Arlo Guthrie at The Button Factory on the 17th of January 2013

Arlo Guthrie is for all intents and purposes the quintessential godfather or caliph of old-school folk music. This is a man, lest we forget, who long since resonates in the memory of many with his performance of Coming Into Los Angeles at the one and only Woodstock festival. Unfortunately, this shiveringly cold Thursday in Dublin would not see us treated to some of the more recognisable Arlo numbers as this night belonged to another Guthrie by the name of Woody, his father.

Woody, perhaps a more loved folk-hero, was the subject for the nights proceedings as Arlo would honour his father through story, anecdote and song. 2012 right up to July 2013 marks the centennial year of Woody Guthrie’s birth and so the evening began in a fitting memorial fashion with Oklahoma Hills, a Woody classic. Lyrics such as “Now, ‘way down yonder in the Indian Nation, A cowboy’s life is my occupation” heralds in the evening’s theme of pure old-school folk, which get’s a head nod and a boot stomp of approval from the seated Button Factory crowd.

Long anecdotes, in most cases outlasting the length of the upcoming song, would follow with Arlo revealing that even Woody’s old songs still hold meaning today. Arlo quoted Pretty Boy Floyd, contrasting a farmer robbing a bank with a bank robbing a farmer (much like today). Woody went on to quip that “robbery was a chapter in etiquette”, resulting in a chorus of chuckles from all in attendance. Arlo also pointed out that Woody wrote the song Deportees (Plane Wreck At Los Gatos), a Woody classic and song about many deportees who lost their life in a plane crash, “to give a name, to give a voice” to the anonymous casualties that were always overlooked – something he felt strongly about.

Next amongst the stories and even the expected mutterings of political outlooks and protest songs, Arlo would occasionally remind us what a talented musician he is. Haleiwa Farewell, an instrumental guitar number he learned while acting in The Byrds of Paradise in Hawaii in 1994, showcases his quick and nimble fret work as he toys with the guitar.

The comical Do Re Mi, a song that Woody performed first while on his radio show lifts the crowds spirits before an Arlo penned song, City of New Orleans, acts as the penultimate song before the encore. Lastly, the highlight of the night; This Land Is Your Land, tells the story of a young Arlo singing his father’s additional verses to the bemusement and annoyance of his classmates and teacher.

Arlo finishes off with a tiny two-verse Woody song called My Peace. On this song, he get’s the crowds interaction to mirror his words as he sings “My peace, my peace is all I’ve got and all I’ve ever known, My peace is worth a thousand times more than anything I own”. A lyrical sentiment that befits a night dedicated to Woody Guthrie. Arlo, if I was a cowboy and/or owned a cowboy hat, I would tip it in an appreciative manner – in the meantime, a big thumbs up will have to suffice.

Arlo Guthrie Photo Gallery

Photos: Mark Earley