JOE KLEIN INTERVIEW TAPES; 2000-38.01-100

Almanacs 2000-38.01.02

WOODY GUTHRIE'S PERSONAL RECORD COLLECTION

Woody Guthrie's Personal Record Collection consists of albums personally owned by Guthrie, as well as Albums released by Guthrie, and represents an important component to the Archives. These records provide researchers with insight into Guthrie's own musical influences. Guthrie himself annotated many of the record jackets, noting how he acquired the record, the date he received the album, and his thoughts on either the artist or the lyrics. In addition, many of Guthrie's albums are adorned with his original artwork – doodles and drawings covering the liner notes of some of the record jackets.

Of particular note in this Collection is Guthrie's copy of Lead Belly's Musiccraft Corporation undated album entitled “Negro Sinful Songs sung by Lead Belly” (acc. #2008-110). This 4-disc album contains a love letter which Guthrie wrote to ‘Mama and Cathy' on November 18 th , 1943. In this letter he discusses the different houses he has lived in with Marjorie (‘Mama') and the way in which the music they played in each house changed the way it felt; proclaiming his love for ‘3520', the home they shared on Mermaid Avenue. Guthrie ends his letter with the comments “gosh! What are folks gonna think when they look here and see such a long inscription? Well, we don't care. At least I don't. In a very few days I guess I'll be shipping out again for my second time. I just want you to know that I love you – tonight. Woody.”

In addition, Guthrie's copy of Asch Records' “American Folksay Ballads and Dances” (acc. #2008-100), dates January 16 th , 1945, is noteworthy in that it contains extensive notes by Guthrie describing the evolution of his thoughts on the album, gained through listening to the record several times. At one point, Guthrie notes “I felt ashamed because I helped to make it. I wanted to melt the wax up and pour it back to the factory and my hands ached to grab all of the records off the market and toss them back to their moulds. It sounded so bad I wanted to just get up and run away somewhere and never come back.” However, Guthrie has a change of heart, likening the album to a “wild and fiery and rough and tumble” kid, which he appreciates more than the smooth and quiet kids. Following his introduction is a detailed description of the songs that he considers to be his favorites.

Woody Guthrie's Record Collection consists of approximately 50 individual discs (30 albums), many of which are extremely fragile and some of which are broken. The Archives has the capabilities to play these albums, however, their value to researchers lies primarily in the annotations by Guthrie, and it is Archives policy not to play these albums unless absolutely necessary.