Woody Guthrie: All-Star Tribute Concert 1970

Previously unavailable in any form, this remarkable historic concert film—capturing a benefit for the California chapter of the Committee to Combat Huntington’s Disease (the fatal illness that took Woody Guthrie’s life in 1967)—offers a superb presentation of the Hollywood Bowl event, which taps the combined talents of Woody’s son Arlo Guthrie, and such friends and kindred spirits as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Odetta, Country Joe McDonald, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, and Richie Havens. The 15 songs performed hail from the vast canon of Americana composed by Woody Guthrie, and the fun (and musically adventurous) angle lies in the occasional mix-and-match of the show’s artists on individual numbers. While there are plenty of solo spots (Arlo on "Oklahoma Hills," Seeger’s take on "The Sinking of the Reuben James"), the real treat is finding Baez in a duet with Seeger on the appealing "So Long, It’s Been Good to Know Yuh," and McDonald, Elliott, and others harmonizing on "Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad." Two big stars from the era, Peter Fonda (riding high from the success of Easy Rider) and Woody’s pal Will Geer (soon to be seen in The Waltons) host the concert, reading excerpts from Guthrie’s copious writings. Although it’s too bad that Guthrie protégé Bob Dylan wasn’t on hand for the tribute, this is a still huge treat for music fans. Presented in stereo, extras include three bonus songs, and brief audio interviews with Arlo Guthrie and Elliott. Highly recommended. (T. Keogh)