Another ster;ing entry in the canon of John York's solo records. Along with Chris Hillman, John is the most active, creative, and musically interesting of the Southern California former folk-rockers. I recommend this cd to all, along with Claremont Dragon, another piece of high quality music from Mr. York.

this cd is on a par with anything released by former Byrd members such emotion in Johns vocal this cd is brilliant

John York once said that leaving The Byrds during the late 1960s had been a matter of integrity. At first this may sound like a strange comment from someone who had been such a key member of that group when they were at their peak as a performing band. An exploration of his solo work however, reveals the sheer breadth of his interests and in particular, his fascination for the links between American folk styles and the music of Native American and Japanese cultures. For this latest release, John draws on his rich and varied experience to deliver an album of finely crafted songs that prove if proof were needed, that the most enduring popular music draws upon the joys and woes of the human condition. ‘I Can’t Find The Moon’ seems to underline the illusory nature of true happiness whilst ‘Angel Dance’ dwells on the pain of never being able to forget a love that has been lost or allowed to slip away. An especially moving ballad is a reflection on mortality entitled ‘Tuesday’s Train’. Its lyric calls to mind what Hamlet says about death being that “undiscovered country from which no traveller returns”. ‘We Came For Love’ and ‘I Know I Will See You’ are reminders of how powerful love and hope can be when they underpin one another and the guitar breaks in both songs add to their poignancy. Indeed, what gives this album such force, is the music through which these timeless themes are considered. The double tracked vocals produce a harmony effect which highlights the strength of the individual melodies. When you add to all this the layers of 12 string guitars, and on some tracks, slide guitar as well, then you really do have that heartbreakingly beautiful sound that has meant so much to so many over two or three generations now. This is especially the case on the stellar opening cut, ‘Jealous Gun’ in which a cautionary tale of deep regret is told, not only in words but also by the ‘staircase’ melody of a chiming 12 string. The joyous ‘She Likes To Shine My Shoes’ is just one of several songs that have charming folk lilts to them that even Neil Young would be proud of. Whether you are an admirer of John York’s previous work……or a good old fashioned Byrd maniac…….or simply a fan of contemporary folk music, then you will find ‘Arigatou Baby’ to be a rewarding experience that deepens with repeated listening – and with 59 minutes worth of music, you really cannot go wrong!