Arlo Guthrie was an American folk artist, who has since retired. Similar to his Father, Woody Guthrie, Arlo was somewhat of a specialist with protest songs against social injustice through storytelling and the talking blues. Alice’s Restaurant (1967) is Arlo’s debut album, and reached multiple peaks over a span of a couple of years after the release of the album, finally going gold in November 1969 and then platinum in 1986. According to the blurb about the album on Apple Music, the album ranges anywhere from folk to blues to ragtime to acid rock, so I’m pretty stoked to give this one a listen. With that said, I’m going to jump on into the music.
“Alice’s Restaurant Massacree” is a nearly 19 minute journey of a song that starts out with some really delicate yet playful folk guitar, with Arlo going from a joking conversational tone to a sincere singing for the chorus, super sweet. Oh wow, this is sweet. The drums keep the tune chugging along nicely, while Arlo seems to weave meandering storylines that are lined with both comedy and a sincere tone. Oh wow, these lyrics are super sweet as they meander about with a really folksy and playful feeling. Oh wow, the lyrics are awesome and take things somewhat far out, which keep you interested and then laughing along with the audience at different times as you find reality for a moment during the pause in the vocals in order to laugh. The guitar and drums have been going super steady and giving a great backdrop to this meandering storyline. Oh wow, this tune is quite comical. The guitar and drums change up and pause to add some dramatic effect to the story, even taking on a bluesy tinge at some points. I’m really digging this tune; it’s super playful, folksy, comical, and intriguing. Oh wow, when Arlo sings for just a moment there’s a really great feeling of resolution, super awesome. Absolutely awesome extended track, I’m excited for the rest of the album.
“Chilling of the Evening” has a really gentle folksy feel with an acoustic guitar that gently strums some super pleasant chords while a keyboard plays a nice melody on the opposite side of the soundscape. Oh wow, the soundscape has shifted a bunch by the second verse. Holy smokes, the acoustic guitar sounds so personal, especially during the chorus, to the point that it sounds like you might be in the body of the guitar. Holy smokes, this song was awesome with a lot of different parts to it. Great track.
Oh wow, “Ring Around-A-Rosy Rag” has a super playful ragtime feel mixed with a bit of a jug band backdrop to the soundscape, while both feel like they naturally complement each other really pleasantly. Wow, great track.
“Now and Then” starts out like it’s building up to a bit of rock and roll track of sorts that reminds me of Van Morrison for some reason I can’t quite place at the moment. Oh wow, I really dig the staccato’d tremelo electric guitar, which combined with the electric harpischord-like keyboard promotes a feeling like the soundscape has a ton of forward moving momentum while seemingly rotating about itself. Great tune.
“I’m Going Home” has a super sweet folk singer-songwriter feel that reminds me of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks (1967) with the gentle movements of the acoustic guitar and the super pleasant, nice percussion. Oh wow, there’s a really nice electric guitar that hits some super tasty notes alongside some keyboards that have an innocent chime-like quality to them, super sweet. Another great track.
“The Motorcycle Song” starts out with a bit of a strange chromatic electric guitar line that brings out a feeling of unease in the soundscape, but this is gradually resolved into something of a really tasty folk blues track mixed with a tinge of garage rock. The jangling drums and acoustic guitar produce a really nice reverberating soundscape that the strangeness of the electric guitar plays off of nicely. Oh wow, the harmonica brings some super tasty flavors to the soundscape in this one as well. Great track.
Oh wow, “Highway In the Wind” has an almost folksy heavenly quality to the soundscape with the different organs serving has a platform for the rest of the instrumentation to work on. Oh wow, the bass guitar only strengthens said platform, while adding some super super sweet and warm flavor to the soundscape. The bright and delicate guitar is super pleasant, as it seems to beckon you to follow it along the soundscape, and the percussion gently pushes you along in following the guitar work, all while Guthrie’s super tasty vocals add a layer of honey to the already sweet soundscape. Great tune, and super pleasant way to tie up this album.
Wow, I can understand how this has sold so many records. I think I’ll be picking up a copy sooner than later on vinyl for myself. If you enjoy folk music, especially that of the mid to late 1960s, you might want to consider checking out this album. I feel like I’ll be relistening to this one sooner than later. There are so many flavors of other genres like ragtime, blues, and some late 1960s rock and roll that are all incorporated into this folksy setting, which is performed super pleasantly and is likely approachable for many different types of listeners and fans of different genres. If you do decide to give this album a listen, I sincerely do hope that you enjoy the listening experience at least as much as I did.
-A