, made by Billy Bragg and Wilco, is recorded from lyrics found in Woody Guthie's archives. Although there was little to no music found for the works, Bragg and Wilco came together to write and record the music. I don't know if it's the English teacher in me, but I fell in love with the haunting lyrics and music immediately. Some are funny and quirky--"Hoodoo Voodoo" and "Christ for President" some are political "Eisler on the Go", and others make you wistful--"Hesitating Beauty" and "One by One". Natalie Merchant's guest vocals only add to the intensity of the album, which crosses several musical genres to make this appreciated by many. It's a great tribute to America, as Guthrie's love for the land and embodiment of the American sentiment are the themes of the album.Read full review
I finally Got around to picking up this Cd. I'm a huge Wilco Fan. So this was a bonus. I heard they kinda had a falling out with Billy Bragg--during the Recording of this. Still a pretty good Cd. Came in the Mail pretty quick. Thanks Troy
One or two good songs, the rest are iffy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Mermaid Avenue is a great concept and I really appreciate Billy Bragg and Wilco for taking this on. Unfortunately, I expected too much and was left a bit disappointed. The lyrics are (of course) fantastic. It's the music and sometimes the vocals that kind of drag. Way Over Yonder In The Minor Key is definitely the shining achievement. Absolutely beautiful. When all is said and done, this album gets 3 Stars.