From Tiffin OHio

Here I am typing away in Tiffin OHio on Saturday morning. We are in a motel; after seeing Arlo Guthrie last night at the Ritz Theater in downtown Tiffin. It was a fantastic show; a great 6 person band- Arlo in great form- storytelling was great- his guitar playing and keyboard playing great- the song selection great. Abe, his son, plays keyboards, and a good multi-instrumentalist, Gordon Titcomb (looking like a certain vintage Frank Zappa) and Terry a la Berry (Terry Hall) on the precussion. David Grover on guitars and Kathy Jo Grover on vocals. Arlo did Alice's Restuarant - a good long energetic, version- (can you imagine doing that night in and night out for 40 years?) He did coming into los angeles, and a very hilarious lead in story. The motorcycle song- (I don't want a pickle....) - with the self-depricating lead in about the mystery of inspiration and creativity that leads people to be able to come up with a song. City of New Orleans, with some stories about his recent benefit tour down the mississippi for Katrina victims. There were some sweet instrumentals mixed in; a very intriguing wide variety of musical styles. His story - stopping this land is your land abruptly TWICE to tell totally different/ energetic stories- one bible story- about Joseph- and the importance of one person's actions to change the world, etc. etc. Another angle- was how much easier it is to make a difference / an impact because the way the world is now is so screwed up; there's a lot that needs done. He basically stayed away from "politics" in the blatant sense, preferring to philosophize more general from his humorous slant on the world. It was a great show. The crowd was very demographically mixed; probably quite a bit of local folks. Afterwards, in the lobby of the theater, he signed autographs; wearing a ball cap over his LONG flowing white/ gray hair- he signed a CD cover for Brendan; and Beth got a picture of the two of them- a little boy was led up to be introduced- Arlo this is Arlo- and pictures, etc. Lots of people bringing old albums up to be signed; Arlo warmly greeting everyone- very down to earth.
I won't dwell on my two person down "neighbor"- a little overserved; and the loudest heckler- mouth - shouting out comments throughout- but you can't fault the guys enthusiasm- and he was impressed with Brendan's air drum playing during coming into los angeles.
We'll do a little driving around Tiffin this morning- seeing some of the Tuck scenes- already we have seen the courthouse and church where the subterranean homesick blues was filmed probably 30-35 years ago. Back in Parkersburg by this evening.