Search - Arlo Guthrie :: Mystic Journey

A True Folk Legend

D. Haslam | Pottsville, Pa. USA | 06/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While ,Dylan gets all the press.Arlo goes on and makes great music. Mystic journey has the stuff of old Dylan that Dylan lost somewhere in the shuffle of personalities..Juat a nice collection of music from the best voice in folk music...A new cd would be nice.. I'll write the songs and Arlo can being them home."

Welcome back, old friend...

William E. Adams | Midland, Texas USA | 08/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although I've enjoyed Arlo ever since the first release of "Alice's Restaurant", I had not actually purchased a Guthrie release since "Washington County" and "Hobo's Lullaby" about 30 years ago. Just a case of too much good music in the world, too few dollars to buy it with and a shortage of hours in which to do attentive listening. However, last month I had a chance to get this CD at a great price, and I went for it. I've played it about ten times, and like it better each time around. This is mostly mellow, truly mystic as the title promises, but not "New Age Boring." Arlo's voice, like his father's takes a while to grow on a person. His lyrics, again like his daddy Woody, reward focused listening at first.I think all 11 songs here are good, but one he didn't write really gets in the heart quickly..."You Are the Song". Glen Anthony did the lyrics, Charlie Chaplin the music, but Arlo really nails this corny love poem, making it powerful rather than prissy. If you just read the words, it feels too wimpy for a guy to recite to his woman. But when Arlo sings it, somehow it works. One Arlo did write that packs a punch is called "Doors of Heaven." (Think about it being his version of John Lennon's "Imagine"---I like Arlo's song better.) To sum up, if you EVER liked Arlo, you'll like this CD. If you aren't familiar with his work, but you are a bit folky, a bit liberal, a bit spiritual...well, you'll like it too. Women may like it more than men (There is no equivalent to "Alice's Restaurant" or "Coming into Los Angeles" on this one) but I'm a guy, and I like it, too. So there!"

Ok, I wasn't at Bleeker Street...

James E. Duckworth | Clinton, MD United States | 10/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...when Arlo Guthrie first sang Alice's Restaurant--but I saw the movie when it was first released and bought the album as soon as it was one. I've followed his music for over 25 years and this CD is vintage and futuristic. A few of the songs, "A Soldier Makes it Home," "Doors to Heaven," and "Wake Up Dead" he's been playing and refining in concerts for years. At least one of them, "Under Cover of Night," echoes Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young "Ohio," though the words are nothing the same. This album brings together Guthrie's faithfulness to protest and the lyrical beauty on albums such as "Amigo" and "Outlasting the Blues." Maybe the coolest thing about this CD is that he produced it with his son Abe, who wrote with him some of the songs, and Terry La Berry. This is family listening at it's best! Only wish he'd give the girls a better part.



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