Woody Guthrie and the Blues

Authors

  • Elijah Wald

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5420/wga.0.7

Keywords:

Woody Guthrie, blues, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, race, racism, stereotype, Sonny Terry, Lead Belly, Josh White, Golden Gate Quartet, Blind Lemon Jefferson

Abstract

Most writing on Woody Guthrie focuses on his songwriting, his life, or his politics, but there is little focus on his musicianship or his knowledge of musical history. Guthrie’s relationship to the blues tradition is central to his work — as evidenced in his guitar, mandolin, and harmonica playing as well as his knowledge of blues history and his associations with Sonny Terry, Lead Belly, Josh White, the Golden Gate Quartet and others. Guthrie’s engagement with the blues is a crucial aspect of his broader relationship to racial issues.

Author Biography

  • Elijah Wald
    Elijah Wald is a musician, writer, and historian whose books include Josh White: Society Blues (Routledge, 2013), Escaping the Delta: Robert Johnson and the Invention of the Blues (Amistad, 2004), The Dozens: A History of Rap’s Mama (Oxford University Press, 2012), How the Beatles Destroyed Rock ’n’ Roll: An Alternative History of American Popular Music (Oxford, 2011), Narcocorrido: A Journey into the Music of Drugs, Guns, and Guerrillas (Rayo, 2002), and Dave Van Ronk’s memoir, The Mayor of MacDougal Street (Da Capo, 2013). His latest book is Dylan Goes Electric! Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night that Split the Sixties (Dey Street, 2015). For further information, visit www.elijahwald.com.

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Published

2015-06-24

Issue

Vol. 1 (2015)

Section

Articles

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