The word synchronicity gets tossed around here a lot; every once in a while I get to experience it. Last week, while I was helping Eric to research some details about Bob Dylan for the Friday subscriber issue — namely his early gigs at The Gaslight in Greenwich Village — I noted that when he arrived in New York, one of his aims was to meet his idol Woodie Guthrie. He did manage to meet the man, as well as Guthrie’s acolyte Ramblin’ Jack Elliot.
Fast forward a couple days to Thursday afternoon: I pick up the Portland Phoenix and notice that who should be coming to town? Mr.Ramblin’ Jack Elliot himself. That night. While I would be busy working with Eric on, yes, the Bob Dylan 70th birthday issue. Eric and I made a concerted effort to get the issue wrapped early, but at about 9:30 when we finished I wasn’t feeling too hopeful about the 8:00 performance by a man who isn’t exactly getting any younger. I grabbed my camera and zipped downtown, hoping I might at least be able to stick my head through the door for the encore.
Luckily, Ramblin’ Jack is a real troubadour — he tells stories at least as much as he sings (perhaps more), with a tale between every song. One of those tales recounted how he came to learn “Don’t Think Twice”: snowed into a friend’s cabin in Pennsylvania for three days with a freezer full of venison, a bottle of Cutty Sark and a Bob Dylan record. After the three days, the whisky had dipped below the sails of the label’s ship and Jack had learned a new song. Jack and his friend drove into New Your City to The Gaslight to perform at the open mic night, where apparently the audience included Peter Lefarge as well as Peter and Paul without Mary. When Jack announced the song, Bob himself stood up and (in the telling I heard live) after three or four unintelligible utterances, told Jack, “I relinquish it to you.” Jack figured he’d never had anything “relinquished” to him before, so he’d better keep playing it — and telling the story.
Happy Birthday, Bob. And thank you — from Jack and me.
ahhhhhh Burning….
All there is is Change…the one thing to count on!!
wink! wink!
but I appreciate your sentiment.
man,
I may not be able to f*k like Miss Piggy
but I sure wish I had a damn kayak and was near a damn body of water!!
peace……….
Yeah, Jere–“but we never did much talkin’ anyway, ” bad ass funny alright. He can stick it in and twist it but you gotta smile. I prefer Girl from the North Country that he did with Johnny Cash, myself, for a love song, Sadge. Feeling better this morning. Love you all. Sadge, big hug to you crazy girl. Don’t EVER change.
what a beautiful love song!!
that has inspired me to go outside
and write some poetry under the stars…ahhhhh.
I have so much joy in my heart right now
incredible!
finally, a clear night, gotta get out there,
the sky is beckoning
sweet dreams everyone~
Love You
Hey, if you never have, watch “Alices Restaurant”, damn fine flick with Arlo in in it. (Also, “Roadside Prophets..”)
If you hold any credibility with synchronicity, Ramblin’ Jack kicks ass!!
Love ya,
Jere
..FUCK YEAH!!! That was bad ass!!
..Don’t think twice,… It’s alright..
ha freakin’ ha!
Beautiful! Man!
Some hilarious lyrics on that one..
Thank you, coolness,
Jere
Too sad and bitter for me tonight, but the performance is outstanding, and Bob always has a way with words. Happy Birthday, Bob. So glad you were born, You changed the world, in your way, and we are all better for it.