Man in the Sand
Encyclopedia
Man in the Sand is a 1999 music documentary that chronicles the collaboration between Billy Bragg
and Wilco
, which involved the musicians creating new music to accompany lyrics that were written decades earlier by folk singer Woody Guthrie
. The project, which was organized by Woody's daughter Nora, spawned two albums: Mermaid Avenue
, released in 1998, and Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
, released in 2000.
The film begins with Bragg in Guthrie's original hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, and follows along as Bragg travels to other Guthrie haunts in Texas, California, and finally, New York. Much of the documentary is also spent at the recording sessions in Chicago (December 1997) and Dublin, Ireland (January 1998). Most of the tracks from both albums were recorded at these sessions.
Five "bonus" tracks were also included on the DVD
(Words by Guthrie and music by Bragg.)
Billy Bragg
Stephen William Bragg , better known as Billy Bragg, is an English alternative rock musician and left-wing activist. His music blends elements of folk music, punk rock and protest songs, and his lyrics mostly deal with political or romantic themes...
and Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, which involved the musicians creating new music to accompany lyrics that were written decades earlier by folk singer Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Guthrie is best known as an American singer-songwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works. He frequently performed with the slogan This Machine Kills Fascists displayed on his...
. The project, which was organized by Woody's daughter Nora, spawned two albums: Mermaid Avenue
Mermaid Avenue
Mermaid Avenue is a 1998 album of previously unheard lyrics written by American folk singer Woody Guthrie, put to music written and performed by British singer Billy Bragg and the American band Wilco. The project was organized by Guthrie's daughter, Nora Guthrie. Mermaid Avenue was released on the...
, released in 1998, and Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
Mermaid Avenue Vol. II
Mermaid Avenue Vol. II is a 2000 album of previously unheard lyrics written by American folk singer Woody Guthrie, put to music written and performed by British singer Billy Bragg and the American band Wilco...
, released in 2000.
The film begins with Bragg in Guthrie's original hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma, and follows along as Bragg travels to other Guthrie haunts in Texas, California, and finally, New York. Much of the documentary is also spent at the recording sessions in Chicago (December 1997) and Dublin, Ireland (January 1998). Most of the tracks from both albums were recorded at these sessions.
Songs featured in the film
The following songs appear in the film (in order of performance):- "Way Over Yonder in Minor Key" (Words Woody Guthrie 1946. Music Billy Bragg 1997.)
- "California Stars" (Words Guthrie. Music Jeff Tweedy / Jay Bennett 1997.)
- "This Land Is Your LandThis Land Is Your Land"This Land Is Your Land" is one of the United States' most famous folk songs. Its lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie in 1940 based on an existing melody, in response to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America", which Guthrie considered unrealistic and complacent. Tired of hearing Kate Smith sing it on...
" (Words and music Guthrie.) - "Pastures of PlentyPastures of Plenty"Pastures of Plenty" is a 1941 composition by Woody Guthrie. Describing the travails and dignity of migrant workers in North America, it is evocative of the world described in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. The tune is based on the ballad "Pretty Polly," a traditional English-language folk...
" (Words and music Guthrie.) - "I Ain't Got No Home" (Words and music Guthrie.)
- "Here Comes the Train" (Words and music Corey Harris 1998.)
- "Ingrid BergmanIngrid BergmanIngrid Bergman was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films. She won three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and the Tony Award for Best Actress. She is ranked as the fourth greatest female star of American cinema of all time by the American Film Institute...
" (Words and music Guthrie 1950. Music Bragg 1996.) - "Ideology" (Words and music Bragg 1986.)
- "Between the Wars" (Words and music Bragg 1983.)
- "She Came Along to Me" (Words Guthrie 1945. Music Bragg / Tweedy / Bennett 1998.)
- "Go Down to the Water" (Words Guthrie 1945. Music Bragg 1997.)
- "Feed of Man" (Words Guthrie. Music Tweedy.)
- "Birds and Ships" (Words Guthrie. Music Tweedy 1997.)
- "All You Fascists Bound to Lose" (Words Guthrie 1942. Music Bragg.)
- "When the Roses Bloom Again" (Music Tweedy, Bennett.)
- "The Unwelcome Guest" (Words Guthrie 1940. Music Bragg 1996.)
- "I Was Born" (Words Guthrie 1950. Music Bragg 1997.)
- "At My Window Sad and Lonely" (Words Guthrie. Music Tweedy 1997.)
- "Another Man's Done Gone" (Words Guthrie 1939. Music Bragg 1998.)
- "Hoodoo Voodoo" (Words Guthrie. Music Tweedy / Bennett / Bragg / John Stirratt / Ken Coomer / Harris 1998)
Five "bonus" tracks were also included on the DVD
- "Birds and Ships"
- "She Came Along to Me"
- "I Guess I Planted"
- "Eisler on the Go"
- "The Unwelcome Guest"
(Words by Guthrie and music by Bragg.)