A lost recording of a slightly inebriated Woody Guthrie singing “Hoodoo Voodoo” has been unearthed to see the light of day. The grainy, two-minute demo showcases the long-deceased folk artist singing away on the then-unfinished song, which was one of many he left behind before passing away in 1967.
The old recording was recently re-discovered within the archives of famed writer, Shel Silverstein, and also features Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Sonny Terry. According to reports, the trio recorded the raw song idea back in 1954 during a session for Folkways Records executive, Moses Asch. Both Guthrie and Elliot had apparently been enjoying some adult beverages prior to the recording, which could explain some of the ad-lib lyrics heard sung by Woody throughout the track. The recording has since been verified as completely authentic by The Woody Guthrie Archives.
A re-imagined version of the song was given the music parts by Wilco and British singer Billy Bragg for a 1998 album of unfinished Guthrie material titled Mermaid Avenue. The album had been commissioned by Woody’s surviving daughter, Nora Guthrie, who at that time was the Director of the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archive. The 1998 version also featured current and previous Wilco members including John Stirratt, Ken Coomer, Jay Bennett (who has since passed away), and American reggae musician Corey Harris. Wilco’s alternative Americana arrangement of the old tune is clearly a much livelier recording compared to the bare minimum production of Guthrie’s original version.
It is also reported that the alcohol-inspired recording sessions from 1954 were taped during the time when Guthrie was dealing with Huntington’s disease, which would later lead to an early death at the age of just 55 13 years later in 1967.
Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy recently released his own new solo album earlier this fall titled, Warm. The singer/guitarist is scheduled to head out on a U.S. solo tour early next year starting in late February and continuing into the spring months. Tickets for the 2019 tour can be purchased by clicking here.
Fans can listen to both the original and re-imagined recordings of “Hoodoo Voodoo” in each of their respective versions via the videos below.
Woodie Guthrie – “Hoodoo Voodoo” – 1954 Demo
[Video: Rolling Stone]
Billy Bragg & Wilco – “Hoodoo Voodoo” (Woodie Guthrie Cover)
[Video: Rubber Soul]
[H/T Variety]