This defied my expectations in almost every conceivable way.
How so?
I consulted the booking sheet for the day which informed me that the project which would concern us for the duration was called Jack Takes The Floor by a chap named Jack Elliot. I naturally assumed that Mr Elliot was going to record an album of waltzes. You can understand how such an error was made. I assumed the floor he was going to take was a dance floor and he would treat us to some old-time dance numbers in a three-four time signature. One does enjoy a good waltz.
So you had no idea who Jack Elliot was?
As you may have gathered by now I wasn’t really keeping abreast of modern musical trends. Obviously, I’m quite well versed in the music of the last 60 years in retrospect but at the time each new artist was something of a surprise. I did own a wireless but only used it to listen to news broadcasts and test matches so music tended to pass me by somewhat. I was quite surprised when Mr Elliot came in and didn’t strike one as a gentleman who was well acquainted with the waltz as a musical form.
How was he dressed?
Entirely in denim as I recall, with boots and a hat, all of which were coated with a layer of dust, which I know isn’t something you’re interested in as a musical historian but believe me it’s a considerable cause for concern if you’re the chap who has to hoover the carpet at the close of the day’s proceedings
And what did you think of the music?
Well, it was just Mr Elliot himself, which I’d never encountered before. I was more used to larger band arrangements and here’s this chap on his own with his guitar singing about weevils and mules and aardvarks and bed bugs and a goose*
Did you enjoy it?
It wasn’t really my cup of tea and a bit of a rude shock to be honest. Of course, compared to what was coming in later years it was positively lilting, but at the time it was somewhat jarring. I remember thinking it wouldn’t catch on. I’ve nothing against geese or mules but I never really considered them subjects worth commemorating in song form.
There are those who consider this intersection between folk and country to be a genre all of its own called Americana.
Do they? What exactly is the definition of Americana as a genre? Does it have to mention insects? If it’s not actively referencing weevils or bugs or gnats or earwigs is it considered outside the confines of the genre? And on that point: what is a Mule Skinner? Is there a large industry for Mule pelts? I know I’ve never met anyone sporting any mule skin refinery of any kind. Are the fashion houses of Paris well stocked with apparel created from the finest mules?
I have no idea. Personally, I find musical genres just confusing.
You and I both.
* Simon is making a reference to Boll Weevil, Bed Bug Blues, Grey Goose and Mule Skinner Blues, all of which are song titles on Jack Takes the Floor and shows his impressive ability to remember song titles he hasn’t heard for five decades (although we’ll excuse the mention of an aardvark, which doesn’t appear on the album in any form).
Comments
Post a Comment