The Asch Recordings, Vols. 1-4

How many stars so you rate the sky?

"This Land is Your Land" is not the full song. They did his memory a great disservice by removing the most important lines from the song. Smh.

This version of "This Land is Your Land" is NOT the one that Woody intended. It's completely watered down so as not to offend anyone. In other words, don't buy it and go to Youtube for more complete, historical versions. Also, Google the original lyrics if you want to know what Woody was really trying to say in this song, which has been appropriated by so-called "patriots" to undermine the very values Woody was trying to express.

I came upon ,any songs of thiis era while making a CD for my mother, She had only a short time left I was surprised by the music I found, and the singers who were the backbone of peaceful protest for unions. One was Woody's friend Pete Seager. Pete wrote "We Shall Overcome". The history of Woody, Pete, Leadbelly, and several others. If yo udelve into reaserching the beginnings of Folk Music, you will also be surprised by the groups That formed from this origional group. A real history of those times. Ggramof1.

Well, contrary to earlier reviewer, there are 2 versions of This Land on this recording. The second one has the missing verses that DJ complains are missing from the first track. Love this complete discography of Woody Guthrie! Totally worth the cost!

If you don't know Guthrie, he is the alpha and omega of singer/songwriters. You will be hard pressed to find a serious artist whose influences do not lead back home right here. I highly suggest you give him a try. If you already know woody, THIS IS THE MOTHERLOAD! The Asch recordings are THE most complete and diverse set of guthrie songs you will find. Most other albums are simply rehashes of the songs you find here. This is the complete record of the biggest recording series he ever did. As to the person who called this album censored, it is. And it is not. This Album contains several versions of "this land is your land", the popular and published one, and the politically charged original, and earliest surviving recording. Before you get mad at the "arangment", look into it. No collection wlll bring you more (or cheaper, 105 songs for $40 is a steal)

Well I'm not surprised if this is inappropriate to some, but the song and Guthrie's message has been robbed. It's missing some stanzas that are of the greatest worth to the listeners and that destroys the entire purpose of deeming this album as a "Historical Record" that gives a perspective of the past when individuals decide to change the record into something it's not. Whoever decided to do this is destroying our history and our truth, causing we, the American people, to gain a watered down knowledge of OUR past. I don't mean to be so vehement, but this concerns the truth, after all.

In the midst of pain, hardship, and oppression, Woody stood for the common man and for an optimism that was unbowed and expansive. Perhaps our times have become so oppressive that optimism is no longer possible. Perhaps in an age dominated by bosses, we have lost the vision of the common man's song. Perhaps visions and dreams are now luxuries and our young no longer see visions and dream dreams. But listening to this compilation again, Woody's optimism is a balm for a poor despairing soul. Through this time's political dustbowl, through the oppression of capitalistic bosses and too easily bought off unions, Woody's songs and singing pour like a balm over my weariness, refreshing me and giving me hope. As Woody said, maybe all a human being is is a hoping machine. Thanks, Woody, for your songs and your singing. It gives this old activist reason to continue. Listening here, I see you standing there with a sign that comes straight off your guitar, "This old man kills fascists!"

Woody has been an inspiration to so many folksingers and contemporary rock guitarists and this collection certainly supports his legendary status.

this "old man" had lots to say and sing about! it may be old music, but woody guthrie was a voice for the people. where is he now?