Photo Credit: Aiyana Partland
Lucinda Williams appeared at the Uptown Theatre in Napa, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 23. During the concert, which pulled heavily from the musician’s latest album, her 15th studio LP, 2023 released Stories from a Rock n Roll Heart, the singer-songwriter invited the mid-set guest to assist on a cover of Elizabeth Cotten’s “Freight Train.” As for added help, Williams tapped 93-year-old Ramblin’ Jack Elliott.
Upon his arrival onstage, the folk music revivalist and expert flat picker was met with an onslaught of cheer and words from Williams’ “For those of you who aren’t aware, Jack was an important figure in the early folk music days back in the ‘60s. He hung out with the likes of Bob Dylan, Odetta, and other great artists like that. Rode a motorcycle all over the place and raised hell.”
Before delivering the choice number, Elliott joked about his recent birthday, which occurred on August 1. Williams referenced her guest’s association with Cotten and her own history with the song, calling it one of the first she learned to play the guitar. During Friday’s delivery, with a gentle sway and head nod, Elliott sang the venerable lyrics of the turn of the 20th century classic beside his host, in what felt like a esteemed collaborative pull that touched on the roots of Elliott’s historic career.
Scroll down to watch a fan-shot video of the pair’s cover of Cotten’s classic.
The post Watch: Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Lucinda Williams Come Together for “Freight Train” Cover in Napa appeared first on Relix Media.
