Ramblin' Jack Elliott – Vanguard Visionaries

Vanguard Records had a high profile during the 1960s folk revival and released music by many folk artists such as Doc Watson, Odetta, John Fahey and many others. To celebrate their 60th anniversary, Vanguard released a series of artist samplers called "Vanguard Visionaries" from the 1960s and early-'70s era.

One of the few folksingers as loved by Pete Seeger as by Bob Dylan, Ramblin' Jack Elliott nailed the persona of the itinerant folksinger, with his laconic yet flexible delivery and leathery image. He reflected his old-timey vocal influences without ever sounding overly affected, and he could sound rustic ("John Hardy") or steel-belted ("Black Snake Moan") whatever the occasion called for. 

"Vanguard Visionaries", a ten-track compilation sans liner notes, can't possibly do more than scratch the surface of Ramblin' Jack Elliott's career. Still, it's true that Elliott recorded much great work on Vanguard, and there's no question that these songs -- "Black Snake Moan," "1913 Massacre," "House of the Rising Sun" -- are among the best of his Vanguard work.

Tracklist:

"1913 Massacre" (Woody Guthrie) – 3:49
"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" – 2:36
"Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" (Bob Dylan) – 3:16
"John Hardy" – 2:26
"Guabi Guabi" (Traditional, Jack Elliott) – 4:41
"House of the Rising Sun" – 3:27
"Black Snake Moan" – 3:25
"Roving Gambler" – 3:33
"Diamond Joe" – 2:56
"I Got a Woman" – 2:32

 Ramblin' Jack Elliott – Vanguard Visionaries

(320 kbps, cover art included)