Customer Reviews

Best Of Vanguard Years

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One disagrees only reluctantly with another reviewer, but it simply is not true, that this CD offers "a great rare look at unreleased songs that Jack wrote while rambling around with Woody Guthrie!" There are, in fact, no songs at all that Ramblin' Jack wrote on this CD. RJE claims the authorship of precisely three numbers in the more than 50 years of his career: "912 Greens," "Cup of Coffee" and "Bleeker Street Blues." None of them are songs; all three are talking pieces. What is on this CD is a collection of traditional folk songs and works by such disparate folk, country and even rock musicians as Woody Guthrie, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Derroll Adams, Merle Travis, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, A.P. Carter and Ernest Tubb, all Vanguard studio recordings from 1964. The first 12 were released in the same year on vinyl on the LP Vanguard simply called "Jack Elliott." These same 12 songs also are available on Vanguard's "The Essential Ramblin' Jack Elliott," which is a better buy at a lower price. Please see my review of that album for my comments on these songs. The remaining 13 are outtakes from the same studio session, songs that Vanguard had not released until now. Of the 13, the highlights are Guthrie's "Hard, Ain't It Hard," Dylan's "Don't Think Twice," the Traditional "Railroad Bill," and Ray Charles' rock 'n' roll hit "I Got a Woman," also made famous to a certain extent by Elvis Presley. The first three of these four songs are the kind of solid music one expects from RJE, but all three are available in better performances on other RJE CDs. "I Got a Woman" is fun and interesting, but Ramblin' Jack's version is unlikely to add anything to the song's legacy or RJE's. In essence, one understands why these 13 first time releases were outtakes in 1964. They're all fine but as a whole, just a bit duller than most of his other vinyl work from these years. Of course, I wouldn't personally want to do without this CD, but then again, there are but a few RJE recordings I'm willing to have outside of my collection. If your interest is more casual, skip this CD and order "The Essential Ramblin' Jack Elliott" instead. It includes the best of this CD, and it goes one better by giving you the best of RJE's superlative April 30,1965 concert at New York City's Town Hall as well - at a better price.

If you want the genuine article in folk singers, Elliott's your man, and these are some of his best. He'll also make you laugh - "I Got a Woman" is worth the price of the album if you've got a sense of humor. As you can tell from that statement, Elliott doesn't necessarily confine himself to the folk genre. When you're the best there is at what you do, you can afford the risks. Don't pass up a chance to see him perform in person if he comes your way. If you're not familiar with him, watch "The Ballad of Rambling Jack" before you go so you have an appreciation for his place in the history of folk music in this country and an understanding of the man himself.

Jack Elliott is the last American troubador and this compliation shows why. He only wrote a few songs: his artistry -- live performance by performance -- is what sets him above all others. Mr. Zimmerman is a very good song writer... Jack, on the other hand, not only gave Woody Guthrie all of the credit, but also everyone else who's work he covered. The body of his work is a treasure beyond compare. (If only he could have consistenly showed up on time, perhaps he would have been legendary.)

Take a trip with me in 1913! For those new to RJE or looking for rare Ramblin' tunes, well look no further! This is a great rare look at unreleased songs that Jack wrote while rambling around with Woody Guthrie! This is such a great find and proud to own it! This completes my Ramblin' collection. Stay away from The Essential Ramblin' Jack Elliott CD! It only has 1/4 of what this CD offers! As Jack says, "I've got's to ramble!"

I first heard Jack Elliott on pandora radio, and the more i hear from and learn about him, the more surprised that it took me this long to become a fan. His guitar playing is amazing, his voice is filled with wisdom and feeling, and always adds his own distinct take on these songs. Can't wait for him to tour the east coast again...

peace...

If you have the slightest interest in folk music, and aren't familiar with Ramblin' Jack, you got some serious homework to do. Ramblin' Jack is the true successor to Woody Guthrie, not Bob Dylan as many have suggested. This CD is chock full of beautiful ballads and twangy tunes, and it has the most impressive yodal in recorded history. I love this album, and I thank my lucky stars that a good friend turned me onto it. Each song transports me to another time and place, and that's cool. Ya dig? If you're thinking of pickin' this CD up, take a cue from Nike and "just do it". You'll be glad you did. Peace.