Ramblin' Jack Elliott--health?

Subject: Ramblin Jack E...?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 09:08 PM

I saw Ramblin' Jack at the Millpond Traditional Music Festival this past weekend. I've been a "fan" of Jack for over thirty years. He performed Saturday afternoon and it was not the best I'd seen him, but there were no major flaws - I'd have liked it better if he did more ramblin' (Jack's brand of storytelling), but it was a treat to see him, and get some CD's signed later and tell him about the old shows at the Ash Grove from decades past.

Sunday he came on stage, and seemed disoriented. He forgot lyrics, repeated verses, played poorly, and at one point checked with the MC to see how much time he had left, then proceeded to sing "Talkin' Fishing Blues" for the second time. People were stunned, but said nothing. He went into "Old Shep" right after that and it was a repeat also. Someone in the audience said, "Hey, Jack, you've already done that."

Jack then took a request for "South Coast, sang two verses beautifully, and then stopped, apologized and rambled on about the daytime being for horseback riding but not for music, he should have never agreed to do this gig, all very embarrassing for everyone...

In retrospect I was just wondering if anyone knows how Jack's health is...was this a fluke?... Is there some dementia or alzheimers?... Did some overzealous fans get him loaded in the morning?

Had he been obnoxious about it I wouldn't be so concerned, but he was nearly pathetic in his manners...

A loving, concerned fan...

Subject: RE: Ramblin Jack E...?
From: Oversoul
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 09:59 PM

I heard him on Prairie Home Companion earlier in the year and I was saddened too. Some of his genius was still there however. His daughter has made a documentary of him, has anyone seen it?

Subject: RE: Ramblin Jack E...?
From: Easy Rider
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 10:14 PM

I just got home from seeing the film, "Ballad of Ramblin' Jack". It's WONDERFUL, with a lot of great performance footage, but it's a little sad too. It's a portrait of an irresponsible drifter with a great gift for music and storytelling. His daughter seems pretty disappointed that she didn't have the father she needed and that he doesn't get close to her, even now.

When I saw him, at the Bottom Line last year, he was O.K. but obviously past his prime. Still, it was a good show. Run, don't walk, if the movie comes your way.

Subject: RE: Ramblin Jack E...?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Sep 00 - 11:53 PM

Check out the thread from a couple o' weeks ago titled "The Ballad Of Ramblin' Jack". Weve been talking about the film and Jack in general quite a lot lately here at Mudcat.

Several different takes on Mr. E. are contained therein. Jack's legend is growing as we write this stuff here. Situations like you just described add to it and add to it and... Folklore, like history does not always lie. But it do have a way o' turning into a tall tale pretty durn qick, by crackie.

Ar Thieme