MusicFreaks

Tag: Woody Guthrie

  • Margo Price releases surprise protest mixtape Days Of Unrest with Joan Baez and others

    Margo Price has unveiled a powerful new collection of music, Days Of Unrest, a nine-track protest mixtape that dives deep into the enduring spirit of American dissent.

    This release is not just a mixtape; it is an auditory journey tracing a rich lineage of American defiance. Price has masterfully paired classic folk icons and raw storytelling with vibrant, unexpected musical flavors, creating a body of work that resonates long after the music ends.

    The collection is packed with reworked versions of songs by legendary figures such as Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Charlie Daniels, and Blaze Foley, lending historical weight to the soundscape. These familiar melodies are reinterpreted through Price’s lens, infusing them with a fresh energy that speaks directly to contemporary struggles.

    Beyond these powerful reworkings, Days Of Unrest is enriched by original compositions, allowing Price to explore her personal narrative alongside the grand tradition of resistance. The resulting tapestry is woven from history and the present, demonstrating how protest music continues to evolve.

    The project also features stunning collaborations that push musical boundaries. Artists like folk icon Joan Baez, the spirited sounds of Memphis Mariachi, and Billy Swan contribute their distinct voices, adding layers of cultural depth and global flavor to the mixtape’s core message.

    Days Of Unrest stands as a testament to Price’s ongoing championing of dissent. It is an engaging exploration that proves that the voice of protest remains alive, dynamic, and essential in today’s world.

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    Credit: The Line of Best Fit

  • Wilco, Billy Bragg, & Natalie Merchant Performed Mermaid Avenue Live For The First Time At Solid Sound

    In the world of folk music, sometimes the most unexpected collaborations yield the most enduring treasures. One such project is the album Mermaid Avenue, a unique body of work born from the musical minds of Wilco and Billy Bragg, woven with the lyrical threads of the late folk icon Woody Guthrie.

    The initial vision for the project emerged in 1998, bringing together these creative forces to explore previously unheard lyrics organized by Guthrie. This wasn’t just a simple recording; it was an act of musical archaeology, digging up and refining stories that had been waiting to be heard.

    The exploration continued over time, with further volumes following the initial release, culminating in a comprehensive set that extended their sonic journey. Later additions contributed to the larger body of work known as the Complete Sessions box set, showcasing an evolving narrative of musical storytelling.

    Adding another layer of brilliance to this endeavor was the involvement of other acclaimed musicians, most notably Natalie Merchant, whose talents enriched the tapestry of sound for these projects.

    The magic of this collection wasn’t confined to the studio; it lived in the performance. Recently, Wilco and Bragg brought the spirit of Mermaid Avenue to a live audience at Wilco’s Solid Sound festival, offering a powerful, fresh rendition of the material.

    The shared history between Wilco and Bragg already involved some joint songwriting, but performing the full album together was a special event. They decided to share the experience further by playing songs from all three volumes out of order at the MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts, demonstrating the breadth and versatility of their musical legacy.

    Credit: Stereogum