Hobo's Lullaby

Arlo Guthrie

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 2004)
• Original Release Date: February 1, 1972
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rising Son Records
• ASIN: B0006GD0W8
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #146,804 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Anytime

2. City of New Orleans

3. Lightning Bar Blues

4. Shackles and Chains

5. 1913 Massacre

6. Ukulele Lady

7. When the Ship Comes In

8. Mapleview (20%) Rag

9. Days Are Short

10. Hobo's Lullaby

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This is the brand new re-mastered release of the Arlo classic. Digitally remastered in 2004 with state-of-the-art technololgy, the sound quality on this release it the best available today. The new packaging includes artwork missing from previous CD versions.

Arlo is backed by extremely talented musicians including Doug Dillard, Clarence White, Hoyt Axton, Ry Cooder, and Jim Keltner.

The songs range from the whimsical "Ukulele Lady" to Woody Guthrie's heartbreaking "1913 Massacre". Arlo's version of Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans" was a hit with the album's original 1972 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars like father, like son, October 29, 2005

By	running_man (Chesterfield Twp., MI) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hobo's Lullaby is Great!, July 31, 2007

By	Janice Misner "helpful granny" (Bonnyman, KY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CD, November 25, 2007

By	JC (North Stonington, CT USA) - See all my reviews

I am very pleased with this purchase. very reasonable price and quick delivery. Gets an A plus in my book.