Woody Guthrie is recognised as one of the most influential American folk musicians of all time. His album Dust Bowl Ballads chronicles the collision of economic and environmental disasters which had a devastating impact on the land across 6 states of America and pushed more than 2 million people from their homes in forced migration.

Dust Bowl Ballads was released in 1940 and generally recognised as one of the very first concept albums, it was Guthrie's first commercial recording and remained the most successful album of his career. Each song dealing with the tragedy associated with the Dust Bowl, and its effects on the land and the people.

Dara Hession performs the music of Woody Guthrie throughout this podcast.