The Unbounded Glory of Woody Guthrie

October 6, 2012 by Howard B. Leibowitz

Woody at 100 Concert at Brooklyn College/ © 2012/ photo by Howard B. Leibowitz

Brooklyn Roads was honored to have been at Brooklyn College‘s Walt Whitman Theater for the Woody Guthrie Centennial Concert in September. This incredible evening was one of a yearlong worldwide series of events and concerts that were put together by The Grammy Museum, Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc. and the Woody Guthrie Archives to commemorate the life and career of folk music legend Woody Guthrie.

The Brooklyn installment of the “This Land Is Your Land Concert“ series featured Billy Bragg, Judy Collins, John Cohen & The Dustbusters, Steve Earle, The Klezmatics, Mike & Ruthy, Pete Seeger, the Tony Trischka Band, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason (Arlo Guthrie was also scheduled to perform, but had to bow out due to his wife Jackie’s illness) .There were also special guests such as Brooklyn College alumnus Oscar Brand, whose Folksong Festival radio program has been on WNYC Radio (wnyc.org) since 1945.

A tireless Nora Guthrie told how her formative years growing up in Brooklyn caused some consternation for Woody Guthrie devotees during her travels as she was repeatedly asked about her accent. “People always say, ‘Are you from Oklahoma? You don’t sound like Woody Guthrie’s daughter!’ And I would go ‘No! I’m from Brooklyn!’”

Kenny Kosek and Billy Bragg / photo © 2012 by Howard B. Leibowitz

Billy Bragg told Brooklyn Roads that there is an abundance of interest in Woody Guthrie in places such as the UK. He had just performed some centennial shows in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland and is headed to play Woody concerts in Australia “where he’s very popular…Mermaid Avenuewent gold in Australia. It amazes me that they love Woody there.” He went on to tell us that Nora had invited him to come to Coney Island, as they were having a family tribute by the beach in July. “When we got down there, she asked me to sing that song Go Down To the Water, which I played tonight.”

All of the above has inspired us to present our own tribute to the Guthrie family in this edition of Brooklyn Roadsand offer our condolences to Arlo Guthrie and his family on the passing of his wife, Jackie on October 14, 2012

Artists on our Radar

Janet LaBelle Takes the Spotlight: Blending Vintage Vibes with Modern Magic

Janet Labelle With Guitar In Hand / photo by John Nyboer

Dynamic Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Janet LaBelle continues to push her creative boundaries. Known for her unique ability to fuse analog warmth with modern production, LaBelle has been praised by Jersey Beat for her “sweet voice and sharp, thoughtful songwriting,” and her newest projects are no exception. Her music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of folk, classic rock, and pop into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. LaBelle recently released her single “Day in the Sun” on September 13 via her own Wild Violet Records, and it has already been captivating audiences with its sunny melodies and deeply personal narrative. The song, inspired by a meaningful hike with a friend in 2023, showcases her talent for finding beauty in simplicity, a theme that resonates through much of her work. The inclusion of horns marks an exciting creative evolution, adding a new layer of depth to her already richly textured sound. Throughout her career, LaBelle has explored a wide range of musical styles. She first made waves as a teenager in the punk-pop band Avery, and since then, her solo work has spanned genres like classic rock, folk, pop, and even French chanson. Her previous EPs, including Moon Songs (2010) and Blossom & Blue (2011), demonstrate her eclectic tastes, with influences ranging from surf rock to vintage country. Working with respected producers such as Evan Taylor (Bernie Worrell) and Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants), LaBelle continues to expand her sound, evolving with each new release. Fans can catch her live at upcoming performances, including a show at Our Wicked Lady on September 24th and at Sleepwalk on December 3rd. These live shows will give listeners a chance to hear both her new and classic material in an up-close setting. Her combination of memorable songs, captivating performances and a unique voice sets her apart as an artist who continues to rise, drawing listeners in with every new creation.

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