Emmylou Harris,Steve Earle & Townes van Zandt If I Needed You

[SylvainThuret]

Translated this in french at my grandmother's funeral. So much love and pain intertwined.

[RobertRuhi]

It doesn't get any better.



[TinyJiant]

Yes, Mrs. Harris, I would come to you

[clues46]

Emmylou is so beautiful as her voice is beautiful, .. no doubt!

[carnut476]

Her voice irritates me .

[myrjer]

@carnut476 You must me mentally ill.

[carnut476]

@myrjer I'm she's a nice lady - Sorry, i just don't like her voice .

[myrjer]

@carnut476 You are a first.

[nachodaddy]

@carnut476 Amen. Awful lead singer. Other than good harmony with Gram Parsons & gettin' Buddy Miller in her band, she's purty worthless.

[TheVanya62]

@nachodaddy you fucking moron - go away

[nachodaddy]

@TheVanya62 I haven't even actually heard your voice & it's irritating. If you're married, send your husband my deepest condolences.

[redbull1767]

yes yes great singer lovely song thumbs up

[information9098]

Emmylou is just as beautifull as she always was.

[makemeateeshirt]

tryin to get sumblooo grass outta this..and failin misearbly

[alan4sure]

6 people are not needed.

[NewEnglandBudo]

Saw this the night it aired on Austin City Limits. My VCR wasn't working ;( It was an awesome lineup of talent, Lyle Lovett,Steve Earle, Willie and Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Rodney Crowell, Peter Rowan, Jack Clement and the honoree's son, John T. Van Zandt. I have to see if I can find the DVD for my collection. I had no idea who Townes was until that night and how he influence so many.

[Nielsjan01]

why does angels allways have silver hair......i know it's a tribute to Townes but, Emmylou is taking it away....

[TarRiverOtter]

looks like chris farley imitating steve earle

[MsBlieving]

Beautiful!

[54susieq]

absolutely beautiful!!

[dirtbagtony]

If my beautiful wife manages to look as as remotely as stunning as Emmy-Lou at that at age I'll be a happy fucking man.. grand cover too..

[carshagify]

@LutherRayable -- I really meant it when I said we should be as generous as the artists are. To think, we are able to enjoy this wonderful cacaphony of music for FREE -- I appreciate Townes Van Zandt not only as a musician but as the dear FRIEND of many other musicians -- and for this song, which I consider one of the greatest love songs ever written.

[marinemomkerry]

I have adopted this song for a docymentary on rare terminal brain diseases of children. amazing

[RobTheColone]

willie nelson is sittin there, high as shit....

[jhffmn1]

Pardon my French, but F'n awesome! Thanks for posting! WOW

[redshaftedflicker]

this is boring and I love all of these guys.

[carshagify]

Oh all you people, where's your generosity? Meat Loaf's a hunk, Steve is the conscious of our generation, and Dylan is the greatest songwriter of all time -- love songs, hump songs, allegorical songs, fables, social commentary. God bless John Townes Van Zandt for giving us this immortal song and asking nothing in return but our ears. Be as generous as the artists are.

[LutherRayable]

@carshagify I couldn't agree more my friend.Alot of people never heard of Townes because Townes wasn't shoving himself down anyone's throat.These are brilliant musicians,they deserve more than callous "pot shots" from behind the anonnimity of your computor screens.Cowards are bold when they know they are not held to any account.Yet we all found our way here searching for what we suspected was a few moments of soul warmiing expression.I am well satisfied.RIP TVZ

[flatonia]

I see Nanci Griffith in the background so this must've been a tribute or something?

[kaysandesses]

@flatonia I remember seeing part of this on PBS a few years ago. IIRC it was a tribute to Townes Van Zandt. 

[dbelew]

@flatonia and she spent the entire show trying to draw attention to herself, especially during Steve playing "Ft. Worth Blues".

[nilradem]

also

[bramblecino]

Emmylou is so damn hot.

[nilradem]

@bramblecino

Steve is aso hot... though not his best look here in early recovery.

[VoodooPolitico]

@bramblecino I dont know about "HOT"...but it seems like it would be easy to fall in love with her grace, class and obvious talent if one were to meet her face to face.

[john9944]

@VoodooPolitico She is so hot she could raise the temperature of molten lava by touching it.

[netw52]

Saw Emmylou do this Thursday night in Dallas. Beautiful. RIP Sweet Townes.

[cherdebear1]

what the crap was that . i was listening to emmy low and than all of a sudden someone hijacks the feed. So Much for this site being REPUTABLE it seems it is only a lobrow shag

[darlincommitme]

@cherdebear1

You may just be trolling... but if you really were thinking someone "hijacked" the video, I believe you are mistaken. This is how it was broadcast by Austin City Limits. It was a tribute to Townes Van Zandt, and they cut from Emmy Lou and Steve's performance to an older video of Townes doing his own song. And if you don't know Townes, you are missing a lot.

And youtube is only as reputable as those who post videos.

[john9944]

@cherdebear1 Go away.

[Jowisz2010]

Kochana Emmylou Harry bądż pozdowiona

[RobinBC1977]

Treme baby. Pure love!

[RDBeatnik]

Emmylou is a ghost, she gives me goosebumps.

[mediamarv1]

Sad, really sad, that the audio is so distorted. I would love to find this on another site where the audio is clean.

[presti1959]

sa me donne la chaire de poule

[mittyb1]

Townes Van Zandt. There's really nothing more to say.

[damnyancey]

Steve Earle  looks like Meatloaf in that vid.

[princessofhesse]

@damnyancey hey, give him a break, Steve Earle went through hell and back and is, in my opinion, the greatest living songwriter..and singer...but, I am a Steve Earle fan, chubby, skinny, sick, well, sad, happy, from way. way back.

[damnyancey]

@princessofhesse what? that Meatloaf remark? I didnt mean that as an insult to Steve Earle, or a compliment to Meatloaf. If you look at old pics of Meatloaf, around the time he was in the movie "Roadie" or the Steve Martin movie "Leap of Faith", I'm sure you will agree, they could be brothers. Besides, I think both Meatloaf and and Steve Earle would take it as a compliment to be compared to each other as they are both great musicians and preformers.

[princessofhesse]

@damnyancey you are right, my friend, forgive my rudeness. i woke up with a killer headaches, it's only bearable now, and i shouldn't even have been on YouTube this morning!!! and, heck, between you and me and the world, i always thought Meatloaf was kinda cute...Steve Earle...that goes without say. he's been my number one for a long time.

[nilradem]

@damnyancey

You made me go back and look at old Meatloaf pictures. Actually, I think the resemblances are superficial - similar hair, body shape and the way they carry themselves - but the shape of their facial features, especially the nose and mouth, are pretty different. In any case, as you say both have talent!

[nilradem]

@nilradem

And Steve is definitely the better looking of the two... never found ML at all attractive, regardless of the weight.

[dawnjakeleah]

@damnyancey oh? maybe you do too. Looked in the mirrow of your soul lately? He still has more talent in his little finger than you do, I bet.

[damnyancey]

@dawnjakeleah are you a troll, or what? you looked through three pages of comments for something to piss you off. well, if you read some of the replys you had to skip past in order to find something to piss you off, you would see i didnt mean that as an insult. i look nothing like Meat Loaf by the way, but you're right one thing. i wish i had a thimble full of Steve Earles talent. or Meat Loafs for that matter.

[damnyancey]

@dawnjakeleah i think Steve Earle is awesome. he is the reason i baught a mandolin.

[mactex1000]

@damnyancey ,me and you both brother for copperhead road an galway girl



[chbillgr]

@sariamiami I don't understand why you have to put Bob Dylan down in such a rude way. Dylan has always been a big admirer of Townes Van Zandt and has covered Pancho and Lefty with love and respect. Dylan has said indeed that Townes was one of the best songwriters ever. What does this make Dylan in your little mind? Jealous? I'd say generous.

[lennycohenfan]

Written by a master, and sung by an angel.

[Fingerpickerdude]

Love this love song by a great artist! Thanks Townes!

[Jowisz2010]

Piękna Emmylou Harry ślicznie ,bądż pozdrowiona, szkoda że jesteś tak daleko tak długo słucham twoich pieśni, i są tak piękne że chce się żyć

[surfinbumcrazy]

This was not a TVZ original song. Doc Martin wrote this song

[kmcjones]

@surfinbumcrazy

You are thinking of Doc Watson, and you are incorrect. Townes wrote this song and Doc Watson covered it later. Townes said it is the only song he ever wrote in his sleep... Check out the album called Documentary with stories and songs by townes.

peace...

K

[pulangdragon]

@surfinbumcrazy ....doc martin the shoe guy???....you dont have a clue...townes wrote this song

[billbobboyd]

@surfinbumcrazy i think you mean doc watson, considering doc martin makes shoes.

[GammaLaoShi]

She could sing the ABCs and my heart would break.

[willong1000]

Thanks to a bipolar and suffering artist, who drank himself to death and left us all too soon; Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, and Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard have endowed us with some of their best covers. Thanks Townes! May you rest in peace; and, if there’s an afterlife, I’m takin’ up the guitar when I arrive—hope you’ll be my tutor.

[maryzanone]

Emmy Lou has been my 'go to girl' for great balads since my teens. Emmy, Joni Mitchell and Bonny Raitt are my top 3

[3Spikes2glry]

this woman has brought me joy since I first heard her voice a very long time ago

[prairiemark]

@3Spikes2glry ditto

[wheelmanstan]

Thats what angels sound and look like.

So much in this video, the microphone couldnt even keep up.

[03HEMI2500SLT]

some of the best musicians watcing the best they have seen

[HashMaroon]

I remember seeing Steve Earle at Cambridge Folk Festival and they did an interview with him before his performance - he said Emmylou was one of the few people who wrote to him while he was in prison. Just goes to show she really is as lovely as we like to think :)

[zaoribah]

too bad its too distorted to listen to...beautiful

[makemeateeshirt]

The best lack all conviction; while the worst are full of passionate intensity...W.B yeats:~

[03HEMI2500SLT]

best female singer bar none

[03HEMI2500SLT]

until youve heard this duet youve been lost

[Ardalla555]

I remember a foggy night in Houston in '75 at U of H. Air was so thick you could swim. Townes and Loudon Wainwright at an open air concert. I think Townes was the last to play, and he had been sitting around so long he was drunk on his ass. Loudon did a dead skunk under protest. Don't remember what Townes did. Another band there called Shiva's Headband.

[AnkeZohm]

this is so beautifu!

[thecaproni100]

Wow ..!!

[Jan36098]

Emmy - THE best - ever! Lucky us!

[tazztower44]

Emmy Lou Harris simply has the voice of an angel...god i love this women

[dsirman11]

Check out Patty Lovelace in duets. Talk about "looks".......and she can really sing.

[03HEMI2500SLT]

acoustic heaven

[MustangCoupe1951]

Townes Van Zandt is not totally unappreciated. Good Lord. He remains one of our most respected and revered songwriters. Look up the documentary film about Townes made just a few years ago.  You can easily find it. It is called Be Here To Love Me. Tons of good people talk about his influence. Townes is alive, and he lives somewhere near Austin, Texas. Just ask Steve Earle. He'll talks to him all the damn time.

[eggzoomin]

@MustangCoupe1951 Townes died in 1997. Steve Earle released "Townes" in 2009, a record covering some of TVZ's tunes, as a tribute.

[gouldbj]

this song is so beautiful..I'm holding back the tears just listening to it. but to see it done with the author, Steve Earl and Emmy Lou Harris (who I could go on about for hours) is just breathtaking.

[LeFeff]

"I'll see you when I get there Maestro." -Steve Earl

[djlegand]

this is from emmylou's tribute on austin city limits one great tune after another by a collection of top players

[henrykarl1945]

Am I the only one who sees a tremendous similarity between "If I Needed You" and "Would You Lay With Me in a Field of Stone"? I had never heard either one often enough to realize they were two different songs until just now. No problem! I now find I have TWO songs I love for the same reasons, where before there was just one.

[stevenscotthopkins]

It first aired in March of 1998. 12/97 may be the correct recording period. I was at the taping but don't recall the date.

[meplatt]

such an angelic voice, crystal clear.

[pugs2300]

does anyone know when this was

[nilradem]

@pugs2300

I believe it is 12/97, a little less than a year after Townes died. I don't know about the older clip with Townes.t

[ChefTillDeath]

Peter Rowan is giving Emmalou the eye

[jimlivs]

Emmiou an angel alighting on your shoulder.? such a GREAT GREAT song. Thank you Townes for giving us this.

[TheWarnemuender]

Emmylou ist sooo schön. Zum anbeten. Ich gehe in die Knie und lausche andächtig deiner Stimme. Kein Kirchgang mehr nötig ;-)

[derek4ur]

Incredible song. Thanks a lot for posting.

Townes was so reckless and wild, and so great. I wish he would have gotten the hang of taking care of himself at some point. He did crazy, self-destructive things, which I know about from reading interviews with Steve Earle.

As great as anyone, maybe.

[leahcim3360]

I love, love Townes Van Zandt..but Dylan's "Masters of War" is one of the most important songs of the 20th century

[fantafinn]

at that time Steve was bigO_o But this is a great trio:D

[Loviekinz]

If I needed you would you come to me? Would you come to me, for to ease my pain? If you needed me.........I could come to you, I would swim the sea, for to ease your pain.....

[Yowzarrific]

Emmylou and Townes boost this world of ours a little.  Not many can claim that.

[defasabat456]

i watched this show when it first came on tv i think it was on pbs i am so glad i found this. One of the greats shows in music history thanks for putting it on here.

[NewEnglandBudo]

@defasabat456 I remember it well, it was on "Austin City Limits" on PBS. They were doing a memorial to Townes' work. Willie, Waylon, and so many to list that did solos & duets. Wish I could find a DVD of that show.

[WOODYSKYM]

Great Tune By A Great Singer/Songwriter The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. Emmylou Originally Recorded This Song With Don Williams.

[mysmellydog]

I think she is watching his lips to make sure that she is syncing the words...that's what pros do. But if you prefer to think of it as a sexy look then that's fine ;)

[tangogirl100]

@halegan - Emmylou is singing the song, in that regard, it is her song. I made that quite clear in an earlier comment that it was written by Townes Van Zandt - @64 fairlane305- ditto!

[Enyawestie]

I remember when we saw Steve Earle for free in Zilker Park and in Wimberley. That was a life time ago.....Actually it feels like several life times.

[Timmah247]

You are all f$%ed this is a BOb Dylan song. Get a musical education

[TheBlackrobin]

@Timmah247 tut tut tut tut You have no idea what you are talking about Go and wash your mouth out This is definitely a Townes song Go and have a read of his wikipedia and then go and beg forgiveness to the ghost of Townes before he haunts your sleep Education? Don't talk about things you no nothing about it's not a good look Not happy with you at all Your trying to rewrite history with your ignorance and that's dangerous

[TheBlackrobin]

@Timmah247 I drink with Mic Blood from The Lime Spiders He's still playing music around Perth Great guy Check out my music on myspace Black Mavrick and The New World Record

It's Mavrick without an E................ Cheers : )

[sariamiami]

@Timmah247 Sorry, but since you had to use your shithole for talking, you get this. This is a Townes Van Zandt song. Bob fucking Dylan wishes he could write a fucking song like this!! Dylan has admitted this!

[GIMMEADOLLAR1]

@sariamiami

Exactly.

Dylan couldn't write a love song like Townes or a political song like Phil Ochs. The only reason that drug zombie Dylan is so popular and remembered is simply his mediocrity, which is almost the only thing that sells music in this country (US).

[bbalanky]

@GIMMEADOLLAR1 Er... I love Townes Van Zandt, he's one of the all-time greats and is totally unappreciated.. a very sad thing, but dissing Dylan's ability to write great love songs... calling him mediocre? That's a little bit insane. "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands".. I mean, c'mon. Emmy is one of few people who consistently does great covers, by the way. Mad props there.

[dubbedcrazy]

@bbalanky totally agree with you!!!

i like how emmy takes pride in the fact that she was the 1st to cover pancho and lefty, (i didn't know that)!!!!

[plumber97]

@bbalanky Townes and Steve were both emberassed about the comment. It was done in jest. The great part of people who have tallent is they laugh off what people like us have to say. Townes, Bob, Thanks guys its bin a great ride

[ben909ben]

@bbalanky

Let's add "I'll be your Baby Tonight", "Lay Lady Lay", "Girl of the North Country", and "Shelter From The Storm" while we're at it...

[sariamiami]

@Timmah247 Sorry, but since you had to use your shithole for talking, you get this. This is a Townes Van Zandt song. Bob fucking Dylan wishes he could write a fucking song like this!! Dylan has admitted this!

[pbesmer]

@sariamiami No need to put down Bob Dylan. Hes written some of the best love songs ever, including everyone else out there . This songs is not Dylans, so what.

Go listen to his music before you  open your mounth

[pinthn22]

so gentle so enjoyable thnx

[stumb1e]

This song was written by Doc Watson.

[BlShkspr]

@stumb1e Wrong....Townes wrote this. And to top it off...He said he wrote it in his sleep. Woke up, scribbled down the words, went back to sleep and the next day, after reading what he had written, didn't change a thing. THAT'S where this song came from.

[darlincommitme]

Definitely Townes - but I have heard that he hated being asked where his songs came from, so he made up different stories for different reporters. So might want to take that story with a grain of salt.

[debop22]

@stumb1e

Wrrronggg

[Makireification]

Townes Van Zandt.

[juiceman1965]

wrong

[voodoocan4]

not wrong my friend!! he was a maze unto his own..he could have been huge..he just chose art,as opposed to the shit that they call "country" nowadays. Steve earle carry's his flag..emmy as well.

[darlincommitme]

@voodoocan4

Maybe... but Steve Earle would be the first to say that Townes shot himself in the foot. Earle has said in recent interviews that it was Townes' own bad decisions that kept him from being more sucessful.

[unclebobunclebob]

@darlincommitme I respect Steve Earle...but whose idea of success is he talking about? Townes is more popular now than ever. So if popularity means success...his success is still growing. That's true art.

[darlincommitme]

I think that Steve's point is that he doesn't want to idealize Townes' illness/addiction, or perpetuate the idea that you have to suffer for art. And, as a recovering addict, Steve knows that buying into that idea himself at one point was not healthy.

And of course sucess does not equal popularity.

[darlincommitme]

And, by the way, I was responding to this comment...

"[Townes] could have been huge..he just chose art,as opposed to the shit that they call "country" nowadays."

[steele917]

@darlincommitme Cannot add a word...Amen

[rainangelbabyUSA]

ty for sharing , love emmylou , one my faverite country singers , love townes vanzandt for this song , love steve earle too, awesomeeeeeeeee , ty much for sharing this , i added to my favrites , my greeting video for my channel , could listen to this , over and over it touched my heart, bravoooooooooo

[somesweetsenorita]

to sandyjp94...that`s so sweet! i would always sing "in the pines" to my baby son.

[sandyjp94]

I sing this to my 2 year old baby girl all the time

[fundybaygirl]

really beautiful duet....she still has it....great song great vocals....thanks tangogirl for the share.

hugs

dar

[somesweetsenorita]

i love the looks she always gives her duet partners...also in "this is us" with mark knopfler,so sexy and warm and everything!!!!

[tangogirl100]

Townes Van Zandt was a creative genius, this is perfect & so nice to hear the writer sing his own song!

[tangogirl100]

Steve Earle together with Emmylou - it is such fine harmony - great song, brings the tears to my eyes....it is a great song for all...

[64fairlane305]

@tangogirl100 agree, even if I still prefer the one with Don W. and his warm voice

[alexrutledge]

Where can I get a copy of this show?

[princessofhesse]

steve and emmylou together are total magic...but, then i've been a fan of steve earle's for years and years....

[RossM3838]

Emmylou Harris was born to sing the songs byt he likes of Townes van zandt and Gram Parsons. She falls so deeply into the songs that its scarey.

[tangogirl100]

One of the most beautiful of her songs, great voice & a goddess of beauty. Ourstanding performance, would you come to me - haunting & yet hopeful....

[halegan]

it's not her song.

[64fairlane305]

@halegan no, it`s his song ;)

[mmmmwwww13]

Wow, this is great!

[aaronsaylor]

I believe they put this show together shortly after Townes Van Zandt died.

[jimpdeignan]

i think you are right. i saw it a few years ago. patti griffin was crying when steve earle sang "goodbye". i was too.

[KingofRoath]

What event got all these stars together? There's a few other vids of this gathering around.

[darlincommitme]

Yes, it is a tribute concert on Austin CIty Limits after Townes's death. There are some not so famous, like Townes's son JT.

[ladywharton]

I saw alot of these people together with Bruce Cockburn for a Landmine Free World. Don't remember if Emmy Lou was there, but Nancy Griffith was there, Earle, Rowan and more that I can't remember.

[ladywharton]

Landmine Free World

[Ludwigoneq2]

perfect sums it up and this is from a hardcore rocker

[bulbheadmyass]

Awesome. Thanks for posting this gem.

[princessofhesse]

what can you say? incredible....i've loved Steve Earle for a hundred years....beautiful...

[harmusic]

great!

[conista]

Thanks to whoever posted this.

One of my favourites, and every now and again it seems to get wihdrawn though fortunately another good soul keeps it alive.

[FAUSTORICCARDO]

Great my Muse. Fine  song

[65wallflower]

Come and ease my pain

[rosesredvioletsblue]

Very soul-stirring. 

Love this song, and what a great group of

artists performing.

"If I needed you, would you come to me for to ease my pain?" ..... thank you

Superb!

[hewittearth]

Perfect...