I didn't copy down a set list for last night's annual rite at Carnegie (though I'm sure someone has and will post it in due time!), but I thought I'd just mention a few of the many highlights of last night's performance. This was my fourth Arlo concert in just over two weeks (New Brunswick 11/11, Glenside 11/13, Montclair 11/26 and NYC 11/27) and I must admit that a bit of tour fatigue was beginning to set in. I wasn't tired of any of the actual performances - which were, as always, of high standard - with enough changes and shuffling of the set lists to keep things interesting ("The Motorcycle Song" in New Brunswick, Merle Haggard's "Sing Me Back Home" and a rare outing for "All This Stuff Takes Time" from Mystic Journey in Glenside and beautiful takes on Woody's "God & Joseph" and "My Peace" in Montclair). Still, I guess I'm beginning to show my age as trying to get to all these shows before curtain time and all the late night drives back and forth amid the usual but unforgiving menu of family and work and holiday responsibilities are beginning to take their toll! Still, Carnegie is an annual event like no other and this year's offering was no exception. The Klezmatics kicked things off wonderfully with a set of songs featured on their new CD Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanuka, as well as a number of other "new" Guthrie songs (some performed with Arlo on guitar and vocals as well). Standout performances for me were, without a doubt, "Holy Ground" and "Mermaid Avenue" ("I've never seen a mermaid on Mermaid Avenue...") and the haunting, chilling "Ilsa Koch." Though, without a doubt, the most heart-wrenching performance of the evening was Arlo's rendering of his grandmother's "My Little Cathy Ann," a sorrowful, plaintive ballad that was absolutely heart-breaking. Arlo returned after the intermission for an abridged set of his current repertoire before reintroducing the Klezmatics who backed him on a number of songs such as a clarinet and horn driven and particularly jazzy "St. James Infirmary," a spirited "This Land Is Your Land" and welcome replays of some of the songs I first heard in Montclair the night before such as "God & Joseph" and "My Peace," the latter song closing the evening's performance. All in all another memorable night at Carnegie Hall and a very nice end to my own concert-going activities in 2004! (P.S. - Special thanks to Sherry for the cookies outside Carnegie - another holiday tradition!).

Thanks Hank for the posting. I had tried SO hard to get there, but things didn't work out that way. I've never had the pleasure of going to the annual Arlo at Carneigie Hall ! There's always next year. While I sat here reading your description, I felt, at times, lke I was there. Thanks for that! Hope someone has a full setlist!

Hank, I admire your tenacity... four concerts in two weeks! Just wish I was there for the other three. Carnegie Hall was, as always, a wonderful and spiritual evening. My wife, son and I were at the 92nd St Y last winter when the Klezmatics first performed Woody's Chanukah songs, and enjoyed that night. I brought the rest of the family, including my 6 year old granddaughter, to experience Saturday night. While "Ilse Koch" was somewhat depressing, (I had invited guests, one of whom is the daughter of Holocost survivors), the night was for the most part a joy. I too especially enjoyed the jazzed up "St. James Infirmary".
Thanks again Arlo. We're already looking forward to next Thanksgiving! I loved your comment when audience members loudly request Alice's Restaurant..... for you, a Groundhog's Day Movie song that has haunted your professional life. Please understand, for us it is an anthem, reminding us of the past, when we gathered together to make a difference.
We all love you, with or without Alice!

I was at the show in Montclair and also at Carnegie. Arlo's telling of the story of Joseph--"You know Joe? The guy with the coat?"--has never been funnier, and never more relevant. The Klezmatics performance of "Ilse Koch" totally blew me away. I just sat there, stunned, my eyes filled with tears. It was so powerful! And "Cathy Ann"! My God! I woke up crying yesterday, thinking about that one. It was so heartbreaking but sweet, poignant and loving all at once. What a night! What a weekend!

Agreed! Totally amazing!

Nice meeting you, Judy.

I thought that this year's show was OK. I came to see Arlo, Abe and Sarah, and to have a few of Sherri's GREAT cookies. That makes the score three out of four I guess. Maybe I still remember the Thanksgiving show last year. I thought it unbeatable then, and think the same even more so now. Just my 2¢.

no comparison jim... i mean literally, NO Comparison.
The show last year was a celebration in honor of Harold Leventhal, by those who he has represented in the past. Folkies young, old, and older!!
This year was a celebration of Woody and his body of work that grew out of his relationship with his mother-in-law! The Klezmatics play a different style of 'folk', but it's folk all the same. But the focus was clearly different. And the beat was as well...

Arlo - absolutely the best St. James Infirmiry I've heard in a long time! (and the rest of the show was just as good). Thanks!

oh yeah, and let's not forget Abeski and the amazing Gordon T. Their joy at being up there playing along is always very evident, and just enhances my own enjoyment of the show! I mean, if they're having fun up on the stage, how can I NOT have a great time!

This year's Carnegie was one of my favorites. Loved the show, loved the Klezmatics and especially loved the collaboration between Arlo and company and the Klezmatics. I coudn't do as many shows as usual this year. I'm real glad that this was one that I got to.