The Wanderers
Beaverton, Oregon, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Last night’s concert at the Grange — the Wanderers and Tom Rawson — proved to be a sweet, sweet night of musical history, charming musicians, and a true hootenanny. It was the first concert I’ve ever been to that the audience sang nearly as much as the performers, and it is because all of the musicians sincerely were there to make sure NOBODY ever forgets people like Woody Guthrie and the three thousand songs he wrote.
The Wanderers, the well-seasoned duo of Carl Allen and Bill Murlin, opened the show with the news that this year marks the fiftieth year of their musical collaboration. That is remarkable and a blessing as they sure did bring us a lot of fun and great music with lots of old Woody songs and more. - Bullwings, Orcas Issues, News, Views - Orcas Island, Wash.
"Carl Allen of Seattle and Bill Murlin of Portland have been singing for a half century specializing in the songs of Woody Guthrie. With guitars and banjo and classic brother harmony Carl and Bill sang Woody’s songs including Way Over Yonder in A Minor Key and songs of other legends and heroes…" "When you’re walking that Lonesome Valley, it’s good to know The Wanderers are crooning nearby, filling canteens with the vitality of cool, clear, classic folk music." - Florence Arts and Entertainment Weekly
(In reference to the Wanderers CD - It's About Time) "...This wonderful collection of songs is a treasure. The music is so comfortable and authentic it takes the listener on a journey of heart and history that endures and lingers long after the last track is finished. Bill and Carl have selected a beautiful set of songs here from our epoch. Their commitment as partners through the years shines like a warming sunshine. The voices of these weathered Wanderers are as comfortable as a conversation with and old friend on an autumn afternoon..." - David Maloney of Reilly and Maloney, Folk Duo
Discography
'Live and Kickin' - our newest CD
It's About Time - CD
Tracks at www.thewanderersfolk.com
Photos
Bio
We Wanderers have performed together for 50 continuous years doing classic American folk songs, sing alongs and Woody Guthrie's Columbia River songs. Our influences include The Kingston Trio, Chad Mitchell Trio, Peter,Paul and Mary, The Weavers, Woody Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Pete Seeger, Terry Gilkyson and the Easyriders, Bud and Travis, Utah Phillips. Our classic American folk songs programs pay tribute to those who influenced us by presenting many of their songs and we love to get audiences singing along.
Our most unique program features Woody Guthrie's Columbia River song collection, which we personally researched, recovered and published. In May 1941, Guthrie was hired by the federal agency the Bonneville Power Administration in Portland, OR to write songs for a documentary movie the agency planned to produce. Guthrie was hired temporarily for 30 days and in that month, Guthrie wrote 26 songs including some of his most famous anthems: Roll On, Columbia, Pastures of Plenty, The Grand Coulee Dam and Hard Travelin’. After the movie debut in 1948 most of Guthrie’s lyrics and recordings disappeared. Bill Murlin is a former Bonneville Power Administration public information officer. While working at the agency, Murlin researched the Guthrie legend and eventually he recovered all 26 song lyrics that Guthrie wrote. Additionally, Murlin recovered recordings of Guthrie singing 17 of his Columbia River songs, including some songs never previously heard. The lyrics and recordings were published as assembled collections in 1987-88. More than 22 years later these two volumes stand as the authoritative source for these Columbia River songs.
Murlin and Allen began presenting these songs and their stories as programs and concerts in the Northwest in 1987 and continue to this day. The stories include information gathered from primary sources including Guthrie’s first wife, Guthrie’s government driver and the man who hired him for the song-writing project. Quotes from Guthrie’s writings and letters are sprinkled throughout the programs.
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