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Various 'Til We Outnumber ‘em—The Songs of Woody Guthrie 2000, Righteous Babe Records Adventurous folk singers and songwriters appreciate the life and work of Woody Guthrie more than just about anybody else, so it’s worthwhile to listen to what Ani DiFranco and friends have done with this beloved troubadour’s work. Billy Bragg, a true troublemaker in the very best Guthrie tradition, makes "Against The Law" his own. Springsteen is well suited for the immigrant tale of woe, "Plane Wreck At Los Gatos (Deportee)," and equally pleasurable getting loose on the children’s song "Riding In My Car." David Pirner’s struggle to hit the notes on "Pretty Boy Floyd" is one of this recording’s few sour notes. But when you add up all the appropriate spoken word portions and sweet harmonizing, as with Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco on "Ramblin’ ‘Round," the good easily outweighs any bad. One senses these free spirits deeply appreciate the trail first traveled by Guthrie; one that allows them to also make their own unique trails. —Dan MacIntosh