Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
This forum is used with the NationStates web-game designed and run by Max Barry. While not officially affiliated, this serves as the regional forum for the regions: Middle East, African Continent, American Continent, Asian Continent, and European Continent.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and can "read only".

In order to get the most out of these forums, please become a member and read this guide - http://z3.invisionfree.com/nationstates/index.php?showtopic=3060


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Seeing an Icon
Topic Started: May 15 2009, 12:41 PM (44 Views)
New Harumf
Member Avatar
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Last night I had the opportunity to see an Icon in concert: Arlo Guthre. Before you all say "who's Arlo Guthre?" let me explain what this means:

In our short lives there are a few people that represent either their time, or their art, as an Icon. I've had the opportunity to see Bob Hope in concert, The Rolling Stones, Vladimar Horowitz, Michael Barishnikov, and a few others that history will not soon forget. When given this chance to see Arlo in a small house (+/- 300) I jumped at the chance. He represented, for folks of my generation, the whole protest movement, and was perhaps the last, great folk singer. Plus, given his father was Woody Guthre, and in his youth he hung around with Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, and every other great folk artist of the time, and that he played at Woodstock (Second day, mainliner) you can appreciate where I am coming from. I strongly recommend if you are ever given the opportunity to see one of these types of Icons live, you do so, and if in a small, intimate setting like The Ark in Ann Arbor, you must.

Now, for someone who made his name singing protest songs (particularly the anti-war "Alice's Resturant Thanksgiving Day Masacree") I found out something about myself last night. He told a story I will try to quote here as close to the original as possible:

Quote:
 
During the election last year I was touring in Europe, and everyone I ran in to there was all excited about Obama. Now, I reminded them that he wasn't the only person wanting to be elected in America that year - that there were hundreds and thousands of people running for offices, from both parties, from mayors to city councilmen to dog catchers, but that they all had one thing in common. They all had some law or another they wanted to pass. Well, before ya know it, by the time all of them are passed, we'll all be outlaws!


That's when I suddenly realized the connection between the protest songs of the sixties, which I have always been very drawn to, and the libertarian I am today! Both just want to be left alone. Further research found that Arlo, who's godfather was the communist Pete Seeger, and who's father was the voice of the worker's movement in the 30's, 40's and 50's, and has supported so many liberal causes over the year, was a vocal supporter of Ron Paul during the primaries last year! I have finally lost my guilt from the 60's of being secretly attracted to the peace and the hippie movement!!

shouldn't be surprised though, because before that Arlo told the story of how a reporter asked him recently what he remembers of Woodstock, and he replied "Well, I do remember getting there!"
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Tristan da Cunha
Member Avatar
Science and Industry
Hmm that sounds like a profound experience. I will have to look into this man's music.
Edited by Tristan da Cunha, May 15 2009, 04:50 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
New Harumf
Member Avatar
Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Tristan da Cunha
May 15 2009, 03:49 PM
Hmm that sounds like a profound experience. I will have to look into this man's music.
Well, he did take an unknown song by the genius Steve Goodman and make it a hit. It was called "The City of New Orleans".
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
« Previous Topic · Off-Topic · Next Topic »
Add Reply