Back around '75 there was a movement called The Clamshell Alliance that was opposed to Nixon's plan to build 100 nuclear reactors in the country, including several in New England. Arlo's story about the giant 'killer clams' is a parable for nuclear power. It was brave folks with clampoons that laid this to rest. :-)
Hi Jackie. This is great. We were obviously in rare form that night. We have a picture that Rocky took of Carol hanging in our studio, wearing the same outfit she's wearing in these Atlanta videos. I'm pretty sure it's from that same night. We love and miss you guys... Hugs all around.
must be 20 years since I last heard this, on the "last night" album. Fantastic - thanks for uploading. Anyone remember the "Onedin line" - english historic soap opera (19th century merchant sailors), the sailors were singing Ruben Clamso as a sea shanty on the boat!!
There is an old whaling shanty about a Reuben Ranzo, which Arlo borrowed quite a bit from - mostly the structure and refrains - but I like Arlo's better, especially the One Night one, which I used to have but cannot find :(
@rhythm61 My dad had the original vinyl album, which has perished due to being played to death by my brother and I in our teens! I found a CD copy in 1989, which I lost while under the influence of the sort of substances that normally get youinto other trouble! I have not seen it since, but there must be other Cd copies out there. If not - maybe we petition Mr G to re-release it??
This MUST be rare! I just listened to it without doing housework, dishes..I know the version where Arlo plays it in the key of F. He gets tickled at a lady in the crowd, but doesn't lose it entirely. This is so funny!!! I have seen Arlo so many times and never have seen him loose the entire song!!! I am laughing so hard. I sure wish I had been there. My grandson heard this when he was 5. He was a bit afraid of seafood, clams & the ocean til I let him know it was a joke. Arlo 'did good'. Thanks!
I saw Arlo & Pete Seeger perform this at a concert in Pougkeepsie NY years and years ago. I loved it and this is the first time that I've heard it in lo these many years! Thanks so much for sharing this!
He didn't, actually. By the time Bob Dylan actually met Woody Guthrie, Guthrie was fairly incapacitated with Huntington's Disease.
Maybe Woody was on the way out. Didn't stop old Bob from being a vampire. No disrespect to Bob - whom I also love - but he sucked everything he did out of Woody's soul. Unfortunately, he missed Woody's sense of humour and irony. Arlo got those traits. And for that I thank him.
It is a "Sea Shanty" A long time ago people use to sing these songs "Sea shanties" to help them get through what ever they are doing. See times were tough. But when it is on land it is a "C Shanty" "C" for clam. Look, it is not just some dingle berry folk song, it took courage to sing these songs, and you may need courage again some day.
Just saw Arlo in Lauderdale. There is always someone yelling "Rueben Clamzo".. but just doesn't bring him back.. At least he is still out there keeping real music alive...
I remember finding "One Night" at the used rekkid store in Hahvahd Square when I was a teenager. What a find! This track blew my mind. Does Arlo ever bring this one out in concert these days?
I have this on "One Night" with Shenandoah and it's been one of my favorites for years! I can always close my eyes and see this whole scenario playing out and LMAO!!! Thanks for posting this:-)
It's too bad Arlo "goes up" during the Clam Shanty. On the album, the Clam Shanty was VERY special but they never had a chance to get going in this vid. But it's still good.
The best and funniest part is when Arlo tells the young lady singer who is laughing "you guys get paid for composure" and then immediately loses it himself and then kills himself laughing through out the rest of the song...priceless. Thanks for the memory of this.
Yesterday morning, I spent three long hours trying to get Reuben Clamzo out of my head. Over and over Arlo was singing "Oh Poor ol Rueben Clamzo! As frightening as it was...I began singing back!!!! "Clamzo boys, Clamzo!
Mrs. Guthrie, thanks to this upload, my house got cleaned in half the time! =)
Back around '75 there was a movement called The Clamshell Alliance that was opposed to Nixon's plan to build 100 nuclear reactors in the country, including several in New England. Arlo's story about the giant 'killer clams' is a parable for nuclear power. It was brave folks with clampoons that laid this to rest. :-)
Pangael 2 months ago
Arlo can make anyone laugh, funny video. My only question is, where does he come up with this stuff, LOL..
ejmilchak 2 months ago
Hi Jackie. This is great. We were obviously in rare form that night. We have a picture that Rocky took of Carol hanging in our studio, wearing the same outfit she's wearing in these Atlanta videos. I'm pretty sure it's from that same night. We love and miss you guys... Hugs all around.
sideman51 7 months ago
Yes, we do. lol
jguth3 7 months ago
Jackie, do you still have the Clampoon?
sodpoo 7 months ago
must be 20 years since I last heard this, on the "last night" album. Fantastic - thanks for uploading. Anyone remember the "Onedin line" - english historic soap opera (19th century merchant sailors), the sailors were singing Ruben Clamso as a sea shanty on the boat!!
petalrs 9 months ago
@petalrs
There is an old whaling shanty about a Reuben Ranzo, which Arlo borrowed quite a bit from - mostly the structure and refrains - but I like Arlo's better, especially the One Night one, which I used to have but cannot find :(
rhythm61 9 months ago
@rhythm61 My dad had the original vinyl album, which has perished due to being played to death by my brother and I in our teens! I found a CD copy in 1989, which I lost while under the influence of the sort of substances that normally get youinto other trouble! I have not seen it since, but there must be other Cd copies out there. If not - maybe we petition Mr G to re-release it??
petalrs 9 months ago
Arlo is amazing and funny as hell sometimes. Love his story telling. America needs more singers of clam chanteys.
knotryder 10 months ago
This MUST be rare! I just listened to it without doing housework, dishes..I know the version where Arlo plays it in the key of F. He gets tickled at a lady in the crowd, but doesn't lose it entirely. This is so funny!!! I have seen Arlo so many times and never have seen him loose the entire song!!! I am laughing so hard. I sure wish I had been there. My grandson heard this when he was 5. He was a bit afraid of seafood, clams & the ocean til I let him know it was a joke. Arlo 'did good'. Thanks!
MyMoppet52 10 months ago
I remember hearing this on the Mike Douglas Show? And he also performed Guabi Guabi?
inouyde 11 months ago
I saw this on Austin City Limits when I was about 14.
timpipe 1 year ago
turns out i dont want a pickle.
DClynch 1 year ago 2
I saw Arlo & Pete Seeger perform this at a concert in Pougkeepsie NY years and years ago. I loved it and this is the first time that I've heard it in lo these many years! Thanks so much for sharing this!
everydenise 1 year ago
Comment removed
everydenise 1 year ago
Best version of this EVER is off his "One Night" album...
TheRealElectroPig 1 year ago
Arlo is like Bob Dylan with a lot more talent and a sense of humour. Its a shame old Woody let Bob hang around him and leech his persona.
garcemac 1 year ago 4
He didn't, actually. By the time Bob Dylan actually met Woody Guthrie, Guthrie was fairly incapacitated with Huntington's Disease.
lizaelliot 1 year ago
@lizaelliot
No disrespect to Bob, but Bob had no career or direction without Woody.
Arlo is pure grace and beauty, and the true heir to American folk music. He is a pure soul.
garcemac 1 year ago 2
@garcemac
I got a personal message saying:
He didn't, actually. By the time Bob Dylan actually met Woody Guthrie, Guthrie was fairly incapacitated with Huntington's Disease.
Maybe Woody was on the way out. Didn't stop old Bob from being a vampire. No disrespect to Bob - whom I also love - but he sucked everything he did out of Woody's soul. Unfortunately, he missed Woody's sense of humour and irony. Arlo got those traits. And for that I thank him.
Almost every day.
garcemac 1 year ago
Love this song Arlo is so Awesome
tshoffie 1 year ago
i cant help it i LOVE the way he talks
boomingpearl 1 year ago
Wow! This is Super, Super Rare! Thanks so much for posting it. I've never seen Arlo do this on video before now.
palmbeachcitizen 1 year ago
If you want to hear the best version of this find the album "One Night" I think its the first time he did it and it is great!!!!
lou304 1 year ago
The song is a parody of a genuine sea shanty called "Reuben Ramzo".
Ambidexter143 2 years ago 2
that was very funny and enjoyable! love everything arlo does, and thank u to the person who posted this!
texan27star 2 years ago 5
@texan27star
He is - to this day - a beautiful man. I love Arlo. That's all.
garcemac 5 months ago
It is a "Sea Shanty" A long time ago people use to sing these songs "Sea shanties" to help them get through what ever they are doing. See times were tough. But when it is on land it is a "C Shanty" "C" for clam. Look, it is not just some dingle berry folk song, it took courage to sing these songs, and you may need courage again some day.
samiamrd 2 years ago 3
he needs to come to summersville sum time!!!
boomingpearl 2 years ago 2
Just saw Arlo in Lauderdale. There is always someone yelling "Rueben Clamzo".. but just doesn't bring him back.. At least he is still out there keeping real music alive...
gimmedamoney7777 3 years ago 2
I remember finding "One Night" at the used rekkid store in Hahvahd Square when I was a teenager. What a find! This track blew my mind. Does Arlo ever bring this one out in concert these days?
Zeeandaye 3 years ago
Wow! I came across this clip and thought I was having a 60's flashback....Arlo is the greatest story teller EVER. Thank you for posting.
freecatpaws 3 years ago 2
This is the song I shared with people to get them into Arlo's music in the 80's. Still have the vinyl LP. Thanks for adding this.
Timberbanktunes 3 years ago
i agree with most of the other commenters. thank you for a gem i haven't heard in decades.
5252dan 3 years ago
I have this on "One Night" with Shenandoah and it's been one of my favorites for years! I can always close my eyes and see this whole scenario playing out and LMAO!!! Thanks for posting this:-)
Jackalski57 3 years ago 2
He could have been a comedian......well he kind of is....
AliceMarr 3 years ago 2
Thanks, I loved this back in the late 70's. and have looked for it for the last couple years. I can't wait to send it to my 70's friend.
Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!
tkohl714 3 years ago
It's too bad Arlo "goes up" during the Clam Shanty. On the album, the Clam Shanty was VERY special but they never had a chance to get going in this vid. But it's still good.
zwolfen 4 years ago
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! I've seen this performed live...you made me smile.
seemomster2 4 years ago
I have hunted for this for years. My copy got all wavy in the back seat on a long hot summer day.
GourmetDad 4 years ago
OMG Where did you find this?
louswire 4 years ago
Mrs. Guthrie,
I had a tough day...then I watched the video to my favorite song! - THANKS! - let's do it in G, for 'Gee, what a huge CLAM!'....
unclejohn607 4 years ago
The best and funniest part is when Arlo tells the young lady singer who is laughing "you guys get paid for composure" and then immediately loses it himself and then kills himself laughing through out the rest of the song...priceless. Thanks for the memory of this.
TClark62 4 years ago
thanks - I haven't heard this in years - It's still the funniest thing
rubrimlilly 4 years ago
one of my favorites from Arlo........what a storyteller
wonderfulmabel 4 years ago
Yesterday morning, I spent three long hours trying to get Reuben Clamzo out of my head. Over and over Arlo was singing "Oh Poor ol Rueben Clamzo! As frightening as it was...I began singing back!!!! "Clamzo boys, Clamzo!
Mrs. Guthrie, thanks to this upload, my house got cleaned in half the time! =)
sodpoo 4 years ago 2