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Ramblin' Jack Elliott (born Elliott Charles Adnopoz; August 1, 1931) is an American
folk singer Folk music is a music genre that includes traditional folk music and the contemporary genre that evolved from the former during the 20th-century folk revival. Some types of folk music may be called world music. Traditional folk music has b ...
, songwriter and story teller.


Life and career

Elliott was born in 1931 in Brooklyn, New York City, the son of Florence (Rieger) and Abraham Adnopoz, an eminent doctor. His family was
Jewish Jews (, , ), or the Jewish people, are an ethnoreligious group and nation, originating from the Israelites of History of ancient Israel and Judah, ancient Israel and Judah. They also traditionally adhere to Judaism. Jewish ethnicity, rel ...
. He attended Midwood High School in Brooklyn and graduated in 1949. Elliott grew up inspired by the
rodeo Rodeo () is a competitive equestrian sport that arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain and Mexico, expanding throughout the Americas and to other nations. It was originally based on the skills required of the working vaqu ...
s at
Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as the Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh and Eighth Avenue (Manhattan), Eig ...
and wanted to be a cowboy. Encouraged instead to follow his father's example and become a surgeon, Elliott rebelled, running away from home at the age of 15 to join Col. Jim Eskew's Rodeo, the only rodeo east of the Mississippi. They traveled throughout the Mid-Atlantic states and New England. Elliott was with them for only three months before his parents tracked him down and had him sent home, but he had been exposed to his first singing cowboy, Brahmer Rogers, a rodeo clown who played guitar and five-string banjo, sang songs, and recited poetry. Back home, Elliott taught himself guitar and started
busking Street performance or busking is the act of performing in public places for gratuity, gratuities. In many countries, the rewards are generally in the form of money but other gratuities such as food, drink or gifts may be given. Street performa ...
for a living. Eventually, he got together with
Woody Guthrie Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (; July 14, 1912 – October 3, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, and composer widely considered to be one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His work focused on themes of American Left, A ...
and stayed with him as an admirer and student. With banjo player Derroll Adams, he toured the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and Europe. By 1960, he had recorded three folk albums for the UK
record label "Big Three" music labels A record label or record company is a brand or trademark of Sound recording and reproduction, music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a Music publisher, ...
Topic Records. In London, he played small clubs and pubs by day and West End
cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, casino, hotel, restaurant, or nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining or drinking, ...
nightclub A nightclub or dance club is a club that is open at night, usually for drinking, dancing and other entertainment. Nightclubs often have a Bar (establishment), bar and discotheque (usually simply known as disco) with a dance floor, laser lighti ...
s at night. In 1963 while in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
, on one or possibly more occasions he recorded 2 songs in front of a live television audience for the UK regional television folk and blues music series Hullabaloo, presented by the Scottish folksinger Rory McEwen; these sessions were released on DVD in 2020. When he returned to the States, Elliott found he had become renowned in American folk music circles. Woody Guthrie had the greatest influence on Elliott. Guthrie's son, Arlo, said that because of Woody's
illness A disease is a particular abnormal condition that adversely affects the structure or function (biology), function of all or part of an organism and is not immediately due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical condi ...
and early death, Arlo never really got to know him, but learned his father's songs and performing style from Elliott and, according to Arlo, Woody Guthrie once said that Jack Elliot "Sounds more like me than I do". Elliott's guitar and his mastery of Guthrie's material had a significant impact on
Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...
when he lived in Minneapolis. When he reached New York, Dylan was sometimes referred to as the 'son' of Jack Elliott, because Elliott had a way of introducing Dylan's songs with the words: "Here's a song from my son, Bob Dylan." Dylan rose to prominence as a songwriter; Elliott continued as an interpretative troubadour, bringing old songs to new audiences in his idiosyncratic manner. Elliott also influenced Phil Ochs, played guitar, and sang harmony on Ochs's cover of the song " Joe Hill" from the '' Tape from California'' album. Elliott also discovered singer-songwriter Guthrie Thomas in a bar in Northern California in 1973, bringing Thomas to Hollywood, where Thomas's music career began. Elliott appeared in Dylan's 1975–1976
Rolling Thunder Revue The Rolling Thunder Revue was a 1975–76 concert tour by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan with numerous musicians and collaborators. The purpose of the tour was to allow Dylan, who was a major recording artist and concert performer, to play ...
concert tour, and played "Longheno de Castro" in Dylan's movie '' Renaldo and Clara'' accompanied by guitarist Arlen Roth. In the movie, he sings the song "South Coast" by Lillian Bos Ross and Sam Eskin, whose lyric the character's name is derived from. Elliott also appears briefly in the 1983 film ', starring Richard Gere and directed by Jim McBride. Elliott plays guitar in both traditional
flatpicking Flatpicking (or simply picking) is the technique of striking the strings of a guitar with a pick (also called a plectrum) held between the thumb and one or two fingers. It can be contrasted to fingerstyle guitar, which is playing with indi ...
and fingerpicking styles, depending on the song, which he matches with his laconic, humorous storytelling, sometimes accompanying himself on
harmonica The harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used worldwide in many musical genres, notably in blues, American folk music, classical music, jazz, country, and rock. The many types of harmonica incl ...
. His singing has a strained, nasal quality, which young Bob Dylan copies. His repertoire includes traditional American music from various genres, including
country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. When referring to a specific polity, the term "country" may refer to a sovereign state, state with limited recognition, constituent country, ...
,
blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...
, bluegrass and folk. Elliott's nickname comes not from his traveling habits but rather from the countless stories he relates before answering the simplest of questions. Folk singer Odetta claimed that her mother gave him the name, remarking, "Oh, Jack Elliott, yeah, he can sure ramble on!" His image as a folksy, down-to-earth country boy, despite being a Jewish doctor's son from Brooklyn, and his disdain for other folk singers, were parodied in the fictional documentary '' A Mighty Wind'' in the character of a former member of the New Main Street Singers, Ramblin' Sandy Pitnick, a somewhat geeky-looking white man in a cowboy hat. The film's central band of folksingers, the Folksmen (
Christopher Guest Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest (born 5 February 1948), known professionally as Christopher Guest, is a British-American actor, comedian, screenwriter and director. Guest has written, directed, and starred in his series of comedy ...
,
Michael McKean Michael John McKean (; born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, composer, singer, and musician. Over his career he has received a Grammy Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award and a Primetime Emmy Award. ...
, and Harry Shearer), are said to have scored a hit album called ''Ramblin'.'' In 1995, Elliott's first recording in many years, ''South Coast'', earned him his first
Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...
. He was awarded the
National Medal of Arts The National Medal of Arts is an award and title created by the United States Congress in 1984, for the purpose of honoring artists and Patronage, patrons of the arts. A prestigious American honor, it is the highest honor given to artists and ar ...
in 1998. His long career and strained relationship with his daughter Aiyana was chronicled in her 2000 film documentary, ''The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack''. At the age of 75, he changed labels and released '' I Stand Alone'' on the ANTI- label, with an assortment of guest backup players including members of
Wilco Wilco is an American Rock music, rock band based in Chicago. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo after singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup changed frequently during its fir ...
, X, and the
Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, consisting of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (musician), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), and Chad Smith (drums). Their music incorporates elements of a ...
. The album was produced by Ian Brennan. Jack said his intention was to title the album ''Not for the Tourists'', because it was recorded partially in response to his daughter's request for songs he loved but never played in concert. When asked why he did not, he told her, "These songs are not for the tourists." In 2012, he was featured on the song "Double Lifetime" on the album '' Older Than My Old Man Now'' by Loudon Wainwright III. Elliott appeared with the Ramblin' Jackernacle Choir, adding vocals, yodels, hollers, to Bob Weir's 2016
solo album An album is a collection of audio recordings (e.g., music) issued on a medium such as compact disc (CD), vinyl (record), audio tape (like 8-track or cassette), or digital. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early 20th century ...
'' Blue Mountain'', on the track "Ki-Yi Bossie".


Discography


Studio

*1956: '' Woody Guthrie's Blues'' *1957: '' Jack Elliot Sings'' *1958: '' Jack Takes the Floor'' *1959: '' Ramblin' Jack Elliott in London''
EMI Records EMI Records (formerly EMI Records Ltd.) is a British multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was originally founded as a British flagship label by the music company EMI in 1972, and launched in January 1973 as the succes ...
*1960: '' Ramblin' Jack Elliott Sings Songs by Woody Guthrie and Jimmie Rodgers'' *1960: '' Jack Elliott Sings the Songs of Woody Guthrie'' *1961: '' Songs to Grow On by Woody Guthrie, Sung by Jack Elliott'' ( Folkways Records) *1961: '' Ramblin' Jack Elliott'' (
Prestige Prestige may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films *Prestige (film), ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnett: woman travels to French Indochina to meet up with husband *The Prestige (film), ''The Prestige'' (fi ...
/Folklore) *1962: '' Country Style'' (
Prestige Prestige may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Films *Prestige (film), ''Prestige'' (film), a 1932 American film directed by Tay Garnett: woman travels to French Indochina to meet up with husband *The Prestige (film), ''The Prestige'' (fi ...
/Folklore) *1964: '' Jack Elliott'' (
Vanguard The vanguard (sometimes abbreviated to van and also called the advance guard) is the leading part of an advancing military formation. It has a number of functions, including seeking out the enemy and securing ground in advance of the main force. ...
) *1968: '' Young Brigham'' (
Reprise In music, a reprise ( , ; from the verb 'to resume') is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the 18th century—was simply any re ...
) *1970: '' Bull Durham Sacks & Railroad Tracks'' (
Reprise In music, a reprise ( , ; from the verb 'to resume') is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the 18th century—was simply any re ...
) *1981: '' Kerouac's Last Dream'' (Folk Freak/re-release by Conträr Musik, Germany) *1995: '' South Coast'' ( Red House) *1998: '' Friends of Mine'' ( HighTone) *1999: '' The Long Ride'' ( HighTone) *2006: '' I Stand Alone'' ( ANTI-) *2009: '' A Stranger Here'' ( ANTI-)


Live

*1957: '' The Lost Topic Tapes: Isle of Wight 1957'' *1962: '' Jack Elliott at the Second Fret''


With Derroll Adams

*1958: '' The Rambling Boys'' *1963: ''Roll On Buddy'' *1969: ''Folkland Songs'' *1969: ''Riding in Folkland'' *1975: ''America''


Compilations

*1963: '' Talking Woody Guthrie'' (Topic) *1964: ''Muleskinner'' (Topic) *1976: '' The Essential Ramblin' Jack Elliott'' (Vanguard) *1989: ''Hard Travelin''' (reissue of ''Jack Elliott Sings the Songs of Woody Guthrie'' and ''Ramblin' Jack Elliott'') *1989: ''Talking Dust Bowl: The Best of Ramblin' Jack Elliott'' *1990: ''Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Spider John Koerner, U. Utah Phillips: Legends of Folk'' (Red House) *1990: ''Jack Elliott Plus / Jack Elliott'' *1995: ''Me and Bobby McGee'' (reissue of ''Young Brigham'' and ''Bull Durham Sacks & Railroad Tracks'') *1995: ''Jack Elliott: Ramblin' Jack, The Legendary Topic Masters'' *1999: ''Ramblin' Jack Elliott: Early Sessions'' *2000: '' Best of the Vanguard Years'' *2004: '' The Lost Topic Tapes: Cowes Harbour 1957'' *2004: '' The Lost Topic Tapes: Isle of Wight 1957'' *2007: '' Vanguard Visionaries'' *2023: Ramblin' Jack Elliott – 100 Classic Recordings 1954-62 (Label: Acrobat – ACQCD 7174) Additionally, '' Three Score and Ten'', Topic Records' 70th-anniversary boxed set released in 2009, included "Talking Dustbowl Blues" from ''Woody Guthrie's Blues'' as track twelve on the seventh CD.


References


External links

*
Illustrated Ramblin' Jack Elliott discography
*
Anti- Records page featuring Jack's 2006 "I Stand Alone" CD.

Ramblin' Jack Elliott Discography
at Smithsonian Folkways {{DEFAULTSORT:Elliott, Ramblin Jack 1931 births Living people American street performers American country singer-songwriters American folk singers American harmonica players American male singer-songwriters Singer-songwriters from New York (state) Grammy Award winners Jewish American musicians United States National Medal of Arts recipients Jewish folk singers American folk guitarists American country guitarists American acoustic guitarists American male guitarists Guitarists from New York (state) 20th-century American guitarists Country musicians from New York (state) 20th-century American male musicians Red House Records artists 21st-century American Jews Anti- (record label) artists