Ramblin' Jack Elliott is an American folk musician born in 1931. He is considered one of the pioneers of folk music and has influenced many musicians, including Bob Dylan. His name refers to his wandering style, traveling the United States and playing music in bars and clubs. Elliott recorded several albums during his career and continued to play music until his retirement in 2015.
The album Jack Takes the Floor
This is the first folk album in the 1001 albums selection. I enjoyed the rootsy feel of the recording. We're not on the crystal clear sound of some of the jazz albums that open the list. Ramblin' Jack Elliott gives himself away in paint in this album.
“Jack Takes the Floor” is Ramblin' Jack Elliott's first solo album, released in 1958. It is considered one of the first folk music recordings of the modern era and has been praised for its unique style and playing style.
The album features a selection of traditional songs, such as San Francisco Bay Blues and Grey Goose, as well as original Ramblin' Jack compositions. His performance captures the essence of the wandering style he popularized, with a laid-back, improvisational approach to folk music. His lyrics often describe the adventures of life on the road and the people he met on his travels.
This album is considered a classic of folk music and has been hailed for its influence on subsequent generations of folk musicians. It is still considered one of the best folk recordings of all time.
Grey Goose
Grey Goose is a traditional folk song. Ramblin' Jack Elliott recorded it on several of his albums over the years. The song is an example of the common practice in folk music of passing songs and stories down through the generations, often without a known author.
Grey Goose tells the story of a man who travels to find his beloved, whom he has left behind. The song describes his adventures and tribulations on the road. The melody is simple and memorable, with lyrics that are easily learned and sung.
Oh early Sunday morning, Lord, Lord, Lord
The preacher went a huntin', Lord, Lord, Lord
And he carried along a shotgun, Lord, Lord, Lord
And along came a grey goose, Lord, Lord, Lord
Ramblin' Jack Elliott made “Grey Goose” his own and incorporated it into his repertoire, contributing to its popularity. It is a popular song among fans of Ramblin' Jack and folk music in general.
Where to listen Jack Takes the Floor ?
- Listen Jack Takes the Floor on Spotify
- Listen Jack Takes the Floor on Deezer
- Listen Jack Takes the Floor on Youtube