Dave Peloquin and Bob Webb will dedicate their performance at 7:30 p.m. April 13 at the Phippsburg Congregational Church to the memory of Woody Guthrie. (Ed Lefkowicz photo)_
A release from concert organizers states:
Guthrie’s songs of hard times and good people have been celebrated around the world. “This Land Is Your Land” has even been proposed as a replacement for the national anthem. Webb and Peloquin will recount the surprising story of its composition, as well as other well-loved songs written by the “Dustbowl Balladeer,” such as “Hard Travellin’,’” “Do-Re-Mi” and “So Long, It’s Been Good To Know Yuh.”
“Woody wanted to write songs that make people feel good about themselves,” Peloquin said in the release. “His songs resonate perfectly with our times, in 2012.”
“Guthrie addressed the difficulties of the so-called ‘common man,’” Webb added, “ writing frankly about socio- economic inequalities that continue to plague our democratic society.”
Born in Okemah, Okla., Guthrie began writing during hard times of financial depression and drought. He wrote a hit song, “Oklahoma Hills,” that was successfully recorded by his cousin, Jack Guthrie, and others.
When his lyrics became more political and reportorial, they fueled the folk music revival of the 1950s and ’60s, as well as the labor union and Civil Rights movements. His songwriting influenced a generation of icons of American music, including Bob Dylan, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Bruce Springsteen and Woody’s son, Arlo Guthrie.
The Maine-based musicians will draw upon their own experiences from more than 40 years of singing Guthrie’s songs. They will revisit the Dust Bowl that drove Guthrie out of the Midwest, his songwriting from the federal Bonneville Power Administration’s dam-building program, his experiences as a merchant mariner during World War II, and his ability to write expressive songs for young children.
Webb’s performing career has taken him to places as varied as New Zealand and Europe and has included touring with Tom Waits. In addition to his acclaimed work with the guitar, Webb is also an acknowledged master of the five-string banjo in the “frailing” or “clawhammer” style of the Southern Appalachian mountains. His research into the history of the banjo helped inspire the current revival of interest in banjomaking and banjo music.
Peloquin is a multi-talented singer and guitarist who founded and performed with two popular New Englandbased sea-music groups, Wickford Express and Compass Rose, the latter having been invited to appear at the Kennedy Center.
Admission costs $ 10 for adults or $6 for students and children. Children younger than 8 years old will be admitted at no cost. Refreshments will be served.
The church is located at 10 Church Lane off Parker Head Road. For more information, call 389-1770.
ticket@timesrecord.com
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
