Prophet singer : the voice and vision of Woody Guthrie / Mark Allan Jackson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Jackson, Mark Allan.

Series:

American made music series.

American made music series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Folk singers--United States--Biography.

Folk singers.

Folk music--Social aspects--United States.

Folk music.

Guthrie, Woody, 1912-1967.

Guthrie, Woody.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (viii, 303 pages) : illustrations.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Jackson : University Press of Mississippi, 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Prophet Singer: The Voice and Vision of Woody Guthrie examines the cultural and political significance of lyrics by beloved songwriter and activist Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie. The text traces how Guthrie documented the history of America's poor and disadvantaged through lyrics about topics as diverse as the Dust Bowl and the poll tax. Divided into chapters covering specific historical topics such as race relations and lynchings, famous outlaws, the Great Depression, and unions, the book takes an in-depth look at how Guthrie manipulated his lyrics to explore pressing issues and to bring greater political and economic awareness to the common people. Incorporating the best of both historical and literary perspectives, Mark Allan Jackson references primary sources including interviews, recordings, drawings, and writings. He includes a variety of materials from the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the Woody Guthrie Archives. Many of these have never before been widely available. The result provides new insights into one of America's most intriguing icons. Prophet Singer offers an analysis of the creative impulse behind and ideals expressed in Guthrie's song lyrics. Details from the artist's personal life as well as his interactions with political and artistic movements from the first half of the twentieth century afford readers the opportunity to understand how Guthrie's deepest beliefs influenced and found voice in the lyrics that are now known and loved by millions. Mark Allan Jackson is currently an assistant professor of English at DePauw University. His articles and reviews have been featured in Popular Music and Society and American Music.

Contents:

Is this song your song anymore? : revisioning "this land is your land"

Busted, disgusted, down and out : documenting the stories of America's agricultural workers

The poor, hard-working man blues ; documenting the troubles of other American workers

Skin trouble : documenting race and redemption

Stepping outside the law : class consciousness in Guthrie's outlaw songs

The union feeling : tracing a vision of a better world.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-291) and index.

ISBN:

1-282-48583-0

9786612485831

1-60473-146-X

OCLC:

220841401