Richard Manuel/The Band--You Don't Know Me

[munchello]

Umm, this is good, and I, too, love and miss Richard Manuel, but has The Connerman ever heard of Ray Charles? Now I see that other people have pointed this out, but not the fact that Richard Manuel is clearly doing his best to sing this song just like Ray Charles. He acknowledged that Charles was his biggest influence. I'm just sayin'. Manuel also listened to James Booker, better known as "The Piano Prince of New Orleans," and an underrated singer in his own right.

[treehuggerdude4]

conneman, ray charles has a version of this song. You should check it out. Its also really great...

[PurpleHouse2658]

I had no idea that one of my all-time favorite singers had recorded one of my all-time favorite songs. Too much!

[MrAudiophile69]

Richard Manuel - Unfairly Underrated

[mythtree]

his flawless feeling...hard to handle...

if only, if only...

[pretorious700]

Funny what passes for "singing" now, and ironic that most people never heard of Richard. He personifies the high lonesome quality of real emotive singing-nothing theatrical, not a false note. Nothing fancy, just good.

[28fireflies]

I love this version just as much as the Tokyo 1983; it's so hard to believe that he is gone; there won't be another. Rest in peace, Richard, sing with the angels.

[rocktenniscat]

Absolutely KILLER. What a divine voice. If only we could have held you up, helped you, when you decided to take your life. Singing with angels now.

[JustAintthatWay]

this is so good i dont thnk anybody even a wordsmith of the highest order

could describe it adequately gutwrenchingly beautiful

[Darius50]

OH man that's so good. Gives Ray C. a run for his money.

[deadpiginthesunshine]

man oh man richard.

[MosesQJones]

I saw (what was left of The Band and) RM do this tune at the Buffalo Folk Festival in the 80's after he arrived late to the show due to piloting into the city through a snowstorm. A standout musical experience for me, certainly in my top five!!

[doctormonju]

Hey, thanks for posting this.

[rabah1971]

j'ai vu robbie robertson a berlin il ya de cela 10 ans et il est toujours bon

[Shaker72]

Dear God. I never thought anyone, anywhere, ever, would equal Ray Charles's version, but this does. RIP Richard. Still missed.

[jordn6971]

He sounds like a mix of Cat Stevens and Ray Charles. Beautiful!

[bobbybluze]

Richard and Van Morrison were kindred

souls. Both Ray Charles fans. Richard'll

make you cry sometimes.

[thetravellinminstrel]

he never can stop a tear from my eye.......

[TheConneman]

The mesmerized look on that woman's face at the end of the vid says it all.

[SHAMROCK2982]

@TheConneman

25 years ago today we lost the greatest male vocalist.

[wholewheatbagel]

@SHAMROCK2982.

levon helm held a beautiful concert in toronto on the 25th year of manuel leaving this earth. he opened with the shape im in and closed with a beautiful i shall be released. it makes me sad I never got to see Richard Manuel, but his spirit filled the hall that night.

[kraftymomma1979]

Love it, love it. So tender, so real. And thanks for posting!

[stratking69er]

Sleep well Richard. The best!

[iamroberty]

Unbelievable. I could see them cheesing this song up but they play it with restraint and let the emotion in Richard's voice carry the song. So good it makes me want to cry.

[TheConneman]

it's made me cry more than a few times. the emotion in his voice bowls you over every time...it still amazes me that people can sing like this. remarkable.

[Free1108]

I agree. I so loved Richard's voice. He is prime here but I love to hear him do "I Shall Be Released" too. I only wish that things were different...I miss you Richard! I am so sad I could not help...may your soul find the peace it did not on this earth.

[manitoulin13]

@iamroberty

Not sure I get what you mean about them cheesing up this song. An example of them ever doing that?

Beautiful song. The Band rules!

[pendulamook]

@iamroberty well said

[k3304]

this is stunning. RM & Danko was supposed to do a show in Phila when Danko said that RM "felt sick on the mayonase" and he didnt appear. Years later i know why. He had a bad alcohol/addiction problem

[TheWendigo1]

Poor Richard... he sang like a bird and there wasn't enough beauty

[TerrorSquadLaxer]

hopefully he has peace somewhere

[hockeymudder9]

Good Lord! Where have I been? I'm 43 and have never (knowingly) heard this man's voice? Thanks so much for posting; I need to zip out and get some RM on CD. Outstanding!

[sdj23402]

I miss you everyday, buddy.

[nathanjhood]

amen.

[CastleOfThoughts]

I had front row seats on Richard's side of the stage for a "Band" concert in 1971! Wow but Richard Manuel was a presense... it was like he had a halo! That was real bright, that "they" left this song off of the "Band Is Back" video. The version in Japan was not as good as this one!!

[iHaveAl3ellyl3utton]

i envy you man! you got to see the Beak up close an personal! i wish i was there to see the Band play live... oh well, at least we still have their records. im thankful for that

[seanquinn10]

Richard Manuel, I love you, your voice was and still is an inspiration, may you rest in peace buddy

[Kidtwister]

I miss his tormented soul :(

[mikeymodavis123]

best version on youtube.

[ronbo11]

What a fantastic version of this evergreen. Manuel is the king of white soul singers!

[linfordwoods]

I find that I go through stages of liking different singers in the band, but this song really has staying power, Richard is surely the greatest, thanks for the post...

[Scarletapril]

Wonderful. His best though is "Share Your Love".

[MORRISNL1988]

true, i played that on repeat for a week

[Stekelpaardje]

Yes absolutely amazing! Is there a recording of this song available on cd?

[goldenearthgirl90]

Yes, this is on Richard's live album Whispering Pines: Live At The Getaway 1985.

[Landrew120880]

Just an FYI: This version of "You Dont Know" me is from a different source. The album version is Richard at the keys solo and is probably a Roland or Yamaha. Thanx.

[GraachAhim]

I have the "Whispering Pines" CD. The songs there are rendered in a too "laid back" style, as if Manuel was singing to a bunch of friends only (and that may have been the case). His rendering to "You Don't Know Me" sounds almost like some "karaoke" when compared to this here pure gem.

[HaFannyHa]

Richard is my favourite male singer. Too soulful, and utterly natural. By god, could he make you feel the emotion! God bless, Richard - and keep serenading for when I get there...

[TheConneman]

Absolutely...he rips your heart out every time.

[Markgr122]

Hey,my friend,how are you?Thanks alot.

[hoary37]

I get tired of the comparisons. This is a wonderful rendition but Ray Charles grabs me more. To each his own. They're both great.

[Markgr122]

Thank you.

[TheConneman]

Very welcome Mark. Hope all is well!

[anthonythirteen]

For those who think he's sounding a little 'rough' just remember that RM was not physically or mentally well at this time. Makes this song even more poignant. Any favourable comparisons with Ray Charles are undertandable, but they both had a soul full of heartache in their voices.

[fropen]

Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko and Levon Helm- you don't find that kind of talent and songwriters these days-let alone in a single band. I guess thats why they're THE band.

[darinmaclachlan]

Great song...btw...Chinese Communist Party: End the 10 year persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

[ForbesSt]

What a voice! The Band was blessed with 3 great great singers. Too soon gone, Richard and Rick. Rock on, Levon!

Forbes

[Markgr122]

This is wonderful.I have copies of the show on DVD but it doesnt have this included.I also have the Japan show from their tour two months later.He does a great version of this but his voice was rougher then here.Great,but a little rougher.Thanks for this great performance

[TheConneman]

You're all welcome.

Mark--this was sadly cut from the DVD and also the VHS, if I recall correctly. This show was broadcast as a PPV in Canada and that is the source of this song.

Is that Japan show on DVD? Either way, I'd kill to hear another rendition of this.

[GregVermont]

Fabulous - thanks for sharing this with us....

Happy Birthday to the Beak.

[GraachAhim]

Voilá !! This wonderful video is back ! I just can't understand why it was retrieved. This is the greatest rendition I ever heard of this song, Manuel sang it even better than Ray Charles did.

[Stephanjnj]

A very soulful performance.

[Scottswimmer69]

Thank you for this post Conneman.