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At least a few other people will know who Arlo Guthrie is. If you listen to classic rock, you've probably heard him.

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Rock Music Menu: Folk icon Aro Guthrie at Keswick

By ANTHONY J. SANFILIPPO , asanfilippo@delcotimes.com 11/14/2003

Let me start off this week by saying I don't know much of Arlo Guthrie's music outside of the famous "Alice's Restaurant."

So when I was afforded an opportunity to interview him in preparation for his concert tomorrow night at the Keswick Theatre, I have to admit that I was ensconced in a reporter's nightmare. I didn't know what to ask the guy.

I started with a few softballs, just generally asking him about touring and the like, and then he opened a window for me. He told me his set list had a few songs that were a "commentary on life."

I used this as an opportunity to talk about his approach, and how it differed from most mainstream acts. What followed turned into a rant about the state of the music industry. Its mismanagement, and the lack of performers who care more about music than image.

Frankly, it was one of the most compelling interviews ever.

"The entertainment industry is not what it used to be," Guthrie said. "Nowadays it's more about big bucks and less about actual entertainment. The industry is not as interested in things that are flying under the radar. I'm actually thankful for that.

"However, the music that once rippled around the world from this country isn't as important as it once was. There was a time it was popular everywhere. Now it doesn't have the same effect because it doesn't have the same meaning to the artists it once did. The industry has lost billions just from that decline alone."

Guthrie also went off on a tirade about the recording industry cracking down on Internet file-sharing.

"That's just silly," he said. "Mostly complaining about sharing music on the Internet is just an excuse for poor judgment and running the industry with poor business decisions."

But for Guthrie, who is part of that musical underbelly that never gets the spotlight, things couldn't be healthier.

"In the long run, I think we do better by not being the center of attention," he said. "This is a life for us, not just 15 minutes of fame. There's a reason all of the festivals are filled. Bluegrass, blues, jazz, folk ... all that music is below the radar, and yet it's more successful and more traditional than what's in the mainstream."

Guthrie said that he doesn't think all mainstream performers are necessarily untalented, but rather that they don't flaunt their talents and as a result leave an empty feeling about their music.

"I had the opportunity to see Bon Jovi do an acoustic set a couple years back," he said. "While watching them I said to myself, 'Wow, these guys are actually good.' On records, you can make all kinds of magic, but you can't tell if people are really playing. Bon Jovi was really playing that night, but I'm not sure all bands can really do that." Arlo was just getting started.

"I went to an awards show last year and it was the best show I ever saw," he said. "It was the best lighting, the best sound, the best choreography. But it was all a shell. There was no substance.

"I thought to myself, wow, they put all this money into the glitz and glamour of the show and nothing into the heart of it. I'd rather have one guy that breaks my heart and creates an emotional response - even if he's playing a toothbrush instead of a guitar - instead of all the glitz and glamour and nothing's there."

And then perhaps the most damning commentary of all from the legendary folk singer escaped his lips.

"The industry has no soul and it never will," he said. "We should know it for what it is and accept it as what it is. Then maybe we can get back to what makes recording music special."

Guthrie will take the stage with his son Abe, his daughter Sarah Lee and her husband Johnny Irion. Arlo, of course, is the son of the legendary Woody Guthrie.

Sarah Lee does acoustic guitar and supporting vocals, and Abe has been sharing the stage with his father for more than 15 years, playing keyboards and vocals.

When the Guthries take the stage tomorrow night, don't expect "Alice's Restaurant" to be included.

"We don't really do 'Alice' on tour anymore," Guthrie said. "Number one, it's too long and, number two, we do a lot of different stuff for a different audience."

However, WXPN (88.5 FM), as per tradition, will play the song in its entirety at noon on Thanksgiving Day. Tickets cost $28.50 and are still available at the Keswick box office for tomorrow's show that starts at 8 p.m.

This week on the music scene

Ian's thick as a brick n In the latest saga of musicians using their notoriety as a soapbox and making ridiculous comments, I present you with Ian Anderson, frontman for Jethro Tull. Anderson recently sat down for an interview with the Asbury Park Press - a newspaper in northern New Jersey - and flat out said Americans should be ashamed to fly their country's flag. In the interview, Anderson -- who is of Scottish descent -- said he despises both President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair and even went so far as to criticize patriotic Americans. He said he is sick of "the American flag hanging out of every bloody station wagon, out of every SUV and out of every little midwestern house." You know what, pal, if our country is such a disgrace, you shouldn't play here. If we disgust you so much, maybe you shouldn't take our money by singing your overplayed ditties in our arenas. Or does the free enterprise that is provided by the USA make it possible for jokers like you to make a decent wage and live your life comfortably while thousands of our men and women are protecting your sorry butt not just in the Middle East but in the rest of the world as well? Just shut up and sing. Or better yet, just shut up and leave. Jethro Tull is slated to play at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, N.J. tonight, and at the Count Basie Theatre in Redbank, N.J., tomorrow. Trenton-based radio station 94.5 WTHK has been urging concertgoers to bring American flags to the concerts to waive in Anderson's face. They've also taken Jethro Tull out of their regular rotation. I second that motion.

Raving about the Ladies n It's been one week since I went to the Barenaked Ladies peepshow at the Tower Theatre, and I still can't stop talking about it. For true fans of the band, it was an impressive performance. For casual fans, you may have been a bit disappointed with the set list, but either way the entertainment value was extraordinary. The band played 14 songs off the new album, highlighted by the quirky single, "Another Postcard," the soulful "War on Drugs," the soon-to-be hit "Celebrity," and the crowd-pleasing "Testing One, Two, Three." They also played 11 other songs. "One Week" was done in an acoustic bluegrass style that showed the versatility not only of the band, but of their music as well. And the hardcore fans were thrilled to hear many of the "B-Sides" that the band admitted to not having played in years. Topping that list was the rambunctious "A" off their 1994 album "Maybe You Should Drive." Adding to the drama was a random sixth member of the band who dressed up like God with flowing white hair and beard, wearing a white robe playing occasional percussion, and a question-and-answer session that had the band improvising songs. The highlight of the improvisation came when co-frontman Ed Robertson admitted that his first album purchase as a child was "Kenny Rogers' Greatest Hits." He started by doing a couple bars of "Coward of the County," which was over the head of the college-age crowd, so he reversed direction and sang "The Gambler." Amazingly, every person in the building knew the words and was singing along.

In town this week n Ani DeFranco and That 1 Guy perform Wednesday at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, followed by The Thorns with Matthew Sweet, Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins on Thursday. Cassandra Wilson, Jason Moran and Bandwagon play tonight at the Kimmel Center; Peter, Paul and Mary are "blowin' in the wind" there tomorrow.

n WMGK-FM radio is hosting its Classic Rock Art Show starting today at the Shops at Liberty Place, 17th and Chestnut streets, Philadelphia. The exhibit, which runs through Dec. 14, features art and lithographs by songwriters and performers.

All the art is available for purchase through a silent auction that runs through Dec. 14. The proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Tom Petty is the honorary chair of this year's fund-raising event.

Canadians sure can rock, eh?

The results are

* Last week, in honor of a trip to Canada, I asked who the best Canadian bands are and why.

Arlene from Norwood loves Neil Young, and said he is 10 times better solo than with Crosby, Stills and Nash. Vincent from Upper Darby is a Rush fan, calling them the quintessential rock band of the '70s. I don't know about that, but they are pretty good.

Noel from Media said she was also at the BNL concert and thought they were awesome, but said she also has an appreciation for Gordon Lightfoot, who she thinks is Canadian.

(Noel, your right. Thanks.)

But the best e-mail I got was from David Pangburn of Brookhaven:

"You mentioned in your column about music from the North Land and I thought I would drop you a note about a few of the great bands I have found from up North.

"First of all, Blue Rodeo is a top-notch band. They're very popular in Canada but have a cult following down here. I have seen them several times and they are fantastic. They come to Philly fairly regularly and play small venues.

"No longer around are the Northern Pikes, another fabulous band from the past. These guys were big for a time in Canada. I have managed to get my hands on a half dozen of their CDs and I am quite sad they are no longer together. If you run across any of their stuff in the junk bins it's worth a listen.

"Of the newer bands, New Pornographers are really good. It's power-pop Canadian style presented with a flair." Dave happens to be an avid CD collector and boasts a collection of more than 6,000 discs.

Just wondering

* With Ian Anderson making a dope of himself by ripping Americans, I was wondering what other musical acts have really taken their fame too far and overstepped their bounds by commenting on the political arena? Send your answers to me at asanfilippo@delcotimes.com and I'll print your answers here next week.

©The Daily Times 2003