Album Notes

THE BEST RECORD WE EVER MADE!

"I've sung these songs to hundreds and hundreds of men and women, small boys and little girls, and babies who are no longer walking on this earth - The ones we lost to AIDS. I remember the times when we went with Ma into the trenches and wards where we sang and played and held and kissed and got married to Chaplin's song...

"I remember the moment when she asked a room full of people "Who here has AIDS?" and every single person - We all raised our hands together. Some had AIDS others did not. But, in that moment - We were in it together. To those in that room, the lessons of the 20th century had been learned. Never again means never letting another human being have to stand up alone.

"We were in the van in Los Angeles going through the hospices, the hospitals, homes and apartments. There was four or five of us. We had seen so much death that day. Ma spoke softly to herself in the front seat as if saying a prayer. "If heaven would ony close it's doors..." Eventually she looked around and said "Someone should write a song..."

"This record is dedicated to Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati.

"And to those for whom these songs were written and sung - Your faces forever in my heart - who cared enough to cry. To the mourners of this passing age - courageous enough to laugh.

"And to those whom we shall never ever forget..."
- Arlo Guthrie _

Co-Produced by Arlo and his son, Abe, the record is a gem. Generally unknown outside of familiar Guthrie fans due to conflicts with distributors, the record nevertheless stands on it's own merits. Great songs - great music.