'Til We Outnumber 'Em: Woody Guthrie

Performer: Various Artists
Engineer: John Reynolds
Producer: Ani DiFranco (Compilation)
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: All profits from TIL WE OUTNUMBER 'EM: THE SONGS OF WOODY GUTHRIE benefit the Woody Guthrie Foundation/Archives and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum's educational foundation. Recorded live at Severence Hall in Cleveland, Ohio on September 26, 1996. Includes liner notes by Nora Guthrie, Robert Santelli and Ronald Ehmke. Recording information: Severance Hall, Cleveland, OH (09/29/1996). Ani DiFranco conceived this splice and dice pastiche from a 1996 performance at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum when performers as diverse as herself and Bruce Springsteen gathered for a tribute concert devoted to 20th century political folk pioneer Woody Guthrie. Spoken word patter by actor Tim Robbins and activist/singer Country Joe McDonald, among others, dart in and out between songs by Guthrie's son Arlo and prot�g� Ramblin' Jack Elliot. Contributions from rock ringers include Springsteen (he does the apolitical children's song "Riding in My Car" and the migrant worker anthem "Deportee"), Billy Bragg ("Against The Law"), Indigo Girls with DiFranco ("Ramblin' Round"), and David Pirner (formerly of Soul Asylum with a highly respectable "Pretty Boy Floyd"). Guthrie's music has clearly touched musicians of every generation and genre and with a little help from DiFranco and technology, his music is still accessible in the current century. ~ Denise Sullivan TIL WE OUTNUMBER 'EM is the aural document of a 1996 Woody Guthrie tribute concert hosted by Ani DiFranco in conjunction with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The program showcases an interestingly eclectic group of folkies and rockers, all of whom seem genuinely inspired by the songs and by the occasion. Highlights include Bruce Springsteen's sly introduction to "Riding in My Car" ("Automobiles�that's my business," he notes) and his passionate rendering of "Deportee;" Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner's authoritative take on "Pretty Boy Floyd;" Ramblin' Jack Elliot's chilling "1913 Massacre;" and DiFranco's version of "Do Re Mi." The last is so intensely dramatic that it nearly brings down the house. Readings from Guthrie's prose by Arlo Guthrie and Tim Robbins (among others) provide effective segues.

Rolling Stone (6/22/00, p.130) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A 1996 concert honoring Guthrie....delivering spirited performances....but the real stars here are the songs..." CMJ (7/00, p.57) - "...Plying up the artists' stylistic quirks...[with] earnest intent..." No Depression (7-8/00, p.107) - "...The performances are affectionate, enjoyable and predictable..."

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