Arlo Guthrie concert.

blacbird

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I attended a concert by Arlo Guthrie & family tonight. Was just plain magnificent. He hasn't lost anything. Funny, sharp, plays a mean guitar, and continues to be a great storyteller. Yes, he did do a somewhat updated version of "Alice's Restaurant", and it was terrific. But all the other material was equally strong. It included, of course, stuff by his dad, (notably "This Land Is Your Land" and "Deportee"), and also Pete Seeger. More surprising was Donovan's "Catch the Wind", and two by Dylan ("The Times They Are A-Changin'" and "Mr. Tambourine Man". Plus Steven Goodman's classic "City of New Orleans" and a lot of great stuff I hadn't heard before.

Just had to express my fandom.

caw
 

Maryn

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I saw Arlo years and years ago, at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas. He was both a delight and a fine showman, equal parts charm and talent. I'm pleased to hear he's still got it.

Did he do "Motorcycle"? Such a silly song. I always liked it.
 

Larry M

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I attended a concert by Arlo Guthrie & family tonight. Was just plain magnificent. He hasn't lost anything. Funny, sharp, plays a mean guitar, and continues to be a great storyteller. Yes, he did do a somewhat updated version of "Alice's Restaurant", and it was terrific. But all the other material was equally strong. It included, of course, stuff by his dad, (notably "This Land Is Your Land" and "Deportee"), and also Pete Seeger. More surprising was Donovan's "Catch the Wind", and two by Dylan ("The Times They Are A-Changin'" and "Mr. Tambourine Man". Plus Steven Goodman's classic "City of New Orleans" and a lot of great stuff I hadn't heard before.

Just had to express my fandom.

caw

That sounds like a great time. Arlo is such a unique personality, and a legendary performer.

I met him once, in the mid-1980's. I was managing a tobacco store in the Holyoke Mall, Holyoke, MA, not far from where he lived.

It was December, and the mall was busy. I was behind the cash register, with my back to the door, and I heard someone come in. I didn't turn immediately, and I heard a voice say, "Can I have a pack of Merits?"

Some voices are so unique that they are immediately recognizable, and his is one of those.

I said before I even turned around, "I know that voice."

I turned, and sure enough, there was Arlo Guthrie smiling at me.

He said, "I'm glad someone remembers me."

Unfortunately for me I didn't have a chance to have much of a conversation with him, as someone called him from just outside the door (a family member, I guessed). He said thanks and left the store.
 

Marissa D

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Heh, I made my kids listen to "Alice's Restaurant" just a few weeks ago because it's just one of those things one should have heard. I first heard it in middle school, when our chorus teacher played it for us one day in class--which is kind of surprising (but cool) now that I think of it.
 

shakeysix

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When I taught college comp I made my students listen to Alice's Restaurant every Thanksgiving time. It was mandatory and even the ones who started out groaning ended up laughing. A lot of them had heard it at home when younger. Also love Motorcycle. "This Land is Your Land" is an all time goose bumpy best--great. patriotic song, written by a "Commie"--don't forget Woody was once labeled a commie. Makes you wonder how a penniless Okie traveling the USA looking for menial labor can be called a traitor, accused of writing the Marxist Anthem for the downfall of America. BUT a crooked, lying, self serving rich guy can make deals with actual Russians and anyone who wants to question his ethics are traitors?

Looking at the current tv programming, the news on the untainted stations, the protesting young, the late night comedians nightly ripping the fearless leader-- I get a strong nostalgia for the late sixties, the seventies. Maybe, just maybe, the wild eyed liberals are creeping out from under their Reagan era rocks. Maybe it won't be a sin to be a socialist again. I'm right here, at 68 years old, digging through the basement for my old Arlo Hat--s6
 
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ap123

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I make my kids listen to Alice's Restaurant every Thanksgiving. For me, it's a stronger tradition than any specific food.

Sounds like it was a great show, blacbird!
 

blacbird

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He didn't do "Motorcycle", alas.

Just for background, I am the same age as Arlo. And I did indeed go through that entire draft physical thing, twice, and did indeed get drafted, and spent a year in Vietnam as a consequence. So "Alice" means a little more to me, perhaps, than to many others.

Now I have a bad urge to go take out the trash.

caw
 

poetinahat

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Boy howdy. Thanks, blacbird - if he ever gets out this way, I will make sure not to miss him.
 

MaeZe

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That's fantastic. I saw the family reunion concert on PBS and it was pure ecstasy. What an incredible family and friends.