MIDNIGHT COWBOY THEME - TOOTS THIELEMANS at The Boston Pops

[akatsuki2116]

great harmonica virtuosos

[IpervONyourMUMMY]

Well if this is the pinnacle of Belgian pride then you guys must have very empty lives. At least we here in the UNITED KINGDOM have high unemployment, high immigration, farcical so called 'Human Rights', a judicial system that's poorest second to none, ........... Hold on,,,,,, screw the UK I'm coming to Belgium!!! I love Toots and Belgium Buns! God bless you guys!!!

[FutureLaugh]

extraordinary composition!

[Zedzian23]

This is a reprise of sorts from Toots, as he was tapped by John Barry to play on the original film score. Who else?

[gottohavesoul]

What artistry. Toots in great from playing this beautiful tune. Music of the highest order!

[freeamericausa1]

This is the music of an America that no longer exists. A time when Human beings actually talked to one-another, cheered together, laughed together, and cried together because...at a time in our History. Believe it or not. WE WERE ALL ONE.

[zenviper]

@freeamericausa1 one what?

[paullavan2011]

All I can say is - God Save Belgium.

[ezimotsuc123]

Toots, you make me pride to be a Belgian!

[raulevich]

Belgium man awesome!!!

[quicktothe4]

I just love to watch the conductor really getting into the groove, his face says it all about Toots performance.

[clemdane]

This music's been haunting me for years and I stupidly talked myself out of knowing it was Midnight Cowboy even though I was sure of it. I told myself that the theme song was Everybody's Talkin' so I must be wrong that this theme was from MC. For that reason I could never figure out what movie it was from. I finally found it via Google by searching on "plaintive harmonica movie theme music 1970s." Thank God I found it. I think it's permanently lodged in my soul.

[quicktothe4]

Stunning!!

[wildmanwhis]

great film great tune

[DeathToNewbie]

2:26 - 2:32 "OMG what a surge of musical genius, have- to- restraint- myself!"

[breeeegs]

there's something about Midnight Cowboy, both book and film, that really hits home for me . I can't really put my finger on it but i think it has to do with the story, characters and the atmosphere of 1970s New York

[jspiker1974]

@breeeegs Having characters and atmosphere of 70s New York is all the more remarkable for the book having been published in 1965 and the movie released in 1969. But I get your gist.

[breeeegs]

well thank you for not being snide and patronizing about it. its so rare to find someone as polite as you in this year of 2020. Oh my God I did it again!

[inzetdurf10]

good old Toots!

[TheEarthgirl61]

I bought my son a Chromtic Hohner.

He just Graduated Leeds School of Music

Nuff said

[Socratess2007]

Belgium's "Best Export product" ever ..... Jean "Toots" Thielemans has played together with all the great names in the music industry and rightfully so. He's the "music man" from Brussels - Toots WE LOVE YOU !!!

[chkjns]

@Socratess2007 Poor me - you do not peruse my 750 music playlists enough. Of COURSE this is on my Film Music Favorites list, and for some time now! I even used this to start a Toots Thielemans playlist which, sadly, I need to do MUCH more work on! chuck

[Socratess2007]

@chkjns It's becoming real difficult to "send you some nice musical presents" ;-) (you seem to have seen or heard it all !! ) But you are right my friend : I must visit your great channel more - I hereby promiss that I will do my best to go there more often :)) !!!

[Z0liveR]

I still hear it a lot often. I will hear 2 times Toots this year, it's the best gift I can give to myself, when it's still time to hear him in front of me ^^

[gosszilla0]

more cowbell...

[velotwo1]

@Daven56 toots has his own line of chromatic harmonicas made by honer .....

[joeyballz110]

People that are great at what they do always make it look easy

[Daven56]

I started to learn the harmonica just to learn to play this song ( not like this of course) and half-a-dozen others. Anyway,

I'm hoping one of you good people know the type of harmonica is he playing?

[MrTrungo]

@Daven56 I've no idea what make of harmonica toots is playing, but the key is in A. Hope that helps a little.

[gigipeke1]

@ LUCKYSMUSIC 

no ... the greatest .... i'm also from Brussels of course

[Z0liveR]

Since some weeks I don't count how much time I listen to this. It's really orgasmusicsmic

[1975mindy]

'this great music is timeless

[Z0liveR]

I agree, a real damn 3.45 music orgasm <3

[mackemlad888]

This is a 3.45 musical orgasm. PERIOD.

[antoniodcz]

i am not an imbecile, I love toots thielemans, and I love his playing his playing on this soundtrack

[sabsaka]

I forgot to ask how imbecile one must be to dislike this....

[sabsaka]

imbeciles are now three...

[rueduberger]

EXTRAORDINAIRE !!!

[JeanLeeke]

The BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jtaray]

Almost like every possible variation on a theme. Very beautiful, I would love to hear him team up with a sax.

[sabsaka]

:-O I know him since long time, and everytime he can shock me again, and again... How can he play like that???

[trustinvrede]

wonderful

[woosailor]

Toots is the most amazing blues harp player

[isaac8968]

Your music is so sweet!!! Number #1

[sgttitano]

commovente

[feedbackl00p]

A genuinely classic movie theme. :)

[mackemlad888]

This is a musical orgasm lasting 3.45

[waberline]

My number one!!!!Toots You are the BEST!!!!

[AmorimThe7th]

I love this song! Movie and theme are perfects!

[ocariocao]

Ohhh boy, how I miss the good old songs... where have all the good composers gone to???

[underuneke]

den Toots; aja beter zen er niet

[waynenduane]

awesome....

[jhondoe1981]

Thank You so much, Toots :'-(

[UFOSPACE1999]

John Williams the Boston Pops!!! Toots Thieleman, playing John Barry's Midnight Cowboy..Doesn't get any better...VERY GOOD here...

[batmanyey]

toots is absolutely awesome :) so beautiful

[logischeleeuwin]

this should be playd at my funeral

[dcwcnd]

That's John "Mr Movie Soundtrack" Williams conducting,

[9secondsflat]

That isthe name of the song? theme from midnight cowboy? I just heard this on the tv show hee haw with roy clark and another person with a harmonica..

[Groovingfool]

For example......... You have some names in particular? Because those 2 are the crem de crem as far as I've heard. But I am still listening. The jury is still out. You have some reccomendations?

[Wysefunction]

going to see him live in my hometown of Maastricht the Netherlands on October 29th. can't wait

[sotogal]

practicamente convirtió a la armonica en una extremidad mas de su cuerpo.

[gitarische]

Toots the best harmonicaplayer in the world and from Belgium !!!

[harpmaniak]

Toots on a cloud!

[Mandi7882]

Listening to this has always been so beautiful for me...it makes you want to cry and feel good at the same time...

[jn2006]

so beautiful,love it ,thanks for sharing

[Groovingfool]

This guy and Stevie Wonder are the only 2 guys that can make a harmonica Cry.(& me too!) Brilliant Performance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Evryone of his performances is life changing!

[gitarische]

@Groovingfool

Stevie learned it from him and they can speak with eachother thrue playing harmonica, that's what i hear

[Groovingfool]

@gitarische I'm sure ,as talented as they are,they do speak to each other. LOL But on a plane that is much higher than the average bear! LOL

[ElizabethGS]

@Groovingfool Actually, there are many, many other very good chromatic harmonica players. If you do a google or YouTube search you'll find some excellent jazz and classical chromatic playing. But Toots and Stevie are what I consider 'First Tier'...among harmonica players. Most harmonica players would think of those two on that level as well. But there are other excellent harmonica players internationally. Then there are the diatonic players to be considered, both past and present.

[lleuwelynn]

@ElizabethGS There is a lot that those others havent done yet though as Toots. Leaving a heritage to younger ones of how to move your soul with fine tunes and a life full with honest music for example. He is even at his age still enjoying to play his music as much as he was a kid. That is a level I would like to reach one day too.

[ZAOUWV]

Mister Toots Tielemans. Formidable

[PonderingPig]

Fat Belgian guys rule!

[lrnewto]

The best rendition of all. John Barry,s greatest song.

[landztranz]

Can anyone tell me when this great concert took place?

[MarceloBatista1]

The eternal TOOTS! For ever and ever... the great, great TOOTS THIELEMANS!!!

There's nothing more to say!!! Thanks a lot for this so agreeable moment!!!

From BraSil

Marcelo Batista

[ZAOUWV]

@MarceloBatista1 Totally agree with you! Ther great great Toots

[Carvinter]

I don't think Toots ever knew just how COOL he looked on that stage with the"Pops" backin' him up, and John Williams matchin' him note for note.

Truly Classic!

[patthehat]

What an amazingly gifted player and such a beautiful, haunting melody. I would love to have seen this in person. I used to delight at watching Eddie Gordon perform this exquisitely in person, i.e., until his recent passing. (R.I.P., Eddie.) But thanks for the video - next best thing. (>]:o)~

[bigpudding8888]

Wow, i didnt know someone could make such sweet music on a harmonica, fantastic

[DeathToNewbie]

This is truly a beautiful piece.

[MrCrissr]

There are no countrys borders or nationalitys just peaple and this is world wide class music is free

[logixish]

Sigh inducing. Gorgeous

[ramonysuarmonica]

Very good and very nice,brilliant master wonderful

[normanator1971]

does anyone know what kind of harmonica he plays

[oneofthecrowd]

@normanator1971 One with a microphone attached, by the looks of it.

[ElizabethGS]

@normanator1971 a Hohner chromatic...microphone is not 'attached', but he's holding the mic with the wire up to the chromatic. Someone else stated earlier that Hohner makes two 'Toots' models named for him: the Hard Bopper and the mellow tone? I only know of the Hard Bopper which I believe is what he is playing. But there are many chromatic models by Hohner he could play should he choose.

[psychedelicshalom34]

Wonderful music for a wonderful movie... I'm speachless!

[USNBrat13]

Fabulous....

[JohnRagoon]

Just a Brilliant piece of music..

[Gunnabee]

luv this, thanks for posting it..luckysmusic

[WisconsinRun]

His first name might be Toot,but his middle name is Brilliant!

[ElizabethGS]

@WisconsinRun Actually, his first name is Jean. His nickname is 'Toots'. :)

[1968spart]

A master at work and no mistake.

[Fleeced247]

WOW.

[vittoriostoraro]

BRAVO TOOTS !

[maxinebrownsmic]

Toots is the tops!

[bangsmoke]

He's got a touch and feel on that instrument that's uncanny.

[carlmonico]

ONE OF THE WORLDS ALL TIME GREATS !!

[halfcabdisaster7]

This song could easily bring me to tears.

[noutjie]

i saw him this year at Jazz Middelheim, such an incredible man...

[mdhf]

Toots plays a chromatic harmonica. Homer makes 2 Toots models, The Mellow Tone and The Hard Bopper.

[ElizabethGS]

@mdhf that's HOHNER...

[Buggaton]

What type of harmonica is he playing? That sounds like it's a chromatic, not a diatonic.  Please someone tell me ^^

[mistofoles]

Eh? Is that John Williams conducting??

[gubat137]

if you enjoyed the music, see the movie as well.

wonderful!

by the way, check out VELAS too

[MrDerloc]

A few weeks ago Toots played this theme from Midnight Cowboy live in Antwerp.. 88 years' old and still touching the hearts and souls of 15.000 people that gave him a standing ovation.. Unforgettable!!

[degrotetafel]

World heritage !

PS for the British tabloid readers : Toots is a Belgian, like Van Rompuy, and Brel, and Magritte and Ensor, and ... :-)

[pontdain]

@degrotetafel

You could only think of four others? What about Tin Tin, or Marc Dutroux, or ... hmm, it is difficult to think of any, isn't it?

[silvanski]

@degrotetafel

... The Smurfs, Adolphe Sax ... oh yes and Jean-Claude Van Damme ;-)

[yeodawg]

@silvanski YOU FORGOT chocOLATE!

[silvanski]

@yeodawg

Absolutely!!

[twangbarfly]

@degrotetafel ....and Eddy Merckx of course :-)

[surrealIdeal]

@degrotetafel and Tintin, Father Damien, Mercator, Rubens, us..

[ardiesken]

@degrotetafel

Henin , clijsters, Sax, Rogge, technotronic, soulsister, bobbejaan schoepen...

[jazwis441]

@degrotetafel vergeet adolph sax niet !! dont forget adolph sax :-)

[pilgim]

@degrotetafel and..... fucking tin tin .the end.

[scanjet2100]

this song made the film for me,,superb tune.

close your eyes and let the music take you back to a treasured time..

[superboer67]

I saw Toots perform at Gelredome Arnhem. He played ths song. He is 88 years old and still going strong amazing.

[Mitch1130]

87 year old....i saw him in Rotterdam last week. I´m very impressed....this must be the biggest belgium artist ever.

[drohegda]

this song has memories flowin through my mind. days gone by. beautiful. just beautiful

[suzanno10]

I love that!

[jhondoe1981]

So beautiful to see the great Toots Thielemans on stage!

The happiness, joy and desperation of his playing is unreachable!

(thank you luckysmusic for upload this video)

[sweeenoo]

Thank you Toots for all the beautiful note choices. I hope I get to see him perform soon.

[Tonydan48]

WOW! He is absolutely amazing!

[Zoetezoen]

breathtaking

[Millhouse73]

Im just cryng-this is soo beautiful

[boru25]

You wouldn't hear something like this in todays fast moving world.

[halfcabdisaster7]

Fatih No More covered this on their album Angel Dust.

[vettemuziekjes]

i'm just amazed i got to see him live

[Eugenios]

M A G I C ! ! !

[pluctrem]

Ik hou van die man,zo mooi ,zo mooi.

[irarube]

this, The Getaway and leave a Tender Moment Alone with Billy Joel are his finest.

[TheyCallMeGroucho]

Beautiful playing by Toots. So expressive in his way as Paul Desmond on the sax. Very lyrical.

Larry, Taiwan

[bluemaxxi]

Oh my ...soooo very wonderful ...Thank you !!!!!

[VegiRulez]

Prachtig Buurman!!!

[spunkkymunkky]

this is the most beautiful tune i have ever heard growing up

[Edouardoor]

What a great -and indeed gentle- man he is. We, of Brussels are so proud of him. When he starts to speak slang, he makes all the audiance laughing in no time. A great entertainer with his weak and soft voice. In an interview, he said that nothing is coming by itself but by hard work everyday. Maybe a little bit less now that he has reached a blessed age. The mournfull sound is the result of the 'blue note' he said recently. And all that by a an harmonica, WOW indeed!

[fornatu7]

Beautifully written Edouardoor.

Thank you for sharing with us.

[baroninet]

THIELEMANS , podemos chama-lo de único.

Fantástico.

[Funfactorylabel]

Ons eigenste ketje ! He's the greatest of all !

[GypsyFairy69]

Magic!

[nandoGdog]

This makes me wanna hop on a bus to Florida!

[Zamaskowanygongo]

@nandoGdog Take me with You:]

[djangledoobledangus]

@nandoGdog Would you also like to wet yourself and pass away?

[landztranz]

Yes, Toots is great, of course! I often wonder about those marvelous variations: Does he work them out in his head before he plays them or are they simply the result of trial and error? Does anyone know? I'd love to know.

[landztranz]

Obviously I don't mean that he uses trial and error during a performance. What I mean is I can't imagine that he improvises everything on the spot(!) and I wonder how he does it. Anyone know?

[UFOSPACE1999]

...and that is John Williams conducting and John used Toots many times on his own soundtracks.

[guatay]

Beautiful...just beautiful...!

[KLOKFXR]

What a sweet mournfull sound this man is able to bring out of such an unsuspecting instrument. An Harmonica. WOW

[tipsss]

that's some beautiful music

[dixoin56]

Thanks for this posting,Saw Toots at the last Ford Jazz Fest just an incredible artist.The Jazz Harmonica player.

[andtomorrow]

finding something new, great to follow him through a great theme

[sirmontyrock]

Now that's good.

[mackemlad888]

This is the musical equivalent of a 3.45 orgasm!!

[blogward]

A million thanks for posting this. Toots' playing is so expressive.

[LHL7536]

Toots is most probably one of the best musicians in the World!! It just doesn't get much better than this!!

[reztibuats]

Super song and this version is so well done- in the movie at this point when the song was playing his heart and soul had hit the point where he had enough.

[ValsHere]

The essence of excellence reigns supreme here.

That made me feel all the emotions that Midnight Cowboy did. Very touching you know.

In gratitude,

Val

[guatay]

A classic...FOREVER!

[phillyroxx]

One of my favorite movies ever!!! I can't help myself from shedding a few tears just listening to toots play. Thanx for the post luckysmusic!

[phillyroxx]

I am speechless!!!

[Mazinga]

Great!!!

[chevyvictor]

Simpsons. Kent Brockman youre fired song!

[RBsaikou]

Jast brilliant.

[RBsaikou]

Brilliant.

[JCuster89]

Great.

[orpheuzinho]

Nothing to say.....marvelous!!!!