Watch Woody Guthrie: All-Star Tribute Concert 1970

Woody Guthrie: All-Star Tribute Concert 1970 is a documentary film that chronicles the tribute concert for legendary folk musician Woody Guthrie, held in New York City in January 1970. Guthrie, who died in 1967, was a seminal figure in the American folk music scene, known for his socially conscious lyrics, political activism, and influence on later musicians such as Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger.

The concert, organized by Guthrie's friend and fellow musician Harold Leventhal, featured a lineup of some of the biggest names in folk and popular music at the time, including Arlo Guthrie (Woody's son), Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Odetta, Tom Paxton, and many others. The concert was a celebration of Guthrie's life and music, as well as a tribute to his contributions to American culture and politics.

The film of the concert, directed by filmmaker Saul Swimmer, captures the energy and spirit of the event, showcasing the performances of the various artists and their interpretations of Guthrie's songs. The concert was held at New York City's Carnegie Hall and was attended by thousands of fans, many of whom had been influenced by Guthrie's music and activism.

The film begins with an introduction by Pete Seeger, who explains the significance of Woody Guthrie and his place in American culture. The first musical performance features Odetta, who sings "Pastures of Plenty," a classic Guthrie song about the beauty and struggles of rural life. Odetta's soulful voice and passionate delivery set the tone for the rest of the concert.

Other standout performances include Richie Havens' powerful rendition of "This Land Is Your Land," a song widely considered to be Guthrie's signature tune, and Joan Baez's haunting version of "Deportee," a song about the mistreatment of migrant workers that remains relevant today.

Bob Dylan also makes an appearance, performing three songs with a backing band that includes George Harrison of The Beatles on guitar. Dylan, who was influenced by Guthrie in his early career, performs versions of "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," and "Blowin' in the Wind," each of which showcases his unique blend of folk and rock influences.

Perhaps the most emotional moment of the film comes during the performance by Arlo Guthrie, who sings "Coming into Los Angeles" and "Highway in the Wind," two songs written by his father. Arlo's emotional connection to the songs is palpable, and the audience responds with rapturous applause and cheers.

Throughout the film, the audience is shown snippets of Guthrie's life, through archival footage and photographs. We see Guthrie performing at protests and rallies, as well as interacting with his family and friends. These glimpses into his life serve to contextualize the concert and underscore the impact that Guthrie had on American culture and politics.

The film ends with a group sing-along of "This Land Is Your Land," with all of the performers joining in. The joyful, communal spirit of the song reflects the message of Guthrie's music: that despite our differences and struggles, we are all connected and bound together by the land we share.

Overall, Woody Guthrie: All-Star Tribute Concert 1970 is a powerful and moving document of a seminal moment in American music history. The film captures the essence of Woody Guthrie and his influence on generations of musicians, while also being a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and effect change.

Woody Guthrie: All-Star Tribute Concert 1970 is a 1970 concerts movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes.