Customer Reviews

I Stand Alone (Dig)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album starts strong, and ends like a beatnik dream, with Jack teasing into a trip he and Woody Guthrie took to California in about 1954 or 5, the last time he saw Woody before heading off to change the face of folk music in England and Europe over the next 5 or 6 years... I've had a bit of a start on hearing this album as it was released over here in Europe a few days earlier, and it's been listened to over and over (along with Kristofferson's newest gem, of course)... back to "I Stand Alone", though, I believe I'd read somewhere Jacks daughter (documentary daughter) or someone asked him if he could think of any songs he hadn't played in a good while, and this album was born out've just that, despite a couple regulars ("rake and ramblin' boy", to be sure)... it's good to hear Jack singin' regulars from his much earlier works like "Mr Garfield" (which, incidentally, he nails!!) and "Call me a Dog"/"Honey where you been so long", etc, etc... This is no 'South Coast', it's no "Kerouacs Last Dream", no "Young Brigham", or "Friends of Mine"... its "I Stand Alone" and that it does, alongside those classics in it's own special way.... Jacks vocals and wisdom through and through give a new, deeper meaning and feeling and almost humor to "Arthritis Blues" (the man's got a new hip, if I'm correct) and when he sings "... blue... i'm coming too" it takes on a new meaning as well.... Jack Elliott really ages like wine, and this album shows just that! I reviewed my alltime favorite of his albums (Kerouacs Last Dream) and didn't think I'd throw another on that level but, with where Jack is in life a few months shy of 75, and the various influences and disciple-sorts that show up to pay their respects and, most importantly, dwarfing the prior two reasons, is just the through and through outstanding quality of this album! Spike here gives it 5 stars and if there were six stars I'd ask for seven.... Now, if you're new to Ramblin Jack Elliott, you may not understand why 2 or 3 of the songs are so short ...hell, maybe none of us do but Jack fans will know it's just Jack... I've been a Jack groupie whenever I can get an excuse to for the past decade or so (12, 15 shows) and to see Jack live, also, can explain his eccentric habits.... pony's, gettin' old, bacon and beans, beat visions, memories, dogs, dogs, more dogs.. trains and the blues from an old man in Hong Kong, just wishin' to get back home --- Jack covers 'em all and more, and, as always, Jack Elliott makes 'em his own....

Ramblin'Jack still has one of the most authentic folk voices around, and this is an interesting selection. The fans of the latter day Elliot Adnipose will appreciate his guitar work throughout. Unfortunately, only a few cuts are fully realized so as to rise much above the level of average. These include "Arthritis Blues," "Driving Nails in My Coffin," and "Call me a Dog." He also gives Hoagie Carmichael a run for his money with his version of "Hong Kong Blues."

I had breakfast with Jack, Sunday, August 10, 2008. Jack was in town for the Regina Folk Festival. I was @ The hotel he was staying at, for a pre-fest breakfast with friends & family, Jack came in for breakfast, we introduced ourselves & he kindly asked me to join him for breakfast!

I've been a long time fan of his since my teens and my older brother & I (deceased 1983) used to listen to his 'Young Brigham' album, and particularly the song '912 Greens' - a rambling talking Kerouacesque blues that had a profound emotional resonance for the both of us. He didn't play '912 Greens' at his concert, but he did play his wonderful version of 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright' from that album. Precious memories. 'I Stand Alone' is ample proof that Jack has still got it and is aging like a very,very, fine old wine. I also gave him a copy of a cd: 'Living in The Boom Times' - a country/roots project I played on. Hope he likes it.

Last night sitting at the kitchen table sipping some fine whiskey, I listened to this album for the first time. Had been a long time since I grinned through an entire CD. Jack Elliot has got it.
The kids wondered what this weird music was I was listening to, but they sat down and enjoyed the songs also.
Good stuff.

This is a sweet and melancholy CD from an older Jack Elliot, same great voice, great energy, singing about old man things.

This is my introduction to Ramblin' Jack Elliott and it is everything I'm looking for in a new album. During my 4th listening I became completely overcome with emotion, cried even. I'm embarrassed that it has taken me so long to check his stuff out. He's my new favorite artist.

Few artists could get away with boldly proclaiming "I Stand Alone" as Ramblin' Jack Elliot does on this release. All it takes is one listen to validate that he does stand alone, in song selection, delivery and musicianship. This album is refreshing because one finds a lot of overlap on his other releases--Jack Elliot standards like "1913 Massacre", "Solider's Last Letter", "Buffalo Skinners", etc.--and for good reason, they are all wonderful songs that he has made his own through his many years of playing them. But what sets this album, apart, for me, are the new songs Jack gives us that we haven't heard before. "Ol' Blue", for example, is in my opinion arguably one of the most beautiful songs he has ever recorded, and showcases Cisco Houston's talents as a songwriter. Other standouts include "Mr. Garfield", "Hong Kong Blues" and "My Old Dog & Me". And though he includes some of his favorites that he has recorded before, they are also some of his best - relatively obscure songs like "Arthritis Blues" and "Rake and Ramblin' Boy". Rounding everything out are some country-western classics that veer from Elliot's roots leanings, particularly "Driving Nails in My Coffin", "Careless Darling" and "Remember Me". The fact that Elliot's daughter Ilyana urged him to make this album is a nice footnote to another sweet release by a true master.

Jack shows his considerable skill in guitar and finds the the poetry of life in music form. Great feeling in this volume. I think it is also a pretty good meditation upon his life(or yours.

Straight forward, honest and heartfelt is the feel I get from these songs. Spin this disc a few times and Ramblin' Jack Elliott will hook you too.

This "album" is a collection of brief samplings for a total of half hour of listening. The title is rebuted by the great side-men (and woman) who are also on this recording. Just when I think the song is developing a real drive and emotional momentum, the cut ends and goes on to something with a completely different mood.

Yes, Ramblin Jack is great. But this one is put together like some kind of teaser for a real album.