Kathy Mattea, Coal Tattoo

[Tony2581]

As mentioned by another commenter, "Coal Tattoo" was written in 1964 by the incomparable Billy Edd Wheeler, another West Virginian. In fact, Kathy included two of Billy Edd's other brilliant coal mining songs on her album "Coal": "Red-Winged Blackbird" & "The Coming of the Roads".

As mentioned by other commenters, both Chuck Ragan and the Fenians do powerful versions of "Coal Tattoo". Other great versions have been performed by Steve Goodman, Hazel Dickens, Red Molly & Laurie MacAllister

[zaggerzigger]

Great song. First heard on Bob Harris Country

[tomagregg]

Great song-good sound,except for the two glitches in the beginning- Amateur hr. on the camera .

[OrlanKruegler561]

Rip the audio from this vid at tubepull doht cohm.

[BRANSCOMBEx]

:): )

Nice version!

Check out my acoustic version.. I changed it up and think its sounds upbeat.

Let me know what you think, YouTube :)

[waldo2358]

My brother rented a hunting cabin to her favorite uncle, back in the W.Va. 70's. The uncle then lamented his favorite niece, their first in college, as she intended to leave school and head off to Nashville. May all the gods bless her courage.

I saw her last summer, and she was the only one at the festival who 'manned' her own CD booth. She loved to meet her fans. She and Fred had an extra-long conversation.

She done good. Real good.

[brynkelly]

so so so good. when are you coming back to joe's pub? NYC misses you!

[DC7077]

Kathy is, alas, WELL out of her 40s <LOL>. Just still gorgeous.

[n8tureboy]

Those players are RED HOT!

[lnoble3178]

This isn't "country" music - this is real "down from the mountain" soul. Somewhere out in YouTube land, I hope someone has the Peter, Paul & Mary rendtion. They recorded it aroun 1964.

[1944jzo]

Billy Edd Wheeler tune; first done by the Kingston Trio

[MJKrei]

Very cool song and great performance!

i like that zoom to the wrong guitar during the solo hehe :)

[keeperspring]

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS "CLEAN COAL!"

[WRLOCK2008]

Great song. The CD "Coal" is awesome. I'm an underground miner in Blacksville WV and the guys at work have enjoyed the music as well. Thanks...

[keeperspring]

"Coal" is a wonderful album!

[atlantaed50]

Saw her in Atlanta small venue. Great Stuff!!  If given the chance see her. She is the real deal.

[oskorei123]

First heard this song from an artist named Chuck Ragan, if you like this you should check him out.

[fanchbrezoneg]

The best by Judy Collins, live in NYC Town Hall, and the first by the Kingston Trio of John Stewart is excellent too. Another version by Peter, Paul and Mary.

[keithsmd]

@fanchbrezoneg

Judy Collins's Town Hall version is certainly wonderful, but I've got to give the nod to Mattea. In a way the comparison is unfair to Collins, though, because Ms. Mattea is, I believe, in her 40's, and Ms. Collins was still in her early 20's at the time of her Town Hall recording. The more the artist has lived the better she can understand and interpret a song like "Coal Tattoo."

[fanchbrezoneg]

@keithsmd - Hum !

[punkinXpoo]

I don't like country, but hell, that was some of the best music ive heard in a long time.

[SusannTx]

Congrats Kathy!

[neckindaho93]

native of west virginia

[rocker53zero]

This is a good version of this classic song.

[Antietam22]

This is just wonderful. Wish I had been there.

[tp719]

I am proud to say that I was at this show. She was wonderful! The night before she gave Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" presentation to about 500 New Yorkers, who were captivated by her presence.

[kdevine321]

I had no idea Kathy and her band ripped this hard!! I'm sorry I missed her performance this week in Frostburg.

[celticchrys]

She is _always_ excellent live, or at least the half-dozen times I've seen her. Always has excellent players in her band.

[taddyd1]

Wonderful style and great tone, even though I'm a major fan of Judy Collin's version.

[About2Rain]

Times aren't like they used to be. I sure wish they were. You did a beautiful job with this one Kathy. Hearts and stars to you my friend.

[MJKrei]

funny the zoom to the wrong guitar during the solo :)

[C6H12B26]

Excellent! Congratulations, great thanks ! I appreciate. But fot what concerns sticking to the deep meaning of this wonderful song : 5 string banjo ! Ref/ The Judy Collins's Concert 1964 with Steve Mandell at the banjo.

[TJLuvs28]

Have heard this by Kingston Trio, and a few Bluegrass bands.

This is THE most inspiring I have heard, and Kathy is as amazing as ever - her heart just pours into everyhthing she sings.

No matter WHAT your favorite style of music is - You HAVE to be able to appreciate the pure raw emotion she puts into evything she does - from dance like you dont need the money - Whereve You Been - Mary Did You know - the list goes on and on and on

[Thor6247]

This is a great rendition of this song. Can anyone out there post the Judy Collins version?

[0bh]

Great song. I heard it before, by a band called The Fenians, or something like that. If this song doesn't get your toe tapping, better check for a pulse, lol. I've been wondering what happened to Kathy, great way to come back. I give it 5 stars and subscribed.

[PhilFeedback]

That was definitely an Awesome video, I rated it a 5.

[cardkid22]

What a wonderful uptempo song. It sounds like Kathy's got another fine album on the way to us. Kathy is a wonderful spirit and her passion for speaking out on enviromental issues rivals that of another favorite singer of mine, the late John Denver.