Muleskinner Blues: The Asch Recordings, Vol. 2

• Muleskinner Blues - The Asch Recordings Vol.2

Amazon.co.uk Muleskinner Blues, volume two of the 4-four-CD series The Asch Recordings, is important not for its treasure trove of Woody Guthrie originals, but for its peek at the Okie troubadour's own deep roots. Muleskinner collects many of the old songs ("Danville Girl", "Stackolee") that Guthrie knew and loved from his younger days. These are songs he learned at his mother's knee, at picking parties, and in the hobo jungles; the songs that he would later turn into his own with new lyrics, licks and arrangements. Selections range from the maudlin "Put My Little Shoes Away" to the hardy "Johnny Hart". Altogether, this sprightly collection is an important part of Guthrie's fascinating story. Great notes from historian Guy Logsdon, too. --Michael Ruby Product Description The songs on this recording, the second in a series of four, represent a selection from the vast storehouse of American folk and country songs that Woody Guthrie learned and incorporated into his early radio career and song books he sold on the air. In the early 1940s, upon coming to New York, Guthrie and frequent partner Cisco Houston recorded hundreds of songs for Folkways Records founder Moses Asch (160 alone in 1944). This series represents the best of these historic recordings. Muleskinner Blues highlights the non-original material that Guthrie recorded for Asch and includes American folk song standards, many of which became part of the American folk song canon due to Guthrie's influence. Running time 67 min, 40-page booklet includes historical and biographical notes on Woody Guthrie. Compiled and annotated by Jeff Place and Guy Logsdon. "Monumental stuff." —CMJ New Music Report