Arlo Guthrie – In Times Like These

It’s not the first time Arlo Guthrie has played with a symphony, but previous attempts at recording the shows haven’t proven suitable. In March 2006, Guthrie’s patience paid off: With John Nardolillo’s University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and a live audience, Guthrie and co-producer George Massenburg had the elements in line to make the most of James Burton’s arrangements, which underscore and add dimension without drawing attention to themselves.

The student musicians get passing grades, playing with appropriately understated passion but obvious conviction, while Guthrie’s vocals are mixed up front for maximum impact. Fairly bombast-free (the majestically swelling chords of “The Last To Leave” notwithstanding), the orchestra provides appropriate shadows or light to a set that includes “Darkest Hour”, “Last Train”, “Patriot’s Dream” and a lush reading of the traditional “St. James Infirmary”.

No surprises with those choices, and happily, the inevitable “City Of New Orleans” is here as well, its rails made new with brass and strings. The love ballads “You Are The Song” (with lyrics by Glen Anthony and music by Charlie Chaplin) and Lead Belly’s “Goodnight Irene” set up the finale, Guthrie’s wonderfully heartfelt version of “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, recorded in rehearsal with the orchestra and added to the disc as a bonus track.