It is the best work that lasts, says this fine musician who’s created plenty, and history determines what that is: “Time will tell,” he says. I demur: “Time won’t tell.” It may be that only good work endures, but just a tiny portion of it will be enjoyed 100 years from now, and that selection is unpredictable. George Gissing was a wonderful nineteenth century writer, but who reads him today outside of a classroom? An amiable disagreement plus some terrific singing, under the benign gaze of Humanities NY.

•  PERSON: Ramblin’ Jack Elliot
•  PLACE: Lake Waccabuck
•  THING: a peg winder
•  RANDY’S Thing: late-life remorse