Review: Live In Sydney By Arlo Guthrie

Twenty-five years ago, on a summer's day in Toronto, I went down to the waterfront at around noon to stake out at a seat for a concert that wouldn't begin until eight o'clock that evening. The old Ontario Place Forum's seating was almost full, only the final rows of seats were still available, and people were already beginning to claim patches of lawn to lay blankets on.

When eight o'clock finally came round the band came out onto stage followed by two men. One older slender man followed by a guy with a mass of really curly hair. Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie were doing one of their of periodic concert tours; two generations of music experience that probably represented a century's worth of music .

For two and half hours they sang songs, together, and solo, that represented a history of the American Folk song. Songs from the Spanish Civil War, from the early days of the fight to organize unions, from the depression, all the way up to songs that had just been written. The music they played that afternoon is probably the closest thing we in North America have to an oral history.

Arlo Guthrie's two disc Live In Sydney continues that tradition. Twenty-five years latter and the roles have changed. Arlo now represents the voice that reaches back into the past, connecting and reminding us of things that are still important, while the future is represented in the form of his son, Abe Guthrie, playing keyboards and providing background vocals for his dad.

Anyone who is familiar with Arlo Guthrie will know he's as much a story teller as singer; the first song that he received recognition for, "Alice's Restaurant Massacree parts one and two", was a recounting of the events leading up to his arrest for littering one thanksgiving, and his visit to the draft board. One of the great joys of any Arlo concert, whether live or on disc, are the stories he tells in between songs.

Whether introducing a song, talking about the world, or sharing memories of people he's known and places he's been, his wry humour and self deprecating attitude create an atmosphere so relaxed you can almost forget your in a concert hall. His stories serve to bridge the gap between performer and audience, allowing those listening to feel as much a part of what's happening as the people on stage.

"Some people think a folksinger is someone who just sings their own songs. That's a shame. It's like being of the tradition, rather than in it. I've taught myself to make any song I like, my own." Arlo Guthrie

Article Author: Richard Marcus

Richard Marcus is the author of the forthcoming book What Will Happen In Eragon IV? and has had his work published in print and on line all over the world. The not so long-haired Canadian iconoclast writes reviews and opines on the world as he sees …

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