List Price: $17.99Now Price: $17.99Release date: 2004-11-01
like father, like son
2005-10-29
Looking over the setlist for Arlo Guthrie's 'Hobo's Lullaby', most people would not recognize more than two or perhaps three songs, but nearly everybody would recognize one. One of Arlo's few charting songs was his rendition of Steve Goodman's 'The City of New Orleans', which peaked out at number 11 in September of 1968. The first recording Guthrie made of the track (which may still be in existance, and would be a nice alternate track if the disc is ever reissued... hint, hint) was a rock and roll version that never made it to vinyl. Producer Lenny Waronker convinced Guthrie to approach the song as the folk artist he was known as, but when Waronker decided the version to be released was itself too subdued, he artificially sped up the finished product.
It's ironic that Guthrie was hopeful the hit song would distance him from his folk roots as 'Hobo's Lullaby' does much to reinforce that connection. Only two tracks (one an instrumental) are penned by Guthrie, and his selection of covers are drawn from composers such as his own father ('1913 Massacre'), and troubadors Hoyt Axton ('Lightning Bar Blues' and 'Somebody Turn On the Light') and Bob Dylan ('When the Ship Comes In' being lifted from 1964's 'The Times They Are A-Changin'). The title track was a standard in his father's stable of performance tunes, and the opening track, 'Anytime', a Herbert 'Happy' Lawson composition, has been recorded by the likes of Pat Boone, Patsy Cline, Bill Haley, and Leon Redbone. For some reason Guthrie only offers the first two verses of this vibrant country song, yet printing the two unperformed verses in the liner. At 1:46 it's the shortest track, while 'The City of New Orleans' is the longest at 4:30.
As with every Arlo Guthrie album I've heard, every track is entertaining in its own right. The highlights on 'Hobo's Lullaby' would be (aside from the classic title track, written and first recorded by a true vagabond, Goebel 'The Texas Drifter' Reeves), 'The City of New Orleans', the ode to alcoholics everywhere 'Lightning Bar Blues' (which isn't very bluesy), the haunting '1913 Massacre', telling the tragic and true story of 73 children killed during a copper strike in Calumet, Michigan, and the light and lively 'Ukelele Lady', with its wonderful plays on phonics. Guthrie's compositions include the upbeat country charmer 'Mapleview (20%) Rag', and 'Days Are Short'.
While 'Hobo's Lullab
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