March 12, 2018

Arlo Guthrie: Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys

Reprise Records MS-2142

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: Folk, World, & Country
Style: Folk, Folk Rock
[Tracklist]
A1 Farrell O'Gara (2:48)
A2 Gypsy Davy (3:43)
A3 This Troubled Mind Of Mine (2:26)
A4 Week On The Rag (2:21)
A5 Miss The Mississippi & You (2:54)
A6 Lovesick Blues (2:33)
A7 Uncle Jeff (0:53)
B1 Gates Of Eden (5:14)
B2 Last Train (3:05)
B3 Cowboy Song (3:36)
B4 Sailor's Bonnett (1:22)
B5 Cooper's Lament (2:46)
B6 Ramblin' Round (3:14)
[Credits]
Arlo Guthrie (guitar/banjo/piano/harmonica/vocals) Jessica Smith (vocals) Venetta Fields, Clydie King, Gene Merlino, Thurl Ravenscroft & Jesse Smith Robert Tebow (chorus) Kevin Burke, Don Rich & Gib Guilbeau (fiddle) Doug Dillard (banjo) Clarence White, Ry Cooder, Jesse Ed Davis, Grady Martin, Buddy Alan, Jerry Brightman, John Pilla & Bob Morris (guitar) Jim Gordon (piano) Stan Free (piano/harpsichord) Jim Shaw (organ/piano) Mike Utley (organ) George Bohanon, Dick Hyde & Gene Coe (horn) William Green (oboe) Ernie Watts (flute) Buddy Collette (clarinet) Richard Hyde (trombone) Donald Christlieb (woodwind) Nick DeCaro (accordion) Gene Parsons, Jim Keltner, Richard Hayward, Ed Shaughnessy & Jerry Wiggins (drums) Chuck Rainey, Bob Arkin, Bob Glaub, Thad Maxwell, Doyle Curtsinger & Leland Sklar (bass)
Producer: John Pilla & Lenny Waronker, Art Director: Ed Thrasher, Designer: John And Barbara Casado, Photographer: Marty Evans, Engineer: Bobby Hata, Donn Landee, Lee Herschberg & Terry Geiser
[Notes]
In the midst of the singer/songwriter era, Arlo Guthrie chose to become his generation's true folk singer, closer in spirit to Pete Seeger than to James Taylor, more an interpreter than a prolific songwriter. In this role, he kept songs alive that may have been forgotten or were never known, and recorded songs from the pens of his contemporary peers. Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys follows a formula similar to its predecessor, Hobo's Lullaby, with one exception -- there is no hit single à la "City of New Orleans." However, this release has some very strong material woven into its mix. Guthrie gives his father's "Gypsy Davy" a bouncy Caribbean feel, breathing new life into this tale of wanderlust in a way probably not envisioned by Woody Guthrie. He also pays tribute to Hank Williams with a yodeling rendition of "Lovesick Blues," and delivers his customary Dylan song. This time it's "Gates of Eden," featuring the fingerpicked electric guitars of Clarence White and the bottleneck slide of Ry Cooder. The album also contains two of Guthrie's finest original songs, "Last Train" and "Cooper's Lament." (AllMusic Review by Jim Newsom)

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