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Ramblin' Jack Elliott: A Stranger Here

By Ian Patterson
August 11, 2009
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Few living artists can claim to have been mentor and model to

Bob Dylan

guitar and vocals
b.1941

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Dylan, but the man Dylan described as the King of folk singers— Ramblin' Jack Elliott—has influenced a host of singers and story tellers from Johnny Cash and

Ry Cooder

guitar
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Ry Cooder to

Tom Waits

piano and vocals
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Waits. Now in his sixth recording decade, Elliott returns in great voice with A Stranger Here, a collection of Depression-era blues numbers.

Elliott has carried on Woody Guthrie's folk tradition, though the blues has been a part of the singer's songs since his first recordings in the mid-1950s, and he has sung the blues about everything from cocaine to arthritis. Therefore, it wasn't so far-fetched when producer Joe Henry pitched the idea for Elliott to record these songs of drifting, soul-searching, mortality and the cruel vicissitudes of nature.

There's a lovely shuffling New Orleans gait to "Rising High Water Blues,"

Blind Lemon Jefferson

vocals
1883 - 1929

" data-original-title="" title="">Blind Lemon Jefferson's 1927 classic, and David Piltch's bass has a tuba-deep, second line swing; Elliott's gravely voice intoning: "Children stand there screaming, 'Mama, we ain't got no home...'" still conjures images of Katrina, and jangling piano and mandolin sound like the very water breaking the levees.

Elliot's voice, despite his 78 years, is strong and emotive. On the influential guitarist

Reverend Gary Davis

guitar, acoustic
1896 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Reverend Gary Davis' "Death Don't Have no Mercy"—once a staple of Grateful Dead concerts, for whom Elliott played between sets— there's a weathered, soulful quality to Elliott's voice. Although Jerry Garcia's voice had withered towards the end, the similarities are there. Appropriately, there's a naked, soul- laid-bare edge to Elliott's voice on

Blind Willie Johnson

guitar, slide
1902 - 1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Blind Willie Johnson's "Soul of a Man." Greg Leisz' slide playing is a delight, and percussion, bass and ghostly dobro build powerfully and hypnotically to make this arguably one of the definitive versions of this classic blues.

The lovely country blues of

Mississippi John Hurt

guitar, acoustic
1892 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Mississippi John Hurt's "Richland Woman's Blues,"

Tampa Red

guitar, slide
1904 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Tampa Red's "New Stranger Blues" and

Furry Lewis

guitar, acoustic
1893 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Furry Lewis' gorgeous, gently paced "Falling Down Blues" provide contrast to the darker undertones of "Grinnin' in your Face;" Elliott conveys the pain and resignation of

Son House

guitar, slide
1902 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Son House's lament, which has the sobering effect of a shovel-full of cold earth on a coffin lid. Somber bass and drums, almost funereal, and mournful piano close the song.

The sensuous slow dance that is

Leroy Carr

piano
1905 - 1935

" data-original-title="" title="">Leroy Carr's "How Long Blues" sees Elliott belt out the lines: "If I could holler like a mountain jack I'd go up on the mountain, call my baby back..." over David Hidalgo's swaying accordion. These songs have the feel of a front porch get-together, albeit with impeccable musicianship from the supporting cast.

Nat Hentoff wrote of a young Joan Baez, that she sang centuries-old, English folksongs as convincingly as if she was of that time. The same could be said for Ramblin' Jack Elliott's ability to become the protagonist of the songs he sings.

Elliott has never been a prolific song writer, making Dylan's praise perhaps unduly generous; nevertheless, this is a hugely satisfying recording by a unique figure in American music.

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Track Listing

Rising High Water Blues; Death Don't Have No Mercy; Rambler's Blues; Soul of a Man; Richland Women Blues; Grinnin' in your Face; New Stranger Blues; Falling Down Blues; How Long Blues; Please Remember Me.

Personnel

Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Ramblin' Jack Elliott: vocals, acoustic guitar; Greg Leisz: acoustic guitar, mandolin, mandola, dobro, Weissenborn; David Piltch: upright bass; Jay Bellerose: drums and percussion; Keefus Ciancia: piano, keyboards; David Hidalgo: acoustic guitar, accordion; Van Dyke Parks: piano, vibraphone.

Album information

Title: A Stranger Here | Year Released: 2009 | Record Label: Anti-

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