This is an excerpt from the print edition of Dirty Linen magazine #102 (October / November 2002). The magazine is available on newsstands and by subscription.

The Fingerpicking Guitar of
Kelly Joe Phelps
taught by Kelly Joe Phelps
Homespun VD-KJP-GT02 (2001); $39.95

Kelly Joe Phelps is one of the best slide guitarists of recent years, but in this second instructional video for Homespun, he sets the slide aside and explains his fingerpicking technique. It would be difficult to pigeonhole Phelps' style, since it varies from song to song. Nevertheless, he does an excellent job of explaining how he approaches the guitar and how he develops an arrangement for each of the six songs on this video. The first couple of songs Phelps chooses are in standard tuning. His arrangements are essentially melodic, augmented by partial chords. In his very soft-spoken manner, Phelps explains more than just technique, showing the student how he chooses chords and parts of chords. On "I Am the Light of This World," the video's only non-original piece, Phelps not only shows how he modifies and improvises on the melody on the guitar, but he also demonstrates how his singing style fits with his guitar playing. Several of the songs are in a variety of alternate tunings. The notes on the video's booklet mention that Phelps has spent many years teaching guitar, and that experience comes through in this very well-done instructional video.
— Bruce E. Baker (Chapel Hill, NC)

The Songs and Guitar of Ramblin' Jack Elliott
taught by Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Homespun VD-RJE-GT01 (2001)

Ramblin' Jack Elliott is a rising star, which is ironic for a man just past his 71st birthday, not to mention the fact that Elliott is a living icon of folk and country music. His daughter, Aiyana, produced the critically acclaimed documentary, The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack, which brought the old cowboy new admirers, as well as the renewed attention of older fans.

Now we have The Songs and Guitar of Ramblin' Jack Elliott, which is portrayed as a teaching video, but is closer to a voyeuristic peek into the dangling conversation of two old friends. Arlo Guthrie makes a great foil to Elliott's distinguished poise. As the son of Elliott's traveling pal, Woody Guthrie, Arlo is also one of the few people who knows the old cowboy songs as intimately as Elliott, having learned many of them from Elliottt himself when he was a boy.

Elliott is obviously uncomfortable with the camera, and is at his best when he's singing or absorbed in telling stories to Arlo. Although there's precious little "teaching," in the video, the split-screen cameras do a nice job of capturing Elliott's fascinating flatpicking techniques on traditional songs like "Railroad Bill" and "Freight Train."
There are also the stories of a man who has seen and influenced some of the greatest singers and songwriters of the last century. From riding the rails with Woody in the early 50s to listening to Janis Joplin's first stab at "Me and Bobby McGee," the tales are endless. While Elliott is a rather laid-back gentleman, his enthusiasm for the songs shows through. "That's my favorite song in the world," said Elliott quietly as he finished playing Woody Guthrie's "Talking Sailor," smiling his weathered grin from underneath a black Stetson.

He also showed a little diversity as he spun through a few blues tunes, such as "Black Snake Moan" and Leadbelly's "Blind Lemon," although he said Brownie McGhee used to get him so looped he kept playing cowboy chords instead of the blues.

"How's that go, Jack?" asked Arlo of another tune, Elliott's own "Cup of Coffee."

"Well, it goes with Jim Beam and water, but we've only got the water," chuckled Elliott appreciatively.

It's great to see a man who still takes himself and his reputation with a grain of salt. Ramblin' Jack still loves the songs, the snap of his fingers on a guitar, and the company of friends. Whether you're looking for new cowboy songs or an intimate look at one of country's authentic voices, this may just do the trick.
— Clayton Moore (Westminster, CO)