What an amazing moment in television history. I'm buying the album now. Already have her album "Other Voices, Other Rooms." "Other Voices 2" appears to be as good, or better.
I love this tune, and this version of it was pretty good. Usually like Nancy too, but her solo here was not her finest moment. The weak link. He-woes?
@GuitarSlim1959 In a room that strong, it's damned hard *not* to be the weak link. It's a song written by a man, about a man who influenced him. It drew all those men together, to help out Nanci Griffith, whom, if I'm not mistaken, was probably influenced by them. Note how she smiles at them all when she sings the lines "Well to me he was a hero of this country/ So why's he all dressed up like them old men?" You know what this was? It was a love song.
@MattGues Fair enough Matt. I don't have the 2nd vol, but liked the 1st well enough. For me a little bit of Nancy goes a long way, she's always sounded like a 7 yo girl to me and I prefer the testosterone. Probably why I never warmed to Gilmore either, cough. I can't believe Earle is still alive, he really puffed out during that point in his life. I suppose they said the same about Walker 30 years ago. Glad they're still kicking tho Earle's the only one still creative to my ears.
@GuitarSlim1959 You should be glad Earle was "puffed out" during that period — it meant he was off the heroin. Every time I see him and he's not skinny, I know he's still on the wagon and I'm happy.
@ernesttubb I was thinking the same thing. @GuitarSlim1959 : Guy Clark's still producing, some. (Though admittedly the majority of the later stuff is retrospective. Has it really been 16 years since _Dublin Blues_?!?)
Turn off the radio and listen to THIS FINE MUSIC, kids! These are great musicians... measured by the quality of their work, not the amount of money it has or hasn't earned them. Thank you so much for this post, Seabrook neighbor!!
I know this is rather old but I listen to it at least a couple times a month. I think it is at least brilliant. I think every one of these folks here are truly artists more than anything else and I'm sure my whole life is a bit better cuz of the south Texas music thing, its kept me from sometimes killin and sometimes dyin.
Check the version by Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker. Or Just Jerry Jeff and his band doing Guy's Song. If you don't get caught up in that, you are just plain cold.
I wonder if Letterman had ever heard of Jerry Jeff Walker, much less Guy Clark. Obviously the names meant nothing to his audience. (Hold you applause, etc.) As to which version is best - with a great song every different version is a gift to hear.
who plays the song better than the writer?god bless johnny cash.but guy clark wrote this song..and he is a texas native son.....even better..so are many of these singers on this vid.
It's sad that alot of people have never heard of any of these guys. I'm big into the Texas Country/Red Dirt scene, and these guys are legends to just about everyone I know.
To each their own but I feel that the Highwayman's version is over-produced. It also helps, as in this version, to have the songwriter in on the act.
@seabrook7039 Totally agree, this is by far the best and most true to Guy Clark's style. Love it. Highwaymen are fine but this is better. What a tremendous assembly of the best talents in Americana music. My heroes.
@Amras86 well, for me, you can't beat any song that has Steve Earle and Jerry Jeff in it...some of the others I could probably do without....but, it s good.....i have to say though, wow, we all got old didn't we? i grew up in TX with half of these guys....
@Amras86 This is an assembly of some of the greatest names in American music. All of these singer songwriters are legends and it doesn't get any better than Guy Clark and his friends singing this most classic of Guy's songs. One of my favorite videos. The Highwaymen are great, but I agree, that version is overproduced.
oh, man. i have never seen this before. didn't even know it existed. there are chills running up and down my spine, and the hair on my arms are standing straight up. amazing.
So don't hate me for this, but who is the dude with the long gray6 hair? I know (and love) the others but I don't know him and am wondering if I should...only I can't because I have no clue who he is.
What a collection of talent for this timeless song. I have heard almost all of these folks do this song in a "live" concert and it is always a crowd pleaser regardless of the artist.....my self i like Guy or Jerry Jeff's version....but i will sit and listen to anyone sing this song..... Cheers from deep in the heart of Texas - Fats
Gotta be Rita Coolidge for me - first version I heard, and so beautifully sung too. Been looking for her 'Fall Into Spring' album for about 30 years now...long since deleted. Desperadoes never even made it to a 'Best of' album, which is a real mystery.
DaMuttzNutz : Yes....i forgot about Rita Coolidge's version which i haven't heard in years.....i can't find it here but i can track it down, i would love to hear it again.....Ths song will always tie me to some friends who are no longer here....and this version with Jimmy Dale Gillmore...he's an old Amarillo boy and i used to see him at song/lyrics get togethers way back when and in the 70's we went to Norm Petty's old studio in Clovis for an evening....ah memories.... Cheers...Fat Boy
abooboo4u: me too. Reminds me of my late friend Glen, who died of leukaemia a good few years back. He first introduced me to progressive country artists like Kristofferson and Coolidge. Fall Into Spring was part of his collection. Here in the UK (never a huge country market), the album was deleted within a few years of release. I'd give my eye teeth to track down a copy.
This is one of those "if you argue on the internet and win....you're still a retard" sort of catch-22 situations.
But in the interests of historical accuracy....Guy Clark WROTE this song. Jerry Jeff Walker performed it (on "Viva Terlingua" -- 1973) and made it sorta famous. In MY opinion, the very best version of "Desperados Waiting For A Train" can be found on Clark's first album -- "Old No. 1".
Yes Istill have the album and found the cd and now have the music on my i-pod. What still gets me is the train you hear coming for him i still cry. I live in texas and whene JJW was getting known around here i followed every move and still do. Gruene Hall Forever
This is a good version, I pefer Guy doing this solo, I've listened to the highwayman version on youtube and its good but a little over-produced, probabily a product of its time, this song is best kept simple imho
Maybe one of the finest of live performances on Letterman ever. Some think that dont mean much belive me, it does. Historical. C'mon Jack, the SOAB is comin!!! GENIUS.
no kidding, if only.we were blessed with townes though, he left us as a legend. what an amazing group of musicians. jerry jeff walker's my childhood favorite, that's where I learned the song was on" A Man Must Carry On".
Brilliant bunch, these folks. Everything Nanci Griffith or Guy Clark or Steve Earle turns to GOLD in my book. And they're the only ones I know especially well. Eric Taylor plays a HOUSE CONCERT in Gainesville, GA TONIGHT. EMail me if you want to come. Wow! Can't wait. He's the tall bald guy on "brown tobacco stains all down his chin". Brilliant
What a wonderful lineup! Great stuff!
JohnnyChicago 1 month ago
What is that rose doing surrounded by all those thorns
uncatila 1 month ago
@uncatila What's a rose without thorns?
seabrook7039 1 month ago
What an amazing moment in television history. I'm buying the album now. Already have her album "Other Voices, Other Rooms." "Other Voices 2" appears to be as good, or better.
MattGues 4 months ago
I love this tune, and this version of it was pretty good. Usually like Nancy too, but her solo here was not her finest moment. The weak link. He-woes?
GuitarSlim1959 5 months ago
@GuitarSlim1959 In a room that strong, it's damned hard *not* to be the weak link. It's a song written by a man, about a man who influenced him. It drew all those men together, to help out Nanci Griffith, whom, if I'm not mistaken, was probably influenced by them. Note how she smiles at them all when she sings the lines "Well to me he was a hero of this country/ So why's he all dressed up like them old men?" You know what this was? It was a love song.
MattGues 4 months ago
@MattGues Fair enough Matt. I don't have the 2nd vol, but liked the 1st well enough. For me a little bit of Nancy goes a long way, she's always sounded like a 7 yo girl to me and I prefer the testosterone. Probably why I never warmed to Gilmore either, cough. I can't believe Earle is still alive, he really puffed out during that point in his life. I suppose they said the same about Walker 30 years ago. Glad they're still kicking tho Earle's the only one still creative to my ears.
GuitarSlim1959 4 months ago
@GuitarSlim1959 You should be glad Earle was "puffed out" during that period — it meant he was off the heroin. Every time I see him and he's not skinny, I know he's still on the wagon and I'm happy.
ernesttubb 3 months ago
@ernesttubb I was thinking the same thing. @GuitarSlim1959 : Guy Clark's still producing, some. (Though admittedly the majority of the later stuff is retrospective. Has it really been 16 years since _Dublin Blues_?!?)
MattGues 3 months ago
For some reason letterman just ignores Guy Clark.
Jisseppe89 7 months ago
brings real tears to my old eyes R.I.P David Lee Getsinger
farone100 9 months ago
Wonderful...
kajwilhelm 10 months ago
I'm not sure how much people appreciate things like this....
JohnCronin103 1 year ago
The long haired guy at the end, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, played Smokey in the film "The Big Lebowski".
jimwonderful 1 year ago
@jimwonderful you mark it 8 you're entering a world of pain.
lucorb 1 year ago
Crying shame is the quality.
vstarbiker 1 year ago
Speechless ...............
tunarat2 1 year ago
Turn off the radio and listen to THIS FINE MUSIC, kids! These are great musicians... measured by the quality of their work, not the amount of money it has or hasn't earned them. Thank you so much for this post, Seabrook neighbor!!
BluesRenegade 1 year ago 3
Thank you for posting Seabrook , excellent muscians up there!!! Great vidoe!
MsBuddles 1 year ago
I know this is rather old but I listen to it at least a couple times a month. I think it is at least brilliant. I think every one of these folks here are truly artists more than anything else and I'm sure my whole life is a bit better cuz of the south Texas music thing, its kept me from sometimes killin and sometimes dyin.
leroimiller 1 year ago
I know opinions are like assholes,everybody has one.I like both versions,but prefer this one.
sdaddyo67 1 year ago
Dave was right - "lovely, lovely piece of work..."; there are other versions of this song, but this is a good one too.
BluezGuitarz 1 year ago
Thank You CBS!!!
JohnCronin103 1 year ago
Check the version by Guy Clark and Jerry Jeff Walker. Or Just Jerry Jeff and his band doing Guy's Song. If you don't get caught up in that, you are just plain cold.
tomvickers1 1 year ago
brilliant
irish66 1 year ago
i wish i was there to see this one
lonestar1123 1 year ago
Jerry Jeff does the best version... he straightened out Guy's verse 2 and 3 and got them in the right order
LyleEKyotee 1 year ago
I personally like Jerry Jeff's version the best. He swaps verse 2 and 3 and the song seems to flow better.
LyleEKyotee 1 year ago
OBTW Guy Clark wrote this song it's a true story about his Grandma's Boy Friend
Rickard05 1 year ago
INSANE! Among the best live of ALL TIME.
It is tender, longing, sweet, sour and all that shit, as is intended.
So nice.
JohnCronin103 1 year ago
I wonder if Letterman had ever heard of Jerry Jeff Walker, much less Guy Clark. Obviously the names meant nothing to his audience. (Hold you applause, etc.) As to which version is best - with a great song every different version is a gift to hear.
alighieri2002 1 year ago
@alighieri2002 I think Letterman and Paul Schaffer are familiar with the Austin music scene and probably know all those fellers.
leonidasleahy 1 year ago
Comment removed
JohnCronin103 1 year ago
Amras86, do you mean The Highwaymen? If so, their version is pretty good but Nanci is #1 to me. - "It's a hard life wheverer you go." - NG
Also, I think seabrook7039 means Nanci Griffith.
rhjaeger 1 year ago
who plays the song better than the writer?god bless johnny cash.but guy clark wrote this song..and he is a texas native son.....even better..so are many of these singers on this vid.
MrLazyeyz 1 year ago
Highwaymen Version is much better
Sportfreak04Dan 1 year ago
All you people kill me. Guy Clark rules, the Highwaymen are great but OVERPRODUCED and the name is Jimmie DALE Gilmore.
thrillho 1 year ago 2
It's sad that alot of people have never heard of any of these guys. I'm big into the Texas Country/Red Dirt scene, and these guys are legends to just about everyone I know.
smoochieman17 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
hmm... I appriciate the efford they make and I am sure they are heroes to some and great in music.
But I am sorry, its nowhere near the Highwayman version.
Amras86 2 years ago
To each their own but I feel that the Highwayman's version is over-produced. It also helps, as in this version, to have the songwriter in on the act.
seabrook7039 2 years ago 12
@seabrook7039 Totally agree, this is by far the best and most true to Guy Clark's style. Love it. Highwaymen are fine but this is better. What a tremendous assembly of the best talents in Americana music. My heroes.
indygochild 1 year ago
@Amras86 well, for me, you can't beat any song that has Steve Earle and Jerry Jeff in it...some of the others I could probably do without....but, it s good.....i have to say though, wow, we all got old didn't we? i grew up in TX with half of these guys....
princessofhesse 1 year ago
@princessofhesse hey darlin, yeah, we got old, i too am from that part of this world, thank god!
leroimiller 1 year ago
@Amras86 This is an assembly of some of the greatest names in American music. All of these singer songwriters are legends and it doesn't get any better than Guy Clark and his friends singing this most classic of Guy's songs. One of my favorite videos. The Highwaymen are great, but I agree, that version is overproduced.
indygochild 1 year ago
oh, man. i have never seen this before. didn't even know it existed. there are chills running up and down my spine, and the hair on my arms are standing straight up. amazing.
Voycefm 2 years ago 3
All my favorites on stage at once, performing arguably my favorite song. Wow!! One question though- When did Steve Earle morph into Chris Farley?
fatherofthebride1 2 years ago
Goosebumps! THIS is music!
robindev123 2 years ago
holy shit Austin represent!
lowatt666666 2 years ago
Thanks, now I can check out his music.
FloatingGrin 2 years ago
So don't hate me for this, but who is the dude with the long gray6 hair? I know (and love) the others but I don't know him and am wondering if I should...only I can't because I have no clue who he is.
FloatingGrin 2 years ago
How did I ever miss this one? Nancy Griffith singing with all of my musical heroes. Awesome. Two years later and I have to go out and get this CD.
RufusatRedHawkRun1 2 years ago
Oh Snap Dave tried to hump jerry jeff!
JohnCronin87 2 years ago
As a Brit i pride myself in recognizing all these guys...and girl...great song Guy Clark.....Let him roll....see my video response
Jim
captainsoul1953 2 years ago
the info box states butch hancock is present in this performance, apparently butch is in the audience...cuz he not be on the stage??
mheather63 2 years ago
What a collection of talent for this timeless song. I have heard almost all of these folks do this song in a "live" concert and it is always a crowd pleaser regardless of the artist.....my self i like Guy or Jerry Jeff's version....but i will sit and listen to anyone sing this song..... Cheers from deep in the heart of Texas - Fats
abooboo4u 2 years ago 2
Gotta be Rita Coolidge for me - first version I heard, and so beautifully sung too. Been looking for her 'Fall Into Spring' album for about 30 years now...long since deleted. Desperadoes never even made it to a 'Best of' album, which is a real mystery.
DaMuttzNutz 2 years ago
DaMuttzNutz : Yes....i forgot about Rita Coolidge's version which i haven't heard in years.....i can't find it here but i can track it down, i would love to hear it again.....Ths song will always tie me to some friends who are no longer here....and this version with Jimmy Dale Gillmore...he's an old Amarillo boy and i used to see him at song/lyrics get togethers way back when and in the 70's we went to Norm Petty's old studio in Clovis for an evening....ah memories.... Cheers...Fat Boy
abooboo4u 2 years ago
abooboo4u: me too. Reminds me of my late friend Glen, who died of leukaemia a good few years back. He first introduced me to progressive country artists like Kristofferson and Coolidge. Fall Into Spring was part of his collection. Here in the UK (never a huge country market), the album was deleted within a few years of release. I'd give my eye teeth to track down a copy.
DaMuttzNutz 2 years ago 4
Heh I grew up hearing this song....this was one of my favorite songs as a kid....the haunting music just....brought on many images that I loved.
wolfwing1 2 years ago 2
This is one of those "if you argue on the internet and win....you're still a retard" sort of catch-22 situations.
But in the interests of historical accuracy....Guy Clark WROTE this song. Jerry Jeff Walker performed it (on "Viva Terlingua" -- 1973) and made it sorta famous. In MY opinion, the very best version of "Desperados Waiting For A Train" can be found on Clark's first album -- "Old No. 1".
So there you have it....for what it's worth.
dwnhllr1959 2 years ago 3
sounds great. My favorite version of this song is done by David Allan Coe.
mukaluk09 2 years ago
The version I like best is sung by TX musician Brian Burns from the Viva Terlingua Nuevo! CD
IHeart8Ball 2 years ago
Does no one remember the first version done by Jerry Jeff Walker?
YourTexasMusic 3 years ago
Never got a cjance to hear it... but for me the definite version is the one by Guy on the Heartworn Higways movie
JannoKlufs 3 years ago 3
Yes Istill have the album and found the cd and now have the music on my i-pod. What still gets me is the train you hear coming for him i still cry. I live in texas and whene JJW was getting known around here i followed every move and still do. Gruene Hall Forever
iampeniel 2 years ago
This is a good version, I pefer Guy doing this solo, I've listened to the highwayman version on youtube and its good but a little over-produced, probabily a product of its time, this song is best kept simple imho
richc101 3 years ago 3
after listening to it afew times im starting to like this one aswell. alot of specia voices here
Myragutn82 3 years ago
idd, i like the highwaymen version better. alot better flow. this one is too slow and allmosts tops at every sentence
Myragutn82 3 years ago
Great song. But you cant beat the highway men!
tullyrowan 3 years ago
As I watch my Father fade away. this is the song I hear in the background.
sham1956 3 years ago
unfreakinbelievable. If only Townes were there....
dstuart83 3 years ago
I like the Highwaymen version too.
carsellingfool 3 years ago
Nobody can beat the Highwaymen, but this is great, too.
bas058 3 years ago
Fabulous song... all geniuses
54spiritedwill54 3 years ago
Maybe one of the finest of live performances on Letterman ever. Some think that dont mean much belive me, it does. Historical. C'mon Jack, the SOAB is comin!!! GENIUS.
JohnCronin103 3 years ago
Great job. They keep it clean and simple just like the lyrics and melody. Thanks for the posting.
xringer43 3 years ago
Perfect Song, But Letterman Sucks!
SabinCash 3 years ago
WOW Thank you for posting this piece of history
badbrian1 3 years ago 2
unreal, this is what youtube is all about capuring magical moments like this. if only Townes had of been there it would make it complete. great stuff
migster1982 4 years ago
no kidding, if only.we were blessed with townes though, he left us as a legend. what an amazing group of musicians. jerry jeff walker's my childhood favorite, that's where I learned the song was on" A Man Must Carry On".
pandorasun6 3 years ago
letterman jumped the shark a loooong time ago.
hillbillycadillac 4 years ago
well done on ignoring Guy you dumb f*** Letterman
eddieburns1 4 years ago
I was thinking the same thing. "Shake Guy's hand you dumb fuck!!" The guy's a living legend.
Love Guy with all my heart.
actlloyd 4 years ago
Brilliant bunch, these folks. Everything Nanci Griffith or Guy Clark or Steve Earle turns to GOLD in my book. And they're the only ones I know especially well. Eric Taylor plays a HOUSE CONCERT in Gainesville, GA TONIGHT. EMail me if you want to come. Wow! Can't wait. He's the tall bald guy on "brown tobacco stains all down his chin". Brilliant
glboggs 4 years ago
Paul Shaffer is the man. But no he is not playing keyboards on this.
eagle11scout 4 years ago
Awesome please leave this up! I have been looking for it since downloading it on Limewire years ago! Thanks!!!!!!!!!
JohnCronin87 4 years ago
Fabulous song... all geniuses ...
suuzzee5 4 years ago
lots of talent waiting on a train
artkirk 4 years ago
This only plays about 25 seconds for me for some reason, even though it says 5:16. Is anyone able to see the whole thing?
deserthawk1 4 years ago
ya i see all
2010025 4 years ago
why would you say that? and hes the one playing keyboards.
dylantrent61 4 years ago
Sublime! ...and no Paul Schaefer in sight (thank GOD!).
Mudhooks 4 years ago