Customer Reviews

In Times Like These

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Arlo Guthrie turned 60 on July 10. To celebrate that milestone, the former poster child for happy-go-lucky hippiedom released In Times Like These, a live disc recorded with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. It's also the 40th anniversary of his first album, the iconic Alice's Restaurant. In fact, Arlo was in the studio making Alice as the "Summer of Love" commenced 40 years ago with the release of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper.

So it's somewhat ironic that the archetypal folk troubadour is adding orchestrations to his tunes at this particular time. With some exceptions--his 1979 masterpiece Outlasting the Blues comes to mind--Arlo's music has generally been at its best when least adorned. Interestingly enough, his music here comes across the same way--with a full size orchestra, yes, but wrapped in arrangements that enhance and serve the music rather than overwhelm or undermine it.

Give credit to James Burton for that. His scores for this batch of mostly well-worn classics from Arlo's back catalog conjure up Copland-esque images of the great American expanse and Ives-ian panoramas of 19th-century New England. Longtime Arlophiles will revel in the resplendent re-creations.

"My Darkest Hour" sounds like a Grant Wood painting looks. "Last Train" pulls into a mythical town square where the community band fills the warm summer air with a Sunday afternoon concert of patriotic favorites. "Patriot's Dream," on the other hand, gets a melancholy, almost mournful treatment, aurally capturing the sadness of the times in which we live for those whose hopes and dreams were once filled with high ideals.

The sole new song, the album's title track, sung softly with only acoustic guitar accompaniment, is one of the singer's most affecting compositions, recalling his daddy's lines ("I walk with friends from every nation/on freedom's highway") while offering hope in the midst of increasing "storm clouds:" "In times like these, it's good to remember/These times will go in times to come."

"City of New Orleans" is bathed in rich Americana, rolling through countryside filled with family farms and rural small towns, while Leadbelly's "Goodnight Irene" takes a turn on a county fair carousel. The beautiful ballad, "Epilogue," becomes even prettier and more powerful in this sympathetic symphonic setting, and Arlo and the orchestra offer up a surprising encore, a tasteful take on Elvis Presley's late `50s hit, "I Can't Help Falling in Love."

Arlo Guthrie's voice has dropped about an octave since his debut 40 years ago, and it's now filled with the weathered cracks and crags of that many years on the road. His is now the weary voice of experience, still filtered through that flower-powered optimism he's somehow managed to hold on to. This CD is his birthday present back to us, a gently flowing reminder of who we were, where we've been and who we still can be...even in times like these.

copyright © 2007 Port Folio Weekly and Jim Newsom. Used by Permission.

Originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 7/31/07

This Arlo Guthrie album represents a little-known side of an artist most known for popular tunes like "City of New Orleans." It may surprise folk purists, but it is really rich and every stringed instrument and distant french horn sound enhances the song, without being overbearing. He reveals his profound musical and songwriting skills as well as his ability to integrate his own style of music into an orchestra, without losing one bit of his true self. The newer "In Times Like These" and "Patriot's Dream" are extraordinary, especially in times like these. No kidding. The same warm and lovely disposition he presents at all his shows is here; you've just got to see him live to know what I'm talking about. See his "Live in Sydney" album to round out the live experience.

This is an absolutely marvelous album. It opens with "Darkest Hour," one of Arlo Guthrie's most beautiful songs. The orchestration adds incredible depth to the piece. "Last Train" is up next: with the horns quietly weaving in and out of the melody it sounds like sacred music. "Last Train" and "Last to Leave" wouldn't sound out of place in a cathedral the way they're performed here. "Epilogue," "Patriots' Dream" and "In Times Like These" all address serious subjects, but the hope and faith in each piece shines through in the subtly understated arrangements. "You Are The Song" conveys genuine feeling where lesser compositions would sink into sentimentality.

And then there's "St. James Infirmary." No-one can even come close to Arlo Guthrie's performance of this song when it's just him and his guitar: with a full symphony orchestra backing him he's absolutely mind-blowing. This will be the definitive version of the song for a very long time if not forever.

This is one of the best albums Arlo Guthrie has ever put out. Buy two copies and keep one in the car.

I've been a fan of Arlo's from the get-go, but haven't purchased an album in quite some time. When I read about this release on Expecting Rain I thought I'd give it a go, and the surprise has been pleasant. Folk singers and symphony orchestras may seem like over-reaching, but this work is a positive step in a new direction. The songs fit the arrangements and vice versa. A few of them are quite moving, and St. James Infirmary is nothing short of stunning in it's mixture of verbal pathos, and musical wit - and Arlo's guitar work is terrific. My only complaint is the sameness of so many of the tunes - a little more variety, and maybe a few up-tempo numbers wouldn't have hurt.

About a year ago I had the pleasure of seeing Arlo perform with a local symphony orchestra in Springfield, MA. Since then I have been eagerly looking forward to the release of this CD. It has lived up to all my expectations and then some.

The more I listen to the CD the more difficult it becomes to choose a particular favorite(s). St. James Infirmiry and In Times Like These were both songs I was looking forward to and they have lived up to all my expectations. The more I listen to the CD the more songs I find myself adding to "my favorites among favorites."

Anyone who has heard Arlo perform with a symphony orchestra will already know why they want this CD. Those who haven't will soon find out what they have been missing.

I was in Lexington KY, March 10th 2006, 3rd row center. We sat in amazement as we witnessed the recording of this live CD! It was truly a magical night, to be unequaled, or so I thought! Today I listened for the first time, to Arlo's new CD "In Times Like These".

It was as if I was transported back in time to that magical night! This recording is well worth the wait. Now everyone can experience the magic that is "Arlo", focused, well oiled, sleeves rolled up (literally!) & on a mission!! And friends, I'm most happy to say, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!! This CD exceeds all expectations. The intensity Arlo performed with that night comes through with chrystal clairity!

The "University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra" under the direction of John Nardolillo, is the perfect frame for the masterpiece they created with Arlo that night. At first, I missed the familiar "ramblings" of Arlo between songs on this CD. But I soon realized that this CD was to stand alone, souly on musical mastery that came togeather that night.....And friends, it does...Mr. Guthrie, for that, we thank you.......Michael K. Frazier

What a great and pleasant surprise this album is. I chanced to hear a couple of tracks on internet radio, and was captivated. I had a few Arlo Guthrie LPs back in the seventies, and then lost touch really. That shows you the power of radio at the right moment.

All these songs are so sensitively and sweetly adapted to orchestral arrangements. Great to note the legendary James Burton involved in that.

This whole album from beginning to end is a pure delight. Anyone enjoying Arlo Guthrie will love this.

Arlo is a unique musician and performer. He is a gifted but extraordinarily unassuming instrumentalist who is the heir to an incredible musical tradition. This cd highlights his live musical performance which is only enhanced by a symphony orchestra. If you want an aural portrait of a typical Arlo concert get the Live in Sydney cd (which is also 5 star), but if you want to concentrate on his undoubted musical genius get this one. A great concert!

Keith Lockhart said it best in the editorial. Beyond that the expressive quality of Arlo's singing on the classic and new songs supported by arrangements that are artistic, not just "quimbly" strings is outstanding. Cab Calloway and Leadbelly applaude...history is carried forward while made new again, mingled with new classsics that reflect the tradition from which Arlo draws his inspriation. Bravo maestro !

Being in an audio-related business, I am exposed to many quality musical performances. Sometimes audiophiles travel hundreds of miles, just to hear their favorite recordings on my personal reference systems. They always arrive with what they consider to be the most delectable CD's or vinyl, both musically and sonically, to share. That being said, when IN TIMES LIKE THESE arrived several days ago, I was not quite prepared for the experience. Every aspect of all the factors involved in this masterpiece, are of the highest imaginable order. A sort of convergence occurred, that is all but impossible. It would be unjust to attempt to highlight anything in particular. It's beyond consideration! I've never thought this before, but I do believe that a Higher Order played their part in making this performance possible. If I were relegated to only owning one album, this would be it. Thank you Arlo, for making it all possible.