On Monday 14th February Ramblin' Jack Elliot received the BBC Radio 2 Folk Music Lifetime Achievement Award. For many, a lifetime achievement award would represent the culmination of a successful career, a 'golden handshake' from one's peers and an opportunity to reflect on past glories. For Jack Elliot the accolade was merely the latest chapter in the extraodinary story that is his life.
Whereas many would accept the award and retire to their hotel before returning home clutching their silverwear, Ramblin' Jack Elliot embarked on a 7 date tour of the UK and Ireland playing to sold-out venues and enraptured audiences wherever he went.
Night after night I had the luxury of watching him weave his stories and sing his songs. And night after night the audience would cram into each venue and listen, really listen to what he had to say. Because Jack Elliot has been there. In fact he's been everywhere and a few other places too.
And after I had stood on the stage each night and told a couple of stories of my own only to be followed by Jack who would then regale the audience with story after funny story of the things he's experienced in his life throughout the years, one thought kept coming back to me...I really should think about getting get out more.
The first night of the tour. Despite the fact that this date was very much a last minute addition to the tour the venue was virtually sold out with only a handful of seats remaining. I was a little nervous as Jack had yet to hear me play. Being a support act you are aware that the audience is not there to see you.
Foruntately for me so many people wanted to get good seats to see Jack this meant that all the seats were full by the time I started to play and nobody then wanted to lose their seat. I had a captive audience!
What can I really do though other than be myself? I plugged in and sung my songs. The audience were so quiet and attentive as I was singing. I had a real and genuinely warm response from the crowd in Birmingham and it put my mind at ease about the rest of the tour.
Jack didn't make it down to catch my set this first night. "I heard them applaudin' ya though. They seemed to like you."
Jack then took to the stage at 9.30pm and didn't leave until gone 11pm although it seemed like he'd been on stage for much less than that. This was the first time that I'd heard Jack live. Although I've listened to his music on record it is as a live performer that he really shines. Every song has a story to tell and one really cannot exist without the other.
The highlight of Jack's set for me tonight was a great version of 'Portland Town'. A request I'd made to Jack after about 30 minutes of meeting him!
We'd spent a relaxing day visiting the sights of Skipton and were looking forward to playing to a packed out crowd at the New Roscoe in Leeds. By this time I was feeling more comfortable telling a few stories of my own. I told the story of recording 'Calling Elvis' at Sun Studio and this was the first time I'd ever performed this song since that night back in Memphis in April last year. As I sang the song the lights were dimmed. And even though I was sitting on a stage in Leeds I felt some of the feelings that I had felt in Sun Studio when I recorded the song.
'Calling Elvis ' (Leeds)
It was about halfway through my set that I looked through the packed crowd to catch the distinctive sight of Jack's trademark cowboy hat pointing my way from behind the bar. I think he'd been there for a while watching me sing. I tried not to show it, but I was a little nervous. He was smiling. That felt good.
Tonight I had the honour of introducing Jack to the stage. He greeted with a huge round of applause. It was very clear watching the audience that Jack's music means a great deal to them all. These people are more than just fans. Without exception the crowd sat in rapt silence and listened to every single word that Jack spoke and sang. Highlights in his set for me this night were a great version of Tim Hardin's 'If I Were A Carpenter'; one of favourite songs and Jack sings a great version of it.
At the end of the evening Jack hung around for another 2 hours talking to his fans and regailing them with even more stories about his life. If it wasn't for the venue having to evnetually close it's doors I'm sure he would have stayed there for 2 hours more!
The highlight of Jack's set for me tonight was a rendition of Woody Guthrie's 'Talkin' Dust Bowl'.
The journey from Leeds to Edinburgh was the longest period of time that we'd all spent together up to this point. And as the tour progressed it would be during these long journeys from city to city that we were able relax the most.
Many of Jack's fans at each venue would ask me how it felt to be travelling the country with him and I'd always reply that the only difference for me between the daytime and the evening would be that in the evening Jack would put on his hat and guitar and sing some songs. What you see on stage is really what he's like off stage as well. And what was endlessly amazing to me would be to watch him weave a story into his set taken from a conversation we'd had earlier during the day. He really is a very funny man and there are times when it's easy to forget how influencial he's been as a musician as his stories alone are worth the price of admission.
Just stopped by for a...cup of tea. (Backstage in Edinburgh)
The Cabaret Bar in Edinburgh plays host to the Edinburgh Folk Music Society. Even as we pulled up to the venue our vehicle was surrounded by fans wanting to skake Jack's hand and wanting autographs. It was like being on the road with Elvis! At times it was quite bemusing. There were many, many people who were here to catch up with Jack. It was here that Jack caught up with long-time fan Robert Wylie who was respnsible for discovering the 'Lost Tapes' that had remained in a British music library until he discovered them very recently and helped to get them a proper release after 50 years!
I think it's fair to say that although I have a degree of folk music influence in my music I'm not what would be classed as 'strictly folk'. This was the only night where I felt a bit uneasy about taking the stage. I thought I might be pushing my luck talking about Bruce Springsteen during my introduction to 'Two Hearts'! They didn't seem to mind and so I was bold enough to then talk about my love of Elvis Presley music introducing 'Calling Elvis' "Is Elvis a dirty word?" I asked. I got the distinct impression that to some people it was!
About halfway through my set the door opened and Jack very quietly made his way to seats he'd had reserved for himself and his daughter Aiyana. Although many people were trying to talk to him I could see him gently quietening them down so he could listen to my set. It was this single act of taking the time to listen to my music every night that meant more to me than anything else. And even if some of the crowd were a shade lukewarm I was reassured by looking over to Jack's smiling face peering out of the darkness. "Did ya see me out there? I was trying to send you some good vibes." You did just that Jack; I needed them tonight!
Bemused...(Backstage in Edinburgh)
If some of the audience were slightly unsure of my 'true folk' credentials they errupted as soon as Jack took to the stage and he resopnded with his most energised performance of the tour to date.
Jack knows when to sing hard and when to pull it back a little. There times when his voice was almost a whisper forcing the audience to listen hard. I'd introduced Jack to 'Olbas Throat Pastilles' which have always done wonders in helping me to sing and hit those high notes. Tonight Jack was playing with his vocal style more than before and hitting those high notes with ease.
The highlight of Jack's set for me tonight was a great version of Bob Dylan's 'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight'.