IRIS DEMENT - SWEET IS THE MELODY

[bobby505050]

such a pure voice.... love it

[bobby505050]

such a pure voice... i love this woman and her voice

[Schnitzelschitzen]

To who can we possibly compare this sassy voice to? An angel that knows the measurement of time, or the ways of our folly? Should we not instead treasure this voice and carry it with us in our journey of fond memories? Yes, these are the pieces that accompany us, that comfort us along the way.

[memtown]

Such a beautiful song. Thank you, Iris!

[rylandv]

what was the lighting guy thinking with that flashing red light? nothing wrong with a wash or 2.

[fattydad100]

@rylandv , It's a set of a roof-top and the light is the neon, supposedly, on the front of the building. I agree it's a bit distracting. But what a performance, mm? I think it's the Yankees who don't like her Southern delivery. WHAT A SWEET VOICE.

[ThreeChordGuitar]

How I love that lady.

[Jason19366]

beautiful

[proon4]

Love your heart and voice iris,,,your special

[sergeantx37]

I was lucky enough to see Ms. Demint play her very first open mikes in Kansas City. I recall her playing between sets at a Jeff Black show at "Buzzard Beach". The unruly crowd started out ignoring her, but was soon entranced.. The owner asked Jeff to not bring her back. Said she was running off customers.

A two years later she was nominated for a Grammy :)

[ANTESTOR07]

BRAZILIAN GREETINGS! SHALOM!

[Andrew197944]

She is one of the greatest artist not being evaluated.

[fillbelt]

So beautiful. The most unique voice ever!

[armucheedotcom]

Thank you, John Prine, for introducing me to Ms. Dement. She gives me dumplings and peas. Not bad for a former Wal-Mart cashier.

[clamzo1]

Good ol' Arkansas gal.

[misomaya]

God....I Love this girl......I'm going to waltz to my wedding to this......

[PoppaBlue59]

Thank you for posting this jewel. A true beauty.

[bilkoz01]

Beautiful.

[1953Johnmac]

This is the first time I've seen this video, love it, she did a short tour that time and played in South Shields where I saw her. I've been in love with that voice ever since

;-))

[Tutone66]

Grinch17. You lost all credibility when you compared Iris to Yoko. Yoko could not hold a note if she had a bucket. Iris is an accomplished singer. A beautiful voice.

[danowen777]

Such fantastically gorgeous singing...

[Tannerizsinging]

I've listened to this song since I was 5 now I feel so emotionaly attatched to it

[michaelb5e2]

i dont understand why people listen and watch videos of performers they dont like and then make comments,if you dont like it dont watch pretty simple, I love Iris thats why I watch her and not eminm , 50 cent,jlo and all the others

[TheMrdogoman]

@michaelb5e2 i agree 100% one would think , if ya don't likek why watch it . but youtube has made it so every arse feels the need to say something pos or neg ... I LUV THSI WOMAN'S  SINGING AND SHE SOUNDS EVEN BETTER OR MAYBE HE DOES singing with john prine

[TrashcanBoogie]

keep hearing iris dement is married to john prine. were they? are they still? either way someone should let wikipedia know.

[cooperdogable]

@TrashcanBoogie

No, she is married to Greg Brown for years now.

[restinopolis1]

There are some who don't care for her vocal style, but the heart and soul of her performance are undeniable. There is a genuine and pure sound here that warms me whenever I hear it.

[cooperdogable]

@restinopolis1

Iris is married to Greg Brown. Has been for years.

[dougallsdiscs]

Still a beautiful song,I love it.....Murray.

[hochbob]

An American original. She is entitled to enjoy her place among our best country/bluegrass vocalists...to include Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith,

Clair Lynch, Allison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Rosann Cash, and many others.

[yubee51]

Gosh,such an amazing voice and soft,gentle delivery. I'm in love.

[lovablelarr1]

I first seen Iris on Austin City Limits with Merle Haggart and still love her voice. Sounds a little bluegrass.

[wsidechris]

This song gets me where I live. Easily on my Top Ten List (including the entire album, "My Life"). One of the very few that threatens the restraint of the mist behind my eyes. "It's so hard to make every note bend just right", indeed.

[thegrinchl7]

When I put Iris Dement's singing on, all the dogs within a six mile radius start HOWLING!

[Hemp4eva]

@thegrinchl7 Presumably this includes you. Us humans appreciate good music.

[biffnix]

@thegrinchl7 Honestly - why do you bother listening to every Iris DeMent video on YouTube and feel compelled to comment on how much you dislike her voice? Are you trapped in a basement with a gun to your head and this is the only way you can communicate a cry of help without tipping off your captors? If so, let us know, so we can either call the cops to come save you, or let your kidnappers put you out of your misery. Your comments are far more annoying than her voice...

[thegrinchl7]

@biffnix - This woman ruined a perfect movie. What had been a

pleasant experience at the movies turned into a bizarre experience

upon hearing her pig-call. I don't know who to hate more: Dement

or the Cohen brothers! As for watching her videos, keep in mind I'm

inclined to stare at a head-on collision as well. When I hear her

nasal HONK, I am astonished at the ugly things in this world. You'll

excuse me if I do to her video what she's did to True Grit: that is to

say...shit all over it.

[kintar90]

@thegrinchl7

I never really understood the whole leaving negative comments on a bunch of random videos thing. Why do people do it?

I suppose Freud would have something to say about it.

Did Iris dress up as a penis and have intercourse with your mother?

I'm not sure I understand Freudian psychology...

[thegrinchl7]

@kintar90 - Talk about "Freudian"! You just posted a question to my post...which was the answer you just asked! Ugh! ...and the "penis"/ MOTHER thing was just a painful cliche. My god, I don't mind being insulted...but not by a high-school kid! Tell you what, if you get Iris Dement to refund my money to True Grit, I'll leave her PIG CALLING alone!

[kintar90]

@thegrinchl7

You seem to get your jollies off of posting angry, spamy comments. I was simply wondering why you can't find something constructive to do with your time. And you didn't give me an answer. You went right back to whining.

[coldtofurkey]

@thegrinchl7 my favorite part of the movie was the end credits and recognizing iris.. you tasteless shit-slinging jerk off

[thegrinchl7]

@coldtofurkey - Look, you might like Iris...but with that Yoko Ono type primal scream of hers, she doesn't belong anywhere NEAR a quiet ending of a marvelous film. Unless, of course, you WANT to startle your audience. Which, it did!

[restinopolis1]

@thegrinchl7 How sad that this misses your heart. Maybe the target is too small....

[restinopolis1]

@thegrinchl7 How sad that this misses your heart. Maybe the target is too small....Was Bob Dylan's voice a little weird for you too?

[restinopolis1]

@thegrinchl7 So sad that this missed your heart. Could it be that the target was too small? Open your window and let the heart and soul fly through.

[restinopolis1]

@thegrinchl7 Ah, that was so kind. Please, tell us how you really feel. Luckily, there are many who don't share your sentiments about Ms. Dement's talent, or we might be deprived of the beauty of her music. I wish I had a small bit of her talent and inspiration, and for you, my pity.

[DCSIGNR]

Iris is great. Nice to see her perform in the Old Country. She's probably related to some of the Hebridean girls that sing in Gaelic and summon the Ancient Ones...

[TwoUselessLegs]

GOD DAMN THESE COMMERCIALS! THE HELL WITH YOUTUBE!

[jamiespradling]

She was always good with John Prine.

[moominpic]

Billy Connelly doesn't say much funny these days... Iris, however, sings wonderfully all the time.

[thegrinchl7]

Ugh! This voice takes some gettin' used to. Frankly, I've been tryin' for 20 years! Kind of like trying to get used to finger nails on a chalkboard!

[trousercough]

Ouch



[homegrownSEOhio]

An angel sent from heaven to sing for us.

[rfish54]

Thank you Iris Dement, this song is great. Canadian Aselin Debison sings a version of this good song too.

[blindingrunt]

Iris you are a delight,i love your music and song writing.

[mitoguitarman]

Fantastic!

[Romamb]

@briartlaw try some punctuation.

[AnimusAeternus]

At the theatre I work at, people always watch the credits to find out who sang "Leaning on the everlasting arms"

[thxb2god]

@AnimusAeternus

Well, I certainly did when I saw "True Grit" yesterday! Her voice sure strikes the heart chords, doesn't it? It's simple, honest, and utterly beautiful.

[jiveyivey]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[artmania1990]

she has one of the most amazing voices ive ever heard and i cant stop listening to this song!

[uemciicmeu]

Yuck, stupid commercials sound even more stupid after listening to her wonderful singing;-(

[ianwalkerdownland]

She is wonderfull isnt she.

[srverons]

This woman has a beautiful voice. She is the genuine article. I LOVE her!

[pedalman]

I bought several of Iris's CDs after hearing "Our town" this song is probably my favourite , the sentiments of the songwriter ......you lay down the hours and leave not one trace, but a tune for the dancing is there in its place.

I get severely emotional when listening to this talented lady , the words , the voice just tears your heart out .

[tarzanzardoz007]

I din't know she was from Arkansas

[amandaknudson]

Thank you Prairie Home Companion for introducing me to Miss Iris, she gives me a feeling of old lace, creaking wood floors, dumplings and peace.

[bill5936]

@amandaknudson Very well said. And perhaps hot tea...looking out the window on a rainy day...

[bigmatt3485]

just hypnotic

[polarstar43]

My Uncle Denis McCann listened to Iris's music as his body was ravaged by lung cancer; Her voice transcended the horror of reality and gave him peace in his hard times. My Godfather played this song at full volume after he passed and has carried a blessing and a curse ever since; Her tone is the final exit to eden. 

[IfWallsCouldSpeak]

Once a decade..

... a voice and talent comes along.

[DAVEY500MUSIC]

@IfWallsCouldSpeak nice martin too

[SilverMoonSpa]

Iris' voice is pure Arkansas...how could anyone mistake her for Canadian? Too funny! Blessings from North Idaho!

[specitender]

Man, I love her. She really seems otherworldly and pure. She gives me chills

[dougallsdiscs]

Absolutely SUPERB this Canadian lassie,welcome back to Scotland anytime for myself and my family as we all love here,Murray

[0ldb1ll]

@dougallsdiscs Iris is pure American, from Paragould Arkansas. The music is Scottish with a twist. Try 'Pretty Saro' from Songcatcher which to my extreme irritation was not released here in UK. WHY NOT ???????

[wildeyeswolf]

@dougallsdiscs

IRIS DEMENT

January 5, 1961 (1961-01-05) (age 49)

Paragould, Arkansas,

United States

[Lapsanglover]

Makes me want to give her a hug!

[lovingtheoldtunes]

Thanks for the video. I first heard in Iris Dement in The Songcatcher and couldn't believe the authenticity of her accent in the film. Then I found this and discovered that's just her natural self. Wonderful!

[romina71620]

che bella questa canzone e iris dement ha una voce straordinaria

[geneobug]

Very good. I read that she wrote this song.

[Teddyb1939]

This is the song that I love ,when my eldest grandaughter now 19 was much younger she used to run into the house and look at me expecting me to put on this song,I could feel the tension as she sat with me. I played this as she came in the other day,she said I remember that song grandad.A magic moment.

[Doctg100]

Beautiful! From some of the comments I guess some can't handle the accent. I love it because I love the people from down home that sound just like her. You dislike somebody because of the way they sound? A persons accent talks of where they have been. She ain't no put on.

[chiledoug]

@Doctg100 yup shes the real deal..no fake or phony ....

[stucker08]

you are fantastic..love your sound

[unclebobunclebob]

really nice picking here too.

[catndryer]

Up until about 2000....she had this perfectly sweet voice that she controlled with such an uplifted spirit. Today.....yuck......she is pulling the hillbilly nasal stuff up from her guts and ruining wonderful songs like this. Of course we still love her....but she should stick to nothing but new songs. She can't do the old ones anymore.

[ecksact]

I'm not really a fan of folk or country..... but IRIS DEMENT - WHAT A VOICE! I guess you love it or hate it but I know where I stand - and I write for a thrash metal band!!!

[MrJerizona]

Such incredible voice, and passion...very moving.

[freebird1524]

Hiram if a plumber was sitting behind you would he be fixing a tap .

[kmdn1]

remember listening to this when i was 7.

[TheHotrodnova]

could you even think of her and elvis singing together? wow

[Abraxas081]

What a beautiful voice - straight from the heart.

[Teddyb1939]

Lovely song and lovely voice - great memories

[Blacklamass]

Iris deserved better intro than these tossers!!

[catndryer]

Very pretty old Martin D45 she's a playin.....This is one of my favorite videos of Iris.

[QuinTroy]

can't load it and youtube help blank!!!

[CRANSHAWS555]

what a lovely voice

[shermanhillbilly]

"This girl could bring a tear to a glass eye"...Chris Isaac

[debnfredvanz]

such a pure, sweet, clean and innocent voice and delivery - she makes me weep

[memtown]

What a shame that we find an Iris Dement video done in a foreign country. She is more Americana than 99.9% of the songwriters that are published in the U.S. Love you IRIS! Always have!

[jonnylag]

I agree with you man. Iris is a treasure- they don't come along very often. Embrace her America! She is a one off!

[Sointula2]

@memtown Are you afraid she'll catch something? 'Non-americans' are ok too you know.

[EmmyJi]

@memtown I'd say what a blessing finding that THIS is the American music featured in foreign countries. :) I'd much rather Iris Dement represent American music to the world than the other 99.9%

[WildeNotesMusic]

Good to find Iris's recording of her song here at YT. It seems lots of people now think Aselin Debison wrote it, because she covered the song and used the title as her album title.

Lovely song.

[catndryer]

"The dance floor is for gliding ...not jumping over ponies....." I love Iris.

[TobyWonKenoby]

My favorite song lyric of all time! "The dance floor's for gliding, and not jumping over ponies, where boots and gold bracelets come an meet as they should..." Genius. Like Joni Mitchell or Gordon Lightfoot, only not as Canadian :-P

[bs5750]

I wasn't sure at first, but i am now, she's great.

[agger2]

have favourited 3 or 4 videos of her music over the last half hour, beautiful

[morjohnny540]

baby brittneyjade likes to insult good things she does not understand..

She is sad......

[Brittneyjade1983]

well..that was pretty awful

[Hemp4eva]

@Brittneyjade1983 Never mind dear - one day you'll grow up and appreciate the better things in life.

[Brittneyjade1983]

@Hemp4eva

Apparently I left that comment a year ago & I feel just the same as I did back then.. so I'm guessing that in another 10 my opinion will be unchanging. But hey, thanx for the comment.

peace.

[soggymuffin01]

@Hemp4eva , "growing up" and learning to appreciate the better things in life, won't make this music any more enjoyable.

[deshahubbell]

@Brittneyjade1983 whiney and nasally.

[UncleCharlieOakley]

@deshahubbell Yes, I'll bet you are.

[RichardE8ST]

I like her more everytime I listen to her.

[AllSeeingMedia]

She has sweet feminine voice.

[dave64123]

I like cheese sandwiches.

[PeteyIrish]

Beautiful.

[markpde]

This is kind of like perfection encapsulated in time.

[catndryer]

Get your hands on the Transatlantic Sessions DVDs..........

[ckyro121]

The first like 10 seconds I first heard Iris singing on "Our Town", I didn't like her voice but by the time the song was over I was loving it. Her vocals are very unique and she has a sincerity about her. Very good stuff!

[nterry78]

Check out her and john prine "In Spite of Ourselves"

[chiledoug]

@ckyro121 yes here voice is different....gotta love here...

[memtown]

@ckyro121 I thought the same thing when I first heard her. I thought, what is this? After that I couldn't stop listening to her. One of the most genuine voices there is!

[Armand32]

@memtown

same here. what a voice. True singer of our generation

[mcelderry111]

@ckyro121 I thought the same thing!

[Aphradonis]

@ckyro121 I felt the same way when I first heard her as the True Grit credits rolled.

[RightWingCon81]

@ckyro121 she has a distinct voice, no doubt, very haunting I think it a good adjective for her style. I remember her from Song Catcher, I loved her voice there, then heard Our Town without knwing it was the same woman, I had the first initial reaction to that sound you did, then I remembered who she was and the style makes you fall in love with her voice.

[GRANDESOIES]

What a very special voice. I love it.

[blakes314]

Love it.

[catndryer]

Iris is in a tiny small club of the truly gifted......Sweet is the Melody.....angelic is the Voice.....

[2456anton]

I LOVE HER TOO. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[RonBrickey]

I love her XOXO

[jonnylag]

Iris is gorgeous and sexy,,,she can sing as well!!!

[lcb678]

iris is wonderful! i love to hear her sing. such a beautiful voice.

[beroconnell]

I have been listening to her for a few years now and she is "BRILLANT"

[gtofyahoo]

erhg...

she's so nazaly.. i don't think i can listen to the whole thing

i sing better (i've gotten better, i just can't load more vids), anddi'm not great.

aselin rules

[849516273]

You say you sing better than Iris Dement? I listened to all of your vids (painful as it was) and you can't sing at all...wasting my time like that...pfff

[markpde]

If you were ever looking for someone to sing at your wedding...

[TobyWonKenoby]

The single greatest song lyric I've ever heard, bar none, is this:

"The dance floor's for gliding

And not jumping over ponies

Where boots and gold bracelets

Come and meet as they should"

How does someone come up with something like that??? Genius on the order of Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor...yeah, she's that good...

Peace,

Toby

[timboytx]

Well said, Toby. She is a true wonder. I've seen her live on two occasions, and she's one of the few whose songs can bring tears to my eyes...especially "My Life":

"My life, it's half the way travelled,

And still I have not found my way out of this night.

And my life, it's tangled in wishes,

And so many things that just never turned out right...."

[Raggy60]

catch her live. she is BRILLIANT

[clouseau62n]

Iris is such an amazing artist. Im glad she continues to sing music in the old style. One of the few singers that can bring me to tears.

[mischmommy]

Fantastic version of a wonderful song.

Iris is truly a revelation.