When their airplane from Los Angeles to New York City is grounded on the morning of the 9/11 attacks, Elliott and Joni have to make the journey of their lifetime.
Both need to get to New York as soon as possible, and thus acquire an old Chevy van equipped with a heap of guitars. Elliott and Joni discover their mutual love for old ballads and soon start a song wherever they go, discovering the soothing and healing quality of music in the wake of the 9/11 shock.
This old guitar taught me to sing a love song It showed me how to laugh and how to cry It introduced me to some friends of mine And brightened up some days It helped me make it through some lonely nights Oh, what a friend to have on a cold and lonely night This old guitar gave me my lovely lady It opened up her eyes and ears to me It brought us close together And I guess it broke her heart It opened up the space for us to be What a lovely place and a lovely space to be This old guitar gave me my life, my living All the things you know I love to do To serenade the stars that shine From a sunny mountainside And most of all to sing my songs for you I love to sing my songs for you
The feature film American Folk, written and directed by David Heinz, had been filmed over 3,500 miles in 14 US states. It is deeply moving and most of all contains loads of great American folk music, both traditional and original, plus John Prine's “Some Humans Ain’t Human” and Jerry Garcia & David Grisman's “Freight Train.”
The film's extra benefit is that Elliott and Joni are played by two genuine singer-songwriters deeply rooted in the folk tradition, Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth, respectively.
Joe Purdy has released fourteen albums over the last fifteen years. His latest album, Who Will Be Next?, pays tribute to the heritage of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan and the singer-songwriter's job as an observer and critic of the events of the day and current affairs.
Amber Rubarth has toured internationally alongside stars such as Emmylou Harris, Richie Havens and Ralph Stanley. She has composed for various films and released nine albums, the latest, Wildflowers in the Graveyard, written around the theme of renewal.
In celebration of the film opening and soundtrack release, Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth did embark on an equally epic concert tour in January and February. Reportedly, European dates are to be announced.
World's Out of Tune:
'Ground Zero' in Song and Poetry
'Enduring Freedom' in Song and Poetry
The `War on Terrorism' in Song and Poetry
Photo Credits:
(1)-(3) American Folk,
(4) World Trade Center
(unknown/website).