Arlo Guthrie in New Orleans

Squidgy · Post by **Squidgy** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 10:50 pm

Last night at Tipitina's night club (a New Orleans institution) was a GREAT concert fundraiser (and lucky me, I was there!) for the Tipitina Foundation, the foundation's purpose being to bring New Orleans musicians back home, and replenish their housing, instruments, and life essentials that were ruined by Hurricane Katrina.
Friday's concert was hastily added on because tonite's scheduled event, featuring Arlo and Willie Nelson, sold out in a matter of minutes.
Last nite's program was no second-best, though. In addition to Arlo, my man (and Valerie's) Ramblin' Jack Elliot was on stage, but to my great disappointment, he only did two numbers: his own "912 Green" about New Orleans and her own weirdness, and Dylan's "Don't Think Twice."
The show was nearly 4 hours, opening with several local greats, and including both backup and solo work showcasing the talents of Arlo's son Abe (or maybe Gabe? I was a little too drunk & happy) on keyboards, with his band Xavier, with his three gorgeous sisters doing beautiful harmonies. One, Mary, did some pretty amazing guitar work --both accoustic and electric--her own damn self, along with her husband. It was very much a family and friends affair. They rocked. There was everything musically I could hope for--bluegrass, slide, mandolins & a banjo, humor and storytelling.
The opener was a guy named Jack Nielsen, (I think) and another performer, who I wish I could remember his name, did a very funny bit called "Minnie Lou" about former Attorney General John Ashcroft's covering of the breast of the statue in the Justice Department.
The fundraiser was in fact the brainchild of Arlo's daughters, who started an email campaign when they heard that the famous train, The City of New Orleans, (about which Arlo recorded a hit back in the '70s) had resumed running to New Orleans. They got together a bunch of musicians who agreed to work for free, got sponsors to provide free instruments, and got Amtrak to let them ride the train, with concert stops along the way, finishing up in the Big Easy. The show was pulled together in just a few weeks. Also, an interesting tidbit, the idea really took off when Richard Pryor e-mailed Arlo and offered his help, a couple weeks before his death. Arlo commented that he'd been a fan but had never met Pryor, and was just blown away by his generosity.
The show was awesome and nostalgic and so full of good vibes I, of course, blubbered like a baby through it all.
The program mostly showcased the talents of the locals and the Guthrie kids (plus a girl threesome called "The Burn Sisters") with proud dad beaming on the sidelines and sitting in on a couple of numbers called "Shit...makes the flowers grow" and "Motherfucker" dedicated to Richard Pryor. ("Our CDs have parental advisories," Mary cracked.)
At some point it dawned on me that I was standing 5 feet away from Woody Guthrie's grandchildren, and that thought almost made me fall over.
Finally Arlo came out solo and it was pandemonium. He opened with "Mr. Tambourine Man," then rapped a little about Woodstock ("I don't remember too much about that. If I hadn't seen the movie, I wouldn't have known I was there") and then launched into "Comin' Into Los Angeles" then "City of New Orleans" by which time the packed house was all singing along. Then came his father's signature song, "This Land is Your Land" which he did a couple verses of, then broke off for one of his signature rambles.
This one was about Joseph in the Old Testament, whose jealous brothers sold him to the Pharoah, then after Joseph became the Pharoah's right-hand man and the land was suffering with drought and pestilence, the brothers had to seek out Joseph and beg for sustenance. I can't possibly tell it the way Arlo did, but he kept coming back to the brothers in the desert, trying to find their way to Joseph, and there's a guy in the desert (Arlo's invention, of course) who says, "He went thataway." Arlo finally reveals his point, that you might think one person can't accomplish much, but without that one guy who said, "He went thataway," Joseph's brothers would never have found him and brought him back home, there never would have been a Moses, a King David, or a Jesus, and history would have been different.
Amid much laughter, he resumed his song, then broke off again to remind us that it's a good thing we don't have heaven on earth, with everything perfect, never any suffering or misery, because then it would be awfully hard to make any kind of positive contribution. "But when it sucks, like what's happened here, you really don't have to do much to make things better."
Then we all finished up "This Land Is Your Land" with the whole audience singing and the whole entourage on the stage, and they came back for one encore, which Arlo introduced as one of Woody's previously unpublished songs, "My Peace," its lyrics found on a scrap of paper which he'd set to music himself. I can't even remember it now, it was so lovely and ethereal, like a gift too precious to hold. It was similar to, but departed a bit from, the litany in the Mass which says, My peace I give to you.
Oh, what a night. Rumor went around that Dylan might show up, but he definitely didn't last night. Maybe tonite, with Willie Nelson. It would be my luck to miss THAT. But still I'm grateful.

Joe Way · Post by **Joe Way** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 1:38 am

Hi St. Squidge!

You are one fortunate girl to have attended what sounds to be a life-long musical highlight. I think that Arlo is a complete class act and it appears that his kids are musical talents also.

I've seen Arlo paired with Pete Seeger on a couple of occasions. I think that Arlo is coming to Madison sometime this winter and we'll have to see him.

Really enjoyed your account.

Joe

Jim Rotonda · Post by **Jim Rotonda** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 5:54 pm

Hi Squidge and Joe

I saw Arlo in NJ last month. He did a similar set, that included “Alice’s Restaurant”.
He said he bought a small church in his hometown to use for jam sessions. Concerning God; he said his policy was “bring your own”.
Jim

Joe Way · Post by **Joe Way** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 2:02 am

Hi Jim,

Anne just told me that she doesn't want to go to see Arlo. He's in Madison on March 4th. She says he talks too much and doesn't sing enough. Maybe I'll still prevail, but does anybody else want to go?

I checked out the setlist on his site and it appears that there are many different musicians performing at each concert-much like the one at Tipitina's that Squidgy saw. A lot of family!-Obviously, he comes from good musical stock.

Joe

dar · Post by **dar** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 4:14 am

Thanks for posting this "event" coverage Squidge. You folks certainly deserve to have the life and laughter come back to your town. Wonderful to read about this concert and so glad you were there and had a great time. Thanks again for to telling us about it. Take care!

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 7:31 am

I'd sure go if I could, Joe! I saw Arlo and Family in Jacksonville a couple years ago ~ and loved them! They were excellent!

You were fortunate that he did "Alice's Restaurant," Jim ~ he must be getting non-stop requests and made it a point to go back to practicing. When I saw him, he laughed it off like it was the joke of the century to even consider trying to remember all that at his age [the age implications being his, not mine]. I'd have loved to hear him do it, and was disappointed [and understanding

] when he didn't.

Now that I can comment on it, Squidgy, DANG ~ WHAT A CONCERT!! Felt like I was there, just reading it! Could hear the music and all. Were you not able to get there the next night, or what? I'm anxious to hear an update.

~ Lizzy

Squidgy · Post by **Squidgy** » Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:31 am

Even if I coulda gone the next night, I wouldn't have been able to get a ticket...it was sold out. Anyway my bro' had arrived in town and we went out to dinner at my favorite dive, Coop's Place on Decatur Street, down in the Quarter. And guess who was sitting at the next table with FIVE beautiful blondes? Ramblin' Jack !!!
I leaned over and told him how disappointed I was that he only did two songs, 'cause I mostly had come to the show to hear his set. He said he was a late addition to the lineup and that's all they'd let him do. He seemed a liitle annoyed about it too.
After an excellent dinner, my bro' and I walked the Quarter awhile, where everything seemed back to normal (but we're callin' it "The New Normal") and finished off with cafe au lait and beignets at the Cafe Du Monde. And guess who was sitting at the next table there?
The Mayor !!!
You've all seen his bald pate on CNN, Hizzoner Ray Nagin. He was eating beignets with his lovely wife and child. Poor guy, he's had a rough few months.
When he got up to leave, he shook hands with several patrons, including my bro' and me. And this brief repartee ensued:
Me: Good luck, Mr. Mayor. You know, I wouldn't have your job for anything in the world.
The Mayor (with deadpan expression on face and a glint of sincere desperation in his eye ): Aw please. Just for thirty days, let's switch. Hell, I'll even pay you.

More about the weekend later, but now I gotta go help da bro'.

And BTW, I should have said it in the earlier post, the Tipitina's Foundation is definitely a worthy cause, in case you're wondering where you could send a contribution to help Katrina evacuees get back home.
In addition to the aforementioned efforts targeted to help New Orleans' professional musicians find their way back and into affordable housing, the Foundation also is (and has been, even before the storm ) providing free music lessons to New Orleans children who otherwise couldn't afford to pay for them. You can go find out more on Tipitina's website,
www. Tipitinas.com

No contribution is too large or too small.

Thanks, y'all.

Kevin W.M.LastYearsMan · Tue Dec 20, 2005 5:15 pm

Sqidgy,
Funny exchange with the mayor. Sounds like he has a good sense of humor at least.

I would love to see Arlo perform. I doubt that I'll ever get to though. Actually, I didn't even know that he still performed.
Kevin

Squidgy · Post by **Squidgy** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 4:08 am

I hadn't really thought about Arlo Guthrie in many years, myself. As it turns out, not only does he perform, he's also got a loyal and close-knit following much like Leonard's, with websites, a forum just like this one, a philanthropic foundation, a meeting hall at the old church which was the original Alice's Restaurant, and get-togethers like ours, including "thanksgiving dinners that can't be beat." To find out more, all you gotta do is google him.
According to one of his websites, he often answers e-mails himself.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:42 am

Great exchange with Nagin, Squidgy

. Poor guy... it seems he's trying to prevent New Orleans' turning into the next Gold Coast, with the original locals pushed out due to increased property 'values' ~ is that the sense you have, or am I off somewhere? [Well,

, you may not want to answer that totally!]

From what you're saying, I may get to hear Alice's Restaurant sung Live, yet! I may check re: if there's a mailing or notification list. He's worth going to see again.

A good 'celeb' night for you. I guess that's not so abnormal in a place like New Orleans, but still kinda neat. A lovely night with you and your brother.

Thanks for the Tipitina site address. I have an old flute [used to sound gorgeous, and I resisted offers to sell it, by people who played very well] ~ now, it needs new pads. If I sent it to you, would you get it to the free-lessons people? Or, should I send it directly, d'ya think?

Those musicians and other folk need to get back home, where they belong, in affordable housing.

As always, enjoyed your post, ghost friend

.

Love,
Lizzy

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 5:43 pm

. . . ask and ye shall receive.

I heard less than an hour ago that Arlo Guthrie will be performing in Jacksonville on January 31

. Difficult with the day and distance, but I'll find a way. This time, he's not going to be able to get away with saying he can't remember all of the lyrics to "Alice's Restaurant" by heart. Oh, yes, he does...

Leon Russell's going to be there in the next couple months, too...

"Sittin' on a highway
in a broken van
Thinkin' of you
again..."

~ Lizzy

Squidgy · Post by **Squidgy** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 12:39 am

You're right on the money, Lizzy, with what you're saying about New Orleans property values...but that, along with my last weekend, makes a whole 'nother topic that I'll be addressing later under "Everything Else."
Regarding donating musical instruments, you ***could*** send 'em to me, but I envision getting a big runaround when I try to get 'em into the right hands, plus I'm a bit overwhelmed with the two-house thing right now. If you send an instrument, do a postal "return receipt requested" so somebody will be required to sign for it.
Might be best to cut to the chase, contact Tipitina's Foundation directly, and nail down a specific address and RESPONSIBLE PERSON's name, who'll make sure the instrument goes directly from you to wherever it's 'sposed to go, whether it be a repository or directly into somebody's hand.
However, if you'd rather, I'd be more than happy to attend to this.
Tipitina's, along with Arlo's family, is working in tandem with a group called MusiCares (MusicCares?) toward the same purpose, getting instruments into the hands of musicians who lost them in the flood. Go to
http://www.grammy.com/musicares/
The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation is also taking donations of cash and musical instruments, I've heard, but their website is in total disarray since the storm, and I wouldn't have a clue how to actually reach them, other than by phone. Local news media have reported that there will be a Jazz Fest this year, as usual, although there may not be enough housing or hotel rooms available. Festival goers may be required to just bring their own tents and sleeping bags and do the Woodstock thing, camp out right at the festival site.
Naked mudbath, anyone?

Maybe Arlo will be back, and it WOULD be just like Woodstock

Squidgy · Post by **Squidgy** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 4:58 pm

I just heard on the news --Arlo & family will be performing at the New Orleans New Year's Eve celebration.[/i]

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 5:56 pm

Oh, that's excellent, Squidgy! Will you be there?

Since I don't have the postage for mailing a flute and case just yet, I'll give it some thought as to where might be best for sending it. I'll PM you about the possibility with you. It seems you really don't need any more to do than you've already got, however

Thanks for your willingness

.

~ Lizzy