Jack Elliott – Jack Takes the Floor (1958)
[Album 621/1001]
“Even Woody would say, ‘Jack sounds more like me than I do.'”
– Jack Elliott, in an interview with the Globe & Mail
With the exception of one track (which according to Wikipedia, features Woody Guthrie), Jack Takes the Floor is a one-man show.
But did that one track (New York Town) actually feature Woody Guthrie?
Or was it Ramblin’ Jack doing a Woody impersonation?
Sounding more like Woody than Woody does?!
Not being terribly familiar with Elliott (outside of the Globe & Mail interview) or Guthrie (outside of the terrific Mermaid Avenue), I’m not sure.
I loaned my copy of the 1001 book out years ago (and I have struggled to find a definitive answer on the world wide web) but it appears that Jack may be providing both voices in the “duet” below!
.
.
There’s something refreshing about minimal instrumentation, just vocals & guitar, especially when it sounds live off the floor with minimal overdubs.
I gather the “Ramblin” nickname is due to his tendency to tell stories in a rather inefficient manner.
Though with 13 tunes in 31 minutes, often propelled by some fast finger-picking, there was no such inefficiency here.
In any event, if Bob Dylan calls you “The King of the Folksingers,” you’re doing something right.
…..
Verbalize the Positive
Whenever possible, I quite enjoy sitting down with a Saturday Globe & Mail!
1001albumsin10years 
I know the name, but that’s all. Knowledge over.
Then we’re at about the same knowledge base!
I only know bits and pieces, but I like what I’ve heard and I’ll not argue about him being King of the Folksingers.
And my knowledge is limited to this album & article – Dylan seems like a reliable source though!
Isn’t old sheet music attractive? Perhaps I should begin collecting it.
Or perhaps not.
Agreed about the attractiveness – and as we’re trying to de-clutter these days, I’ll vote perhaps not!
“There’s something refreshing about minimal instrumentation, just vocals & guitar, especially when it sounds live off the floor with minimal overdubs.”
THIS.
I’m pleased you agree Aaron – and I’m quite pleased to see so many Aaron comments, thank you for taking the time to read so many posts!
No worries Dude! I’m trying to get caught up. I thought to go through the Reader, but then I thought it’d be better to just deep-dive one blog at a time. At random, you were forst!