It seems fitting that on the centenary of his birth, LOWLANDS and their friends have come up with a brilliant and heartfelt tribute to the one and only Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie, the original political protest singer, who has inspired all of the generations that followed, Bob Dylan was a major fan who was influenced beyond measure by Woody, and even Joe Strummer used to insist people called him Woody when he was at college, and copied Woody’s “This machine kills Fascists” sticker on his guitar.
So what of Lowlands tribute? Firstly, Lowlands are well placed to deliver such an album. They are Italy’s top roots rock band, heavily steeped in Americana, and all of the thirteen tracks on this CD evidence their attention to detail and musicality. They have recorded this in collaboration with a variety of friends, with some of the recording locations being as diverse and varied as studios, kitchens and farmyards.
Opening with a short intro of ‘This Land Is Your Land’, Lowlands have managed to turn this into a stark piano instrumental, which manages to carry the beauty of the original without being copyist.
‘This Train Is Bound For Glory’ which follows is done in the classic blues style, with some excellent guitar, which manages to give a new take on Woody’s excellent lyrics: “This train is bound for glory, this train. This train is bound for glory, this train/ This train is bound for glory, Don't carry nothing but the righteous and the holy/ This train is bound for glory, this train.” Incidentally, Woody’s autobiography is also titled ‘Bound For Glory’, and is an excellent read and a worthy companion to his music.
‘Heaven My Home’, is another lovely country blues track, with some excellent harmonica work courtesy of Franco Limido: “Tryin' to make a heaven my home, home/ Tryin' to make a heaven my home, sweet home!/ This old world just ain't my home; Tryin' to make a heaven my home!/ I lift and I bend, I sweat and I strain! This world ain't my home!/ Every job I touch is aches and pains! Gotta make heaven my home!”
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Some tracks are, almost as expected played in a Dylanish folk rock manner, such as the wonderful ‘I Aint Got No Home’, which Woody originally adapted from the old gospel song ‘Can’t Feel At Home’, which was also recorded by the Carter Family in 1931.
‘Two Good Men’ explores different territory, being accordion based it comes across as something that Tom Waits could have dragged out of a Salvation Army soup kitchen. Edward Abbiata’s vocals are spot on here, and make this track a real delight. “Two good men a long time gone, Two good men a long time gone.
Sacco, Vanzetti a long time gone, Left me here to sing this song.” This song was written about Sacco & Vanzetti, two Italian immigrants who were anarchists executed in America in 1927 following a rigged trial. ‘Going Down The Road’ is another classic, again being guitar/accordion based: “ I'm blowin' down this old dusty road, I'm a-blowin' down this old dusty road,
I'm a-blowin' down this old dusty road, Lord, Lord/ An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this a-way/ I'm a-goin' where the water taste like wine, I'm a-goin' where the water taste like wine,
I'm a-goin' where the water taste like wine, Lord/ An' I ain't a-gonna be treated this way.”
Overall, this is a lovely album, which will have some nice surprises in store for even the most ardent of Woody purists. As a quality-first introduction to the words and music of a legend, 'Better World Coming' is nigh-on a must-hear.
Lowlands online
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