On his first studio album of new original material in a decade, Arlo Guthrie turned out a recording to fit in well with his existing catalog. His chief musical influences continued to be Bob Dylan and the Beatles, circa 1966, as he made melodic folk-rock anchored by his acoustic guitar and augmented by a rock rhythm section, other stringed instruments, and keyboards, frequently played by his son and co-producer Abe Guthrie. The lyrics also had a Dylanish twinge in their highly poetic, sometimes obscure language, though Guthrie commented on a variety of contemporary issues including the experiences of veterans ("When a Soldier Makes It Home"), child and spouse abuse, and gentrification. Just as often, however, singing in his resonant, half-spoken voice, which had begun to be reminiscent of Willie Nelson, Guthrie adopted an elegiac, fatalistic tone, expressing spiritual concerns in nearly apocalyptic terms. That too had long been a feature of his music, but on Mystic Journey, unleavened by humor, it was the dominant theme.
I picked this song today, not only because I think it's one of Arlo's best songs, but it invokes a lot of emotion in these days of turmoil in the world, and of loved ones off in foreign lands, serving to protect us all (not just Americans of course).So for all the troops in all the armed services from all the countries who are doing their duty to protect the civilised world from terror, we salute
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I picked this song today, not only because I think it's one of Arlo's best songs, but it invokes a lot of emotion in these days of turmoil in the world, and of loved ones off in foreign lands, serving to protect us all (not just Americans of course).So for all the troops in all the armed services from all the countries who are doing their duty to protect the civilised world from terror, we salute
More >
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 "Mystic Journey")
