There have been certain songwriters and singers who have been supplying me with a window on the world for as long as I can remember. They've told stories and jokes, sung songs, and helped bring some things into perspective, making what seems truly overwhelming almost manageable.
A couple of days ago, I took my wife to a doctor's appointment. When we got home she checked our phone messages. "Go check your email, it sounds like you've got an interview with Arlo Guthrie tomorrow morning," she said.
I got to talk to one of the people who has been talking to me for more than 30 years. It was nominally supposed to be about the 40th anniversary of the song "Alice's Restaurant", but when I was preparing for the interview I had thought to myself, how often do you get to talk to a person who has sung about and lived through as much as he has?
As I'm about as subtle as a brick wall, I think he might have been a little taken aback at the suddenness of the conversation shift, but Guthrie was too nice to say anything about it. His answers to my stumbling questions about the mood of the world were thoughtful and as perceptive as any historian's, for of course that's what he is.
Folk singers are our cultural historians. The songs they sing are the stories of our society at a certain point in time. You may not agree with the opinion that some of the songs express, but that doesn't stop them from being an accurate reflection of what was happening at the time.
I thought I was going to be nervous about this, but when the phone rang at 9:30 on Wednesday, April 5th, the familiar cheery voice at the other end of line put me right at my ease.
After a few comments about the weather, I asked him if he minded if we began with a few questions about "Alice's Restaurant," and he said, "I'm yours for 20 minutes, ask what you want."
Richard: I'm a little confused about something ("There's nothing wrong with that," Arlo interjects laughing and I agree, saying I enjoy it immensely) — what exactly is this tour — the "Alice's Restaurant Tour" — the 40th anniversary of?
Arlo: It's the 40th anniversary of writing the song. I started writing the song at the time of the incident in 1965, and finished writing it in 1966. We started this tour in June of 2005 and will finish it in 2006, so that's how it works out. (Laughs) Sorry about that, now you're not confused any more.
Article comments
1 - Lisa McKay
Richard, this was a terrific interview! Like most people my age, I have very fond memories attached to "Alice's Restaurant". I'm glad you veered off course with your questions -- it's a really compelling look at an interesting artist. Thanks.
2 - J. P. Spencer
I'm a little younger than Arlo's first audiences, but Arlo to me stands out as one of the few lights of decency left in the world.
And his live shows are not to be missed.
3 - Bonnie
Great interview, Richard. I was lucky enough to see Arlo Guthrie a couple of years ago at the Ottawa Folk Festival; he is such a charismatic storyteller. His kids were playing in his band that weekend, and though "Alice" wasn't part of the Arlo's mainstage show, the kids did it with some other performers on a side stage the next day. Tons of fun, and a song that definitely revists a time and place for me (even if it isn't 1965/6.)
4 - Jet in Columbus
It's become a standing tradition to play the Alice's Resturant CD after our Thanksgiving Meal.
Thanks for the memories.
Quick-what floor was the psychiatrist's office on?
5 - Triniman
Excellent interview, Richard. I wonder if we'll ever get one with Ignatieff, or if that opportunity and its relevence, have been overcome by events.
6 - Andy Marsh
great interview! Jet, a lot classic rock stations play it every T'day...
7 - Bliffle
Good interview. I don't think it's flat on the page. I think the words speak clearly and well.
8 - Richard Marcus
Fourth floor, damn I can't remember. I think that's cool that people have made that part of their holiday, does everyone go out and get busted for litering too? :)
I saw Arlo play with Pete Seeger back in 1980 in Toronto, and I should be going to review this current tour when it comes around on the guitar up here in Kingston. We have thanksgiving on the wrong day up here( or you do in the States I don't know which) but the song still means a lot.
If any of you want to expand on what the song means to you, we're going to be doing a special feature on it in mid May, which will be including my review and so far about six other B.C. writers writing about the song or the movie. It promises to be a blog meal that can't be beat...
Bonnie, on Live in Syndey Arlo talks about doing Alice with his kids one time, and he forgot the lyrics, and neither of them knew them to jog his memory enough to get him back on track. He said he went up to them after the show and said "Hey I knew my dad's songs, why don't you know mine" He went on to tell that over the course of the tour he would come across his daughter sitting off by herself in her spare time teaching herself the song... "It was like a great weight was lifted off my shoulders, I would never have to perform it again, it had passed on to the next generation...she's going to be in Austrailla in a couple of months, why don't you ask her to play I'm sure she be glad too..." The whole time he was telling this story of course he was doing that familliar refrain on the guitar.
It sure does seem like Mr. Ignatieff has forgotten about us doesn't it? Maybe now that he's running for leader though he might take the time... of course I'd like to change some of my questions... I'd have to ask him about his thoughts on Alice's Resaurant for one thing.
cheers all and thanks for the comments, Arlo is nothing if not a unifier for bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together.
Dave Naille if you read this post, I want to hear about Kinky Friedman running for Governor, that's something that never got reported up here, and that would have been news....
cheers
Richard Marcus
9 - Mark Schannon
Terrific job, Richard. I've loved Guthrie's songs for years. You really brought him to life as a thoughtful, intelligent, multi-dimensional person.
In Jamesons Veritas
10 - Lono
great piece. I am a big fan of Arlo. He is also the nicest musician I have ever met. I highly recommend his shows to anyone... it is more than a concert. It becomes an informal get together.
anyone reading who is a fan of Alice's Restuarant should also check out 'the Pickle Song'. It is funnier, and has a better melody too.
11 - Scott Butki
Great interview. I am very jealous.
I'd be mad if I saw Guthrie play and he didn't sing Alices but I can understand why. Very cool about having his kids playing the song now.
Did he say anything about the movie? I ordered it via Netflix and hope the song is on there.
12 - Jet in Columbus
No, sorry Richard, the line is "...go see the psychiatrist, room 604
You were close! :(
13 - Richard Marcus
Well I'll try this again, I tried to post earlier this morning and it didn't happen, lets see what happens now. Jet Hey for a dyslexic that means I got it right, just got it backwards he, he.
Sorry Scott we didn't even touch on the movie, at all
The Motorcycle song: He's actually expanded on the story line now for it as well, he now talks about how he used to be embaressed about being a collage drop out, and going into coffed houses and getting up and singing stuff like "I don't want a tickle, I just want to ride my motorcycle, I don't want a pickle i just want to ride my motorcycle, I don't want to die, I just want to ride my mortor cy cle. But he's found out that they do graduate seminars on that song now, so he doesn't feel so stupid after all. Then he continues on with how the string of his guitar breaking and wrapping around the sign post saved his life...
Richard Marcus
14 - Dave Nalle
The perfect interview for Richard to do, perhaps. Very enjoyable. Arlo seems as genuinely nice and non-judgemental as one would expect.
Dave
15 - gazelle
i'm so glad its still open, the restaurant that is, you know the one that belongs to Alice.
16 - Richard Marcus
Gazelle, the restaurant has been long closed, its the church that's being used. Remember "Alice didn't live in the restaurant, she and her husband lived in the church, a few blocks away from the restaurant...
Dave, I think you're right about that, he probably is the perfect interveiw for me, I was really impressed with his answers about issues dealing with America and how quick he was to defend it. None of that kneejerk automaticaly blaming the sins of the world on western society. Even lefties like me get tired of that line fast...it's too much of a cop out.
I wanted to ask you, so I hope you check back in, Dave, about Kinky's run for governor in Texas. There's another one of my idols, Mr. Friedman, I was wondering if you had followed his campaign at all...I think his ideas on border securtity were pretty solid...
Richard
17 - Dave Nalle
Dave Naille if you read this post, I want to hear about Kinky Friedman running for Governor, that's something that never got reported up here, and that would have been news....
I already wrote one article on it a couple of weeks ago. I'm now trying to line up an interview. After hearing him on the radio a couple of times and after having had a brief issues chat with Carole Strayhorn which was less than satisfactory, I'm leaning in his direction more and more.
Dave
18 - Scott Butki
Richard, I sent you an email a few days ago but didn't hear about. It was whether you want me to review the film and its relationship to the song.
Incindentally I realized that I saw Arlo play a show about three years ago and took a few photos of him.
He didn't play Alice's R. but was still pretty good. He was on the same bill with Rambling Jack Elliot.
19 - Richard Marcus
Scott, I just sent you an email, checked our correspondance and all I saw was a request for the lyrics or a copy of the song, no matter. If you don't get the letter, to your gmail account, the ansewr is most definately yes.
Richard
20 - Scott Butki
Ok, cool. Will do.
Incidentally, tt would be cool to have a link to the lyrics of the song.
21 - George C. Koller
Have you heard Woody singing "Goodnight, little Arlo, goodnight?" It's amazing how within three generations the Guthrie family embraces what is best about America! I mean the America of Arlo and Woody and Leadbelly and Dylan and Baez and Seeger and Cisco Houston and Phil Ochs, not the America of George W. Bush and company.
I remember living in New York in the mid-sixties and hearing Arlo sing Alice's Restaurant for the first time on WBAI, which is the listener-sponsored Pacifica radio station there. I was knocked out by it then, as well as through the years. I love the movie, also. I saw Arlo live years later in Toronto, he was playing with the McGarrickle (sp?)sisters. Great show! Great interview, thanks!
22 - niels hee andersen
nice to hear from this white haired survivor of long gone times.
We have had him visiting over here many times and once in our humble folk club to 39 paying guests , in spite of a sore throat, he retold the massacree to everyone´s delight.
but that was the 30th anniversary version, what is he up to this time!!
Also good memories of the Tonder Festival together with Pete Seeger,
thanx for the interview
23 - Scott Butki
Richard, I was thinking of this piece yesterday as a I read a WAshington Post travel piece about the town where the song is set. Email me your snail mail address and I'll send you a copy.