Friends of Mine

by Thom OwensRamblin' Jack Elliott's first album for Hightone, Friends of Mine, is a thoroughly enjoyable collection of duets (and one trio) produced by Roy Rogers. There's a loose, intimate atmosphere on Friends of Mine that is instantly appealing, and his selection of singing partners -- Emmylou Harris and Nanci Griffith, Peter Rowan, Tom Waits, John Prine, Jerry Jeff Walker, Arlo Guthrie, Rosalie Sorrels, Guy Clark, and Bob Weir -- is smart, since each singer helps bring out the best in Elliott. It's an excellent latter-day effort from Elliott that confirms his status as a legendary folksinger.