Joe Bageant told me he cried when I sent him this video. Said the first thing he did was sent it to his wife and she cried too. I was lucky to have known Joe. We had some falling out but he was a rare guy who saw through it all.
This long is so much like the story of my experience in the little Southern town I grew up in and my subsequent return there after my education, and my eventual need to leave it is so poignantly like this story that it's uncanny.
I love this song, I listened to the Kate Rusby version which has a delight of it`s own. The whole family are involved in her music and they have their own label "Pure Records".
When she sings other artist`s material she is very aware of the history, she finds songs from books sometimes 500 years old and brings them back to life. It is brilliant to see where Kate finds her inspiration and Iris Dement certainly inspired Kate because her version is a little bit special.
If I don't stop hitting REPEAT and staring at Emmylou, I'm gonna cry. Why am I not surprised to find ELH intrinsically involved with the most beautiful song on You Tube? Gawd, how I'd love to dance with both these gals ~ but then, who would sing the song? Emmylou, you effect me like none other, but Iris, you're stiff competition yourself. Totally elegant, ladies ~ well done, well done.
thank you so much every time i watch this it sends a shiver right through me FROM START TO FINISH!!! every song you sing you can feel the sincerety in every single beautiful note (you've had me in tears a good few times)keep it up you are awesome, many thanks...GLENN.
I just love this song, what a beautifully distinctive voice. I must have played this song fifty times in the last six months. No one could sing it better, bless you Iris.
Iris and Emmylou, each time that I listen to your performance of "Our Town" I am grateful to you all over again that you share your God-given talent with the rest of us.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
This song is FUCKING HORRIBLE not even Country lovers would like this song. I really like the part were she starts singing like about how nothing ever lasts so say goodbye. Go cry emo kid...
Thanks, I actually did some "research". :-) He's terrific, and you can sure tell the strong link between American "roots"/folk/bluegrass music and the much older music from 'the Isles' when he plays.
He's a regular with the Trans Atlantic Sessions House Band isn't he? What a wonderful, wonderful show! I see more of my favorite American musicians on there than here in the States!
A truly great song, with the wonderful Emmylou and the wonderful Jerry Douglas on dobro...and who's that fiddle player? He knows what the song is about too.
Good grief, I must have watched this vid at least 20 times and never noticed that it was Aly Bain!!! There should be an embarrassed smily available for moments like this! An original Humblebum, along with Billy Connelly and Gerry Rafferty!
For those not familiar with him, there's an Aly youtube, performing with the magnificent Nicola Benedetti and his long-time fellow musical zealot, Phil Cunningham....
@bobby505050 i believe her husband(greg brown- check his music out---it's great too) would take issue with your request. i understand the sentiment though
I was introduced to Iris Dement through John Prine. She has an amazing voice. Her spirit whispers through her music so beautifuly, its hard not to shed a tear,
I THICK THIS LADY Is outstanding Her work is all that and a lot more Sings out this wold and put's it so well I love it!!!! I have never here a bad song be her, Why just one LP? thats all I can find its good But I wont MORE!!! I walk down main streat where I got my car ahahah I love it KISS MW GOOD BYE My heard's going 2 DIe!! LOL
Iris DeMent, a recent and very pleasant discovery for me. Such a true country voice/delivery......so natural, heartfelt and lovely. I've never heard Emmylou Harris' voice blend more beautifully with anyone before.
@levanyzzuf Funny enough, I had the exact opposite experience with her- and I normally GREATLY prefer hearing artists live over their album, but when I went and saw Iris ~2 years ago, she had no energy, and it was as if she sang all her songs in slow mo...it was massively disappointing....I was hoping it was just a bad night, and maybe it was.
Came here after typing in Fullerton, California which I haven't seen in 25 years, and finding endless videos of drunken fights in the streets, which now look like the hood. It was a little whitebread town, home of Fender Guitars and aerospace workers. These beautiful ladies singing a lament for their America-- had to come here and listen to them next. Dow Jones fell 513 points yesterday, the President is clueless or baffled, and unemployment just keeps rising. The "sun setting fast on our town"
Reminds me of a little country area I grew up in NSW many years ago, the place has gone now. No school, no shop, Post office gone and church falling down.........sad.
Found an old video a while ago of me when I was almost a year old on Christmas morning, being held by my late grandpa and dancing to this song. I still miss him terribly, and this song still makes me cry every time I hear it.
@GrayEyedGirl845 You have wonderful memories, enjoy them all. Ive made comments here about my home town and family. Like you I miss my family. Most have passed few of us are left. My best memories are with my Granparents and the Farm and Christmas and Grandads Smile. Gads I miss my little Home town and I will love my memories forever.
This is the song for many small towns across America now. With factories and businesses closing "Our Towns" are disappearing. Sadly the way of life that nurtured many of us growing up is fading away. Keeping those values in the ever changing times takes real commitment from all of us who understand the impact that our towns have had on our lives. Miranda Lamberts version of "The House That Build Me" resonants the same in my soul.
It touches your soul. Saw Emmylou Harris a couple of weeks ago in Frankfurt/Germany. She is truly an icon. Recognized Iris Dement the first time in the closing Credits of Coen-Brothers "True Grit" with "Leaning on theeverlasting arms". What a beautiful simple voice she has.
I first heard this song and discovered Iris at the end of Northern Exposure many years ago, i've loved her, her songs, and her voice ever since, to any of her critics, i say one thing :PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
@Scotlanz Yes, it is Aly Bain. Haven't waded through all the many comments, and I'm probably repeating what's already been said, but this performance is from a 1994 BBC weekly television show called "Transatlantic Sessions". Set in a homey environment. Some of the best talent in the world gathered in one place. It's available on a series of DVDs, a must have. I'd list all the names but I'd hit the YouTube 250-character limit way before I finished. Trust me, this is a gold mine.
I think people miss the point when something like this comes together it's magical another classic, I love many forms of music I never thought I would love this so much.
Yes,wonderful. Actually, The Transatlantic Sessions were recorded in South Western Scotland at Mountgreenan Mansion House Hotel, Kilwinning , Ayrshire.
Funny, I hate country music but I love Iris Dement. Like elmore states it has to be her distinctive voice. I was first introduced to her with her duet with John Prine, "In Spite of Ourselves."
Funny, I hate country music but I love Iris Dement. Like elmore states it has to be her distinctive voice. I was first introduced to her with her duet with John Prine, "In Spite of Ourselves."
I never Got the chance to show my Mom This Song Because God took her away Dec 04th 2009 and now dad was taking from me Sept 18th 2010 It's So Tough ALONE!
@fishin764 Afraid I know that feeling, I'm just going through my fathers will, making sure I've done everything he wanted. Scattered his ashes with mum's a few weeks back, just me and my dog, bit shit really. Maybe this song is a bit melancholy, but I like it, suits the situation though.
@budddees It's a continuity shot--this and what follows was filmed a big house in the Scottish Highlands and they used cutaways like this between songs. And on another level, these empty highlands(once the "Our Town" of the highlanders) were cleared of people by force the 19th century so the owners could make more money running sheep so the cutaway resonates with all Scottish people on that level
@CobinRain You're quite right about the shot. This is part of The Transatlantic Sessions and was filmed in The Highlands of Scotland where a lot of the scenary looks like this. (Aly Bain is from the Shetland Isles where it all looks like this, apart from the oil rigs). The big house is called 'a manse'. The Highland Clearances, however, took place mainly in the 18th century after the Scottish Rebellion of 1745, when the Scottish aristocracy from the lowlands brutally evicted the crofters.
I can't imagine what's it like having a mind that accepts cloned, karoke, and cookie cutter programmed crap as "good" music. They still rag on Dylan to this day. What wonderful lives these poor people have. Thanks Iris!
I love this so much..what a great artist..her and Emmylou are great together..remember listening to this years ago..not sure when but it must have been in the very early 90's because my kids were still young..
I think she might have torpedoed her own career when she agreed to performing the ending song "Screaming On The Everlasting Farms" in the Cohen Bros. film True Grit. Most people in the audience were startled. Being a Cohn Bros. film, some of us thought her SHRILL and DISCORDANT voice was a joke. We walked out shaking our heads, saying "what the hell was THAT"?
whenever I hear this song it makes me weep. My mother loved this song so much. I bought it for her when it first came out. She played it over and over again. She has been gone now for 6 years. I can close my eyes and see her little self busying around her kitchen listening to this. God bless you my mommy. I love you and miss you. And I remember 'Our Town'
@shelayne4 I first heard this on the final episode of Northern Exposure and fell in love with it as it commemorated what was probably the best program on television. Your note about your mother is wonderful, and I know you talk to her everyday, as I do to my grandmother, the sweetest woman/person in my life. How fortunate we are to have people to love and miss. By the way, hello to your Mother the next time you talk to her from someone in rural Kentucky.
@shelayne4 Nicely said Shelayne. Our life goes by so fast and as we get older, we see it more clearly then those that are younger then us. Memories are good. What a wonderful memory of your Mother that you were given thru this beautiful song. Thank you for sharing.
@shelayne4 Nicely said Shelayne. Our life goes by so fast and as we get older, we see it more clearly then those that are younger then us. Memories are good. What a wonderful memory of your Mother that you were given thru this beautiful song. Thank you for sharing.
@shelayne4 Yes I know how you feel, my little home town has changed so much I dont even know it now.
Grandad would be sad and would weep at its change. filled with drugs and loss. But we still have to keep our good memories and with hope that it will change for the better. It keeps us all in good thoughts with a hope and dreams of the future. Bless you all its a good song that keeps us real and alive.
@tinroofbusted God Bless your little Grandad, Memories are so bittersweet with emotion. Certain songs especially like this remind us of loved ones and friends we will always cherish
Just how perfect can a musical performance be? When you put Iris Dement, Emmylou's gut-wrenchingly beautiful harmonies and Aly's superb backing together and add a brilliantly written song like this, you're bound to get perfection, and that's exactly what you get. Stunning, just stunning.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
My god, that nasal HONK! What on earth had the Cohen brothers been thinking when they decided to put her on the closing credits? Perhaps, it was their bizarre sense of humor?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@ianwalkerdownland - If you enjoy people singing from THEIR NOSE, you must be a big fan of Alfalfa in the Our Gang series. In fact, they should call this song "OUR GANG" instead of "Our Town" in tribute to discordant and shrill voices.
@John27346 Your clever pun does nothing for your argument. Also it doesn't answer my question. Anyway. I really liked True Grit. And No Country for Old Men. There used to be a time when you could honestly say the Coen Brothers had never made a bad movie, and that may still be true but there is some mediocrity in there.
@erfling1 I didn't like either of those films. Am I right or are you right? Who can tell?! What is truth? What context did I mention the coen brothers in the first place?
Bonza music, what a voice, what a combination, why don't we hear this music in Oz or even see the clips. someone is controlling what we hear and see on our radio and T.V no more rap please. The Rockinrex.
@twouselesslegs not only are your legs useless but so are your ears....your village called looking for you...........you are truley useless you should just roll off a cliff do the world a favor PS you would know the sound of a pig your mom is one
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I swear, this woman single handedly cost the Cohen Bros. an Oscar and a Golden Globe award for their film True Grit. What were audiences and critics to think when suddenly this horrific "voice" broke the quiet ending of that film? The sound of a PIG
being hauled off to slaughter is NOT what I would call "unique".
I find this song addictive. I rate her a true artist due to her unique voice and style. Closest performer to blue grass I have ever enjoyed. Emmylou must be the best backup singer ever in that she never tries to overshadow the lead singer. The musicians also make this a first class video.
@thegrinchl7 Let me guess. You created this account to float around youtube and shoot people down. You, with your lofty ideals who sets the bar so high. So high you can look down on all the other people who cannot see things your way. How dare they own an opinion. Even one as simple as loving a song or a performer. Fools all them. No fool is you. The bar is higher than you. Your failures are obvious and your wants are a discrace. Pestilance incarnate, yes thats what we could label you.
Joe Bageant told me he cried when I sent him this video. Said the first thing he did was sent it to his wife and she cried too. I was lucky to have known Joe. We had some falling out but he was a rare guy who saw through it all.
This long is so much like the story of my experience in the little Southern town I grew up in and my subsequent return there after my education, and my eventual need to leave it is so poignantly like this story that it's uncanny.
GreyWolfJakLondon 1 day ago
E L H knew it was/ is iris's song. She was being a great backup.
mrbeaverstate 1 day ago
They could sing the phonebook to me any night
pillroller88 1 week ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Iris DeMent
Love her but could ELH give any less energy to this performance? Guess Iris is so damn good I dont care.
MsCreamontop 1 week ago in playlist Favorite videos
Northern Exposure
That's how humans should be and this is the song they should sing!
Brandtstifter1 1 week ago
To the girl in Joshua Tree: Like it?
gwood2002carrcom 1 week ago
Is it depressingly beautiful, or beautifully depressing? Either it's captivating.
mrbeaverstate 2 weeks ago
I love this song, I listened to the Kate Rusby version which has a delight of it`s own. The whole family are involved in her music and they have their own label "Pure Records".
When she sings other artist`s material she is very aware of the history, she finds songs from books sometimes 500 years old and brings them back to life. It is brilliant to see where Kate finds her inspiration and Iris Dement certainly inspired Kate because her version is a little bit special.
306bad 2 weeks ago
I like DeMent but sometimes she sounds like a cat being tortured..
p165711 2 weeks ago
@p165711 Aye, but that's why people love bagpipes, too.
FLSHBK1 2 weeks ago
i think John likes Gingers that can sing
erock3377 2 weeks ago
@erock3377 I like gingers that can sing!
moonlitme 1 week ago
If I don't stop hitting REPEAT and staring at Emmylou, I'm gonna cry. Why am I not surprised to find ELH intrinsically involved with the most beautiful song on You Tube? Gawd, how I'd love to dance with both these gals ~ but then, who would sing the song? Emmylou, you effect me like none other, but Iris, you're stiff competition yourself. Totally elegant, ladies ~ well done, well done.
FLSHBK1 2 weeks ago 5
TECHNO LIVES FOREVER!!!!
Jugdish103 2 weeks ago
oh my god. so in love.
chrisnatti 1 month ago
Great song. Reminds me of the dump I live in.
101truthhurts 1 month ago
thank you so much every time i watch this it sends a shiver right through me FROM START TO FINISH!!! every song you sing you can feel the sincerety in every single beautiful note (you've had me in tears a good few times)keep it up you are awesome, many thanks...GLENN.
SuperRainbow46 1 month ago
Not to many people can say they have had a hug and kiss from Iris. thanks
TheGeebutt 1 month ago
@TheGeebutt U LUCKY MAN
hemanjoyce1 1 month ago
Can't be more beautiful! Thank you! Fragrant greetings and roses *;~
TheKinglight01 1 month ago
such awesome voices, two of my favorite women artists
718Musician 1 month ago
Clearly on of America's treasures...the beauty and poignancy are incredible, sweet angel!!!
326kjk 2 months ago
I just love this song, what a beautifully distinctive voice. I must have played this song fifty times in the last six months. No one could sing it better, bless you Iris.
fefifo99 2 months ago
Iris and Emmylou, each time that I listen to your performance of "Our Town" I am grateful to you all over again that you share your God-given talent with the rest of us.
DR1757 2 months ago
Iris was the youngest of 14 children
mycatslistentome 2 months ago in playlist IRIS
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This song is FUCKING HORRIBLE not even Country lovers would like this song. I really like the part were she starts singing like about how nothing ever lasts so say goodbye. Go cry emo kid...
Bavcon 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@Bavcon Wow. You can't be serious.
dausedman 2 months ago
Unbelievable! The passion, the feeling, the harmony, the sympathetic backing, simply superb.
martyforrer 2 months ago
@snoopy1948:
Thanks, I actually did some "research". :-) He's terrific, and you can sure tell the strong link between American "roots"/folk/bluegrass music and the much older music from 'the Isles' when he plays.
He's a regular with the Trans Atlantic Sessions House Band isn't he? What a wonderful, wonderful show! I see more of my favorite American musicians on there than here in the States!
Trollificusv2 2 months ago
Thanks for posting this awesome song!
Porsche997C4S1 2 months ago
A truly great song, with the wonderful Emmylou and the wonderful Jerry Douglas on dobro...and who's that fiddle player? He knows what the song is about too.
Trollificusv2 2 months ago
@Trollificusv2
The fiddle player is Ally Bain a Scottish folk musician.
1948snoopy 2 months ago
@1948snoopy
Good grief, I must have watched this vid at least 20 times and never noticed that it was Aly Bain!!! There should be an embarrassed smily available for moments like this! An original Humblebum, along with Billy Connelly and Gerry Rafferty!
For those not familiar with him, there's an Aly youtube, performing with the magnificent Nicola Benedetti and his long-time fellow musical zealot, Phil Cunningham....
CHARON1314 2 months ago
@CHARON1314 Info thats why I love Youtube thanks, Who knew
tinroofbusted 2 months ago
iris is my favorite jewish artist...singer
i would do a threesome with iris and emily...
ChiroQuacker 2 months ago
i love you Iris
skankingjoe 2 months ago
beautiful voice, beautiful woman... i love her. will she marry me ????
bobby505050 3 months ago in playlist YouTube Mix for Iris DeMent
@bobby505050 i believe her husband(greg brown- check his music out---it's great too) would take issue with your request. i understand the sentiment though
moonlitme 3 months ago
awesome....and im a metal head.. ;-]
marcelstjean 3 months ago
I couldn't hear the song for the sound of the hairs raising on the back of my neck ...
crimulus 3 months ago
I was introduced to Iris Dement through John Prine. She has an amazing voice. Her spirit whispers through her music so beautifuly, its hard not to shed a tear,
johnmeaney1 3 months ago
Love Iris. She's got a sound that isn't too polished when she sings. GIves it a nice homey feeling.
chinary8 3 months ago
People who dislike this have no heart.
d6hd8kkd99 3 months ago
Fiddler is Aly Bain
BreakfastStotty 3 months ago
dislikes...really.... 52 folks have no country heart and need a shot of shine
jdsick1 3 months ago
Who is that gorgeous, silver haired woman singing with Iris?
Olafhucketall 3 months ago
@Olafhucketall
i think that's emmylou Harris!
cp1492 3 months ago
@Olafhucketall Stunning isnt she, Ive been buying up her CDs that come into my store What a voice.
Get some of her music its the best
tinroofbusted 3 months ago
I THICK THIS LADY Is outstanding Her work is all that and a lot more Sings out this wold and put's it so well I love it!!!! I have never here a bad song be her, Why just one LP? thats all I can find its good But I wont MORE!!! I walk down main streat where I got my car ahahah I love it KISS MW GOOD BYE My heard's going 2 DIe!! LOL
Songs4LovesGods 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great song Hello type in "Ron Howard Palace" listen to "opie" sing "Lady" and "Reason to Believe
opie1956 4 months ago
all I can say is .., WOW ; pure stuff (-:
heatmanable 4 months ago
Loved this at the end of Nothern Exposure.
empacae 4 months ago
Excellent video
loveroffolkmusic 4 months ago
I'm in love with this song, I want to kiss it!
judeyorke 4 months ago
Iris DeMent, a recent and very pleasant discovery for me. Such a true country voice/delivery......so natural, heartfelt and lovely. I've never heard Emmylou Harris' voice blend more beautifully with anyone before.
springhill64 4 months ago
Very nice.
clamzo1 4 months ago
Ciar esti dementa !:]]]=]]]]
SkiLLzR0mania 4 months ago
love this song makes you think about your life and how short it is
matthew7364 5 months ago
Can't believe it took me this long to realize it was Emmylou singing with Iriis.
petelarsen 5 months ago
what a lovely voice unique
ni2k7 5 months ago
Fantastic....Iris has a unique "mood" of her own that gets that soul thing.
bazthehandyman 5 months ago
She was the reason I went to the Grand Ole Opry the first and only time. And, wouldn't you know she sang MAMA'S OPRY.
garybrownfie 5 months ago
49 people have no soul!
sheveshka 5 months ago
A rare artist who actually sounds better live than on her albums. And I don't mean to denigrate her studio work, which is excellent on its own.
levanyzzuf 5 months ago
@levanyzzuf Funny enough, I had the exact opposite experience with her- and I normally GREATLY prefer hearing artists live over their album, but when I went and saw Iris ~2 years ago, she had no energy, and it was as if she sang all her songs in slow mo...it was massively disappointing....I was hoping it was just a bad night, and maybe it was.
dog1dog2 4 months ago
Wonderful rendition of a sweet, sweet version of a sad, sad song - makes you greet- happily!!
Great fiddling from Aly Bain.
Emmy Lou - whit a wummin - lusted efter her for 40 years.
She has a classic Scottish beauty - read a little Byron - and like a fine malt whisky ages magnificently.
Ahh - If only!
scalpay44 5 months ago
The final scenes of Northern Exposure with Iris Dement´s Our Town = one of the greatest experienses i have had in my life!
fnagulov 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Great song Hello type in "Ron Howard Palace" listen to "opie" sing "Lady" and "Reason to Believe
opie1956 5 months ago
Came here after typing in Fullerton, California which I haven't seen in 25 years, and finding endless videos of drunken fights in the streets, which now look like the hood. It was a little whitebread town, home of Fender Guitars and aerospace workers. These beautiful ladies singing a lament for their America-- had to come here and listen to them next. Dow Jones fell 513 points yesterday, the President is clueless or baffled, and unemployment just keeps rising. The "sun setting fast on our town"
profhum 5 months ago
id never even heard of iris before i met my boyfriend and now i love her and this song its beautiful so thx deeks i love you too xxxxx
sarahlozable 5 months ago
This song kills me (in a good way).
stevieraystrong 6 months ago
Reminds me of a little country area I grew up in NSW many years ago, the place has gone now. No school, no shop, Post office gone and church falling down.........sad.
MrAussiewombat 6 months ago
Found an old video a while ago of me when I was almost a year old on Christmas morning, being held by my late grandpa and dancing to this song. I still miss him terribly, and this song still makes me cry every time I hear it.
GrayEyedGirl845 6 months ago 25
@GrayEyedGirl845 You have wonderful memories, enjoy them all. Ive made comments here about my home town and family. Like you I miss my family. Most have passed few of us are left. My best memories are with my Granparents and the Farm and Christmas and Grandads Smile. Gads I miss my little Home town and I will love my memories forever.
tinroofbusted 3 months ago
This is the song for many small towns across America now. With factories and businesses closing "Our Towns" are disappearing. Sadly the way of life that nurtured many of us growing up is fading away. Keeping those values in the ever changing times takes real commitment from all of us who understand the impact that our towns have had on our lives. Miranda Lamberts version of "The House That Build Me" resonants the same in my soul.
muzikfan76 6 months ago
Amazing
koteeoz 6 months ago
Goose bumps!!!!!
QuicaG1 6 months ago
What a voice! What passion! What magnificence!
verziehen 6 months ago 3
I love this song and Iris is a total babe.
skeeveskeeve 6 months ago
OMG, that was beautiful. those two woman together and with great musicians to add to the glorious sound!
KathrynKMA 6 months ago 14
Great stuff !!
bazthehandyman 6 months ago
It touches your soul. Saw Emmylou Harris a couple of weeks ago in Frankfurt/Germany. She is truly an icon. Recognized Iris Dement the first time in the closing Credits of Coen-Brothers "True Grit" with "Leaning on theeverlasting arms". What a beautiful simple voice she has.
romeozulu57 6 months ago
This is so far away from my usual music taste but what can I say, beautiful in every way.
nicknock6 6 months ago 2
now this mack me cry
xVisceral 6 months ago
I always listened to Iris with my mommy when I was little(: I just recently re-discovered her. Brings back good memories.
Celie111 6 months ago
Real music. Just absolutely wonderful.
freetickeys 6 months ago 2
I first heard this song and discovered Iris at the end of Northern Exposure many years ago, i've loved her, her songs, and her voice ever since, to any of her critics, i say one thing :PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
jackdanielmason1969 6 months ago
Saw Iris at the Blue Rock Studio, here in Texas,about 6 mo, ago. Wonderful, Just
Wonderful!
MikeG120 7 months ago
Who's the grey-haired woman singing back-up?
boobytrapzap 7 months ago
Comment removed
ckdouglas9 7 months ago
@boobytrapzap Emmylou Harris bro
ckdouglas9 7 months ago
@boobytrapzap The one and only, the great EmmyLou Harris
Scanjoon 7 months ago
@boobytrapzap ...nevermind-
Zulamayz 6 months ago
When Emmy Lou starts singing with Iris my goosebumps get goosebumps.
armucheedotcom 7 months ago
Wow! Is that Aly Bain on fiddle? Looks like him. Great song.
Scotlanz 7 months ago
@Scotlanz Yes, it is Aly Bain. Haven't waded through all the many comments, and I'm probably repeating what's already been said, but this performance is from a 1994 BBC weekly television show called "Transatlantic Sessions". Set in a homey environment. Some of the best talent in the world gathered in one place. It's available on a series of DVDs, a must have. I'd list all the names but I'd hit the YouTube 250-character limit way before I finished. Trust me, this is a gold mine.
coolram1952 5 months ago
Iris - what a voice...so unusual and addictive. Great lyrics. never heard her before this. I'm a fan based on one song. Must get more. Wonderful...
topgazza 7 months ago
I think people miss the point when something like this comes together it's magical another classic, I love many forms of music I never thought I would love this so much.
nicknock6 7 months ago
I was in recovery when I found this video.It remains as I special moment even though I have slipped.
irisdementfan2b 7 months ago
@irisdementfan2b God be with you!
rusedorange 7 months ago
@irisdementfan2b God be with you!
rusedorange 7 months ago
@irisdementfan2b Hope you're doing better now. Let us know if you need any support.
FLSHBK1 1 week ago
lets see whats the word I'm looking for oh yeah "Talent"
michaelb5e2 7 months ago
love you dimples Iris....
KyBoy2999 7 months ago
She's friggin beautiful and sexy! I love this.
cizzlen07 7 months ago
she is hot
misterscabs 7 months ago
Thanks for that Mick. You have great taste, just like me. Thats Ally Bain on fiddle is it?
iajt21 7 months ago
Thanks for that Mick. You have great taste, just like me. Who is that on fiddle?
iajt21 7 months ago
i love this song
mvpro100 7 months ago
Stunning voice, beautiful song.
MillenniumFalcon1000 7 months ago
Man, I need a drink. Great song but, not the feel good hit of the summer...Great talent here for sure..
ConservativeTimes 8 months ago
Yes,wonderful. Actually, The Transatlantic Sessions were recorded in South Western Scotland at Mountgreenan Mansion House Hotel, Kilwinning , Ayrshire.
majornichols 8 months ago
@majornichols
purveyor24 7 months ago
coming from a small town in donegal the words ring true unfortunately .yet a beautiful song .
SuperVinny55 8 months ago
Funny, I hate country music but I love Iris Dement. Like elmore states it has to be her distinctive voice. I was first introduced to her with her duet with John Prine, "In Spite of Ourselves."
dieknf 8 months ago
Funny, I hate country music but I love Iris Dement. Like elmore states it has to be her distinctive voice. I was first introduced to her with her duet with John Prine, "In Spite of Ourselves."
dieknf 8 months ago
;'( sad song.... Love it
CapinChronic420 8 months ago
iris and joanne newsom would make a fine dou.
bubbah671 8 months ago
I never Got the chance to show my Mom This Song Because God took her away Dec 04th 2009 and now dad was taking from me Sept 18th 2010 It's So Tough ALONE!
fishin764 8 months ago
@fishin764 Afraid I know that feeling, I'm just going through my fathers will, making sure I've done everything he wanted. Scattered his ashes with mum's a few weeks back, just me and my dog, bit shit really. Maybe this song is a bit melancholy, but I like it, suits the situation though.
bs5750 7 months ago
Iris backed by Emmylou. What more could you want?
smash1957 8 months ago
@smash1957 Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas ! Brilliant.
0ldb1ll 8 months ago
i love this so much... but that beach shot at the end is ridiculous. oh man what a way to ruin a moment.
budddees 8 months ago
@budddees It's a continuity shot--this and what follows was filmed a big house in the Scottish Highlands and they used cutaways like this between songs. And on another level, these empty highlands(once the "Our Town" of the highlanders) were cleared of people by force the 19th century so the owners could make more money running sheep so the cutaway resonates with all Scottish people on that level
If it had been Malibu it would have been wrong
CobinRain 8 months ago
@CobinRain You're quite right about the shot. This is part of The Transatlantic Sessions and was filmed in The Highlands of Scotland where a lot of the scenary looks like this. (Aly Bain is from the Shetland Isles where it all looks like this, apart from the oil rigs). The big house is called 'a manse'. The Highland Clearances, however, took place mainly in the 18th century after the Scottish Rebellion of 1745, when the Scottish aristocracy from the lowlands brutally evicted the crofters.
0ldb1ll 8 months ago
@0ldb1ll Thanks for helpful comment!
CobinRain 8 months ago
Jerry in the house!!! incredible session
gaiusdrusus 8 months ago
wow can't catch my breath!!!!
lovingjah1056 8 months ago
Beautiful
OffroadPilgrim 8 months ago
I love it!
Scout4Me1 8 months ago
I can't imagine what's it like having a mind that accepts cloned, karoke, and cookie cutter programmed crap as "good" music. They still rag on Dylan to this day. What wonderful lives these poor people have. Thanks Iris!
MeleniumGene 8 months ago
Kinda looks like Jerry Douglas, whoever it is--fabuloso! What a beautiful song, and such sweet singers.
Meshee12 8 months ago
Is that a young Jerry Douglas on dobro?
NigelKaz 9 months ago
@NigelKaz It sure is! Great video.
cbouwman22 8 months ago
I love this so much..what a great artist..her and Emmylou are great together..remember listening to this years ago..not sure when but it must have been in the very early 90's because my kids were still young..
tamilapp 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Grinch! Spa! Wheres ure useless legs, you two-faced cunt? Im sick telling you to go fuck yourself, you utter cunt. Go away. Now.
Fluticus 9 months ago
I think she might have torpedoed her own career when she agreed to performing the ending song "Screaming On The Everlasting Farms" in the Cohen Bros. film True Grit. Most people in the audience were startled. Being a Cohn Bros. film, some of us thought her SHRILL and DISCORDANT voice was a joke. We walked out shaking our heads, saying "what the hell was THAT"?
thegrinchl7 9 months ago
crying
bryans42 9 months ago
The music is as beautiful as the ladies that make it. It doesn't get any better.
hochbob 9 months ago 8
@hochbob
they are both beautiful souls, and very easy to look at.
yum.
magically delicious.
edslides1 5 months ago
emmy lou's loaded and jealous... cuz iris is the real deal and everyone knows it.
4ordinaryman 9 months ago
whenever I hear this song it makes me weep. My mother loved this song so much. I bought it for her when it first came out. She played it over and over again. She has been gone now for 6 years. I can close my eyes and see her little self busying around her kitchen listening to this. God bless you my mommy. I love you and miss you. And I remember 'Our Town'
shelayne4 9 months ago 54
@shelayne4 I first heard this on the final episode of Northern Exposure and fell in love with it as it commemorated what was probably the best program on television. Your note about your mother is wonderful, and I know you talk to her everyday, as I do to my grandmother, the sweetest woman/person in my life. How fortunate we are to have people to love and miss. By the way, hello to your Mother the next time you talk to her from someone in rural Kentucky.
odovicor 7 months ago
@shelayne4 That is so sweet shelayne4. Thank you for sharing. kd5mfr
kd5mfr 7 months ago
@shelayne4 Nicely said Shelayne. Our life goes by so fast and as we get older, we see it more clearly then those that are younger then us. Memories are good. What a wonderful memory of your Mother that you were given thru this beautiful song. Thank you for sharing.
amandaknudson 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@shelayne4 Nicely said Shelayne. Our life goes by so fast and as we get older, we see it more clearly then those that are younger then us. Memories are good. What a wonderful memory of your Mother that you were given thru this beautiful song. Thank you for sharing.
amandaknudson 7 months ago
@shelayne4 Yes I know how you feel, my little home town has changed so much I dont even know it now.
Grandad would be sad and would weep at its change. filled with drugs and loss. But we still have to keep our good memories and with hope that it will change for the better. It keeps us all in good thoughts with a hope and dreams of the future. Bless you all its a good song that keeps us real and alive.
tinroofbusted 5 months ago
@tinroofbusted God Bless your little Grandad, Memories are so bittersweet with emotion. Certain songs especially like this remind us of loved ones and friends we will always cherish
shelayne4 5 months ago
@shelayne4 What a beautiful memory and sentiment. God bless you and your mom.
pocobasso 5 months ago
@shelayne4
What a wonderful comment. God bless you and your mom.
romeozulu57 5 months ago
@theGrinchl17 you're what's known in the trade as an utter cunt. Just fuck off.
Fluticus 9 months ago
super distinctive voices awesome singing
greenbeenie60 9 months ago
Just how perfect can a musical performance be? When you put Iris Dement, Emmylou's gut-wrenchingly beautiful harmonies and Aly's superb backing together and add a brilliantly written song like this, you're bound to get perfection, and that's exactly what you get. Stunning, just stunning.
Gloryboy4 9 months ago
Iris Dement is real and I personally love her voice, thanks for posting this...
deborahkauffman09 9 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
My god, that nasal HONK! What on earth had the Cohen brothers been thinking when they decided to put her on the closing credits? Perhaps, it was their bizarre sense of humor?
thegrinchl7 9 months ago
@thegrinchl7 That may be your view its not mine or the view of many others. Iris has a unique voice its is different thats what we like.
ianwalkerdownland 9 months ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@ianwalkerdownland - If you enjoy people singing from THEIR NOSE, you must be a big fan of Alfalfa in the Our Gang series. In fact, they should call this song "OUR GANG" instead of "Our Town" in tribute to discordant and shrill voices.
thegrinchl7 9 months ago
@thegrinchl7
wow. a nameless faceless informing us how we are wrong. again. thanks for the info G! sorry about your sense of beauty.
echoabel 9 months ago
@thegrinchl7 The coen brothers are the naked emperors of the film world.
John27346 9 months ago
@John27346 how come? they know what they're wearing.
erfling1 9 months ago
@erfling1 They're wearing nothing and they're wearing it thin lately.
John27346 9 months ago
@John27346 Your clever pun does nothing for your argument. Also it doesn't answer my question. Anyway. I really liked True Grit. And No Country for Old Men. There used to be a time when you could honestly say the Coen Brothers had never made a bad movie, and that may still be true but there is some mediocrity in there.
erfling1 9 months ago
@erfling1 I didn't like either of those films. Am I right or are you right? Who can tell?! What is truth? What context did I mention the coen brothers in the first place?
John27346 9 months ago
@John27346 Oooh ooh. I know. I am. It MEEEEEEE. and truth is that stuff that comes out of my mouth. or is it the other end?
erfling1 9 months ago
@erfling1 It's been verified. True Grit and No Country are great movies. The emperors have clothes.
John27346 9 months ago
@John27346 I knew you'd see it my way. It's been fun pretending to argue with you.
erfling1 9 months ago
@erfling1 We should do this again some time.
John27346 9 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@thegrinchl7 You clearly love it.
ElBraineater666 8 months ago
Bonza music, what a voice, what a combination, why don't we hear this music in Oz or even see the clips. someone is controlling what we hear and see on our radio and T.V no more rap please. The Rockinrex.
TheRockinrex 10 months ago
@twouselesslegs not only are your legs useless but so are your ears....your village called looking for you...........you are truley useless you should just roll off a cliff do the world a favor PS you would know the sound of a pig your mom is one
deportpadro 10 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I swear, this woman single handedly cost the Cohen Bros. an Oscar and a Golden Globe award for their film True Grit. What were audiences and critics to think when suddenly this horrific "voice" broke the quiet ending of that film? The sound of a PIG
being hauled off to slaughter is NOT what I would call "unique".
TwoUselessLegs 10 months ago
@TwoUselessLegs Really? A Pig? You have no soul,therefore I deem you irrelevant!
savj777 7 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
She ruined True Grit's quiet ending with that horrific HONK of hers!
TwoUselessLegs 10 months ago
@petemantx , stick with your Barbara Striesand
waksupi 10 months ago
So pure.......what a heavenly duet....
hoowster 10 months ago
Is that Aly Bain on fiddle...?
wa0000 10 months ago
I find this song addictive. I rate her a true artist due to her unique voice and style. Closest performer to blue grass I have ever enjoyed. Emmylou must be the best backup singer ever in that she never tries to overshadow the lead singer. The musicians also make this a first class video.
petemantx 10 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@petemantx - LOL The word "Unique" is code for SINGING THROUGH
ONES NOSE. Like Al Falfa from the Our Gang series, Iris Dement gets
more STARES than ADMIRATION. I swear, this woman single handedly
cost the Cohen Bros. an Oscar and a Golden Globe award for their film
True Grit. What were audiences and critics to think when suddenly this
horrific "voice" broke the quiet ending of that film? The sound of a PIG
being hauled off to slaughter is NOT what I would call "unique".
thegrinchl7 10 months ago
@thegrinchl7 Let me guess. You created this account to float around youtube and shoot people down. You, with your lofty ideals who sets the bar so high. So high you can look down on all the other people who cannot see things your way. How dare they own an opinion. Even one as simple as loving a song or a performer. Fools all them. No fool is you. The bar is higher than you. Your failures are obvious and your wants are a discrace. Pestilance incarnate, yes thats what we could label you.