The Never Ending Pool

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Got any Ramblin' Jack news? Videos? mp3s? Here's a place to post whatever you got.


Here's Jack singing "Engine 143," in August, 2007, at The Henry Miller Library in Big Sur, CA:

http://tinyurl.com/23b9wvk

Jack begins by telling a tale about Pine Top Smith. Here's Smith's famous recording:

"Pine Top's Boogie Woogie," from 1928

http://www.sendspace.com/file/r2oxf1

ETA: links re-upped JN/10

I recently bought, "I Stand Alone."

My favorite song on there is Arthritis Blues. Jean Harlow is great but too short! I also like Driving Nails in My Coffin.

from Renaldo & Clara


Jack announces that Bob has just traded Joan Baez for Harry Dean Stanton's horse! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyzKnIAFr-c


Salt Pork, West Virginia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbFmn54gJeY


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RJE (L.A., 5-4-07)

South Coast http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rn1Um_FVrQ


Me and Bobby McGee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fagpZz_wrMg

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RJE (on Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest tv shoe, 1965)

Talking Merchant Marine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3G_kLxZ8FM


Woody's Rag (with Pete Seeger and Malvina Reynolds) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbuvfMAjfXY

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It still seems odd seeing Jack with that electric geetar ("Salt Pork&quot, 4th.

Here's a few words (posted, also, in the Name Your 5 Favorite "I'm Not There" S'track Songs thread) from a commentator regarding the Soundtrack:


Some interesting selections: "All Along the Watchtower" by Eddie Vedder; "One More Cup of Coffee," by Roger McGuinn and Calexico; "Simple Twist of Fate," by Jeff Tweedy; "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" by the Hold Steady; and "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" by Ramblin' Jack Elliott.

I sure don't agree about McGuinn and Calexico on "One More Cup of Coffee," incidentally. As for Jack, and simply put, he did good work, imo. He recorded this last year, which means he was 75 or 76. He hasn't lost it at all when it comes to his picking, and his singing on this one is a pleasant surprise. It would be unrealistic to think that he could roll out the voice he had at 25, or 45, for that matter. Besides, it's good to hear the voice of a person who loves to sing, no matter their age. We are richer for the experience. Btw, the other musicians on "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" combine to play a very tasteful supporting role.

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_7308444

My favorite Ramblin' Jack song is Hard Travelin', that defines him for me.

Warren wrote:

QUOTE:
Here's a few words (posted, also, in the Name Your 5 Favorite "I'm Not There" S'track Songs thread) from a commentator regarding the Soundtrack:

Some interesting selections: "All Along the Watchtower" by Eddie Vedder; "One More Cup of Coffee," by Roger McGuinn and Calexico; "Simple Twist of Fate," by Jeff Tweedy; "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?" by the Hold Steady; and "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" by Ramblin' Jack Elliott.

I think Jack's JLTTB on the 'I'm Not There' soundtrack is ACE!
His voice is in amazing shape, and his guitar picking is sharp.
Good to see that reviewer singling him out as a highlight.

I always dug Jack's version of Me And Bobby McGee he did on both Providence shows during the RTR.

The Gaslight Cafe and the Night Jack Elliott Learned that Mississippi John Hurt had Died

What follows is an account by a musician who performed at The Gaslight, on NO 2, 1966. John Hammond, Jr. was also on the bill, along with Tom Ghent. There was a tradition at the Gaslight that stated thus: whenever a major folk star unexpectedly dropped into the Gaslight, he'd be given the stage for as long as he liked. It was the custom; didn't matter who was playing.

So, here's the story, by a Randy Burns. [I edited out some parts. See the link at the bottom of the post for the full story, if you are interested.] The specific section pertaining to Jack makes up the latter part of the story, and is in green print. Reading the preamble, however, gives a sense of what it was like to be inside the Gaslight in the the fall of '66, in the relatively immediate post-motorcycle accident era. Mr. and Mrs. Hood were the original Gaslight owners.


A Folksinger in Greenwich Village

by Randy Burns

Wearing old dirty jeans and a clean shirt, I headed down Bleecker Street with my guitar in hand. Finally, I was actually going to work at the Gaslight Cafe. After taking a right on MacDougal Street I caught sight of the marquis. It was right where it always was, directly in front of the club on the sidewalk.

Now Appearing At The Gaslight

* * * *

John Hammond
Tom Ghent
Randy Burns

* * * *

Certain moments stay with you forever. That first glimpse of the Gaslight marquis with my name on it, made all the hard times seem petty. From the moment I descended the stairway and greeted Mr. Hood, I felt like I was a part of history. This had always been my dream since I was a young kid living at home. I'd read about the Gaslight and all the folk stars who performed there. How they would all go upstairs to the Kettle of Fish when the night was done... guitars lined up along the bar like dominoes... drinking and singing until the early hours of the morning. I was only sixteen when I first read about it. Before I'd finished the article I knew that's what I wanted. I'd found it, the search for what I'd do with my life was officially over. Nothing ever changed that.

When you went to see a show at the Gaslight, you had to go down a flight of stairs from the sidewalk to enter. When the show was over, the audience left by using a different stairway on the left. Entering from the world upstairs, you'd be greeted by the Gaslight's original owners, Mr. and Mrs. Hood. There was an old cash register on the left and you could pay either one of them. However, I don't recall anyone ever receiving a ticket. After you were escorted through a partially drawn red curtain, one of them would walk you directly to your seat. You were definitely underground inside the Gaslight, it was conducive to the atmosphere. The two-foot high stage faced the front of the club where you came in. A single non-directional mike picked up the voice and guitar perfectly. A bright white spotlight shone straight down on the microphone and the empty stool behind it. With the rest of the lights in the club turned low, that scene created a visual atmosphere that was an important part of the music that people came to hear. It literally "set the stage."

Mr. Hood introduced the performers from the front of the club using a hand held mike. They'd make their entrance through another red curtain just off to the right of the stage. Once introduced, the curtain in the front of the club was drawn shut. Performers could feel that happen. It was show time, man! You and the audience were left together to entertain and be entertained. It was a completely different way of being alive. Every aspect of your life, good or bad, disappeared the moment you were introduced and took the stage.

On Saturday, I arrived at the Gaslight an hour before the first show would begin. Each performer had three complete shows to do on the weekends. There was a sizable break in between shows, so the house could be turned over. The tables needed cleaning and the chairs were straightened out, which gave the performers time for a couple of cold ones upstairs at the Kettle of Fish. The new audience would be given enough time between shows to get settled. They were never rushed or made to wait too long. The intervals were always just right; Mr. Hood made sure of that. When the club was ready for the next show, he'd come upstairs to the Kettle and signal the performers. This gesture let others know it was time for the show to begin. I sang my best that Saturday night, and I didn't allow myself to expect any more from it. Hell, being able to say I played the Gaslight for two nights with John Hammond would be a fine first feather in my cap. One that I could wear proudly.


One of the Gaslight's all-time favorites was "Mississippi John Hurt." He was loved and followed everywhere he went, but when he played the Gaslight it was a special occassion. John Hurt, with his charisma and easy way of playing and singing, simply charmed the hell out of everyone all the time. Mr. and Mrs. Hood loved him from the deepest part of their hearts. Although he'd come back to center stage with the emergence of the urban folk revival, everyone knew he'd been ill and spending time in the hospital. We all wished him well and looked forward to his return.

Whenever a major folk star unexpectedly dropped into the Gaslight, he'd be given the stage for as long as he liked. It was the custom; didn't matter who was playing. On a very cold winter night, Ramblin' Jack Elliott came down the stairs and into the Gaslight. I was performing with Steve Gillette and we relinquished the stage in short time. It was late, so Jack's set just might finish off the night. Steve and I sat down to listen. Ramblin' Jack took the stage, grabbed a stool and sat down. He pulled the mike stand back in toward him. Jack was wearing a double-billed, plaid, Sherlock Holmes style hat. It looked a little odd on him at first, but it worked. He sang song after song, interspersed with crazy stories that came off the top of his head. Somehow, these stories tied right back into the ones he had just told. By now, everyone was glued to him. Jack was really "on." I got up and walked toward the front of the club where Mr. and Mrs. Hood always were, to see how much they were enjoying Jack's show. I stepped behind the red curtain, wondering why they weren't out in the room listening with everyone else. When I found them, they were alone-facing each other with their heads down. Both of them were crying. Obviously, I'd stumbled into a very private moment. They noticed I was there, and then both of them approached me at the same time.

"Randy," Mr. Hood spoke softly to me, "we've just received word that Mississippi John Hurt has died." I can't remember what I said, but I knew how much they loved him. I was sad for them both.

Back on stage, Ramblin' Jack Elliott was on a roll with everyone loving it. Mr. Hood waited until Jack finished a song, then he walked on stage quickly and handed him a note. When Jack opened it, he stared down at it without moving. After a few silent moments, he put the note in his pocket.

"Folks," he said, "I just received word that Mississippi John Hurt has died." There was a gasp from the audience, many of them started to cry. The urban folk revival had lost a legend.

Jack Elliott stood up, pushed the stool off to the side and pulled the microphone up to standing height. He took off his plaid hat and placed it on the stool. Then, soft and clear, he sang a John Hurt favorite, "The Angels Laid Him Away." The Hoods were standing in front of the curtain while Jack was singing. Tears flowed freely down their faces from their hearts.

When Jack finished the song, he put his hat back on his head. Then he lowered the microphone, pulled the stool back toward him and sat down. When he finished the set, Ramblin' Jack Elliott stood up quietly and left the stage. The show was over. There were no more performances at the Gaslight that evening.



http://www.eclectica.org/v6n1/burns.html

thanks, Warren - great read.

Here's Lucinda singing 'Angels Laid Him Away'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q-NqYr1hD8

Derroll Adams and Jack Elliott


"Cigarettes and Whiskey"
http://www.sendspace.com/file/o6t8cd

If interested, some of the Elliott-Adams duets are available on The Early Sessions CD.

.
Woody, Jack, and Bob have all sung "Buffalo Skinners." On this youtube link, you can hear Woody sing the song while viewing a series of historic images (photograhps and drawings).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik-ydov-7b8

ETA: link still active, JN '10

Jack and Wizz Jones (George Melly observes) - James Alley Blues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2xZpE2BkUQ


South Coast (5/4/07) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Rn1Um_FVrQ


South Coast (1975, Renaldo & Clara) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyzKnIAFr-c

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Thanks for the Wizz Jones clip, 4th. Hadn't seen it.

Here's a mighty fine segment of a Belgian tv documentary about the life of Derroll Adams, titled, "I was Born In Portland Town." Both Jack Elliott and Arlo Guthrie are featured, with singing by Derroll and others.

Part 1:
EDIT: This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.


I'll post the other segments, in due course.

Edit: Didn't see that you posted the song title, either!

.
"I Was Born in Portland Town," Part 2:

EDIT: This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.

Part 3:

EDIT: This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated.


These are about 1 1/2 minutes, each. Part 2 has a brief piece of Adams singing with Pete Seeger. Part 3 has a photo of Adams with Doc Watson, from a few decades ago, and also clips of Derroll singing.

Nice (but too short!) documentary - thanks, Warren.

By the way, that Jack/Wizz Jones clip above is posted on Wizz's own YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/user/wizzjones


... and here's Wizz in a 1960 report on 'Beatniks'.