It was bound to happen. 1001 albums and there was no way that I was going to love everyone of them. With apologies to any Jack Elliott fans out there, I just didn't get this. I can understand that he must have been an influential link between country/bluegrass music to contemporary folk, but I could barely listen to this album.I started with an open mind. After all, the first track is titled "San Francisco Bay Blues." It opened with a very nice guitar intro, but then he started talking. At first, I thought this was a live recording because he began every song with an introduction. After the first song ended and there was no applause, I thought, "well that's awkward. They could at least give a polite applause." Then I realized that it was all recorded live in the studio.
There is one track featuring Woody Guthrie that was OK ("New York Town"), but I wouldn't make someone listen to the entire album for it. I can definitely hear how artists like Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger were influenced by Jack Elliott, but I have to say I prefer them over Ramblin' Jack.
