rjeISA.nfo
Artist Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Album I Stand Alone
Rating ****
Release Date Jul 11, 2006
Label Anti
Genre Folk
Styles Folksongs, Traditional Folk, Singer/ Songwriter
Moods Literate, Humorous, Gritty, Fun, Plaintive, Bittersweet, Poignant, Earthy, Earnest
Themes The Great Outdoors, Long Walk
AMG Album ID R 839033
Review by Thom Jurek
If you're an old fan of Ramblin' Jack Elliott, look for few surprises now that he's jumped
to the label that hosts Nick Cave, Joe Henry, and Tom Waits. This is Jack Elliott the
fingerpickin' folkie, friend to Cisco Houston and Woody Guthrie, and influence of Bob
Dylan. These 14 songs reflect what Jack has done since leaving the rodeo more than
50 years ago. Most of the songs here are utterly familiar, including "Mr. Garfield,"
"Leaving Cheyenne," "Old Blue," "Willy Moore," "Careless Darlin'" (with Lucinda
Williams), "Hong Kong Blues," "Drivin' Nails in My Coffin" (with David Hidalgo),
and many others. In addition to the aforementioned guests, Nels Cline, Flea, Corin
Tucker, and D.J. Bonebrake are here, to name a few. Elliott hasn't recorded an
album in seven years, but I Stand Alone ranks among his very best efforts. His
voice is richer now that it's aged; it's full of authority, wisdom, and a certain
are no standouts on this record, with the possible exception of its final cut,
"Woody's Last Ride," which Elliott penned. With an autoharp, a lonely guitar,
and some ambient sounds, Elliott tells a beautiful and spooky story about the
last time he saw Guthrie. There are no regrets, no sophomoric or melodramatic
words, just a winsome pleasure and brief tale that sends the entire record off into
the night sky with a smile. The rest of this set is simply great. It's a fantastic
introduction to Elliott for newbies, and authoritative proof that he's not only still
got it, but he just keeps getting better.
1 Engine 143 3:28
2 Arthritis Blues 4:21
3 Old Blue 3:16
4 Driving Nails in My Coffin 1:54
5 Rake & Ramblin' Boy 1:50
6 Hong Kong Blues 2:08
7 Jean Harlow 0:31
8 Call Me a Dog 1:26
9 Careless Darling 1:27
10 Mr. Garfield 3:36
11 My Old Dog & Me 0:19
12 Leaving Cheyenne 1:40
13 Remember Me 1:19
14 Willy Moore 2:06
15 Honey, Where You Been So Long? 1:26
16 Woody's Last Ride 1:38
Ian Brennan Producer
Tony Brooke Engineer
Dick Dahl Associate Producer
Rocky Grisez Engineer
Sam M. Lewis Engineer
Kendra Wright Engineer
2006 CD Anti 86814
|
|