Arlo Guthrie fans should rejoice with this new collection – “In Times Like These” (Rising Son Records). Arlo is in great voice, and this is a collection that includes many “fan favorites” that have highlighted his concerts in recent years. Recorded in March 2006 in front of a live audience at the Singletary Center for the Arts in Lexington, KY, the new CD features Arlo performing with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. There are 13 songs on the CD (including a gorgeous rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which is listed as a “bonus” track”. Hmmm. Why a “bonus”? To my knowledge this is the only edition of the CD. Is there another version without this track?? ) The songs include “classic” Arlo favorites – “City of New Orleans”, “Darkest Hour”, “Patriot’s Dream”, “St. James Infirmary” and others.

Some people may look at this project with a sideways glance. Arlo… with a symphony? Sounds like a gimmick. Isn’t he a folksinger? Well, let’s not forget that some of the classic composers (Beethoven, Brahms, Grieg, etc.) mined the wealth of folksongs for their work. Why not lend a contemporary folksinger to the classical world? For those of us who have enjoyed Arlo over the years, this CD will be a treat. Arlo’s voice sounds warm and comforting. Considering he has sung many of these songs thousands of times, he adds new dimensions with these performances.

The idea of recording with an orchestra has been floating around for several years. Arlo has performed with orchestras on several occasions, but as he explains in the liner notes, it has been difficult getting a good recording. The scope of dealing with a large orchestra is not the same as getting his band in the studio to lay down a few tracks.

John Nardollio, the man who first proposed the idea to Arlo, is the musical director and conductor for the recording. The arrangements are the work of James Burton. Burton has created some lush symphonic settings, not content with simply adding a few strings and horns. If you took Arlo’s voice and guitar out of the recording, you would still have a most intriguing recording.

One song in particular stood out – “Goodnight Irene”. Burton seems to have “borrowed” from the arrangement that Gordon Jenkins’s made for the Weavers. While more complex than Jenkins, the strings that lead into the first verse will take you back to the Weaver’s original.

I was also taken with “You are the Song” – a song written by Glen Anthony to music composed by Charlie Chaplin. A beautiful love song that is not whiney, overly sentimental or ends up making you feel bad about the whole deal – as many singer-songwriters seem to treat the subject. This is an affirmative song.

I do have one “complaint”. Do we need this CD, at this time? Is another version of “City of New Orleans” absolutely necessary? Granted this has a magnificent orchestra behind Arlo, but by my count, he has recorded this song at least five times in his career, and it is a staple of live performances. As lovely and powerful as the song and this CD is, I have been hoping that Arlo would offer us more new songs. The new CD teases us with the title cut, a song that Arlo wrote last year called “In Times Like These” – a powerful song that reflects how many of us are feeling these days. The last studio album from Arlo came in 1996. I know Arlo was working on a project of recording some of his father’s “unrecorded” songs, and I understand that he will be in the studio again in September. Arlo is an accomplished songwriter, and he also possesses a great gift for interpreting the work of the others. 2006 saw the release of a live double CD from Australia, and now we have this new live collection. Granted, there are new songs included in each – but fans like myself are hoping for a CD of new songs.

I don’t mean the above as a knock on this CD – just a wish for something more. Okay, I’m greedy! I think “In Times Like These” stands up well as a project and is an enjoyable experience. Thanks for this lovely recording Arlo. We’ve had dessert, and now we are looking for some meat and potatoes! I know it will be a good dish!

NOTES. – If you enjoy the new CD, you will enjoy the opportunity to see Arlo perform with the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall on November 24. This will be a Thanksgiving concert that can’t be beat!

Arlo is embarking on a solo tour that he is calling “The Arlo Guthrie Solo Reunion Tour – Together At Last“. His son Abe, who has been on the road with Arlo for over 20 years, and Gordon Titicomb will be taking a rest from touring for at least a year. It will be interesting to see Arlo in a full concert without the band. Some local stops include the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival on July 29, a FREE concert at Lincoln Center Out of Doors on August 2, and a performance at Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts ( the site of the original Woodstock Festival in Bethel, NY) with Richie Havens on the August 17th – the 38th anniversary of the historic gathering.