Customer Reviews

Hobo's Lullaby

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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 Lullaby' may not possess the unparalleled beauty of 'Washington County', or the charm of 'Amigo', which may have been Guthrie's best composed work, it is probably the artist's most diverse and polished effort. The cast of prominent contributors is long, featuring among others Flying Burrito Brothers bassist Chris Ethridge, Byrds lead guitarist Clarence White, Hoyt Axton as himself, guitarist Ry Cooder, drummer Jim Keltner, keyboardist Spooner Oldham, singer Linda Ronstadt, and fiddle player Byron Berline. The recording is lush, especially by Arlo Guthrie standards. The digipak version comes complete with lyrics printed on recycled board with soybean ink. Perfect.

I am often stunned to find how many people are still unfamiliar with Arlo Guthrie and his wonderful music. This collection from mid- stream in his career features a cover photo of the feckless boy himself standing on a pasture hill in the rural town of Washington, Massachusetts, a lovely and perhaps quaint town on the top of the mountain of the same name (and not "the" Mount Washington in northern New Hampshire). This terrific album illustrates what incredible talent, diversity and intelligence this sometimes slapstick and even vaudevillian singer has. Arlo really is one of a kind, a true artist who often covers sour subjects with a sugary satirical style, thus making these bitter pills about life more tolerable and acceptable to discuss and think about.

Here our perpetually young and impish Mr. Guthrie shows all of his sides, sometimes serious, often impish, and always sporting a twinkle in his eyes, from the silly and memorable title tune of "Hobo's Lullaby" to the hysterical "Ukulele Lady"" He shows his more serious side with wonderful entries like the lyrical "City Of New Orleans" and with Bob Dylan's "When The Ship Comes In". Probably the greatest thing about most of these songs is that they weave their way into your subconscious memory, so you may find yourself humming or singing one of them involuntarily next time you're in the shower and feeling pretty good about the world.

This is indeed a wonderful album by someone often assumed to be a lightweight because of his inordinate success with novelty songs like "Alice's Restaurant" and "The Motorcycle Song". But when he wants to be serious, as with a moving interpretation of his father's (Woody Guthrie) song "1913 Massacre", he is as fine a folksinger and troubadour as anyone on the scene. And anyone familiar with Guthrie the man and his continuing good works in rural western Massachusetts as a sort of self-appointed one-man project on helping those in need, he is obviously much more than that, and anyone taking a close listen to this album will discover the true depths of his quite considerable singing and songwriting talents as well. Enjoy.

As a long-time Arlo Guthrie fan who's seen him in concert numerous times and even interviewed him for a college newspaper years ago, I have to say this particular collection is my all-time favorite! If you like Arlo, you'll love this CD!

Sometimes, when vinyl is re-released as CDs decades later, something goes wrong. Not so here! This CD sounds every bit as good as the original -- and better, because it's a CD. My personal favorites are City of New Orleans, 1913 Massacre, and, especially, Ukulele Lady. Get this CD and bring back some memories.

What a CD! Arlo masterfully covers Dylan's " When the Ship Comes In", Hoyt Axton's "Somebody Turned on the Light", and "Lightning Bar Blues". While City of New Orleans was the biggie on this one, each song demonstrates Arlo's unique ability to reach that place inside you that makes you feel good. His treatment of his father's "1913 Masacree" is also moving. This CD gives you an idea of what life was like when this country was young. Go ahead and grab a piece of Americana from a truly great American folk singer. You won't be sorry!

In my opinion, his best or one of his best albums in his great career. Ranging from Steve Goodman's legendary "City of New Orleans" to the the title cut, the album is a must in any folk or rock aficianado's collection.

I can't help but think that people overlook the quality of the music on these early to mid '70's Arlo albums; singing and songwriting aside, these sesions are pretty impressive. Ry Cooder stands out especially for his understated but beautiful solos (check out "Days are Short"); but there's more. The rhythm section shines throughout, and the bluegrass stuff is exceptional. The Arlo albums from "Washington County" thru "Brooklyn Cowboys" seem to be considered period pieces, but that's a tremendous understatement. They are valuable collections of very talented musicians doing some of their best work at the peaks of their careers. Profoundly underrated stuff!

I personally enjoyed this album of Arlo's and so did every body else in my family. And of course it has Arlo's incredible version of "City Of New Orleans." I recommend it!

I love this music. Arlo Guthrie is a great musician and his songs are so down to earth. Hobo's Lullaby captures the great folk music of depression era America. And the 1913 Massacre is a wonderful telling of the Calumet, Michigan disaster. A must for anyone who loves folk music.

I like this CD just as I have always liked all of Arlo's music. This CD contains 11 songs and has a total playing time of 39 minutes. I'm surprised that it costs five times more than his other CDs which are very good too.