A review by Graham Dixon in Folk North West, December 2008:


‘Woody Guthrie – Hard Times and Hard Travellin’– a presentation by Will Kaufman’ was the message on the email that whet my appetite to find out more about this event. I didn't know whether to expect a concert, a slide show or a film so I emailed the contact at the University of Central Lancashire and, explaining that I was the secretary of Gregson Lane Folk Club, asked for a dozen tickets which promptly arrived next day complete with accompanying leaflet and map showing me how to find the venue.


Arriving at the 400 seat venue, 15 minutes or so before the start, it was obvious from the numbers that had turned out on this cold night that I was not the only one intrigued by the invite. We were shown into the country's largest 3D theatre and took our seats which were central but close to the back – it was difficult to judge numbers but I would guess at least 240 people (probably more) were there.


Sat at the front (behind two microphones) intently tuning a Martin guitar, with fiddle and banjo at the ready, was the Fedora-hatted figure of Will Kaufman – I really didn't know anything about this guy but that first impression had me and everyone else in the audience hooked and there was no doubt, in my mind, that ‘reeling us in’ for the rest of what was to come would not be a problem to this charismatic American lecturer.

A short intro, from an official at the university, and we were on the road. Huge monochrome images, projected onto the enormous screen, not only depicted the Depression (the subject that inspired many of Guthrie’s songs) they seemed to take you there as Will picked out Blind Willie Johnson's ‘Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground’ on his guitar. The tune ended and the picture froze on an image of Guthrie playing his guitar with the inscription ‘This Machine Kills Fascists’ emblazoned across the body. This image stayed there for the remainder of the 90 minute experience. I say experience because labelling this a ‘Lecture, Concert, Presentation, Documentary or Show’ would not do it justice. It was all of these things and more.


We were taken on a journey from Oklahoma – through the Dust-Bowl to California. Will’s narrative was not only ‘thought provoking’; it was informative and very entertaining – the politics were there but by no means rammed down anyone’s throat. Punctuated by songs (mainly Guthrie and one by Joe Hill and one by Yip Harburg) played live and exceptionally well by Will, we experienced the many lows and the not so many highs of life in Hooverville. On a personal note I became aware of the meanings behind some of the familiar songs that I have previously ‘taken for granted’.


Throughout the hour and a half (which passed in no time at all) the audience were spell-bound. I never heard anyone utter a word or do anything other than listen intently to the music, the songs and the talk.


I’d like to think that I’d get the chance to see this again. I’d thoroughly recommend Woody Guthrie – Hard Times and Hard Travellin’ to anyone looking for a crowd pleaser that is quite unique, at their festival; and I would hope that Will may consider bringing ‘Woody’ to smaller platforms- such as folk clubs – in the not too distant future.