We continue our loook back at the music of 50 years ago…..
Being a folk-singer has always been a chancy proposition. Especially since Bob Dylan appeared on the scene in the early 60’s. There has always been the “next” Dylan coming. Many have been shackled with the name…some survived and prospered…some disappeared. Now, imagine you are also the progeny of one of the greatest folk singers of all time. Being a second generation musician has always had it’s pitfalls. For Arlo Guthrie it came with a two pronged edge. Coming of age in the 60’s…having a massive novelty song like Alice’s Restaurant aaand being the son of Woody Guthrie would seem to be too many burdens to overcome. And yet he did it.
Guthrie carved his own path and put together a long career of recordings and touring that just ended awhile ago. I saw him a number of years ago at the Grand Theater and he did some of the songs that appear on his 1972 album “Hobo’s Lullaby”.
The LP is a melange of tunes both old and new. The centerpiece, of course, is Guthrie’s definitive version of Steve Goodman’s ‘The City Of New Orleans”. In my opinion, one of the greatest songs in American Music history. Guthrie’s vocal and Spooner Oldham’s fine piano work put you on board that swaying railroad train, rolling through the night, not knowing that it’s days are numbered. It’s filled with pathos, sadness and nostalgia for a time soon to vanish. But that’s not all this album has to offer.
Moldy vaudeville tunes like “Anytime” and “Ukelele Lady” come alive again. He does fine cover versions of Hoyt Axton’s “Lightning Bar Blues” and Dylan’s “When the Ship Comes In”. The title track is a love letter to his father and all the others who rode the rails. And one of my favorites is an original called “Days Are Short”. He knew his genetics didn’t promise a long life. Lucky for us, that didn’t turn out to be true. It’s a beautiful song with Guthrie’s vocals backed by Linda Ronstadt, Venetta Fields and Clydie King.
Lots of notable sidemen on this project including the aforementioned Oldham, Max Bennett & Chris Ethridge on bass, Ry Cooder & Clarence White on guitar, Richie Hayward and Jim Keltner on drums, and the excellent fiddling of both Byron Berline and Gib Guilbeau.
It’s a fine little record. Enjoy.
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