Southern California-based singer-songwriter Joel Rafael is considered one of the foremost interpreters of the music of Woody Guthrie. Joel's acclaimed compilations of Guthrie's songs were reissued almost a year ago, bundled as one package, The Songs Of Woody Guthrie, Vol 1 & 2. He does original stuff too, with his 2008 self penned CD, Thirteen Stories High, which included the protest song "This Is My Country." It featured David Crosby and Graham Nash on background vocals. Another version made it into the Barry Levinson documentary film, Poliwood, an in-depth look at the Democratic and Republican national conventions, filmed during the 2008 U.S. Presidential election year, as David Crosby and Graham Nash performed it at the Democratic event in Denver.
Joel Rafael has been baptized in the holy spirit of folk, so it was no wonder that we encountered him at this summer's Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, Oklahoma, as he has appeared there every year since its inception in 1998. The song "Ramblin' Reckless Hobo" is a cautionary tale, the hobo being a time honored symbol of the great depression, and of folk music itself. Walk the wrong path, and no good will come of it. The lyrics were written by Woody Guthrie, and were entrusted to Joel by Woody's daughter Nora Guthrie, who directs the Woody Guthrie Archives, overseeing the use of her father's legacy of written and illustrated works. Joel Rafael put music to the lyrics. He is presently working on a traveling troubadour documentary. We can't wait to see it, as his has been a very special path to walk.
Here is Joel in the Thompson's Loft, with the WoodyFest all star band that came to visit us after the last day's Pancake Breakfast (I bought a T-Shirt!) at WoodyFest last month.
- Jessie Scott
