Arlo Guthrie and the Guthrie family took the stage at the restored Genesee Theater (203 N. Genesee St.) in Waukegan, Illinois singing an eclectic group of songs. As they played the entire audience was transformed from just being Arlo Guthrie fans to fans of the Guthrie family. Woody Guthrie had started the train rolling during the great depression and the entire family ended up fallowing in his footsteps. With four generations of the Guthrie family on stage either in person or in spirit, it was a special time for all.
Arlo played one of his most popular songs “Coming into Los Angeles” which was made famous from his appearance at Woodstock in 1969 that turned him into a folk icon. “The New York State Freeway is closed man!” is what he said way back then. The crowd these days had thinned and was more civilized than what appeared in upstate New York. “They don’t sing along as much as they did forty years ago. The sing alongs are just a little too ‘Kum Ba Yah’ for most these days,” says Arlo.
He continued talking about the fortieth anniversary of Woodstock just passing and that his phone had been ringing off the hook. “Everyone asks the same questions. ‘What was is like being at Woodstock?’ ” He jokingly shrugged that he didn’t know. He continued to explain that he arrived on the first day and wasn’t supposed to play until the second day. He wandered out into the crowd and did what some of the other people were doing. He then got “A serious case of the munchies,” but there was no food. The promoters came up to him and told him that he had to play right away because of some issues they were having. He said, “I can’t play now. I’m not here. I can’t walk.” He then described how he walked up on the stage and fell in a hole in the stage because he didn’t see it.
Songs were played throughout the evening with musical fundamentals and class. Arlo had performed such sweet songs as “This Land is Your Land” and “City of New Orleans.” He graced your ears with his versions of art very true to the originals to make it a perfect night at the old theater. Acoustics were picked at, strummed, and played with a slide in folk country styles.
To help fill in the gaps he was accompanied by his children Sarah Lee, Annie, Cathy, and Abe. They all brought their children Krishna, Serena, Marjorie, Mo, Jacklyn, Olivia, and Sophie. With as little as two people on stage or as many as fourteen, every bit of the show was entertaining to say the least.
Sarah Lee started out the show with her husband Johnny Irion. The two warmed up the crowd with a few numbers and were welcomed with open arms. Throughout the show she sang in such a beautiful way. Her voice was elegant, captivating, and moved all music fans within the theater. As the show went on her voice was heard more and more.
After Arlo had come out, Sarah did a couple of songs that were from her new children’s album, Go Waggaloo. The title song from this album left the wonderful melody stuck in your head. The repeating chorus had a feel to the song that was a delight to hear. Another children’s song that was performed was, “Take Me to Show and Tell.” The sing a long was completed by Arlo with a comical way that made everyone laugh.
Anne sang backup, played an autoharp, and took the lead vocals on one song for the show. As she took the lead, her voice sounded like an angel and kept you wanting more. Her voice was peaceful and reserved, but really made you listen to the composition she had chosen to perform for her shining moment. Her way of singing wowed you with every note that she performed of the nice hymn. It was a very joyous moment to witness.
Cathy sang backup as well and also took the lead vocals for one song as she strummed away on a ukulele. The song she chose to perform is called “Shit makes the flowers grow” from her musical act Folk Uke. The song she referred to as “inappropriate,” but decided to do anyway, and gave the crowd a good chuckle. A very amusing ditty about fertilizer turned out to be a great piece and despite it’s profanity within the chorus; it was actually a satisfying song.
Abe sang backup vocals and played keyboards for the show. Usually he is involved on all Guthrie musical adventures. His vocals and keyboard were blended within the sound mix mostly appearing in the background. During the song “Coming into Los Angeles” his volume went up and he took a few bars of the solo and proved that he knew his instrument inside and out. It’s impressive to see that sometimes less is more, but he knew exactly when to give more.
In between songs, humoristic noteworthy stories were told almost as a history lesson for the patrons of the event. Stories were told about Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie with such intricate detail leaving onlookers feel as though they actually knew these people. Stories about train rides, car rides, and how a songwriter from Oklahoma ended up writing Hanukkah songs. The story was told about Arlo buying an old church and turning it into The Guthrie Center. He was asked what kind of church it was going to be. What kind religious views were going to be presented in this house of worship? He replied that it would be a, “Bring you own God church.”
They played songs from the Woody Guthrie archives, songs about lilacs, kindness, and folk songs. They played songs that everyone had heard before and songs that most had never heard. It really didn’t matter what they played because everything was played well.
The good nature feeling that was spread throughout the theater was positive in every way. The entire Guthrie family played their way into your heart, mind, and soul. This folk family of royalty is a suggested show for all to see. Long after Woody departed the train that he set in motion, this family rides on with style. If he was still around today he would probably write another song about this great family and smile. He would be pleased to see how far the musical engine has gone.
