Elliott Smith-Pretty (ugly before)

[mymytheysigh]

Can someone tell me what chords he's playing at the very beginning?

[caseympf]

@mymytheysigh If you haven't gotten them already, it's back and forth between D6/G and D/F# for a while, then G to E on "enough for (G) you...(E)". There's an almost-correct tab on sweetadeline . net.

[brandofunk]

MISSED

[ezekieloak]

When I hear this video I can hear that he had a problem.

The problem I hear is the audience.

His performance is fine.

Listen.

[downsidefx]

its like his singing and playing were completely disconnected and he couldn't tie the two together. tragic

[ezekieloak]

@downsidefx Sorry. Singing which harmony part? Or just singing the melody?

Or wait, no, wait. Do you mean playing the drum parts? Or playing the bass? Or the pianos and keyboards? Or do you just mean guitar?

Or do you not really know what you're talking about, maybe?

[downsidefx]

@ezekieloak i'm as big a fan of elliott as you are, probably even more so. his music is beautiful but he was a wreck at the end. i have more respect for him than any other musician. if you think elliott is all together here, you're prob as strung out as he was

[ezekieloak]

@downsidefx I would be strung out if I were singing my heart out to people who were... what are they doing here? Can you not hear that?

You're right. You're damn right he's being put through his paces here in the end. Sounds like he was heckled to death by haters and hooters and hollerers. Listen to it again.  It's a brilliant variation of his album version. Unique. Precious. A real one-off sort of moment.

But who's back there screaming, "WHAAAASSUUUP!"

He's preaching to gravestones.

[downsidefx]

@ezekieloak for me its painful to watch this. I know the song very well, I've played it at an open mic. He fumbles the chords and almost stops playing at several points. Thats why I said there was a disconnect, because at times his guitar cant keep up with the vocals, and its such a simple melody. I feel nervous for him watching it. You're right about the crowd.. but hindsight can be 20/20 when it comes to this kind of stuff. If elliott was still around people would be glued to his act.

[ezekieloak]

@downsidefx Excellent. I'll concede to all of what you say. Or rather, I should say, I absolutely agree with you now that you've explained more explicitly. Sometimes the character limit on these comments is simply not sufficient to fully communicate a thought -and communicate it well- to such a wide audience. I appreciate your stamina and you should know that it payed off. I'm delighted that we are now in accord.

And please, never quit playing music.

[downsidefx]

@ezekieloak Word. I appreciate anyone who defends his music.

[mahatanmacoat]

he just couldnt do it any more. giving people music to relate to. too draining.

[lorimersnd]

amazing. you are sorely missed.

[Amulius]

of course, who knows if that's actually the case. Only Elliott knew for sure. We do know he did do drugs, (although, according to his manager, what he said seemed to be the truth) But in any case, it was a bad day for him

[Amulius]

He said that the reason he didn't play well this show was because on the flight to LA, he slept on the hand that he played on. He said he had some issues that day, and felt bad about how badly he played, but he said ' I slept on my f***ing arm wrong after 2 bad shows. should i have refused to try? apparently...to some...not in my opinion. i mean, if i'd cancelled with people already in the building.. i'd have felt like i let folks down without a try' He had to go get it checked later on.

[mrbungs]

He seemed ready to cry a few times during that song. Wish he was still here. Genius.

[natalierain82]

RIP.

My favorite song.

[MrAndibe]

i couldve seen him at bumbershoot in seattle 2000 (on youtube ) choose the pixies ive regretted it everytime i listen to his music........and thats choosing between the LAST TIME I COULD SEE THE PIXIES AND ELLIOTT.......No not cause he's dead. but would it could of done for my perspective...................­.

[MrAndibe]

he's p;layin on a different guitar that makes a difference .......and he's insecure. i feel bad . this song(if you wrote it) couldnt make you feel somthin shitty while playing it.........fuck the rest

[lmbyn570]

He drank like a fifth of whiskey before this show.

[millbrookmusic]

I was at this show and it was a train wreck. This was one of the few shows I've ever walked out on. I love Elliott but he was so incoherent by this point and just gone that it was hardly enjoyable. He finished only a few songs and had to rely on the audience to remember the words.

[Somethingpower]

To think I was alive while Elliott still roamed the world makes me feel like I lost the chance of a lifetime, but i didnt really get his sound until about 18, I was so young..born in '90. now i try and refresh as many poeples memories as i can with that name, Elliott Smith..my biggest inspiration

[leviroxanne]

you just described my exact position, barring nothing. haha.

[stellarlove21]

@Somethingpower I was born in 1984, and was 19 years old when he died. Think about how depressing that is, to know that I was a full-grown adult who could have seen him perform, but didn't because I had no idea who he was at the tim!e! Good music like his was never played on the radio at that time, which is really irritating to think about now...

[teisco2]

@stellarlove21 good music like this still isnt played on the radio. instead, we have to listen to lady gaga and miley cyrus. YES!

[rickypacific]

I love this song. I wish he was still around...

[ganuenen]

the way he says u gotta get high right now instead of somehow, makes me believe he is mangled out there, hence the sound in his voice being deeper and sadder!!! I LOVE U ELLIOTT!!!

LOVE THE PIG TAILS TOO LOL!!!!!

[blikjekattenvoer]

hey.. I don't have sound on the right....

[lisaann1213]

It's interesting the difference between this version and the recorded version. He's singing in a lower key, which makes the lyrics seem more sad, whereas in the recorded version there is an air of hopefulness and a touch of positivity. I wish Elliott could have known just how much he meant to all of us and how many rough times his songs got us through and still get us through. He was definately loved and is always missed.

[brandonkirk]

I think he knew then and now (whereever he is).

[tutani]

yeah, I like the optimism of the studio version. Dunno if it would have been exactly that one in the final album had he lived longer to finish it. Anyway, I think he was aware of the numerous fans of his music.

[sicfuc66]

@lisaann1213 thats because he wasnt himself during this performance. He was on hardcore drugs during this show, and didnt even finish most of the songs he played that night. The crowd often yelled out the lyrics when he forgot them and even guitar chords.

[lisaann1213]

@sicfuc66 That's sad. I've also read at various times he was doped up on alot of psych meds, probably some he didn't need.

[sicfuc66]

@lisaann1213 yea he was, and i dont think he needed em either. But now i guess we'll never know:( but we still have his beautiful honest music to listen to forever, which i plan to do.

[lisaann1213]

@sicfuc66 Yes we do!!!! God bless Elliott Smith!!!!

[mercvry]

When you are depressed it does help to play melodic minor key riffs and changes that soothe without being maudlin. And then to drape perfect melancholic lyrics on top really makes life O.K. for a minute or two. We're lucky he stayed around as long as he did , making these beautiful songs. I'd call it a fulfilled life.

[toobusy4this]

mercvry... thanks for saying that. very cool. im a musician like you, and i relate to your words. well said. people dont understand that truth is not dangerous. it wont hurt you

unless you decide to fight it. flow with it, and it will take you

to the other side. its usually others that will try to stop you, because they are afraid. melodic minor, melancholy and such the like are just parts of the truth. something would have been missing all those years without elliott's musical presence!

[Alvin2K4S]

you're completely right man. this is possibly my favorite thing ANYONE has had to say about elliott smith. most everyone else is still stuck in the tornado of questions/criticism. we really were lucky to have him for as long as he decided to stick around.

[dopplegager]

I think this is the first time that I have ever seen him without his wrist band.

[elliottsmithiswithme]

ironic, he was so brilliant. i love him and always will. thanks for holding on so long elliot. you are the reason i am here today.

[peterhamilrules]

its really hard for me to see him like this. you can just see how sad he is during this. he doesn't even seem like the same person

-peace

[Stillillgal]

one of his wrost shows 4 sure...

but stil... it's elliott

[onlyeyesabove]

is his hair braded?????

[tamasf]

haha yep...like someone said below..welliot nelson

[timothywyatt72]

haha...Welliot Nelson. That's insane.

[scottss7]

"cause you gotta get high right now" amazing lyrical change.

[mymayapapaya]

Where is his bracelet?

[consisting]

there is a quote somewhere of him saying at a show 'man i've had this bracelet for so long, and it's breaking, it'll probably only last another x months' , so it probably broke, it was what, 8 years that he wore it or something.

[mymayapapaya]

Yeah, I actually have that quote in my Youtube video - Elliott talking. Duh, I should have thought of that. :)

[jeo616]

he said it at the hendry fonda theatre I believe it was in 2003. I have the show on my itunes amazing show.

[jeo616]

he had the same bracelet in 2003. he just didnt have it for this show.

[dxs8009]

love the song, but it's about doing coke....

[dxs8009]

or speed.....not sure that which matters...

[workingmansblues]

How many times this song ran through my head. And then I met my wife. She's listened to this song and it spoke to her too. It's become our song (corny though that sounds). Elliott Smith was a superior artist.

[mymayapapaya]

This video makes me cry. :(

[Lymmar]

If anyone did not get the 2 disc set of previously unreleased tracks called "New Moon" that came out last year I would seriously advise picking that up.

[nalomelimaia]

his hairstyle reminds me of willie nelson :)

[swans1997]

Welliot Nelson.

[allairjordan23]

Elliot is anything but a waste.

[knovinski]

Can you read? The guy you quoted called Elliott a "brilliant and awesome songwriter". Take a few minutes and read the quote again and if you still don't get it, have a grown up explain it to you.

[pepeborton]

me encantaaaaaaaaaa

[brandonkirk]

What a waste of talent. He was brilliant and an awesome song writer.