Washington County (album) explained

Washington County
Type:	Album
Artist:	Arlo Guthrie
Cover:	Washington County (album).jpeg
Released:	October 1970
Recorded:	August 1970
Genre:	Folk, folk rock
Length:	36:23
Label:	Reprise
Producer:	Lenny Waronker, John Pilla^[1]
Prev Title:	Running Down the Road
Prev Year:	1969
Next Title:	Hobo's Lullaby
Next Year:	1972

Washington County is a 1970 album by the American folk singer Arlo Guthrie.^[2] It peaked at #33 on the Billboard charts on December 4, 1970,^[3] and number 28 in Australia.^[4]

Critical reception

Contributing to Magnet, Bar/None owner Glenn Morrow called the album "remarkably eclectic". He praised "Gabriel's Mother's Highway Ballad #16 Blues", writing that it "wraps around the listener like a sonic temple—a place of peace and well-being, bracing out the cold winds of a hostile world".^[5]

Compilations and covers

"Gabriel's Mother's Hiway Ballad #16 Blues" was later included on the 1977 compilation The Best of Arlo Guthrie. A cover version of it became the title track of the 1972 Franciscus Henri album Gabriel's Mother's Highway.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Arlo Guthrie, except where indicated.

Side One

1. "Introduction" – 3:22
2. "Fencepost Blues" (sometimes rendered as "Fence Post Blues") – 3:11
3. "Gabriel's Mother's Hiway Ballad #16 Blues" – 6:23
4. "Washington County" – 1:59
5. "Valley to Pray" – 2:46 (Doc Coutson, John Pilla, Arlo Guthrie)

Side Two

1. "Lay Down Little Doggies" (Woody Guthrie) – 3:18
2. "I Could Be Singing" – 3:19
3. "If You Would Just Drop By" – 4:23
4. "Percy's Song" (Bob Dylan) – 4:57
5. "I Want to Be Around" – 2:45

Personnel

• Arlo Guthrie – banjo, guitar, piano, autoharp, harmonica, vocals
• Hoyt Axton – bass vocals
• Ry Cooder – slide guitar
• Doug Dillard – banjo
• Chris Ethridge – bass guitar
• Richie Hayward – drums
• John Pilla – guitar, autoharp, harmony vocals
• Gary Walters – bass guitar
• Clarence White – electric guitar

Technical

• Barry Feldman – executive producer
• Van Dyke Parks – co-producer on "Valley to Pray"

References

1. Book: Reineke, Hank. Arlo Guthrie: The Warner/Reprise Years. June 10, 2012. Scarecrow Press. 9780810883314. Google Books.
2. News: Arlo Guthrie's M.O.. Dave. Thompson. Goldmine Magazine: Record Collector & Music Memorabilia.
3. Arlo Guthrie. Billboard.
4. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 131.
5. Web site: From The Desk Of Glenn Morrow: Arlo Guthrie's 'Gabriel's Mothers Highway Ballad #16 Blues'. Magnet. June 20, 2017.