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WOODY GUTHRIE/ VARIOUS This Machine Kills Fascists Snapper Music ****

Named after the slogan he painted on his guitar, this near three-hour work is the definitive account of the life and work of the legendary Woody Guthrie. It's beautifully done: all the extant footage of Guthrie is here, including collaborations with Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and Pete Seeger. Narrated by Billy Bragg (who, along with Wilco, helped finish off some unreleased Guthrie tracks a few years ago), there are illuminating interviews with Arlo and Nora Guthrie, and some surprisingly sparky stuff from people who are described as "Guthrie scholars". Much is made of Guthrie's influence on Bob Dylan, but here you find out how and why he also inspired Bruce Springsteen, Ry Cooder, Willie Nelson and Gillian Welch, among others. Don't mistake this for a stroky-beardy reverential tribute - it's all very unsentimental and even occasionally, very funny. Definitely worth investigating.

Brian Boyd