Durham is a world heritage site, so what better place to bring one of the biggest names in the history of folk music. He is an iconic figure and it’s all too rare that he tours the UK. It’s even rarer still that Arlo Guthrie embarks on a solo tour and one, which sees him in the Northeast in January.
Arlo Guthrie is the eldest son of legendary folk pioneer Woody Guthrie and Marjorie Mazia. With such a luminary for a dad, the young Arlo grew up surrounded by dancers, musicians and philosophers from Pete Seeger to Ronnie Gilbert and Leadbelly to Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, all of who became significant influences on his music.
His career exploded in 1967 with the release of his classic album, Alice's Restaurant, whose title song premiered at the Newport Folk Festival and helped to foster a new commitment to social consciousness and activism among the '60s generation. Arlo went on to star in the 1969 Hollywood film version of Alice's Restaurant, directed by Arthur Penn.
Though Arlo’s definitive rendition of Steve Goodman's City of New Orleans may have been his only “hit” song in the traditional sense, he has never the less achieved international stature. The 18 minute 20 second Alice's Restaurant, while too long for radio airplay, has become a classic. The song Coming Into Los Angeles, though banned from many radio stations when first released, had become a favorite by the time he played it at the 1969 Woodstock Festival and it remains a favorite today.
In addition to being an accomplished musician - playing the piano, six and twelve-string guitar, harmonica and a dozen other instruments - Arlo is a natural-born storyteller whose hilarious tales and timeless anecdotes are woven seamlessly into his performances.
Arlo was not a regular on the touring circuit, but back in 2003 he appeared at the Tribute to Harold Leventhal at New York’s Carnegie Hall with The Weavers featuring Pete Seeger, Peter, Paul and Mary, Theodore Bikel and Leon Bibb.
In 2006 Arlo toured with his family in the “Guthrie Family Legacy Tour” and last year he took to the road by himself on “The Solo Reunion Tour: Together at Last”. This was the first time he had performed solo since his early days. Such was the success of the tour that Arlo has continued into 2008 and brings the show to the UK in January.
Arlo Guthrie is very definitely in the premier league of folk music and this fabulous opportunity to see him perform solo should not be missed.
The Arlo Guthrie Solo Reunion Tour: Together at Last, arrives at the Gala Theatre, Durham on Friday 30th January. Tickets are £17.50 and available from the box office on 0191 332 4041 and full details are available on the website www.cannygigs.com