Arlo Gutrie kicked off the 50th Celebration of Woodstock with a performance on the opening day (Thursday). He performed 50 years to the exact day on a stage setup by the entrance called the Alfalfa Stage. Guthrie was a little disappointed in not performing a full set where the original stage was. So in traditional Guthrie fashion, he made a trek down earlier in the day to do an impromptu setup to perform one song by where the original stage was. Including Guthrie, his band was a 5 piece including his son on keyboards.
The connection to Bethel is a strong one for Guthrie, obviously he was the one at the original Woodstock event that announced that they shut down the Interstate Thruway. This show was more about the songs. It was his connection to the place that catapulted his career as an accomplished folk singer. He did play “coming Into Los Angeles” as he did in his 69 set. It was his humor and charm that won over the audience. he told candid stories on how when he went to grade school that everyone knew his dads songs but him. That’s when his dad first taught him chords on the guitar. He also told how when he got off a plane to do an interview, he was asked that did you know that Bob Dylan is playing the same night as you and why would someone come see you instead of Dylan? Guthrie quipped, “well if you want to hear good Bob Dylan songs then you could come see me!” They actually printed that he says so he had to go and learn a bunch of songs in a few hour span. Then Guthrie goes, this ain’t one of those songs but I always liked it anyway as he went into “Gates of Eden.” Another point in the set he told the story how he couldn’t hear himself and didn’t know the microphone wasn’t working at the beginning of his infamous set at Woodstock. They had to use other material from other live shows to incorporate that into the album. He also said that if you don’t see any close-ups or cut away scenes while my music is playing, that’s why. Of course what would be a Arlo Guthrie set without doing one of his dads (Woody Guthrie) most popular songs in “This Land Is Your Land.”
At one point, someone said we love that you are here Arlo! He responded “I wouldn’t be anywhere else!” For the traditional fans, it was great segue into this weekend’s festivities!
Setlist:
The Motorcycle Song
Darkest Hour
Ukulele Lady (Gus Khan cover)
Haleiwa Farewell
Gates of Eden (Bob Dylan cover)
Ride Till the Morning Comes
Coming Into Los Angeles
All Over The World
City of New Orleans (Steve Goodman cover)
This Land is Your Land (Woody Guthrie cover)
My Peace (Woody Guthrie cover)
We would like to thank Ilana Gold from Bethel Woods for the credentials to review the show.
