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| Jonatha Brooks channels loving GuthrieThe Worksby Jonatha Brooks Naughty Puppy Music reviewed by Mike Matejka Woody Guthrie is a seminal American musical figure, a roving labor patriot who sang America’s song. Every school child learns “This Land is Your Land” and his other easily identifiable works. 
Woody was also incredibly prolific, writing lyrics never set to music. Recently the Woody Guthrie Foundation has invited various guest artist to muse with Woody’s fragments, the latest, and the first female, being Jonatha Brooks. Many Guthrie songs are topical responses to the day’s headlines. This CD is different, the “kinder, gentler” side, love songs and gentle connectors to greater humanity. Brooks bring a mellow, soulful voice to these lyrics, along with her original musical tracks that nicely compliment. There’s still an over arching message here -- even in the love songs, there is an outreach that’s larger than one person, embracing the human family. Brooks captures that spirit well to complete an enjoyable musical journey that leads one searching for more of Woody’s poetry. |