Americana Music Reviews

 

Sarah Guthrie with the Athens County Ruffians
Songs from the Dam Farm
Independent


by Al Kunz

When this disc first landed on my doorstep, the first thought I had was, "this must be Arlo's daughter's new one." A little investigation established that Arlo Guthrie's daughter did release her solo debut, Sarah Lee Guthrie, last year and this wasn't it. She isn't even the same person. Although this Sarah Guthrie isn't Arlo's biological daughter, it wouldn't be a stretch to call her his musical and philosophical daughter.

Guthrie lives with her alternatively schooled children and three other families on what they call the "Dam Farm" in Athens County, Ohio. She describes the farm as "a community of interestingly aligned people and animals, sort of like the Island of Misfit Toys. Named for the beaver dams that flooded most of the bottomlands, it was a great favorite with area hill jacks for sightseeing in the early '90s. See, in our case, we looked funny and we lived poor, but you could see we weren't all related. Very odd." She probably hasn't spent time with the "father-rapers" on the "Group W bench," but does appear to embrace Arlo's '60s philosophy.

Musically she embraces Woody Guthrie's belief in "sharing folk music with folks." With one exception the Songs from the Dam Farm were written by Guthrie (Sarah, not Woody). As is often the case with folk songs, these are based on real life experiences, in this case primarily on the life and people on the Dam Farm. The disc begins like a stereotypical farm day with a rooster's crow to start "Old Red Rooster," a requiem for some of the farm's residents who have died unexpectedly, a rooster, a goose, and a turkey. In the case of the goose, they suspect "fowl play."

While Guthrie gets lead billing, this disc was really a community effort with several members of the Athens, OH, musical set pitching in. Six of the disc's thirteen songs use guest vocalists. Cathy Wicks takes lead vocal duties on three of these. "Hard as Nails" is the story of a small town girl growing up without a father. Her mother barely scratches out a living, teaching her that survival requires making yourself hard as nails. "Don't Fence Me In" and "Independent Girl" are similarly themed, possibly from the viewpoint of this same girl as an adult who is afraid of (or at least not interested in) developing long-term, romantic relationships.

I've known men from east to west
I've had lovers by the score
They're fun while they last
But I show them all the door

'Cus I'm an independent girl
I've known it from the start
I live by day to day
And I'll only break your heart

Jody Schaub wrote and sang "Celia's Mama's Dream," a tale of child abuse and murder. Megan Cameron takes a vocal turn on "Beast of Burden," about healing after escaping from an abusive relationship. Guthrie (who was a finalist at the Kerrville New Folk Competition in 2000) apparently delegated the songs with darker subjects to other members of her troupe. In "Peace and Trouble," she explores the cycles of good and bad in life and romance

Sally she just likes to dance
Any old time she gets the chance
Sometimes in pairs, but mostly alone
Just look at all the fine notes she's sung

Pete spends all his days with cars
Night times he'd spend in bars
Handsome, rough, and dry and warm
He's sit there lookin' so forlorn

Oh peace and trouble, joy and strife
Such things make a life
Next thing comes around the bend
One day there then you're gone again

Found each other on a winter's night
Both steppin' outside to avoid a fight
He gave a nod and she gave a grin
Full grown company, no big sin

They just up and run away
Might find a place they both can stay
He's got cars, she likes to dance
Evenings they share fine romance

"I'm All Right" is a tongue-in-cheek look at those who are unable (or unwilling) to try to understand alternative perspectives. It's either their way or the highway.

Did ya ever get the feeling folks are unappealing
When they take a stand and stand on it till their dying day
Wouldn't be a bother to a mother or a father
If they'd simply make their minds up and see things my way

I'm all right and you're all wrong
I'm all right and you're all wrong

In "Old Man" Guthrie provides the counterpoint to "Independent Girl," celebrating the pleasures of a long-term love relationship. As she looks to the future, her hope is to see the same man across the breakfast table after he's become old. ("We share love down through the ages / Our love will never die / Fall in love all over again / With that old man that lives behind your eyes").

"Dam Farm Rag" is a whimsical look at the joys of life on the Dam Farm. In the liner notes Guthrie says, "This CD represents my artistic take on a particular time and place, hopefully mutated so as to appear somewhat universal." The disc succeeds in this regard, painting a picture of life that normal folks should connect with. This life philosophy is perhaps best summarized by the closing line of the final song, "A Stranger Came," where Guthrie sings, "life's a bitch, but it's also a gas."

*For purchase information or to find out more about Sarah Guthrie and her musical compatriots visit www.damfarmgirl.com


Contact Al Kunz at kunz-at-rockzilla.net

 
Read Rockzilla's Guestbook
Sign Rockzilla's Guestbook