Self Portrait by Arlo Guthrie
As a touring musician, seeing shows is just part of the deal. Night after night you are either the Opening Act or the Closing Act & suddenly you become author of your own LIVE SHOW chapter book. Recording such titles as "OH NO not that again" & a few "Wow that was surprisingly good!" in the mix. I guess with this type of thinking already in place you somehow develop a very bad habit of drawing up your own musical blueprints. You know? Making up your mind about a show Long before the show takes place? This was in fact the case on Monday when I ventured to see Arlo Guthrie. Thought process in place: Great Folk Music combined with Great voice. This would be a good night. Right?
Yeh, Ok Scratch That, because although I anticipated a great night, I could not have known the magnitude of inspiration & musical awakening which transpired.
Picture this: A few thousand eclectic folks from all age groups hanging out
on a lawn. Peaceful, almost eerily quiet as they anxiously await their beloved One Man Show. No backing tracks, no pyrotechnics, no backup dancers, not even a band. Just a man, his guitar & a baby grand.
As nighttime rolls in, Arlo Guthrie takes
the stage. Calm, serene, in charge... the embodiment of confidence.
Never mind his legendary past or the future. It's about tonight.
This moment. You learn pretty quickly that nothing stands between Arlo Guthrie, his audience & the Moment. N o t h i n g
Never mind his legendary past or the future. It's about tonight.
This moment. You learn pretty quickly that nothing stands between Arlo Guthrie, his audience & the Moment. N o t h i n g
Maybe it's because I live in a musical world which substitutes shock & flash for talent.
Or maybe it's because I'm a product of a radio generation that serves up Hits like
chicken tenders at a McDonald's drive thru, but suddenly I felt overwhelmed with
sincerity. Truth in the form of music. No force feeding. No cramming musical hooks down
Or maybe it's because I'm a product of a radio generation that serves up Hits like
chicken tenders at a McDonald's drive thru, but suddenly I felt overwhelmed with
sincerity. Truth in the form of music. No force feeding. No cramming musical hooks down
my throat for the mere purpose of consumption. This was Real. Palpable. Pure. The kind of truth that forces you to be present. And I was.
This is where I could go into the set list, the legendary background of Arlo Guthrie, the moments, the music, the man.
But I won't.Because if you don't already know it?
You have to discover it for yourself
After All..
"This world is your world. Take it Easy. But Take It"
Arlo Davy Guthrie
& the CRUSH Goes On....
xo
Birdee
Birdee
