Lost Topic Tapes, The

Product Description

Like its companion release COWES HARBOUR 1957, the ISLE OF WIGHT 1957 album is part of the LOST TOPIC TAPES series, representing the earliest phase of Ramblin' Jack Elliott's recording career. The folk/roots pump had already been primed in England by Lonnie Donegan when Elliott arrived there, and the Brooklyn-born folksinger made quite an impact in the UK at the time. This set finds Elliott interpreting a few songs from the book of his primary influence, Woody Guthrie, as well as a number of traditional songs and the occasional blues (Ramblin' Jack's take on Mississippi John Hurt's staple "Candy Man" is particularly striking) and country tune (Jimmie Rodgers's classic "T for Texas"). Towards the end of the disc, Elliott tackles "Rock Island Line", the song that made Donegan a household name, and it's telling to note how much more personal, spontaneous, and downright quirky Elliott's version is in comparison to that of his Scottish contemporary.

Track list

1. Intro
2. Old Blue
3. Don't You Leave Me Here
4. Why Oh Why
5. In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree
6. Oklahoma Hills
7. Rock Island Line
8. Closing/Railroad Bill
9. T For Texas
10. Howdido
11. I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say
12. Crash On The Highway
13. Candy Man
14. Ballad Of John Henry
15. Car Song
16. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms