26 songs in 30 days : Woody Guthrie's Columbia River songs and the planned promise land in the Pacific Northwest

by Greg Vandy

Other authorsDaniel Person (Contributor)
Hardcover, 2016

Status

Available

Publication

Seattle, WA : Sasquatch Books, [2016]

Description

Biography & Autobiography. Music. Nonfiction. HTML:A fascinating portrait of icon Woody Guthrie, the Pacific Northwest, and folk music—all set against the backdrop of a tumultuous moment in American history   In 1941, Woody Guthrie wrote 26 songs in 30 days—including classics like “Roll On Columbia” and “Pastures of Plenty”—when he was hired by the Bonneville Power Administration to promote the benefits of cheap hydroelectric power, irrigation, and the Grand Coulee Dam. Now, KEXP DJ Greg Vandy takes readers inside the unusual partnership between one of America’s great folk artists and the federal government, and shows how the American folk revival was a response to hard times. 26 Songs In 30 Days plunges deeply into the historical context of the time and the progressive politics that embraced Social Democracy during an era in which the United States had been severely suffering from The Great Depression. And though this is a musical history of a vibrant American musical icon and a specific part of the country, it couldn’t be a better reminder of how timeless and expansive such topics are in today’s political discourse.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member kcshankd
Quick history of Woody's time in the Northwest. The illustrations set this work apart, many fantastic period posters and shots of Woody in the area.

Language

Local notes

inscribed by author
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