WOODY AT HOME VOL. 1 + 2 BY WOODY GUTHRIE | ALBUM REVIEW
February 20 2026 | Written by Lauren Ketterl
Legendary folk artist Woody Guthrie’s latest release, “Woody at Home- Volume 1 + 2,” features twenty-two unreleased tracks, including thirteen newly recorded songs and three spoken tracks that Guthrie recorded at home before passing away from Huntington’s disease in 1967. These recordings were released on August 14th, 2025, by Woody’s longtime publisher, TRO Essex Music Group.
At thirty-eight years old, Woody recorded these songs on a two-channel tape recorder sent to him by TRO Essex founder Howie Richmond. He recorded the songs by himself at his home in Brooklyn, NY, between 1951 and 1952, and even included audio from his children at the time. The songs on this album include an array of subjects like love and loss, as well as deeper topics like racism and fascism. This is heard in songs like ‘Peace Call’ and anti-fascism single ‘I’m a Child Ta Fight’, along with his most recognizable song ‘This Land is Your Land’, which features new verses. His songs have become the standard for folk music today and are even performed around the world.
The last of his tapes was sent to TRO. 1952, which included 32 tapes with more than 300 songs. It wasn’t until nearly 75 years later that the recordings were revamped using vintage Ampex machines and restoration software. The producers made sure to include Woody’s original voice and guitar, along with sounds heard in the background by his children. Ironically enough, many of his children and grandchildren went into music themselves.
Woody found inspiration from nearly everything around him, from movies to newspaper clippings, even from just observing people. Folk singer Pete Seeger even said, “Anything worth discussing was worth a song to Woody.” He took everyday instances and gave them personality, even bringing to light more serious topics like racism and injustices, saying, “Any event which takes away the lives of human beings, I try to write a song about what caused it to happen and how we can all try to keep such a thing from happening again.”
Woody’s creative legacy has gone through three generations, including his first wife, Marjorie Guthrie, who helped found Huntington’s Disease Society of America, his daughter, Nora Guthrie, and his granddaughter Anna Canoni. They have kept his legacy alive and reminded everyone of the significance of his music and the power of his songwriting.