YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT... (AN APPRECIATION FOR ARLO GUTHRIE)

"Being famous is not the same as being important. A lot of important people aren't famous, and a lot of famous people aren't important." (Arlo Guthrie)

Now it all started for me two Thanksgivings ago, that's two years ago on Thanksgiving...no, no, it was much longer ago than that! It was in the late 1970s, a time when not only music was filling my head, but also a few cult films being shown on TV, usually late on Friday and Saturday evenings. Back then it seemed that all kinds of new sights and sounds were turning me round, and pointing me in new directions. One of these films was 'Alice's Restaurant'.


In the freewheelin' spirit of Arlo Guthrie, I'd found another influence to shape the character of my late teens. I enjoyed the way Arlo mocked the red tape of the establishment, not only because he had good reason to, but also because he did it with charm. Although the film also revealed some of the darker side of late 60s counterculture, it's the lighter moments that people remember most, thanks to Arlo's 18-minute talking-blues title piece, which formed the storyline of the film.

Blessed with a gift for storytelling and an appealing drawl, Arlo recounts the absurd tale of his arrest for littering and its subsequent effect on his draft status. It's high comedy indeed, containing lines both memorable and quotable and 'I cannot tell a lie', I've been dropping some of them in conversation for many years now. 'I'm not proud...or tired', either...

I dug out my copy of the film's soundtrack for an airing recently. It's the version 'that can't be beat', Omnivore's 50th Anniversary Edition, combining both previously available versions and, as a 'friendly gesture', the unissued 'Alice's Restaurant: Multi-Color Rainbow Roach Affair'! Over the years, Arlo has revisited the song in concert, studio and the radio, creating even more bizarre stories to add to the song. Collect 'em all folks!

The soundtrack is an enjoyable, down-home affair of country, blues, and folk-based tunes. Garry Sherman offers musical support, Pete Seeger makes a guest appearance, and a couple of other vocalists chip in too—but nothing detracts from Arlo's presence. Well, perhaps the rousing congregational version of "Amazing Grace" is a slight rival. There is something about that hymn; no matter which version I hear, it always stirs up my emotions. It is a favorite soundtrack of mine, right up there with Ry Cooder's best work for "roots music." The title song was re-recorded for the film and split into two parts to better fit the plot. In doing so, it lost a little of the spontaneity of the original (found on Arlo's debut album), but it remains an amusing listen.


The first Arlo records I owned were a previously well-loved copy of his debut (also titled 'Alice's Restaurant') and 'The Best Of Arlo Guthrie' - both serving me well until I was able to dig deeper. The debut reveals a restless spirit, one occupied with transience and the need to be moving on. It must be in the family! 'Chilling Of The Evening' and 'Highway In The Wind' are my particular favourites, as they are beautiful and reflective vignettes showing Arlo's sensitive side. For further humour, there's 'Ring-Around-A-Rosy-Rag' ('ring around, ring around rose, touch your nose and blow your toes') relating to another misdemeanour, all rather jolly and innocent, of course. Then there's 'The Motorcycle Song', which could be a companion piece to Syd's 'Bike' in its playfulness. This last piece, like 'Alice', Arlo would revisit in concert and extend, becoming more and more comical and keeping audiences rolling in the aisles!


With 'The Best Of Arlo Guthrie', I now had the chance to hear songs from Arlo's 70's albums. It's a strong selection and I've probably listened to this album more than the debut. 'Gabriel's Mother's Hiway Ballad #16 Blues' (what a title!) is a plaintive plea for a heaven on earth, peace and unity, as well as also getting in a dig at commercialism ('I don't know but I've been told, the streets of heaven have all been sold'). It's a very moving song, but so too, Arlo's arrangement of Steve Goodman's 'City Of New Orleans'. This is the journey along the Illinois Central Railroad from Chicago down to southern Illinois. Goodman made this trip with his wife on the City of New Orleans train, writing down everything he saw both on board and out the window - people and places flashing by in a time of change. The flow of the music is a ride in itself - wonderful chords!


The live recording, 'Motorcycle (Significance Of The Pickle') Song', is one of the aforementioned variations of 'The Motorcycle Song' - but this time, it's a hilarious, fictional telling of a brush with the law. Arlo's comic timing and delivery is excellent, as is the song's crossfade into one of his best-known counterculture anthems, 'Coming Into Los Angeles', the highlight of his famed Woodstock appearance.
The inclusion of songs like 'Last Train' and 'Darkest Hour', prove Arlo is about much more than just 'Alice's Restaurant' (although that's included here too, obviously!). The album showcases some beautiful, thoughtful songwriting, even if Arlo has always remained modest about his abilities...


"Songwriting's just kinda like catching fish—you sit there and pull them out as they go by—though I think Bob Dylan's up stream from me... "

Arlo's long dedication to good causes eventually led him to set up The Guthrie Center in 1991. This is the same Trinity Church where Alice lived and a lot of 'Alice's Restaurant' was filmed. Now interfaith, the church is a non-profit charitable organization that serves to bring people together and fulfill their cultural, educational as well as spiritual needs. click here to find out more.

Unfortunately, Arlo had to give up touring in 2020, but being a natural communicator, he's embraced the internet and arlo.net is the place for fans to gather, chat, and discover all things 'Arlo' click here.
Good vibes prevail here together with many a quote, or two, and more! Arlo also posts his thoughts (and photos) daily on the Rising Son Records Facebook page, although this will be changing shortly, when he returns once more to his own dedicated Facebook page. I enjoy checking in to see how he's getting along... click here - moving soon to Arlo's new Facebook page

Arlo exudes charm. Arlo inspires. He's a good soul, from good stock!

C'mon you've just gotta love Arlo!