A joy, a lesson - it doesn't matter - listen and enjoy.

Review Score: (10/10)
Woody knew what Woody wanted long before Billy or Wilco. He wrote down his wanting and recorded some of it for generations to come. But much of his wanting was put to the side and remained a song in his head that he took to his grave.

The grave is unmoved but the wanting remained, recorded by his daughter, Nora Guthrie, and persevered for others to observe.

Those others observed the wanting at the request of Nora Guthrie in a CD entitled Mermaid Avenue. The others are Billy Bragg and the members of Wilco. Enthusiastically they made real the songs buried in flesh but not forgotten in spirit.

We are the recipient of a musical truth that isn't pious in it's creation, but joyous; the celebration of man who would have stood as the lead singer as much as humbly played a supporting role for a music and message that has more to do with what your are listening to then the artist itself.

Happy, sad, romantic or just defiant - listen, enjoy and learn.

Otto

More Reviews:

• Not meant to BE Guthrie, but this still misses a trick
• Remember; this is not Woody's music.
• 4.5 Stars.... Masterful Mix of Guthrie Lyrics and New Music
• I'll try to be brief, for a change
• Every year we waste enough to feed the ones who starve...
• great
• ...
• A Great Tribute to the Great Woody Guthrie
• WOOO! Grab some friends and sing along!
• Wilco Fans Should Save Their Cash
• Is he getting soft?
• Nothing to add but agreement
• Not Woody...but Darn Close
• Welcome Guests
• Great album
• mesmerising
• best since blood on the tracks
• Whisper on
• Good Collaboration
• Now how about a DVD Audio version?
• A fitting tribute
• It doesn't get any better than this.
• A Wonderful Work
• this one is addictive
• Its about time
• Great CD!
• The Present Marries the Past, Hope for the Future!
• The Best Concept Album
• What an incredible CD!
• Order now!
• Masterful
• Wil-be nothing to Brag about in two for me.
• Not convinced.
• great fun
• Refreshing and Literate
• It is so beyond good
• Don't Miss Classic !
• Something for everyone
• Deserving of Ten Thousand Stars
• ultimate, brain blasting,attrocious album of next millenium
• The Way of the Sirens
• a must for everyone that appeciates music
• They Pulled It Off!
• Do you know how hard it is to JUST ADD LYRICS to music?
• classic "alt.country"
• it's on the top of my list
• The best album in quite a long time.
• Without question the best album of 1998
• a really wonderful album
• Instant Classic
• as if you need to read another review
• Lovely to listen to
• Do you know how hard it is to JUST ADD MUSIC to lyrics?
• woody would be proud.
• Guthrie could not have been presented any better
• My favorite of last year's music
• Nothing short of a classic.
• Essential for any serious collection
• This CD made my ears bleed.
• the most inspiring collaboration ever
• good idea, just unconvincing
• good listen-once recording, never quite caught me
• An american classic
• Wow...
• An intersting approach to Guetherie's jovial lyricism
• Excellent music ... to timeless lyrics of Woody Guthrie
• .....
• Eclectic and Fantastic
• Grammy Bound
• boys done good
• Our Billy Has Done It Again
• One of the years best , a must have
• Way better than expected
• A Stunning Album
• Top Ten of 1998
• A Slow Burn Sure Thing
• Best of the year
• A must own cd.
• Real
• Quietly Perfect
• Easily, Definitely, Without a doubt the best CD of the year
• The power of Woody's words is the reason to buy the cd!
• One of the best albums I've ever heard
• Buy it! The best album in more than a dozen years
• Buy it! One of the best albums in more than a dozen years
• Channeling Woody into the Millenium!
• BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT
• The best recording of the year, you must hear this disc.
• An album for forever
• Spooky, even in its joy.
• Er...brilliant? Will that do?
• Finally something I can really enjoy
• Get it NOW
• Three months later, I can't put it down.
• Lyrics tell the story
• Album of the year
• this album brings out the best in both artists
• Mermaid Avenue is a delightful surprise!
• One of the best in the last three years
• Fantastic match-Woody Guthrie's lyrics & Bragg/Wilco music!!