Woody Guthrie, "Woody Guthrie: Radical American Patriot" (Rounder)

Given Woody Guthrie's restless nature, it's amazing he sat still long enough to record five hours of songs and conversation with folklorist Alan Lomax.

Those 1940 sessions by the Library of Congress are included on the six-CD set "Woody Guthrie: Radical American Patriot." In some of his earliest recordings, Guthrie discusses his youth, the Dust Bowl, bankers, outlaws and life as a frontier troubadour. His snicker is a delight, while his retelling of family misfortunes during the Depression is wrenching. And when he lists famous Hollywood stars from Oklahoma with provincial pride, he sounds like someone's slightly daft uncle.

Guthrie's commentary provides fresh context to the music that made him America's greatest folk singer, and many of his best songs are here, performed informally. Also included are his tunes commissioned to support the U.S. government, including 10 for an anti-venereal disease campaign.

This set isn't the best introduction to Guthrie, and much of it won't merit repeated listening. But it broadens our understanding of Guthrie, showing how — as the title suggests — the hard-traveling populist militant loved his country.