Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Uninteresting country from the 50s
Jack is a master of his craft. The yapping before songs is annoying to me, but I’ll gladly sit through it for his brand of Americana.
This generator is pulling out quite a few surprises for me lately. Having an album of this era is always a special occasion. Before the concept album, before singles were included on albums and this one is even from a time when the 10 inch LP was the standard option. It's a nice collection of songs, some of which went on to be covered lots of times in the Greenwich Village-era Folk of the 60's. It's not the most interesting listen in 2025 though. I like older Folk music, but the old folk that didn't push any musical boundaries doesn't really feel like a memorable listen to me. It's good but not really outstanding.
Solid
terrible back to back days. he rambles, he hoots, he hollers. (at one point he just repeats "quack" for about 3 lines). mule skinner blues has some unlistenable YODELS in it??? disastrous, even worse than the previous one
I'd somehow never heard of Ramblin' Jack Elliott before. I listened to the first four songs of this album, and immediately loved it. It's exactly the style of folk music that I love. Raw, bluesy and loose. I thought to myself, "this sounds just like early Bob Dylan". Then on song number five, Elliott introduced Woody Guthrie, and it all made sense. After reading up on Elliott, it's actually crazy that I've never heard of him. Of all the books, films and documentaries I've seen and read about Dylan, I can't recall mention of him at all. And he's such a big part of that early Dylan. And apparently he's a big inspiration for characters and references made in "A Mighty Wind", one of my favourite music parodies (and the second best Christopher Guest rockumentary). It seems Ramblin' Jack Elliott has been a big part of the music and movies that I've been listening to for the last quarter of a century, but I wasn't aware of it until now.
What in the lato-orkesteri is this? Aivan kammottavaa - välillä puhelaulua, välillä rääkymistä, väliaplodeja ja ihme äänitehosteita. Esittikö tämä musiikkia?
Powered by sheer charisma and persona building, I can hear how this has influenced a lot of people to come. But more importantly, it is an arresting listen on its own.
I could see why someone would give this album a 1. The ethos of ramblin jack speaks for itself, but this album in particular is a mere stepping stone of a life that continues to be lived to this day, nearly 100 years later…3 stars for content and novelty.
I understand this book needed to include older albums and Ramblin' Jack Elliott is the precursor to Bob Dylan and carried on Woody Guthrie's folk tradition. So, I get why logically this album would be in this book. The talking before/after the songs is not my thing. The talking/singing is also not really my thing either. I knew Cocaine because it was on Running on Empty by Jackson Browne, which is an album that perhaps deserves a spot on this list. Ramblin' Jack doesn't even sing on Dink's Song, so I'm not sure why it is on here. The first song, San Francisco Baby Blues, has 1:15 of Jack Elliott talking about the song he will be singing and then 1:45 of him actually singing the song. I don't have interest in this music. There is a song about bed bugs, one about boll weevils, an ear piercing howl on one song and a mention of borax. No wonder Bob Dylan's music sounded absolutely revolutionary, as he wasn't singing a song about shampoo or worms in his driveway. Three of the songs end with "Blues," though I am not sure why it matters but it felt important to type. Older albums are needed in this book and this is an older album. Ramblin' Jack is still alive and on his 2009 album containing 10 songs, 6 of the songs end with the word "Blues," so he is still very, very, very dedicated to letting you know the songs he is singing are blues. I feel like I should write a song called "Jack Takes the Floor Blues."
Some pretty fun tunes. Good guitar work, nice singing, great time. The Woodie Guthrie cameo was cool as well. Best song: New York Town
Loved it. Not the strongest example of that late 50s cowboy folk sound. But boy was it authentic and so emphatic. Lo fi production always increases my attention. Prim and proper polished late 50s country is hard to appreciate. Need that yee haw.
Encore vivant Ramblin' Jack... 94 ans. Une autre légende. J'aime bien son album de 2006 I Stand Alone avec Arthritis Blues et une version que j'adore de Driving Nails in My Coffin. Clin d'oeil à Michael Hurley, un très grand et infatigable de ce que je qualifierais de ''indie'' folk, qui est décédé cette année.
Énorme influence sur celui dont on ne doit plus prononcer le nom ici.
Really enjoyed this. Varied, full of life, full of character.
No terminó y ya quiero que termine. Y eso que dura media hora. Lo lamento, un 2.7 por lo humilde
Very honky tonk. some elements are good you have to be in the mood I like story telling through lyrics and this has got it but it does grate a bit after a while.
I have heard a great deal of dusty old 50s/60s records on this list - particularly this week. But this is by far the dustiest of all and the recording quality is so bad. Thank god for artists like bob dylan for modernising the folk genre.
Nii ja naa
Another super low key album (<100k listens on most songs) but a fine example of the genre. Nothing that really stood out but nothing that annoyed me either (except that 30 second yodel). 5/10 (2.5/5)
It was fine. Nothing amazing but nothing terrible. Standout song: New York Town
I listen to some older albums and you can’t believe they’re not more modern. This is not one of those. Enjoyed listening to it. Apple Music decided to play “don’t think twice it’s alright” straight after which I think was a little mean.
Surgeon’s son New Yorker cosplays as a cowboy. Imagine Bob Dylan didn’t bother with politics, poetry and storytelling and instead sang songs about bed bugs and weevils. The cocaine song had something to it. Sounds like it should be over the closing credits of a Coen brothers movie. The rest was unbearable.
# 577 : Jack Takes The Floor Jack Takes the Floor – And You’ll Be Taking the Exit The songs aren’t offensively bad, but they’re about as exciting as lukewarm beans in a tin cup. If this is the music playing around the campfire, I’m grabbing my sleeping bag and faking a bear attack to get out of there. Jack does ramble—truth in branding—but it’s less “charming drifter” and more “guy at the pub who won’t stop telling you about his banjo.” There’s a mix of folk and country here, sure, but it’s the kind of mix that makes you wish someone had just picked one and done it better. I genuinely don’t understand why this album is considered essential. It’s like someone recorded a man mumbling stories to his horse and called it a classic. Verdict: 2 Stars for authenticity. File under “campfire music for when you’re already asleep.”
Classic country and folk albums are great because they don’t waste my time. Half an hour of music that’s in and out. No triple album nonsense. This was pretty good. Nothing mindblowing but I can see how it led up to what Dylan would do in the 60’s. I liked the song with Woody. Favorite songs were San Francisco Bay Blues, New York Town, and Cocaine.
# Album Name: Jack Takes the Floor # Artist: Ramblin Jack # Rating: 2/5 # Comments: Pretty boring album. That southern drawl. Yawn. # Top Tunes: None # Would I listen to it again? No
An interesting album that I have not come across before. This album is notable for who it has influenced, and I can hear Dylan, Donovan and others. In fact a big shout out to Dinks Song which seems to cover a number of early Dylan songs.
Kantria sekä Bluesia man and guitar periaatteella. Hyvin vanhaa tekoa ja se kuuluu tuotteessa mutta makeeta kuulla tällaistakin
So, I had never heard of Rambling Jack Elliot, but it looks like I should have. I couldn’t find this album on my music service, but I was able to find and listen to some of the songs. I thoroughly enjoyed them all! This is my kind of thing, and it’s four stars for me.
Vilket fylleskrål! Alldeles underbart. Vad är det här ens, nån slags 50tals LoFi? Är det detta som kallas och menas med autetiskt eller "äkta"? Svårrecenserat. Kul i väldigt små doser, men bra ...nja ...över ett helt album (om än en 10a) ...knappast. Alldeles för "äkta" för mig men en tvåa för the effort
Säkert viktig som musikhistoria och inspiration för artister som senare inspirerade andra artister o s v. Men inte så roligt att lyssna på i dag tyvärr.
En artist som verkar ha varit en viktig inspirationskälla för senare storheter. Har pratar vi knappast överproducerat, men det finns en fin närvaro i låtarna. Gillar dom små presentationerna i början av låtarna. Guthries inhopp bidrar också. En klar trea.
En folksångare som sjunger låtar om vägglöss, skadeinsekter och kokain. Därutöver rena tramslåtar som Grey goose. Helt ok, men kan inte se att jag kommer att lyssna på detta igen.
Good Folk Country but it gets kind of flat as it goes along.
Most would probably agree that this isn't the best old school 'outlaw country' album ever made, but it's still an enjoyable listen. Really enjoyed the stripped-down approach - feels like Ramblin' Jack is sitting across the campfire and singing directly to you.
what'd itd feel like to sit at a park in the early 60s and listen to a randomly good guitarist and singer and vibe
Ramblin’ is right. This one hasn’t aged well at all. Nothing here feels essential or worth revisiting.
could be a 1 ngl
This re-awakened my Woody Guthrie phase like an activated sleeper agent. You can definitely hear his influence on Bob Dylan, especially vocally. I liked it a lot.
Not really my jam. And his screaming in some songs is hard to stand for me. 1,5
This is why I'm here This album scratches an itch I didn't know I had
Similar to Ravi’s album, I quite like the talking and explaining at times. Nice story telling throughout and classic country/blues sound. Enjoyable to get the conversation and to hear Woody Guthrie too but can’t tell if it’s a piss take! A fun, human, simple album that represents its genre pretty clearly. (3.5)
Jury’s out on this one
This album was alright I wish he was a little more enthusiastic.
Never heard of Ramblin' Jack Elliott before, so this will be interesting! Elliott seems to have been one of the Guthrie - Dylan axis and was quite important in the folk music of the 1950s and 1960s. I rather liked and enjoyed this album, seems to draw on prior work by African American blues musicians. Good, but I'm unlikely to play this much going forward.
The first song on this album is what keeps this from dropping to a two, especially considering that awful lord, lord, lord song. 2.5/5 - 3/5
Ekki alveg minn stíll, en að mestu ágætt.
A million times better than Joni Mitchell. Yes, he was rambling, but I think I like it!
Interesting
2 Stars (5/15)
good cowboy music
What the hell is going on here? I thought I was starting to get used to the nonchalance of the recording, and then they throw a jazz song just right into the middle of it. Jack Elliott isn't even in the song? I'm interested in the music. I like some of the songs. I like the glimpse into late 50s recording studio culture. Woody Guthrie was a cool addition. But I hate this as an album. I wouldn't be upset listening to some of these songs again, but I don't want to hear this album again. Favorite Song(s): The Boll Weevil
Es un género que casi no me agrada pero gracias por la propuesta
Mine had a random Sara Vaughn song in the middle of the tracklist, which must have been a mistake on spotifys fault. Anyways, not really for me. Sounds like he was just making up songs as he went along.
While I can appreciate a good ramblin’ story song like “Alice’s Restaurant” and “The Story of Bo Diddley”, this Album doesn’t quite measure up. I get that this is probably a bridge to that style, but just falls a little flat.
I totally get that you can’t really talk about Guthrie and Dylan without mentioning Jack Elliott. And while I can appreciate his tongue in cheek approach and delivery, these songs are just mediocre at best. While there might be some pickin’ and a grinnin’ here and there, there’s also a lot of…well…ramblin’…and that’s about all I can say.
So if you listen to this for what it is, it’s not very good. But, if you consider it for the time it came out…it’s still not very good. Suck it Ramblin Jack! I’m shocked he played a Gibson J-45 because it sounded like an untuned toy guitar. And he’s singing wasn’t very good. 1.5 but I won’t round down since this wasn’t as terrible as some of the other shit we’ve had to listen to.
Didn’t really do it for me. Shrug emoji. 2/5
Een echt origineel country album. Leuk zeg! Opname ook net niet helemaal scherp, af en toe wat geruis erdoorheen, maar dat hoort er eigenlijk ook wel weer bij. Zeer vermakelijk en stevende af op 4 sterren. Echter de laatste 2 nummers verpesten dat een beetje voor mij. Hier wordt de opname zodanig slecht dat de zang echt niet best klinkt. Daarbij lijkt het ook in ene een heel andere band dan dat het daarvoor was. Geef het daarom 3 reten
Feels very campfire/bunkhouse. Not as clean and composed as others, but I can get with it.
The soundtrack of white supremacy.
Not my kind of jam. Cool and old school country.
Never heard this guy before. Is it folk? Country? Blues? All three? I don't know. But it's great!
folksy!
I have a neighbour called Pete. He's had a few strokes and doesn't walk too well anymore, but if you sit him down at the right time, Pete will tell you stories. Stories like the time he hitchhiked from Scotland to London when he was 17 or how he stopped his friend from getting beaten up by Glasgow gangsters. Maybe even the time he helped one of the Rolling Stones guys move a piano. Pete's got stories. And this album reminds me of Pete. Just a guy telling stories - this time with the aid of a guitar and a twang. Just like Pete, Ramblin' Jack Elliott is a charmer and a raconteur. Never the leading man, but the sidekick with a twinkle in his eye. I liked this a lot.
i'm sure this is some influential album and marks some important steps in music history. but i thought it sucked and wanted it to end. Only redeeming song was Dink's Song, which was a nice soul number and the dude didn't sing or play on
While feeling the need to acknowledge the importance of this period of time and this artist in the history of American folk music, not really for me. It was cool to hear Woody Guthrie on the song about NYC and read more about how Ramblin Jack was a bridge from him to Dylan but musically there's just not enough going on here to warrant repeat listens.
Kind of liked having it on in the background.
Nice to listen to something from a very different era - enjoyed albeit not something I’d go search out
This is the whitest, folky, country blues album I've ever heard. Jack is an incredible storyteller, but in the end, this was an incredibly "meh" experience. 3/5
eh
The Aesthetic is Strong
It sure is ramblin. I have issue with guitar playing or even most of the vocals, but the lyrical content lacks something. You can hear the connection to Woody Guthrie but the quality of songs dont compare to those i’ve heard from Guthrie
I don’t really have an opinion on this - it was fine? Typical country from that era, which is not my bag. But it was fine.
Another album not on Amazon to stream so I got to experience this through YouTube. The playlist I listened to had an unfortunate hour long crypto ad after the first two songs (boo, hiss, down with that type of thing etc, etc). I should have known from the name there would be a bit of talk-singing on a par with Shatner (which is not a compliment), but I liked San Francisco Baby Blues once he started singing. And track 2, Ol' Riley. It did make me giggle that he was slightly obsessed with insects (The Boll Weevil being immediately followed by Bed Bug Blues). Woody Guthrie turning up was a surprise for me as I had no idea of their history together. This made me think of the soundtrack to O' Brother Where Art Thou (which remains the only time I've walked out of a cinema at the end and gone straight to HMV to immediately purchase the soundtrack). I can't see me regularly listening to this in the same way, but I did enjoy some of the non talk-singing bits. It loses a least 1 star for the ramblin' though. 2/5
Honestly I can't imagine willingly wanting to listen to this. On top of a bad recording, it's just all sounding the same and is as old country as you can get. Guitar play isn't even all that great, in my opinion. And we're singing about bugs. Man what are we doing? 2/10
I ain't really a sucker for angrezi gavthi music, had to click off after 3 songs.
OK for insect oriented prison folk, I guess
轻松愉快的乡村民谣，但是我喜欢摇滚
Good folk. 3.5
Talk singing nightmare
From first listen I thought early Dylan. The influence is obvious. Simple songs without polish singing about the real experience of those facing poverty of the early 20th century, although it harks on themes going back a century or more. It's oral history and I love it. Not romanticised, it's observational. "Old Blue" will hit a chord with every dog person. "Grey Goose" give's you images of chain gangs, singing a chant just to get through the day. "Mule Skinner Blues" is my standout. If you like blues, if you like folk, if you like early Dylan, I think you'll like this.
Not great. The sound quality is not great and some of that is probably just because it's very old, but I've heard way better recordings from the 50's. Aside from that I found the voice unpleasant on a lot of the tracks, and the lyrics didn't really capture me Standouts Salty Dog 2/5
Country, 25eme album => 1/5
Sadly, Apple Music doesn't have this album. 🥺 But it does have Roll On Buddy (with several of the same songs). Of note is track 12, which is our first of many comments that will tie random music to the Grateful Dead.
Não senti absolutamente nada. É como se eu não tivesse ouvindo nada, o puro silêncio. A voz dele é bonita, algumas letras são engraçadas, mas só isso. Nada demais. ⅖ só porque não me ofendeu em quesito nenhum. Não me fez sentir nada! Total apatia. Vou tratar como se fosse um dia de descanso da lista. O de amanhã vai ser fenomenal ou terrível, 8 ou 80, veremos.
No strong feelings.
Ikke det store indtryk - fint nok
That was all right
Not my thing
Meh 2.3/5
OK album
1. baby - 2 2. riley - 1.5 3. uuoll - 2 4. Bug - 2 5. York - 2 6. Goose - 1 7. Mule - 2 8. Cocaine - 2 9. Dink - 2 10. Black - 1 11. Dog - 2
3.5 top tier american folk from the fifties. If you hate woody and early bob youll hate this too
Decent storytelling
"Ramblin'" Jack indeed. Jokes aside, this sounded very casual and of its time. Not the greatest folk music I've ever heard either.
It's fine but doesn't really hold up to modern music
No. Just no. There’s almost zero reason for this to be here. Apparently, it may have influenced Bob Dylan, but like…ok. I don’t care. It’s just 30 minutes of him yodeling and yelping like a store-brand Johnny Cash. And that might be an insult to store-brand items. I have zero incentive to return to any of these songs here. Granted, I hate country as is, but I’ve been proven that great country can exist. This ain’t it. I normally put my favorite track here with some other songs I liked, but I genuinely cannot list one song. It’s that bad.
Liked track 1 but then it fell off
It's decent I guess. If you love folk music you'll like this. If you like folk music, you'll think it's decent. If you think folk music is decent, I don't think you'll like this.
Cof, cof...
2.8
I enjoyed the bluesy feel
It was refreshingly different. I love country music but even this was a bridge too far to put in my normal rotation. I did really enjoy listening to this album though and thought for something that was 70ish years old has held up extremely well. Some of the lyrics seem very common-place and infused in other songs (especially the first song San Francisco Bay Blues). I can see how this guy influenced a ton of other musicians.
Une guitare, un chapeau, un mec qui raconte sa vie, la vraie country comme on l'aime.
No está mal, pero me hice una idea muy distinta con su portada y títulos. A todas luces es country, y sí lo es, pero pensé que sería de esos country nostálgicos, que recuerdan la llanura en tiempos que ya se fueron, pero no. En general son canciones que no están mal, a veces demasiado cortitas, pero no se pasa mal rato. Pensé que lo iba a amar, pero creo que terminaré olvidándolo pronto. Eso sí, escucharé otros de Ramblin Jack para ver si conecto más.
To say that I don’t have a country music culture would be an understatement - I’ve always found folk performers quite hard to get into, mostly because I lack an adequate frame of reference. It’s a very "localized" genre, with its own tropes, mythology and private jokes, most of which I don’t really understand. However, I found this album surprisingly pleasant to listen compared to other country records. It’s got an intimate, mellow atmosphere that made me feel like I was sitting at a campfire in the middle of nowhere. Old-school folk performers seem to have a very down-to-earth relation to their listeners, mixing music with jokes, tall tales and shout-outs, which makes them something of a missing link between itinerant storytellers and modern musicians. Maybe I’m just indulging too much in the old country music mythos, but I did enjoy it. As often with country, however, I also found it a bit repetitive, and the last few songs started to bore me. I probably won’t become a country music fan - but it was still a nice change from what I usually listen to.
Son of a NYC surgeon, I understand that this man had everything lined up for success, and somehow his big move was to go full redneck rambling cowboy. Makes no sense… which might be the whole point of him being in this list. Even more over-the-top than the yelling cowboy archetype. No!
Serious Bob Dylan predecessor type vibes...perhaps that's why this is an important album/artist?
Hmm...interesting mix of folk and country, enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.
I try not to be ageist about art, but this old-timey stuff is just hard for me to like. I reckon he'd have been entertaining enough in his day but the world has moved on to better things. My ratings have all been a reflection of how much I personally enjoyed listening to each album, with no consideration for how influential or significant a record was, and so I can't give this more than 2 stars in good conscience
Jedan od onih koje je dylan "pokrao"
Итс окэй, наверное, но еще более невыразительно, чем вайбовый сол парой дней ранее. Мне странным образом некомфортно давать эту альбому 1 звезду, но альбом прошел совсем мимо меня. Лучшая песня - San Francisco Bay Blues.
3.5
Well my thoughts about this Ramblin' Jack Elliott are so complex.... First of all i have a huge problem on calling this an album rather than a collection of recordings he did over a period of time and some of them don't even sound like they are traditional Studio recordings . It doesn't sound like this is an album as in a statement of time and place. This begs the question why is there no robert Johnson or Elmore James albums which have such similar recording styles as this and have just as much, and some might say even more, influence in this head on music forward. (I put them on equivalent levels). That being said I also really do love albums like this historically. And it's something I actually enjoy listening to a bit because it reminds me of where music started. Just a man and an instrument and a feeling in his heart. When I was living in Memphis I was around a lot of singer-songwriters and though I did not hear a lot of ramblin' Jack Elliott , he was very well respected amongst my friends. And listen to this I can see why it is very similar in the vein of some of the acts that I really loved watching live including Todd Snider who was up and coming at the time I was watching him in Memphis. Even though I really like listening to this a lot ,I don't see it as a 4½,star album mainly because it lacks any cohesiveness. But, I think it does reach me enough as a collection of songs to give it a decent 4 8.6 ★★★★
Certainly carries a lot of the same influences as early Dylan, but sounds more impromptu. 3 stars
I thought this was pretty enjoyable, if a little rough around the edges. "San Francisco Bay Blues" and "Cocaine" were the highlights for me. Definitely and interesting slice of proto-Dylan. 3.5 stars.
3.5
This ain’t exactly essential listening but I guess is ok for 50s folk. The best things I can say about it is that he lives up fully to his ramblin’ name, is still going strong at 94 and has a nice hat.
Pretty nice
I think a good album, raw and rambling. Great voice. You can hear its place in music history, pre-Dylan.
Don't think I've ever heard this? Should be interesting. edit: Initial vibes remind me of the Jimmy Carter and Dallas County Green, with the acoustics and accents, and storytelling aspect.
I can admire old country for it's style, but it's not mine. Definitely belongs on this list though even if I didn't love it.
I listened to the whole album. It was ok, nothing bad, but equally nothing especially good. I'm not sure why it was on this list. Maybe it was ground-breaking at the time (which I doubt) or a classic example of this style of music (again, doubtful, this is a very popular style of music and the market is saturated). I'll give it 3 stars as I never considered turning it off before it finished.
This album legitimately makes me nauseous, idk why. It's listenable, but makes my head hurt because of the mixing and the background noise. I only want to suffer socially for the music I like, not physically.
Pure slice of Americana - a raw, somewhat simple record, it’s beautiful
I enjoyed this, kind of raw authentic sound from the late 50s. I hadn't heard of Ramblin' Jack before
He's just a generic country folk singer without the charm of Cash nor the lyrics of a Dylan or a Guthrie.
Didn’t realize I was folk fan. Really enjoyed this one
Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Joa - öde halt.
Interesting just because it’s so old. Hard to believe anyone today would seek this out to listen to (which is why it’s not on Spotify?). There’s some stuff on here that is just funny, but I don’t think it’s intended to be. Always good to go back in time.
I quite like this. I hear Pete Seeger and especially Woodie Guthrie. It's kind of a tricky album to rate, it’s pleasant enough but i think I prefer Woodie Guthrie and especially Bob Dylan
Not sure if I enjoyed this or not… was pleasant enough, it certainly was ramblin’ around taking its sweet time, I’m not familiar enough with this early folk/bluegrass/country to know how important this album is in the grand scheme of things. 3/5
Very fine old-school country. You can certainly hear the Woodie Guthrie influence. He's even featured on the record. Some of it was quite funny as well (Boll Weevil, for instance). Probably won't revisit. But some nice porch-sittin' music.
Der einzige Ort an dem ich mir für diesen Künstler vorstellen könnte, wäre eine Kneipe nachts um drei. Das Album ist knapp 30 Minuten lang, davon ist 15 Minuten Gelaber. Also kaum Material. Ansonsten halt Folk. Bürgergeschichten mit wenig aufdringlichem Gitarrensound und Gesang.
1958. A piece of Americana I suppose. I do enjoy some classic country music. Smooth sounds and stories.
If this is country I may not listen to the whole thing. Although I don't mind the old country too much. yeah no. Sorry. 2 stars
Enjoyed it, but won’t listen to it again.
This really was fun, especially if you are like me, living in San Francisco. Interesting to think about which sidewalks might have hosted Jack in the past--maybe we should make a plaque! But I digress. Jack is a solo acoustic guitarist with a top drawer busker vibe. He folds at least one found song, from another busker in New York, which gives the album a good backstory. Had to listen on YouTube, since it's not on Spotify yet. It was on the border of three and four, but the Woodie Guthrie cameo bumped me to four.
Really nice folksy bluesy album. A pleasant listen on a slow morning.
Cozy cowboy ahh music 🤠 Mule Skinmer Blues is very cool btw
The hooting and hollering was hilarious.
blagoglagoljivi jakov ilijević niskoključno vatra???
That was kinda fun - it's obviously my sort of music and I liked the little asides at the start of the songs, which I usually find annoying.
It's hard for me to understand if this has historical significance. I lost patience around the time of back-to-back bug songs.
A bridge between classic folk and country. Not my thing.
Yehaw, men ikke den yeeste hawen.
Drunk guy from NYC puts on his cowboy attire and does a Woody Guthrie impersonation.
Not on Apple Music but full album is on YouTube, fyi. Wasn’t blown away by this but was glad I listened. Exactly the sort of thing I was hoping for with this list. (ntm.)
Woah there. This album took me by surprise. I didn't expect this to be anything special at all; fully expecting a generic, nothing album. Instead what I got was a raw, cowboy-esque folky blues. Jack Elliott has a rivetting personality, it comes through throughout the album. I loved the unhinged guitar playing. The sincere story telling. This is better than Bob Dylan's stuff, no cap. (apparently Eliott was an influence on Dylan, and you can REALLY hear it) Lotta great songs in this. Particularly enjoyed Woody Guthrie's addition on New York Town. Dayum. San Francisco Bay blues was great as well. Overall, totally blindsided by this. An album that makes country sound cool.
Can't dig it
meh, it was a bit annoying but it could’ve been worse
Some super old country. Wasn't quite in the mood for it. Just alright
Sure, I guess?
Fantastic album that shows his influence on Dylan.
This is what Dylan was into. So good. 5*
This was pretty enjoyable. Not sure how much is come back to it but I liked it.
Boring ass country folk.
Echt southern roadtrip vibe. Doet me denken aan Jim Croce
Absolutely fantastic. Birth of Americana.
Rv
Good old country album
This is #day320 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... bring on more of that '50s country because I haven't got enough of it yet. What's stopping me from giving this album a 1 is the mix of blues and folk here and there. And I don't mind some old-school, stripped-down blues. Otherwise, no intent to ever listen to this again. I'm giving it a 2 out of 5. Looking forward to #day321.
Good folk music
Interesting mix of blues, folk and country. I thought it was pretty good for an older album.
Better than expected. Added a few songs to my liked
I recognised San Francisco Bay Blues from Eric Clapton’s unplugged album. Apart from that I enjoy the earthy folksy style but unlikely to revisit this.
Some good songs, but a whole album is too much for me...
No thank you! Talks too much, yodels not particularly well. Couldn’t wait for it to be over. Clearly was an influence of Dylan’s, whose early music is also annoying, so that tracks. This was a true struggle to get through. Short songs never felt so long.
Cool guy! Not really my thing
I like it, but I don't love it.
I liked this more the further into it I got, especially enjoyed Salty Dog. I was familiar with Johnny Cash’s cover, but it was interesting to hear what I assume is an early version here. My first thought was this sounds a little like Woody Guthrie, and sure enough Woody is featured on the 5th track. I’m going to settle at 3 stars because I don’t think I’ll be back for more. That said I did find it entertaining and some of the songs were funny, which I think was the intent. Also 11 songs in 31 minutes is honestly pretty impressive.
I just...I...no, I can't. I didn't enjoy this, I don't particularly care for singer/songwriters and just a guitar. Nothing against Mr. Ramblin' I just don't like the genre in general. This album? Not on Spotify, but thanks to someone's playlist I heard enough of this album to get the drift. 2 Stars, it's just not for me. But while we're on that singer/songwriter topic... Why is it that singer songwriters feel the need to talk about their songs before they sing them? And while talking about/describing the song, end up using the song lyrics to illustrate the song before they sing? So, here's a song about driving all night out to El Paso. It's called, El Paso. ... "Well, it's been all night and I'm still driving on that lonesome road to El Paso." This drives me crazy. How about, this is a song about aliens and cowboys and the open road instead? JUST NOT THE FREAKING FIRST VERSE IN UNSUNG FORM. Thank you for attending my TED Rant.
This was not great. I am not sure how it got on the list, it just sounds like somebody tryin' to be somebody else.
-this was interesting to listen to. like most of the ‘50s country records i’ve gotten on here, however, i found it difficult to really connect with it?? idk his voice was just. grating. -not like i listen to ‘50s country music much in my free time so i guess im not the right person to pass judgment -Favorites are Bed Bug Blues and Dink’s Song
I really enjoyed this album. I liked how it felt like a loose live album, with Jack giving small introductions to the tunes and playing randomly between tracks. Jack's playing is so full and detailed, it has a ton of presence while very often being the only instrument present. Good listen!
Had to listen on YouTube ☹️ It’s whatever
1.5 - Bad
Never hear before. Johnny cask or early Dylan sound (before them). Not typically my brand, but ok.
Like a early watered down Version of Bob Dylan. Liked few tunes and the other felt a bit unseasoned to me. clearly influental tho. (2.0/5.0)
Buen disco de folk. Para mí como sudaca no es tan significativo se.
Fun ditties
This is very interesting. A guy and his guitar and his stories. That's it.
Gear: Grado Hemp Artwork: 🤠🥴🍻 Production: 🎧🥴🍻 Music: 💬🥴🍻 Rating: 🍺/5
This album isn't catching me, like at all. I do enjoy folk/country from time to time but the name "Ramblin' Jack Elliott" truly holds up to his promise of rambling. I wouldn't listen to the album again if avoidable.
Hombre no tengo un rancho en Texas así que no suelo escuchar este tipo de música, pero de todas formas me gusta. A veces la vida se siente un poco así. Lo que pasa es que se hace repetitivo
This after Bob Dylan is a bit rough - too much rambling country/folk for me.
I really enjoyed the guitar playing in this album, and the tone and timbre of his voice is more pleasing to me than Woody or Bob. I also appreciate that the songs are short and to the point.
Music has changed a lot since the 50s...
I'm not unfamiliar with music from this era, this is just uniquely annoying. I can't listen to Grey Goose with a straight face
Fuck rating albums. Just let me listen.
Generally pleasant, nice in the background
Couldn't listen because YouTube errors. Love him in general though
Bob Dylan's dad
Very stripped back and basic. I don’t have a lot of critiques but also probably won’t be returning. Just kind of what you’d expect from a 50s country folk guy
Sure
Songs of the American folk tradition from friend of Woodie Guthrie and mentor to Bob Dylan. This was a fun collection. Standout tracks: San Francisco Baby Blues, Boll Weevil, Bed Bug Blues
3.53
Enjoyable enough
Not exactly my taste, but I really liked it. Acoustic rock at the start of am age.
Bed Bugs sure are evil. Same with Boll Weevils too Best Song: San Francisco Bay Blues Rating: 4/10 Stars: 2/5
Entertaining folksy music. Song about cocaine was probably the best and most stand out. Not my style but good for what it was
Does every damn song really need an intro explanation. “This is a song about when you need to go to work but would rather stay in bed… Ohhhh I need to get to work, but I’d rather stay in bed” ass music
It’s not my type of country music, maybe it’s a bit too old for me or something? The San Francisco song was pretty solid, outside of it. I don’t see myself looking back into it in the future. Find guitar work, pretty good lyrics, classic old western feel.
YEEHAAWWW!!! this is what a perfect country album is
Can’t find this particular album but I listened to a representative sample of his stuff. I can hear how influential it was even if I don’t need to hear muleskinner yodeling ever again.
Old timey twangy country
Twangy old-timer country
I've said in other reviews that country music isn't my thing, but I actually enjoyed this. I think it's more folky blues (kind of like Johnny Cash) but what do I know. I can hear how he might have influenced Bob Dylan but also some more modern artists....maybe Jack White? And also one of my favourite Australian artist CW Stoneking? Would listen to again sometime. 6/10
jack takes the floor... en hopelijk brengt ie hem nooit meer terug...
American roots, country Cowboy dust bowl folk music - there's even a guest spot for Woody Guthrie - bunch a good ole' songs.
This was painful to get through
It was like the country music my grandpa listened to. Then again it wasn’t anything like the country music my grandpa listened to.
I loved this country, this is how country should be. Simple, real, and not about trucks. This is peak
As someone whose parents have made him listen to a lot of this kind of music. This is on the lower end of the spectrum.
Nothing special folk songs
It was just OK. Any longer it would have got 2 stars.
Bästa med detta albumet är att det är kort
Glad something like this is thrown into this collection, need some dusty barroom earthy grounding every once in awhile
This is a new artist to me. Country Folk of my dad's or his dad's time. I wouldn't choose to listen but I don't mind it on in the background.
..
Not really my thing but can appreciate it for what it was / inspiration to other folk musicians in the 1950s
After Listening to this Album I immediately stopped using the metric system
Charming, sweet music. This album does not belong on this list for any reason whatsoever: Elliott sings without emotion, his music is simple without being purposeful, he does not compose his own music. He is charming grandpa. Another terrible choice for this list when, once again, an incredible cadre of other folk singers (not to mention Actual Cowboys) exist.
Interesting album. Badly recorded, but the Ramblin' Jack's intensive performance and the small stories really make you listen. This must have been on young Bob Dylan's playlist.
This is like a bad version of Johny Cash. No thanks.
Can't be arsed to listen to more that few tracks off this one. I really do not like country nor folk music, I'm noticing it's starting to get on my nerves.
Don’t mind a bit of Country but can equally see why the arrival of Rock ‘n Roll was a breath of fresh air !
Not a patch on Marty Robbins!
Like Bob Dylan without the voice, musical ability or any depth of talent. Does have added red neck and ye haw though.
I’m somewhat torn on this. It’s somewhere between a slightly interesting folky twist on some old blues songs, well the guitar style is interesting anyway (quite up tempo and the picking is cool), the vocals aren’t great. Which then happened to have something of an influence on the Dylan led late 60s folk movement. The flip side is that it’s quite the murdering of some old blues songs which in a couple of cases (Bol Weevil and Cocaine) I know were better sung by more original and authentic musicians, and which I assume applies across most of the other songs. I think the latter is probably swaying me here, and I hope some of the original blues musicians get a recording or two on the list (surely Leadbelly) rather than this being an unrepresentative representation of a time/style.
Nej tak
It’s my birthday today so was hoping for something a bit more special. However I suppose the 1001 God’s went for something which is nearly as old as me but I don’t think there is anything on the list older than me or even same age. What a sobering and depressing thought. Anyhow what do I think of old Ramblin’ Jack? Traditional Americana folk music is something I respect if not necessarily get. It’s not the horrible gangster rap which seems to over populate this list. The perpetrators of which are not fit to lick something brown and smelly off Ramblin’ Jacks cowboy (I assume) boots. All this is in its favour but I appear to be ramblin’ on myself in my joyful birthday stupor. So best shut up in the thought that by the time my next birthday comes around (God willing) I will be close to finishing this process. How time fly’s when you’re enjoying oneself and knowing some of my all time favourite albums are yet to be dished out to me. But alas sorry Jack you are not one of them. 2/5 4/5/25
tror I alle de andre folk sangere syntes Ramblin' Jack var en poser fordi han kom fra New York? Jeg tænker på det hver gang han snakkede mellem numrene
Hyggeligt nok! Det er et godt navn, han rambler ret meget!
Cozy!
Just… WTF
I couldn't make it to the end, who enjoys this stuff?? 0/10
Sort of early Dylany folk. Seemed like a big mish mash of recording so sound was a bit all over the place. I'm sure the last few tracks were sung by other people too. Could see it being very influential, very classic and authentic sounding. Good would seem like a bit of a stretch, though not necessarily bad. 2.5.
Different enough to hold my attention. Early Bob Dylan vibes. Not many of his own songs, I believe, which made some of the tracks ring hollow. Salty Dog was my favourite. Not sure if I'd be back - there are better examples of early folk.
I was wary when I saw a country album from the 50s, but I was actually presently surprised by this. Has that bluegrass thing going for it. Almost reminded me of Jack White in parts I think. Some of it was a bit strange but he is called rambling Jack so why not. I think a 3, mainly as I expected it to be terrible and it wasn't
Well, what can I say? Original cuntry music, performed by an original cunt. I really don't want to be too scathing about this, but there really are no redeeming factors. 1
Surely only here to tick a box to say all genres have been included. Just terrible, with ‘Grey Goose’ being in the conversation for the worst track on any album in the 1,001 list. Quack quack 🪿
I'm sure this is an excellent example of this genre. The thing I loved the most about this was the song titles, 'The Boll Weevill' is inspired. As for the actual music, I can imagine this hasn't dated at all for some people and they think this is still relevent in this day and age. For me, it was a very painful 30 minutes.
Fun listen! One I'd never have reached for otherwise. You can even hear early Beatles and some "Let It Be" echoes. Love the dialogue in between. Great recording, and some interesting tunes. Probably wouldn't listen to again, but glad I did.
I am not deeply into that kind of folksy stuff, but this one to me seems quite generic and unambitious if compared to some of his much more prominent contemporaries. Feels and sounds like a watered down early Dylan or late Seeger.
It’s okay
This was fine. Nothing special, but nothing repulsive. 3/5
Cool old-school (very) vibes and sound. Some of this has a gospel-influenced feel as well. Kind of a fun picture of what the world of popular music looked like 70 years ago. The recording quality is really fantastic given the time period it's from.
I was surprised by this one, but I loved it! I want this one on vinyl in my collection!
The missing link between Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan makes a decent album.
No thank you
No. I don't like this.
Jesus this sucked so bad. Annoying voice, annoying lyrics, annoying guitar. Did I mention how annoying it was? The answer is very!
Well at least he lives up to his name, he did ramble on about stuff with a country soundtrack behind him. At least it wasn't too long
Woody Guthrie with no bite. Talented but heartless for me.
Woody Guthrie he ain’t but there’s some occasional moments of brilliance here. Still, there’s no rhyme nor reason to the song selection. A neat artifact but that’s about it.
fun for 5 minutes
Good ole honest country
Cool! Unexpected but a fun album.
Definitely an interesting listen, and definitely a big change from a lot of what we've listened to lately. Glad it wasn't another Rolling Stones record. I wasn't sure what to expect, especially as we started the first track with an introduction, but it almost felt like a live show because of it. Was that actually Woodie Guthrie or just Jack doing a voice? Google AI says Woodie wasn't there, the only review of this album I found says yes he was. The album is definitely dated. There's something about that old folk/blues guitaring that sounds so samey now. I don't think it would be that hard though to update the sound. Overall, a good listen, but I don't think it's a record I'm going to go out and buy.
This was an interesting listen, and a change from the music we normally get from this list. It really got me thinking about Wild West movies and Red Dead Redemption 2 (still need to finish that game) and thought it'd be cool to listen to this while playing that game. I don't think I'll ever listen to this again, and I don't think I'd ever have a desire to play any of this music again (apart from what I mention above). It wasn't really good, but like I said, it was interesting. I'm sure it had its place in history. But it doesn't translate to today very well.
Love a bit of folk music! Quick but fun album that tells stories in a light and easy-to-listen-to kind of way. Liked the Woody Guthrie feature on New York Town, whole album definitely imbued with a little bit of lip. Also liked the addition of a couple traditional folk tunes for good measure. Makes me nostalgic for a time and place that I’ve never seen. Fav track: San Francisco Bay Blues
Boll Weevil? They don’t make them like this anymore
Heard of him but never heard him. A real treat for fans of the American folk tradition. I do wish he had tuned his guitar between takes! ;)
An interesting selection from the collection for today. I'm not much of a folk song connoisseur (or afficionado), so this was all pretty much new to me, and of course it's hard not to think of Woodie Guthrie (or even his son Arlo), as those are folk artists I'm most familiar with that sound like Ramblin' Jack, but I'm sure there are many, many (many) others, although even I could recognize that Ramblin' Jack has more country twang, and also seems like a talented guitarist as well. (It *was* nice to get Woody Guthrie performing with him on "New York Town", or at least I think that's what happened in that song.) I enjoyed the change of pace, but I'll admit I'm not well-versed enough to feel I can recognize if this was seminal or not. But I loved finding out that the album's reviewer in the "1001 Albums" book hosted Jack Elliott for a month, a personal connection I suspect few of the reviewers have had to most of the artists in this project.
Legendary yet new to me! Nice spare-sounding country that I liked quite a bit, though falls short of Hank Williams-level genius.
I really like a lot of what this music became. Johnny Cash, Folk/Country, Americana. There are so many of my favourite bands that would have grown out of this music. On the other hand, when it's here in this quite unrefined form it's not my favourite. It's not quite there, not quite got the layers of instrumentation and arrangement to make me love it. There are lovely songs here. Salty Dog has lovely singing and guitar. "Won't you Join in the Line" is fantastic. So this is a great album which I love a lot, but which just misses out on the top score sadly
Pfoe, ja dit is echt een lastig album om te reviewen. 1958, jezus wat een oud album, zou zomaar het oudste op de lijst kunnen zijn? Beste man leeft op naar zn naam in elk geval, want ramblen doet ie zeker! Dit album klinkt een beetje alsof je dronken oom zn gitaar er bij pakt en besluit dat hij eigenlijk een fantastische zanger en songwriter is. Dit album bevat jodelen, bevat diergeluiden en bevat een hele hoop half dronken gezang. Dit is wel mn favoriete country jodel die ik in tijden heb gehoord. Ook de eerste country jodel die ik heb gehoord... Wel indrukwekkende jodel skills. Ga niet liegen! Lekker cocaine nummertje ook. Altijd fijn als artiesten gewoon eerlijk zijn over hun inspiratie. Uiteindelijk; niet echt mijn ding. Echt zwaar verouderd. Maar Jack krijgt absoluut een ster erbij omdat hij een gans nadoet bij Grey Goose en ik ben onder de indruk van hoelang hij een jodel kan vasthouden. FAVO: Grey Goose
Fun folk music.
Good american folk music. I cannot see any outstandig fakt.
I gave this album an over/under at 3 songs for how far I would make it through. I guess you could argue it's either under or push. I made it to song 3, but stopped halfway. I couldn't stand this at all.
## In-Depth Review of *Jack Takes the Floor* by Ramblin' Jack Elliott Released in 1958, *Jack Takes the Floor* is a seminal folk album that captures the essence of Ramblin' Jack Elliott's artistry and his pivotal role in the American folk revival. Known for his storytelling and musical interpretations, Elliott's debut album is both an homage to traditional folk music and a showcase of his unique style. Below is an analysis of the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, influence, and its strengths and weaknesses. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Jack Takes the Floor* are steeped in traditional folk narratives, reflecting themes of struggle, humor, and Americana. Many of the songs are covers or adaptations of folk standards rather than original compositions. Tracks like "Cocaine" delve into dark themes such as addiction but are delivered with a strangely sweet tone that contrasts with the subject matter[3]. "Dink's Song," sung from the perspective of a prisoner lamenting lost love, is heart-wrenching and evocative[3]. Meanwhile, lighter tracks like "The Boll Weevil" add humor and whimsy to the album’s repertoire[1]. Elliott's lyrical delivery often includes spoken introductions that provide context for each song. These musings are not just filler; they create intimacy between Elliott and the listener, making it feel like you're sitting in on a live performance or a casual storytelling session on a porch[1][3]. However, critics have noted that while engaging, these introductions sometimes disrupt the album's flow[4]. --- ### **Music** Ramblin' Jack Elliott’s guitar work is understated yet skillful. His fingerpicking style complements the simplicity of folk melodies without overshadowing them. Tracks like "Mule Skinner Blues" highlight his dexterity and vocal range, blending energetic strumming with spirited singing[3]. The duet "New York Town," featuring Woody Guthrie, stands out as a historical gem, though Guthrie’s performance feels somewhat dated compared to Elliott’s polished delivery[1][3]. Elliott’s voice is central to the album's charm. His vocal style is raw and unpretentious, embodying authenticity that resonates with listeners. Comparisons to Bob Dylan are inevitable; Dylan himself emulated Elliott’s vocal style early in his career[1]. While Elliott lacks Guthrie’s grittiness or Dylan’s poetic innovation, his straightforward approach makes these songs accessible. --- ### **Production** The production on *Jack Takes the Floor* is minimalistic—a hallmark of folk recordings from this era. The stripped-down sound emphasizes Elliott’s guitar playing and vocals without unnecessary embellishments. Recorded in a studio but presented as if it were live, the album exudes warmth and intimacy[1]. This rawness enhances its authenticity but also exposes occasional imperfections, such as flat notes or uneven pacing between tracks[1][4]. Critics have pointed out that the lack of continuity between songs can make the album feel disjointed at times. While Elliott’s spoken introductions add charm, they also interrupt the musical flow for some listeners[4]. Nevertheless, this approach aligns with Elliott’s ethos as a troubadour focused on storytelling rather than polished production. --- ### **Themes** Thematically, *Jack Takes the Floor* explores quintessential folk subjects: - **Struggle and Hardship:** Songs like "Cocaine" and "Dink's Song" address personal pain and societal challenges. - **Humor and Whimsy:** Tracks such as "The Boll Weevil" lighten the mood with playful narratives. - **Historical Americana:** The duet "New York Town" reflects Elliott’s connection to Woody Guthrie and their shared commitment to preserving American folk traditions[3]. Elliott’s introductions further enrich these themes by providing historical context or personal anecdotes about each song’s origins. This educational aspect underscores his role as a custodian of folk music[1]. --- ### **Influence** The influence of *Jack Takes the Floor* cannot be overstated. While Ramblin' Jack Elliott may not have achieved mainstream fame, his impact on fellow musicians was profound. Bob Dylan famously adopted Elliott’s vocal style and storytelling approach early in his career[1][3]. Artists like Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney also cite Elliott as an inspiration for their work, particularly his use of talking blues[3]. This album served as a bridge between Woody Guthrie’s generation and the burgeoning folk revival spearheaded by Dylan. Tracks such as "New York Town," featuring Guthrie himself, symbolize this continuity within American folk music[1][3]. For listeners interested in understanding how modern pop culture evolved from traditional roots, *Jack Takes the Floor* is essential listening. --- ### **Pros** 1. **Authenticity:** The album feels genuine and unpretentious, capturing Elliott’s personality as both a musician and storyteller. 2. **Historical Significance:** Featuring Woody Guthrie on one track and influencing Bob Dylan profoundly makes this album historically important. 3. **Musical Skill:** Elliott’s guitar playing is subtle yet effective, supporting his vocals without overshadowing them. 4. **Intimacy:** Spoken introductions create a conversational atmosphere that draws listeners into each song. 5. **Variety:** The mix of somber tracks like "Cocaine" and lighthearted ones like "The Boll Weevil" ensures emotional balance. --- ### **Cons** 1. **Lack of Originality:** Most songs are covers or adaptations rather than original compositions. 2. **Disjointed Flow:** Spoken introductions interrupt musical continuity for some listeners. 3. **Limited Depth:** Critics argue that Elliott doesn’t imbue these songs with enough personal emotion compared to contemporaries like Johnny Cash or Elmore James[4]. 4. **Production Imperfections:** Flat notes and uneven pacing occasionally detract from the listening experience. --- ### **Conclusion** *Jack Takes the Floor* is more than just an album; it is a cultural artifact that bridges generations of American folk music. Ramblin' Jack Elliott’s storytelling prowess shines through both his spoken introductions and musical performances. While it may lack originality in terms of songwriting, its historical significance and charm make it essential listening for fans of folk music. The album's minimalistic production highlights its authenticity but also exposes its flaws—namely disjointed pacing and occasional lack of emotional depth in performance. Nevertheless, its influence on artists like Bob Dylan solidifies its place in music history. For those interested in exploring traditional American folk music or understanding its impact on modern artists, *Jack Takes the Floor* is an excellent starting point despite its imperfections.
Absolute yap fest. When Dink’s song came on I had to check the album wasn’t over because I was finally hearing a tolerable song
Kinda entertaining - some annoying.
Folksy til yer eyes bleed. Not my thing.
Ramblin’ Jack certainly wasn’t ramblin’ when he saw houmous & chutney play in 56. He was speechless! 3.1
The worst kind of country - for me.
Had to find this one on YouTube; first song is three minutes long and has a minute and a half of preamble before the song even starts so the Ramblin’ namesake tracks. Overall, kind of a perfect example of what makes acts like Guthrie and Dylan so unique in a sea of friendly folk-singin’ faces. The music is good enough but the character isn’t really there and that was almost half the battle to get established as a crucial folk act, at least for me.
Not my thing at all Shite genre and not an album that stands out. Biggest positive is that it is short. But as I say that, I kept thinking it was over and it keep fucking going Tune your fucking guitar I will never ever listen to this trash again. I see reviews on here with people complaining about 80s music. Aye okay, listen to this shite instead Woeful 0/5
3.5/5
Een soort Bob Dylan die als kind in een ketel met pruimtabak is gevallen. Ik moet wel zeggen dat ik dit liever hoor dan Bob Dylan, maar er zijn veel dingen in het leven die ik liever hoor dan Bob Dylan. Op zich is het leuk om weer een stukje jaren '50 tijdlijn te vullen. Ik kan hier een 2 voor geven maar ik kan er ook nog wel een 3 uit persen als dat gewenst is. Het zit er qua genot een beetje tussenin. Ik hou het op 2 vandaag.
Boring country music
Seems to be one of those “important” historical recordings. Sounds mostly live, just guitar/voice folk/story telling.
I mean, he do be ramblin'. 2,5/5
Really not enjoying this one
I didn’t recognize the name and was ready to hate this. Turns out this guy’s like the proto-Dylan. Dylan’s cowboy older brother. I really liked most of this — some tracks seemed stupid and unnecessary but yeah most of it I thought was pretty essential American folk music. Loved it. Must-listen #102.
Wow - the precursor I Bob Dylan and Di many more artists. What an incredible album. It made my day.
I don’t know what to do with this
Bedbugs ARE scary!
This feels like music that’s from a museum exhibit that you have to listen to using those big puffy headphones
I've never heard of Ramblin' Jack Elliott before. Not bad if you are in the right mindset. Seems like he is telling a nice story with decent music. It's a niche kind of thing for me, if I'm in the mood for sort of western folk music I will load him up.
I struggled to understand other reviews, thinking the album was perfectly listenable, then it went onto the goose song. I thought the interludes about the history of the origins of certain tracks were interesting but this is just not for me.
it was fun and i liked the kinda repetitive guitar playing, and the general bareness of it, enjoyable but idk if i have more to say
yodelayEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... 5/10
I was reading the reviews when I was listening to this album hayward-s-cayenne's gave me a chuckle as I was at that moment in the album. Other than that the other remarkable thing was the Woody Guthrie impression in New York Town, nice spoken intros, but other than that its just a man with a guitar 4/10
I’ll be honest I struggled with this one. Jack Takes the Floor is one of those albums that feels like it drags on forever, even though it’s not even that long. I get that Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is a respected figure in folk music, and I understand his influence, but this album? This was painfully boring. By the halfway mark, I was already clock-watching, and by the end, I felt like I’d endured some sort of test of patience. To be fair, Elliott’s guitar playing is solid. It’s got that raw, stripped-back folk charm, and there are moments where you can hear the influence he had on artists like Bob Dylan (not that I care for Dylan either). The simplicity of his performance is just a man and his guitar. Does have a certain appeal, if that’s what you’re into. I can respect that this is folk music in its purest form, and there’s an authenticity to the way he delivers these songs. There are a couple of tracks where you can hear a bit of liveliness in his performance, and when the pacing picks up a little, it’s almost engaging. But those moments are few and far between. The biggest issue? It’s just so dull. There’s no variation, no dynamic shift, nothing that grabs your attention. It’s the same repetitive folk structures over and over again, and it wears thin fast. Elliott’s voice doesn’t do the album any favours either. It’s got that old-school cowboy folk twang, which I know some people love, but personally, I found it grating. After a few songs, it just started to sound like background noise, and by the end, I was completely checked out. Another thing that got on my nerves was the storytelling. Folk music thrives on great storytelling, but here, it just feels like he’s rambling (pun intended) with no real emotional weight behind it. It’s almost as if he’s just going through the motions rather than actually feeling the songs. There’s no fire, no passion, just flat, lifeless delivery that made it even harder to stay engaged. Look, I get that this album is important to folk history, and I respect its place in music. But as a listening experience, Jack Takes the Floor was nothing but a slog. It got annoying fast, it felt incredibly repetitive, and I honestly couldn’t wait for it to be over. If you’re a hardcore folk fan, maybe there’s something here for you, but for me? Absolutely not. 2.1/5 stars. Never again.
4/10 Extremely annoying at some points, can’t recall much of anything, the better moments are ok, just overall very subpar American Folk music. You can die before listening to this
12/03/2025 This was new to me. I liked it.
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