I went to the concert at the Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey last night. I've got to say I am so disappointed. This is by far the worst Arlo concert I have ever seen (and I've seen many). During the entire first set, Arlo sang 3 songs. And those were with a group. The entire night the only song that he did that you expect to hear was "Good Night Irene". He did not do any of the old favorites that we all love. No "Coming Into Los Angeles" or "New Orleans", not even the stupid "Pickle" song. The very very few songs that he actually did were new for him. The one old favorite that was sung by the group was "This Land Is YOur Land." However, they left out the best verse. The one about No Trespassing. And the background was a screen filled with red, white, and blue stars and stripes. What kind of political sellout is this? This is not the Arlo I know and love.

Pete Seegar was great. It was good seeing him perform so well. There were a few songs by Sarah Lee and the group she now plays with. But then they bring on this hillbilly junk, The Dillards. What does that junk have to do with Arlo and folk music.

I took friends to this concert who had never seen Arlo in person before. I am so sorry I did. They now have a very bad impression of what he is like. I'm sorry I wasted the money. I could have bought a few cd's with what I paid for these tickets and really enjoyed some good Arlo music. I heard others after the concert saying they wished they could ask for their money back. This was far from what I expected to hear.

Kathi

WOW Kathi "you got a lotta damn gall,I mean,I mean,I mean,,"
LOL...Sorry Kathi the show was not what you were expecting,,
But what were you expecting??a all nighter?
You are fortunate enough to go to this show,with Arlo and Pete..and you are complaining??
I checked out the website for the performing arts center and the line up is listed there,including the Dillards. http://www.njpac.org/sitegenerator.cfm?CFID=1388703&CFTOKEN=16648046&di r=event&page=details&event=V3GUT

If there is a act or 2 you are not familiar with are doing a show and it would make you change your mind about going then up to you to do your homework on them first,and then decide to go or not.
Obviously with the line up they had and 8pm start Arlo couldn,t play all verses of "This Land" or the pickle song or the Story of Reuben Clamzo or Alices..
You say you,ve been to many shows and that you should have spent the money on Arlo cd,s so you could have had better music to enjoy...you mean you dont have any Arlo cd,s? or still have some left to buy? lol
Sorry Kathy you,re opinion just seems harsh,I wasn,t at the show but what you described was more or less what I,d expect after seeing the line up....
To me you seem fortunate to see Pete and Arlo and the rest together.
I,m sure there will be others that were there that will have a diffrent view of the show then yours.<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/angryrazz.gif" width=15 height=15>

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 2 times, lastly by sparkydon on Nov 30, 2002 ---</FONT></center>

I was at the Arts Center last night too. Lots of folks were a bit disappointed. Arlo, Pete, Abe and Tao came out and opened with Midnight Special, as usual. I got chills and was really looking forward to the show.

Then The Mammals took over (Tao, Sarah and hubby Johnny, along with some guests). The Mammals then played for about a half hour. I usually enjoy their music but their selections last night were on the sleepy side...a lot of really slow, a capella type stuff.

Then Tao announced that it was time to play one of Pete's tunes and the whole gang came back on stage to do "If I Had a Hammer". Then Arlo introduced the Dillards - a blugrass band. I really enjoyed the Dillards, though some folks (like my wife) didn't. If bluegrass isn't your thing, I can see why this would put you off a bit. Personally, I think they were excellent and quite funny and entertaining. When they finished up it was intermission time.

Now a lot of folks were pretty disappointed with the first set - I have to admit I was too. I got the distinct feeling that Arlo wasn't feeling well. His voice was cracking a bit like he had a sore throat. My impression was that Arlo wasn't feeling up to snuff and decided to use the first set for the featured guests. I didn't mind so much.

Second set was the usual fare that most folks expected to see during the first set. I recognized a lot of the tunes for being American Traditional songs (Jacob's Ladder, Will the Circle be Unbroken), and a lot of tunes I didn't recognize. Arlo played a beautiful instrumental tune that he had written for Byrds of Paradise...I couldn't catch the name of it - something Blues. He also played Under Cover of Night.

No, they didn't play the usual suspects that folks expect to hear. The performance was a celebration of Woody's 90th birthday and I think that that described the spirit of the show accurately. Pete was absolutely phenomenal. Tao's voice once again gave me shivers. I got to see some folks I'd never seen before (The Dillards) and hear some music I never heard before. I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with some ups and some downs.

I thought that "This Land is Your Land" was the high point of the evening. I honestly don't know what the previous poster is talking about Arlo "selling out" - what on earth does that mean? Because there were white stars on a blue field (and BTW there were no red stripes)? Please...you expected hammers and sickles perhaps?

After the show I got a real surprise - Arlo and some of the players were out in the lobby. Arlo had a sizeable line forming for autographs and Tao and Ruthy Ungar were wandering about. I got Tao's autograph and lined up for Arlo's. When I got up there I got really nervous and instead of saying anything witty or profound I just said "Hi Arlo, my name is Dillon". He signed my program for me "To Dylan" (hehe). I said Thank You and that was it...it was amazing that meeting the folksinger would make me so nervous. He was real nice and patient and gave everyone a chance to get and autograph...he was still there signing when we finally took off and left. I wonder if Kathy went up and told Arlo how much she hated the show. Somehow I doubt it.

All in all it was a fantastic time. Much like life, there were both disappointments and surprises. Thanks Arlo and friends, for a wonderful evening.

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by DillonToo on Nov 30, 2002 ---</FONT></center>

Kathi, I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. After "discovering" Arlo back in 1970 when I was 16, it took me another 4 years before I finally got to see him.

Hubby and I went to the Main Point in Bryn Mawr (outside Philly), a small place. Father Guido Sarducci opened. We had tickets for the late show which meant standing outside in the bitter cold for about an hour.

When Arlo finally came on, he was terrible. A slow, slow, slow concert. Nothing spectacular. I was so upset I cried the whole ride home. I vowed never to see him again!

That was many years, and many concerts ago. I've learned that some will be good, some bad, some absolutely horribe and some TERRIFIC! I always leave with mixed feelings, tho, because he cannot do all his songs and sometimes he'll do some a really don't want to hear, and won't do others I specifically go to hear.

I've probably been to around 80 concerts since the night in 74 when I vowed never again. Don't give up!

Excuse me for having an opinion. My opinion is that the "profit" was more important than the fans last night.

I did wonder about Arlo's health. He didn't seem to move around much. And Sarah Lee was helping him change guitars and stuff like that. Maybe that is why the whole concert was so far off.

Kathi

Wow, sorry you had a bad time. We saw him in Hampton, VA a week ago & he was great. I've been to over 50 shows & have yet to have been to a bad one. Folks have to remember he doesn't always do ALICES or COMING INTO LA all the time. He also has to make room for the other singers to sing. It actually gives ya a chance to hear them sing too & see what they sound like. I bet if I went I would've had fun! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15> Don't give up on going to see Arlo, he is great! How can you not have a good time when seeing Arlo? <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

Good heavens, is there perhaps an "Anti-Cheryl" lurking here?! <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/wink.gif" width=15 height=15>

I woulda given my left......something.....to be at that show yesterday, since I'm only 45 minutes from Newark to begin with, but it was not in the cards for me.Work does get in the way so often.
"Hillbilly junk"??? The Dillards?? That stuff IS folk music!! Folk does have wide parameters you know. I for one do love to see and hear variety in Arlo's (or anybodys) shows. I do see Arlo rather often, and I can understand how some people that may have expected a "best of" show may have been disappointed on some level, but to trash the whole show on that basis and to acuse Arlo of putting profit ahead of fans is just plain silly and obviously wrong to anyone that knows anything about the man and what he does.I even find it hurtful.
What is wrong with the stars and stripes as a background for "This land"? That song is about the most truely patriotic songs ever.That is not a sell out in any terms.

I,d give my left and right somethin,,as long as the right somethin wasn,t the same somethin as the left..!!

I've no doubt that Arlo & Co. made every honest attempt to appease the audience the best they could do in the alloted time they were permitted by the venue. Nobody can force another person to like or appreciate a certain music. Why you'd bother to pay money to go see a show where they play music you don't like is beyond me. Get a life.

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Levi on Mar 13, 2003 ---</FONT></center>

I too am sorry that Kathi had a bad time. I just saw Arlo about 2 weeks ago in Frederick, MD after not seeing him live for over 10 years, and I must say I haven't had that much fun at a concert in a very long time. I guess you can't please all the people all the time.
As far as The Dillards, there is very little folkier than good old American Mountain music. If those crazy mountain folk hadn't invented the banjo, where would Pete and Darroll have gotten their inspiration?

Just my opinion mind ye!

Michael
(who is relishing his new title "Blunder Virgin". No one has accused me of being one of those for a good many years!)<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by IansDad on Dec 01, 2002 ---</FONT></center>

Well Kathi,
I must applaud you for having the nads to say something negative here about Arlo. The Arlonet rose colored glasses have finally cracked.
I was not at the Newark show, but I was at Carnegie, and I found it to be very different, and with Arlo, anything different is good. But this was not an Arlo show. It was an Arlo, Pete, Abe, Sarah Lee & Johnny, Mammals and Dillards show. And more than that it was a celebration of Woody's music and spirit. Everyone got their fair share of play time. I do not expect to get many more chances to see Arlo and Pete on the same stage. I have not seen a setlist from the Newark show, but from what I saw at Carnegie ... well when was the last time I saw Arlo do "The Pause of Mr. Claus" ? Let's see ... that would be 1993. That was different. And the last time I saw him play a banjo ? That would probably be 1979. Doubly different. And the last time I saw him NOT do "City of New Orleans" ? Well ... that would be never. Triply different. That's all I'm trying to say. With Arlo, anything different is good.

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by bonehead on Dec 02, 2002 ---</FONT></center>

I am sorry you had a bad time, but you might want to blame yourself. If you want friends to see Arlo, it needs to be at an Arlo concert. There is a big difference when you get Arlo for the entire show. Others are good, but Arlo is special one of a kond. But don't blame Arlo for remembering Woody's music.

I agree with Larry, Sparky, Levi etc. That's a shame Levi's wife made him leave the show in the middle of it. Fortuantely I got Mike into Arlo altho he claims HE got me into Arlo LOL! It sounded to me like you went to a great show that many of us would've loved going to! You just had fund & didn't know it. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15> <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15>

I was fortunate in the sense that I was able to attend both the NJPAC and Carnegie Hall shows. I agree with, uh, "Bonehead" that even the smallest of changes in Arlo's set list and performances are welcome and appreciated - certainly for those of us who attend a number of his shows each year. And I think we can honestly say that there has been lots of variety of late: Arlo acoustic w/Abe on keyboard, Arlo w/a semi-constituted Shenandoah, Arlo w/the Symphony, Arlo w/Pete Seeger, the Dillards, family and friends etc.. I'm a big fan of bluegrass as well and had never seen the Dillards; or at least not all on stage at the same time. So I found the Dillards set a nice treat - exciting, funny and fresh... The band had an undeniably infectious enthusiasm that was sincere and genuine, in spite of (or, according to your personal taste, perhaps because of)their homespun, cornpone humour. And, of course, seeing an 83 year old Pete Seeger performing again with Arlo - and hearing Pete sing his newly composed material to boot - is a treat and priviledge worth every cent of the admission fee... But to be fair to both sides of view of this thread there were disappointments as well. Although I had read the interview with Arlo in that morning's Newark Star-Ledger that the "Woody Guthrie Celebration" was more of a celebration of his spirit than his songs, I guess I did expect more of Woody's music to be featured. And did walk away somewhat disappointed that it was not... If I remember correctly (and excluding the Guthrie/folk-processed "Gypsy Davy")the audience was treated to only two of Woody's songs each night. At NJPAC we got Pete singing the children's song "Put Your Finger In The Air" and a cast rendition of "This Land Is Your Land." At Carnegie we got Sarah and Johnny singing "No Church" and, again, the "This Land..." finale. The biggest disappointment to me was that Arlo and the Dillards didn't play together more... I was hoping for a little live preview of the "32 Cents" CD and was genuinely suprised that it didn't happen as all the elements were seemingly in place... But then again a preview of "32 Cents" wasn't promised on the ticket stub or in the print advertising for the concerts, so I guess it might have just been wishful thinking on my part! Lastly, I can sympathize (in part)with the writer who started this thread. I too at NJPAC was one of those "over enthusiatic friends" who
convinced a musically sympathetic friend into going to see Arlo for the very first time. What better time to see Arlo than at the one of the Thanksgiving shows thought I? But this year was different, it was not, as has been pointed out, an "Arlo" concert. It sort of reminded me of one of those old Folkways LPs from the '50s, like "Hootenanny At Carnegie Hall." Very free-form, with many highs and lows and variable qualities of performance... Which isn't a criticism neccesarily, just an analogy. Despite Arlo's insistence on stage that "he doesn't have a plan," he most certainly does and through the years he has had one of the most skillfully calculated and executed performance grids that any artist can boast of: a seemingly easy going, off hand and very casual style of manner. But one with a definite sense of mission and purpose and rhythm, dogmatically programmed despite his comments to the contrary... But the concerts this past weekend were truly different, and perhaps that's the reason for some of the strong (and often negative) reactions I have read and heard in the lobbies after the concerts. OK, that's my 2 Cents... Just waiting on the additional 30 Cents now!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
If there never was a worst you wouldn't have a best to stick it in!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I wonder where I got that ideal of thinking?

RB <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>