New Multitudes
A beige background with "Woody Guthrie" handwritten across it in several colors and widths. Along the left-hand side, a small band of brown has the album name written in grey and the performers in gold
Studio album by
Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, and Yim Yames
ReleasedFebruary 28, 2012 (2012-02-28)
Recorded2006 and 2009–2011
StudioBrooklyn, New York City, New York and East St. Louis, Illinois, United States[1]
GenreFolk rock,[2] alternative country[3]
Length49:17
LanguageEnglish
LabelRounder
ProducerFarrar, Johnson, Parker, and Yames
Jay Farrar chronology
One Fast Move or I'm Gone
(2009)		 New Multitudes
(2012)
Will Johnson chronology
Molina and Johnson
(2009)		 New Multitudes
(2012)		 Scorpion
(2012)
Anders Parker chronology
Cross Latitudes
(2010)		 New Multitudes
(2012)		 There's a Blue Bird in My Heart
(2014)
Yim Yames chronology
Tribute To
(2009)		 New Multitudes
(2012)		 Regions of Light and Sound of God
(2013)

New Multitudes is a Woody Guthrie tribute album performed by Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, and Jim James to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Guthrie's birth, released through Rounder Records on February 28, 2012. The project was initiated by Woody's daughter Nora Guthrie to have Farrar add music to her father's lyrics[4]—specifically, his earliest songwriting years in Los Angeles.[5] Over the course of several years, he invited the others to collaborate and recorded at a variety of locations across the United States. Each artist wrote music to lyrics that inspired him and presented it to the collaborators for recording. The result is an album with diverse musical genres that has garnered positive reviews from critics for its varied styles and instrumentation. The quartet promoted the album with a small promotional tour that took them to record stores, radio programs, theaters, and folk festivals. The group has plans for releasing a second volume.[6]

Development and recording

A hand-written title page reading "10 of Woody Guthrie's 25 Songs: Book One"
The Woody Guthrie foundation has preserved scraps of over 3,000 lyrics that Guthrie handwrote in notebooks and on scrap paper

New Multitudes is one of several tribute albums for American folk singer-songwriter Woody Guthrie. Guthrie died in 1967 after an extended battle with Huntington's disease, but his abbreviated career helped to inspire innumerable musicians during his lifetime as well as in the 1960s folk revival movement. Farrar was initially invited to collaborate with Bragg on the Mermaid Avenue sessions in 1995, but felt uncomfortable working on the material with someone else.[7] Warner Bros. Records wanted all of Son Volt to collaborate with Bragg, but after Farrar declined, he kept the idea in mind.[8] In 2006, he approached Nora Guthrie about returning to her father's lyrics and she agreed.

To write his own batch of songs, Farrar looked through several of the over 3,000 handwritten lyrics that Guthrie's estate has preserved before incidentally focusing on his California period.[1] The connection to Guthrie's Los Angeles years was accidental—Farrar simply chose lyrics that he found compelling and Nora pointed out that they came from a relatively brief period of her father's life when he lived in Los Angeles.[8] He also made a conscious decision to write instrumentation in a style more similar to Guthrie's than other tribute projects, such as The Klezmatics' klezmer-based Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah and Wonder Wheel.[1] Farrar had never listened to the Bragg and Wilco material to ensure that his songwriting would not be influenced by it.[8]

Immediately before going to the Archives in autumn 2006,[9] Farrar invited his Gob Iron collaborator Anders Parker to come with him and look over potential material and the two returned several times over a period of months gathering lyrics for composition before recording together starting on July 14, 2007.[10] As they found lyrics that interested them, they had reproductions mailed to their homes from the Archives to work on the material at their leisure.[9] The duo finished recording several songs throughout the year but did not have enough material to complete the album. The recordings were also made without a budget or record contract for release.[11]

Nora Guthrie played some of the 2009 recordings for Yames[11] and Farrar invited him to join the duo after discovering that he had visited the Archives as well. Yames wrote the tune for "Hoping Machine"[12] and suggested that fellow Monsters of Folk collaborator Johnson accompany them.[10] Farrar mailed Johnson some lyrics[13] and he composed "Chorine My Sheba Queen"[14] that afternoon,[15] while Yames was attracted to the lyrics of "Empty Bed Blues" while recovering from an injury.[16] Once the entire quartet had composed songs, they entered studios in Brooklyn and East St. Louis throughout 2009 and 2010, recording songs with live vocals in one or two takes,[10] crowding around a single microphone.[14] The group attempted to have the recordings ready for a 2011 release, but had to finish the album too late in the year.[11]

Farrar has characterized the songwriting process for this album as easier than his typical work composing new lyrics as it allowed him to be less self-conscious.[7]

Tour

A corner view of The Fillmore, displaying the venue's sign
The New Multitudes Tour began at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium
New Multitudes onstage with red lighting
The brief promotional tour to accompany the album found the New Multitudes performers playing Webster Hall in New York City (from left to right: Anders Parker, Will Johnson [drumming], Jay Farrar, and Yim Yames)

The quartet toured the United States to support the album,[17] playing all of the groups' Guthrie compositions as well as some solo work. Bobby Bare, Jr.[18] and Sarah Jaffe[19] opened for them. Early in the tour, the group discussed reconvening for further dates,[20] but decided to cap their initial outing with the Newport Folk Festival.[11]

The performers also released a four-track 10" single "Let's Multiply" exclusive for Record Store Day.[21]

Members

Dates

New Multitudes tour dates
Date City Country Venue
January 25, 2012 Glasgow United Kingdom Celtic Connections at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
March 6, 2012 San Francisco United States The Fillmore
March 7, 2012 Los Angeles Music Box Theater
March 8, 2012 Amoeba Music in Los Angeles
Santa Monica KCRW Studios[22] (Morning Becomes Eclectic)[23]
March 9, 2012 Portland Crystal Ballroom
March 10, 2012 Seattle Showbox at the Market
March 12, 2012 Alexandria The Birchmere
March 13, 2012 Philadelphia Union Transfer
March 14, 2012 New York City Webster Hall
March 16, 2012 Boston Paradise Rock Club
July 29, 2012 Newport Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park

Additionally, Parker performed some of the New Multitudes material at the initial benefit concert SwitchPoint hosted by IntraHealth International in Saxapahaw, North Carolina on April 20.[24]

Response

The tour was well-received, with The New York Times critic Nate Chinen describing their Webster Hall performance as familiar, but with a unique confluence of styles from each lyricist, from Yames' "hazy magnetism" to Parker's "straightforward folk-rock earnestness."[25] The Philadelphia Inquirer's review by Sam Adams praised the performers by concluding that "all four musicians are worthy of following in Guthrie's footsteps, each in his own distinctive way."[26]

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic81%[27]
Review scores
SourceRating
The A.V. ClubA−[28]
AbsolutePunk88%[3]
All About JazzPositive[29]
Allmusic[30]
American Songwriter[31]
The Boston GlobeFavorable[2]
Exclaim!Favorable[32]
Los Angeles Times[33]
MusicOMH[34]
The New Zealand Herald4.5/5[35]
PopMatters8/10[36]
Rolling Stone[37]

The album has received generally positive reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 81, based on 13 reviews, which indicates "generally favorable reviews".[27] MusicOMH's Max Raymond has praised the album as being "engrossing" due to the emotional depth of the lyrics as well as the warm and relaxed sound of the studio recording.[34] Will Hermes of Rolling Stone gave the album a mixed review, praising the vocal harmonies.[37] The diversity in sound was highlighted by AbsolutePunk's Gregory Robson,[3] Jason Schneider of Exclaim![32] and The A.V. Club's Chris Martins, ranging from electric blues to psychedelia as well as the atypical lyrics from Guthrie—focusing on the city of Los Angeles rather than his communist-leaning politics and Dustbowl tragedy narratives.[28] American Songwriter's Evan Schlansky noted the same apolitical tone of the lyrics, but qualified that with Yames' delivery on "My Revolutionary Mind".[31] He praised the album's diversity as a strength, allowing each vocalist an opportunity to display his unique talents. Writing for Los Angeles Times, Randy Lewis agrees that the songwriting diversity is a strength, comparing individual tracks with R.E.M., The Velvet Underground, Richard Thompson, and John Mellencamp.[33] Graham Reid of The New Zealand Herald also notes similarities to R.E.M., fellow Guthrie admirer Bob Dylan, The Byrds, and Eagles.[35] The PopMatters review by Jeff Strowe points out the blues influences in the album, adding to its emotional depth.[36] About.com's Kim Ruehl has criticized the diversity and complexity of the album as contrary to the simplicity of Guthrie's actual recordings, concluding that "If this weren't presented so staunchly as being at least part 'Woody Guthrie album,' it might be a little easier to swallow."[38] Doug Collette of All About Jazz also reviewed the deluxe edition bonus disc, comparing it favorably to the proper album as well as the previous Farrar–Parker collaboration Gob Iron.[29] The album topped American publication Billboard's Heatseekers.[11]

Sales chart performance

Sales chart performance for New Multitudes
Chart (2012) Peak
Dutch Alternative Albums (MegaCharts)[39] 23
US Billboard 200[40] 117
US Folk Albums (Billboard)[41] 5
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[42] 1
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[43] 27

Track listing

All lyrics written by Woody Guthrie, all lead vocals by co-writer.

  1. "Hoping Machine" (Farrar) – 4:52
  2. "Fly High" (Parker) – 3:45
  3. "My Revolutionary Mind" (Yames) – 4:43
  4. "VD City" (Johnson) – 4:05
  5. "Old L.A." (Parker) – 3:03
  6. "Talking Empty Bed Blues" (Yames) – 4:09
  7. "Chorine My Sheba Queen" (Johnson) – 4:50
  8. "Careless Reckless Love" (Farrar) – 5:01
  9. "Angel's Blues" (Parker) – 4:38
  10. "No Fear" (Johnson) – 3:36
  11. "Changing World" (Yames) – 3:48
  12. "New Multitudes" (Farrar) – 2:47

Limited edition bonus disc All music written and performed by Farrar and Parker.

  1. "Around New York" – 0:51
  2. "Jake Walk Blues" – 1:59
  3. "Whereabouts Can I Hide" – 2:51
  4. "Old Kokaine" – 3:04
  5. "I Was a Goner" – 3:42
  6. "San Antone Meat House" – 3:59
  7. "Dopefiend Robber" – 4:41
  8. "World's On Fire" – 3:12
  9. "When I Get Home" – 3:51
  10. "Atom Dance" – 2:34
  11. "Your Smile Cured Me" – 2:41

Personnel

Jay Farrar singing into a microphone
New Multitudes was originally a Farrar solo project and the third volume in the Mermaid Avenue series begun by Billy Bragg and Wilco

Technical

Additional musicians

  • Buck Carter
  • Jimmy Griffin
  • Creston Lea
  • Konrad Meissner

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Swiatecki, Chad (February 16, 2012). "Jay Farrar and Jim James Discover Woody Guthrie's California in New Album". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved February 16, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Morse, Steve (February 25, 2012). "Album Review | Folk: Jay Farrar, Anders Parker, Will Johnson, Yim Yames, 'New Multitudes'". The Boston Globe. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Robson, Gregory (February 28, 2012). "Farrar/Johnson/Parker/Yames- New Multitudes". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  4. ↑ Tedder, Michael (January 13, 2012). "Jay Farrar, Yim Yames to Salute Woody Guthrie". NBC. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  5. ↑ Schlansky, Evan (January 4, 2012). "Jay Farrar, Yim Yames' Woody Guthrie Album New Multitudes Due in February". American Songwriter. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  6. ↑ Kot, Greg (April 13, 2012). "Woody Guthrie's music welcomes new multitudes". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Company. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  7. 1 2 Farber, Jim (March 9, 2012). "'The New Multitudes': Jay Farrar, Jim James and Others Add New Music to Rare Woody Guthrie Lyrics". The New York Daily News. Daily News, L.P. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 Danton, Eric R. (March 9, 2012). "Jay Farrar's Woody Guthrie Album: I Knew Wilco Comparisons Were Inevitable". Spinner.com. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  9. 1 2 Schlansky, Evan (March 28, 2012). "New Multitudes Interview: Anders Parker". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 Parker, Anders (February 27, 2012). "Heart of Art: Burlington musician Anders Parker brings Woody Guthrie lyrics to life". The Burlington Free Press. The Gannett Company. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Gallo, Phil (March 9, 2012). "Jay Farrar Tackles Woody Guthrie in 'New Multitudes'". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  12. ↑ Schlansky, Evan (March 28, 2012). "New Multitudes Interview: Jim James". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  13. ↑ Schlansky, Evan (March 28, 2012). "New Multitudes Interview: Jay Farrar". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  14. 1 2 Schlansky, Evan (March 28, 2012). "New Multitudes Interview: Will Johnson". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  15. ↑ Michaels, Sean (September 18, 2009). "Jay Farrar continues Woody Guthrie album series". The Guardian. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  16. ↑ "From Jim James, a New Take on Woody Guthrie's 'Empty Bed Blues'". All Songs Considered. NPR. February 27, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  17. ↑ Hyden, Steven (January 12, 2012). "Jim James corrals other songwriters for Woody Guthrie-inspired album, New Multitudes". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  18. ↑ Christensen, Kurt (March 19, 2012). "New Multitudes (Jay Farrar, Yim Yames, Anders Parker, Will Johnson) played Webster Hall (pics, set list)". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  19. ↑ Youssef, Andrew (March 8, 2012). "New Multitudes, Sarah Jaffe @ Mayan Theater, Los Angeles 3/7/12". Stereogum. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  20. ↑ Carucci, John (April 6, 2012). "New Multitudes honor Woody Guthrie with new album". Huffington Post (original: Associated Press). Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Record Store Day 2012 Releases". Amoeba Music. April 12, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  22. ↑ "New Multitudes feat. Jim James, Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker & More on KCRW". KCRW. March 5, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Jay Farrar Live at KCRW on Morning Becomes Eclectic 03.08.12". KCRW. March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  24. ↑ "SwitchPoint, the Intersection of Great Ideas and Real Impact: IntraHealth Brings Global Innovators and Industry Leaders to Saxapahaw on April 20". MarketWatch. March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  25. ↑ Chinen, Nate (March 15, 2012). "Mining the Words of Woody Guthrie". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  26. ↑ Adams, Sam (March 15, 2012). "Folk-rockers revive Woody Guthrie at Union Transfer". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia Media Network. Retrieved March 15, 2012.
  27. 1 2 "New Multitudes Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  28. 1 2 Martins, Chris (February 28, 2012). "Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames: New Multitudes". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  29. 1 2 Collette, Doug (April 6, 2012). "Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames: New Multitudes (2012)". All About Jazz. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  30. ↑ Deming, Mark. "New Multitudes Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  31. 1 2 Schlansky, Evan (February 28, 2012). "Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames: New Multitudes". American Songwriter. Retrieved February 29, 2012.
  32. 1 2 Schneider, Jason (March 6, 2012). "Farrar-Johnson-Parker-Yames New Multitudes: A Woody Guthrie Tribute". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  33. 1 2 Lewis, Randy (February 28, 2012). "Album review: Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames' 'New Multitudes'". Los Angeles Times (Pop & Hiss). Tribune Company. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  34. 1 2 Raymond, Max. "Farrar, Johnson, Parker & Yames – New Multitudes". MusicOMH. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  35. 1 2 Reid, Graham (March 26, 2012). "Album review: Farrar/Yames/Parker/Johnson, New Multitudes". The New Zealand Herald. APN News & Media. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  36. 1 2 Strowe, Jeff (March 13, 2012). "Jay Farrar, Anders Parker, Will Johnson, and Yim Yames: New Multitudes". PopMatters. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  37. 1 2 Hermes, Will (February 28, 2012). "New Multitudes | Album Reviews | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
  38. ↑ Ruehl, Kim. "Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker, Yim Yames – 'New Multitudes'". About.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker And Yim Yames – New Multitudes" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  40. ↑ "Will Johnson Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  41. ↑ "Will Johnson Chart History (Top Americana/Folk Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  42. ↑ "Will Johnson Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Will Johnson Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.

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