Reviewed by Stephen Romone Lewis
Released: June 1981 Arlo Guthrie Power Of Love Genre: Possible Contractual Obligation (something's wrong here) Rating: 2 out of 5 Highlights: Living Like A Legend Slow Boat Kid, if the name Arlo Guthrie reminds you of the hilarity of father rapers, well kid, you are gonna be badly disappointed by Power of Love. No wit. No storytelling. Arlo, like his dad, is best known for his songwriting, but this 10 song collection contains 8 covers. “Living Like A Legend” and “Slow Boat” are the exceptions and they are also the only bright spots on the album. His own songs sizzle with emotion. The rest plod with the restless annoyance of filing taxes. Even a great tune like Richard Thompson’s “When I Get To The Border”, sounds like Arlo would rather be napping. Guest stars attempt to wake Arlo up but they aren’t given anything to do. Phil Everly and Rickie Lee Jones are singers. Give them the mic. Don’t hide their backup vocals behind your nasal, Dylan-with-a-head-cold shenanigans. Give them a verse or an entire song to sing. Go have a smoke. Relax. The album ends with the modern, folk standard “The Garden Song” (Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow…). Someone had the sweet idea of having Arlo sing it with his 3 young children. Sadly, Arlo either hates the song or hates his kids because he sounds annoyed. Don’t feel too bad, the kids are grown now and don’t need our pity any more.
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