David Sylvian - Ghosts (live acoustic + interview)

[ianrussll]

Groundbreaking at the time to take an electronic classic and re-interpret it with just an accoustic guitar. I can't think of any other artists of the time that would've risked a performance like this - love it!

[rokpaus]

He looks like David

[audiotrax2000]

Stunning.

[BlackMandarin]

not better than the original...but not bad :)

[rubbersammy70]

I love this version!! He's handsome, clever and brilliant!

[SaviourGermany]

This version sucks. It destroys the atmosphere of the original version

[shinysynthcity]

Love that accent  ;)

[hingamy]

just a Bowie pretender

[Brichi60]

freetobefreddy, well, I think this works brilliantly on acoustic. Very interesting chords.

[geeoffgl]

I disagree with the Bob Dylan - Neil Young comment. David has his own style, and if you can use your imagination and modify a bit of the musical arrangement, ANYONE can make ANY song sound good acoustically.

[indiareed]

you know, I think I like David's voice better the way it is NOW than when he was younger. His voice is richer now, lucky guy.

[neil1800]

great!

it's my favourite 'ghosts' i think

[bumsweaters]

I remember watching this live at the time... it sounds as good now as it did all those years ago!

[paranormalcrazy]

lpve ot

[electrique527]

Bless youTube! I would never ever have seen this!

Thank you for putting this here!

R

[arklefinitay]

lewisham has always been part of london

[marymmc1966]

I used to have this on VHS. Thanks for posting it. Fantastic even after all these years.

[Doriana58]

That is the interview where I fell in love with David 4 1/2 years ago... Extraordinary personality, beautiful voice and that subtlety....

[indiareed]

Man, thanks for putting this up, this is really, really great despite the shaky start.

[CarmelBellanca]

superb, brings back lots of good memories; still a cool tune...

[koshenko]

never heard this version. I LOVE IT !!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[ajent0rangex]

Anyone knows the chords for this song?

[aiyic]

YT user, mindhead2005, does a very clear version where you can see the chords.

[kingscoop]

I've had this on video for 20 years now and still think it's one of the coolest performances ever. Way before all the fuss over MTV Unplugged and David could only have been about 22 or 23 at the time. Fantastic stuff. Thanks for posting

[alexurqaunit]

brilliant version, his voice is incredible alongside the 12 string guitar

[KatarinaSu]

I personally favor this acoustic version over the original. I wish an acoustic Ghosts was available.

[oogie11]

I agree with you, the acoustic version sounds more dreamy and poignant in some ways :)

[Andres21479]

I respect your opinion, but electronic version is darker and more atmospheric, and makes it more atractive,

[oogie11]

um hmm, i can see your point....the electronic is more spaced out, more..well, as you say darker.....personally, i like both in equal measure :)

[gothgirl25]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this. I agree the start is quite rocky but around 1:33 he really finds his groove and his vocal is pretty magical. Sylvian will always be one of my favorites.

[Lebonah]

His voice is one of the best I´ve heard, and suited this song beautifully, in evry versions I´ve seen, doesn´t matter acoustic guitar or not.

[minkhs]

No , this song should be played with all origynal version instruments

[freetobefreddy]

No offence, but I don't think this song is given to an acoustic guitar version. I mean its not a Bob Dylan or Neil Young track.

[CircusOfHeaven]

i pretty much agree with you.. but people seem to be extremelly excited about this version hm?:)

[philxbx]

I'd have to agree, but then, when you listen to the original version, it's hard to imagine it could be played acoustic?!

[natalishunia]

his voice is great:)

[ajs41]

Love the interview at the end there. Must be in about October or November 1982.

Lewisham is in the traditional county of Kent I think, even though it's part of Greater London now.

[bumsweater]

I remember seeing this live when it first came out 198something... it sounds better now than ever!

[oogie11]

aah, david sylvian...nice...but i just have one question...is he really from lewisham??? i thought he was born in kent...hmm....

[oogie11]

wow, qite lovely performance, unique in its way, his voice does remind me of Matt Johnson from The The, or am i wrong?

[Agrati1]

Never seen this clip before. Good to see Sylvian singing solo with his guitar. Good improvisation of a claasic Japan song.

[fantasticvoyages]

Fascinating

[despoolkop]

this guy? david sylvian,listen he is good.give a listen.

[lukealpha]

cool band i don't like 80s music that much but this is cool probably cause he influenced by bowie

[jackiwithani]

i love the improv.......when you've heard this song 5 zillion times like I have, you welcome a bit of variety. He can do no wrong in my eyes.

[CircusOfHeaven]

he kind of did with the 2000 remake in my eyes but oh well, that's just me :P

[TheCompleteGuitarist]

Cool, this guy is such a huge inspiration to me right now.

[Minnietor]

Hiya, don't suppose you know the chords he's using? Trying to figure out a similar acoustic version of Brilliant Trees too :-) Help appreciated.

[BetteDillinger]

His voice is one of those rare instruments you just KNOW it is D. Sylvian when one of his songs comes on. He is so bashful and shy, even though he had done so much with Japan by the time of the making of this video...but there is always an element of vulnerability.....his greatest strength, IMO. Love him.

[Errorkin]

Even better than the original. So pretty.

[CircusOfHeaven]

i wouldn't agree on that one but i'd definitely be with you if we were choosing between this and the re-sung version of 2000 hehe

[DroffilcRenevac]

on this particular clip david played another song.I think it was the other side of life can you post this aswell

[CircusOfHeaven]

sadly not - it's not a property of mine for now!

[missbabyice]

he's so well-spoken! his speaking voice sounds very different to singing voice

[fantasticvoyages]

yeah, but he said that Ingrid's kid didn't understand his british accent so his voice has become somewhat neutral-american now

[dermotoblong]

brilliant. if youve got any taste.

[bminternet43]

how cool is he.

[CircusOfHeaven]

very~

[fingersin]

I love his nose.

[CircusOfHeaven]

jeez so do i!

[clich432]

Sylvian has to be the ultimate proof that true and utter perfection really exists in this world. Not only is he the most handsome man in the history of mankind, but his voice and his music sounds like something only God could have mastered. If I believed in that stuff, I'd say that Sylvian actually is God himself.

[rittaro]

I read a lot of things about Japan/David Sylvian, and what you say are the most clever words I have ever read, it is a perfection physically, spiritually, cleverly and in the achievements, never equalled by anyone and it won't never be reached by anyone, something unique, just perfect, as God is, he is like a God indeed.

[lastboyscout57]

great vid!!! reminds me of outlandish hair styles.....

[GardensOfStone]

Can someone isolate the music clip from the interview, please? The interview has not aged as well as well as the music.

For someone regarded as esoteric, the lyrics here are easy to grasp, and are very audible as well.

[CircusOfHeaven]

what?

[GardensOfStone]

'We're splittng up after the tour in January' - that was over 25 years ago. 'Nough said.

I do think the musicianship and dexterity of vocals, as well as guitar, are great.

[CircusOfHeaven]

i'm sorry about your nostalgia.

[GardensOfStone]

To acknowledge that, you perhaps dabble in it yourself.

[CircusOfHeaven]

absolutely, couldn't agree with you any more on that..

[january147]

I remember watching this, love his voice, I could listen to it 24/7. What a nice, charming man.

[mashamorgan]

thanx Alanip, I'm shit at working chords out, much appreciated !!

[pariskola]

David please wear eyeshadow again!!!

[CircusOfHeaven]

i don't think the secret is eyeshadow anyway xD

[jebbyblobby]

Truly hypnotic. The soundtrack to my life.

[midlantica]

Been a Japan/Sylvian fan forever and I've never heard this or anything like it. Fantastic. New Romantics unplugged!

[CircusOfHeaven]

ohh lovely thought :D

[alanip]

I think the chords are:

(verse)

Gbm Dbm7 Gbm Dbm7

D Abm Gbm Dm7

Gbm Dm7

(chorus)

Cbm7 Am7 Cbm7 Am7

Em Gbm G Em Gm

Cbm7 Am7 Cbm7 Am7

Em Gbm Gbm7 Dm7

[alanip]

sorry, missed a "G":

Em Gbm G Gbm7 Dm7

[CircusOfHeaven]

such a shame i don't play the guitar!

[SPORTINGMUSE]

where in birmingham did he play! shame i missed it.

A genius and an excellent human being.

[gone4aturd]

i was at birmingham aswell, what a fantastic nite, if i can get tickets, were off to see him again in october in europe somewhere.

paul

kidderminster

[AllanBeechey]

Also saw the gig in Birminham last night - truly awesome. He can take a masterpiece, reshape it, remodel it, and it still be fantastic. Brilliant Trees and Before the Bullfight prove that too. Allan. Hinckley, UK

[aloched]

Saw it in Glasgow last Sat. Awesome. Bullfight was the sound of the evening until the second encore with WANDERLUST. Moved to tears at this mans genius.

[bangles8]

Sylvian included a fabulous version of Ghosts in his set at Birmingham last night...... as part of what was a superb performance from him and his band. If anyone gets the opportunity to see him live, take it.... the guys still a creative and musical genius.

Chris

Nottingham

England

[sixfeetjenna]

Just when I thought...I was tired of this song I heard this version. Great!

[tobesailor]

Can't wait too see him in Amsterdam in october! Is there something more that can help me relax?

[CircusOfHeaven]

oh, there's a mean lookin' elephant bangin' at your door he eats from your table, sleeps on your floor! Nine Horses are awesome!

[RobinErrece]

yes mate! i just heard it a few days ago! wonderfull world amazing tune

[lewid003]

HI ya is any one able to post the chords here for all to see?If we can combine our eforts we should get somewhere.Maybe RobinErr can help us out their good!

[stevepaselli]

Those chords are "wrong" by intention. No two versions of this song are alike, hust the melody stays the same. The lyric are wonderful.

[CircusOfHeaven]

what do you mean 'wrong' by intention?

[stevepaselli]

I mean he's playing chords which are "right" for each measure of melody, but "wrong" as a whole. The melody's has been created on different chords than he is playing. A classic Sylvian trick: listen to "Pop Song".

[CircusOfHeaven]

ohhh i get it now, haha, 'classic Sylvian trick' ;)

[duemilalire]

please someone could give me the chords of this song!!!

[RobinErrece]

I know the chords to the propper version, not this one

[duemilalire]

ok if you have, please send me it will be good as well thanks!

[YoshiMaeyama]

Sorry.You are CircusOfHeaven,thanks.

[CircusOfHeaven]

lol x} you're welcome.

[YoshiMaeyama]

Thanks, tuechterbhoy. This is perfect video of Sylvian's live & interview!

[tuechterbhoy]

Ah this is what Im looking for.Thanks.