Added: 5 years ago
From: MattAlexan
Views: 159,010
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (188)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • To me, the bassline from Richard did not sound as natural as that of Tommy's. My 2 cent. But great players and a great session.

  • This was the first Tommy gig I ever went to. Actually changed my life...

  • Two of Chets pupils boy have they learnt

  • Just to add to my last comment...Tommy is probably the best 'live' guitar performer there is, and I faithfully go to every gig he plays in my country...But I have to say Tommy's energy and enthusiasm for playing our beloved instrument doesn't come across on CD. I would rather 'watch' Tommy's virtuosity in my own clips or in his DVD's.

  • I have to say that Chet laid the foundations.

    But these guys would blow him away.

    Nothing wrong in that.

    It is just progress....but where will it end?

    This must be, near enough, the limit of human ability.

  • @Gangly1 Perhaps technically....although Chet often made things 'sound' deceptively easy -until you try yourself AND might I add -there are few to match Chet's musicality. I still listen eg. to Chet's 'Hollywood' and 'Workshop' albums recorded 1958 & 1961 (I think) and they still do it for me after all these years!

    Both Tommy & Richard have still to record that 'classic' album which players would refer to in years to come.

    Chet recorded many 'classics' that will stand the test of time!

  • How wonderful to be able to "speak to each other" using music as your language... and, how wonderful to have someone listen close enough to not only hear, but to feel your message and be able to respond so beautifully.... good thing politicians don't use music to speak.... unless of course you like the sound of .... skkkkkkraatching-the -challllllllkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk board...  NICE WORK guys!!!

  • F wow

    sunaj

  • Tommy Emmanuel never ceases to amaze me.

    He is such a natural on guitar.

  • My socks are missing because they've been blown off!

  • I didn't know richard smith could solo like that. knew he was good but this is awsome!

    I did know tommy could do this cause I have seen him live 10 times.

  • great gipsy jazz player indeed !!!

  • Fantastic!!!!The most beautiful conversation between two ultimate guitarmasters!!!

  • Just found this one - two of my all time greats jamming and clearly having a great time in each others' company. It matters not who is better/worse - the two are stylistically different and that means that they complement each other very well.

    Think I'll sell my guitars now>

  • Watching these two virtuosos literally "dance" as they carry on this musical dialogue is sheer joy. They are in a frame of mind where chords and notes don't exist. Their conversation is in fact beyond words or music. They are in a profound groove that very few of us will ever experience.

  • These 2 should make an album together!!!!

  • this is the best thank you

  • walking bass is crazy!

  • Astounding!!! It doesn't get any better!

  • YESSIREEBOB!

    OFF THE HINGES -- 50/5

    It's really quite strange that guys like this are relatively unknown, while no-talent goons knock down millions -- truly one of life's great mysteries.

  • Oh man, are they in the groove...

    Smiffy and Fluke Skywalker strike again...

    Mmmmagic music!!!

    Thank you for putting this one up, it is just stunning, bravo.

  • This is new to me. Don't often use superlatives but this is one of the best I have seen recently; magnificent chemistry musically. To think that some folk earn £15,000 per week for kicking and hitting balls around level green spaces.............. Wish you all that your talent deserves! Love & Happiness.

  • Comment removed

  • Landnstar - Amen to that!!

  • Some talentless bitch told what to wear will become a millionaire why many players of this caliber struggle financially.

  • @landnstars -I have had this very same opinion for a considerable number of years now but never had the courage to say it!......

  • Sounding astounding!

  • my god...you 2 vibe so well together

  • too much fun !!!  thanks for posting!!!

  • This is what happens to you when you play guitar six plus hours every day from the time you are old enough to hold one. Absolutely amazing improvisation. Listen to Tommy's walking bass and rhythm while Richard solos. Thank you so much for posting this.

  • Wow, amazing! Richard Smith will be back in Scotland next March and playing at Strathpeffer Pavilion on 19 March with his cellist wife Julie Adams - can't wait!

  • omg! this man make a buff on a song but that soundfs like something coming from a cd!

    damn i hope i can make improvisation like that before i 'll be dead

  • the best i ever heard holy shit i have to cut off my hands now

  • Thanks so much for posting this one!

  • real aliens :-) absolut brilliant

  • Richard is from Saturn and Tommy from Planet Pluto!! Whoa Aliens!!

  • Altissimi livelli di maestria e d'ingegno

  • oh my dear jeezuss...

  • Jeeezuss. 'scuze me, I have to go slit my wrists...

  • Jesus!!!! Who are these guys!!!! I mean I know who they are but I just don't believe they are from this planet....truly....DR

  • You all try to analize this but you forget this is perfection in motion!!! Just sit back and enjoy and don't try to figure it out...Your head will explode if you dare!!!!

  • Mr.Smith is great as a lead player but it takes a guy like T.E. to play rythum & lead in a fasion that comliments the song without over-powering like the Smith dude does on everything. Maybe I'm just a bigger Tommy fan?.

  • Oh please!!! Take your med's and go to bed...I dare you to try that on a good day.

  • Deux fous tellement géniaux !!!

  • Very sweet!!

    love Both these guys....

    Does anyone know what tune they are compin to??

  • Stompin' at the Savoy - an old, old swing standard.....

  • Richard is a superb guitar player and Tommy is one of the few I've seen get in the groove while someone else is jamming. Good stuff

  • Two of the greatest acoustic guitarists in the World effortlessly playing for the sheer hell of it. Absolutely magic!

  • Bravo!!

  • I'd pay big money to see this concert...Take a second mortgage out on my house and sell my Rolls Royce. Both guitarists at the top of their game!!! Thanks for sharing the clip......

  • boy some of the comments here are idiotic...."who's the best?"......do you think tommy OR richard would want our reaction to this beauty to be "who is best?"....my guess...if if tommy and richard read your comments they would think you were assholes

  • they not think who best... they live to play

  • Well said

  • I once went to a gig to see Albert Lee, but two other acts opened. They were Tommy Emmanuel and Mike Sanchez.

    A revelation.

  • gutted that i missed this gig. hadn't heard of richard or tommy at the time :(

  • Two maestros - a joy to watch

    Tommy's comping is actually a whole swinging jazz trio.

    There's walking bass + snare sidestick + chords stabs.

    Lovely melodic ideas in Richard solo.

  • RS' grasp of melody and improvisation, plus TE's pyrotechnics make for a compelling mix. Any more out there?

  • Jim Earp, Edgar Cruz, and Tom Boyer are all impressive. Cruz and Earp have more polished resumes, but all three are a treat to watch. Saw Boyer open for Richard yesterday-- fantastic performance.

  • I also like Andreas Obergs version its cool.I love how tommy is soo versitile in his style...shows the importance of takeing something from every form of music.

  • This makes me wish I had gotten into this during the 80's instead of the hair metal type guitarist! It would take a lifetime to learn to play like this.

  • the best!

  • I just love how T.E plays,however,I am not going to be looking for him on "Dancing with the Stars". But you gotta love a guy who gets into the groove so deeply!

  • Try Joscho Stephan or Gareth Pearson

  • i'm going to see him on the 24th of november at the glasgow royal concert hall, in scotland. who else is going ?? :D:D:D cant wait

  • That was some gig. I saw him last year at the City Halls but this one was even better.

  • it was amazing!, cant get just how powerful initiation is in person n i never like jack magic until he played it that night lol!

    do you remember the name of the other african song he played? the new one, was like bara something . the one just before he played mombasa

  • The first time I actually heard initiation was at the gig he did last year, but this performance of it was even better, so powerful.

    Yeah that new tune was called Haba na Haba, I still have the chorus in my head! I don't know if there are any recordings of it anywhere yet. It is a gorgeous tune, I hope it ends up on the next album!

  • thanks man, i have a terrible memory.

    check back on my account in a month or so n i should have some of tommy's stuff up of me playing.

  • No bother dude. Aye, I'll check out your versions when you have them up. I'm a solo acoustician myself, got a couple of vids if you wanna check 'em out, though one of them is a bit old and needs redoing and cleaned up.

  • these 2 guys are the best i've heard...and there are a bunch of good ones out there....love it!

  • Well RS has been playing since he was big enough to hold a guitar and even appeared with Chet before his teens.This particular rendition is one of the best improvisions I have ever heard! I have seen and met both, and together they are as good as it gets. I got most of there cd's . Tommy runs a better rhythm line to my ear, which doesn't surprise me as that is where he started. Chet done learned em good!!

  • Pure bred brilliance. Wow!

  • Pure joy from two guys in total command of their given instruments... Richard's cool smoother approach compliments Tommy's more agressive in your face attack...but what do I know..??

    Acoustic guitar for sale !!

  • super

  • Alucinate!!!

    5***** and +

    :))

  • Its so sad for me :D, but it is a very good motivation for practise...

  • I burned all my guitars tonight.

  • lol tommy seems so happy xD but richard.. just look at his face when tommy smiles at him xD

  • Wow !!  Masters coming in pairs.... love it!!

  • Listen closely and you can here Charlie Christian Barney Kessel and a touch of Django in Richards and Tommys playing -Sweet

  • Now, this is why the internet is a force for good: a month ago I'd never heard of Tommy Emmanuel and then I came across this video of two *exceptionally* good guitarists. I trawled around to look at a few more movies and now I'm buying CDs as a confirmed TE enthusiast (Sadly, recordings by RS seem to be somewhat thinner on the ground at Amazon etc).

    Best of all I just got tickets to see TE play Sheffield City Hall in November :D

    Thanks to Matt and everyone who posted a TE video here.

  • Go to funkyjunkmusic or his own website richardsmithmusic and you'll find all of Rich's CDs. Absolutely reliable sources. Also cdbaby, but take care - some the recordings displayed there are from another Richard Smith ...

  • Thanks for the information, yellowpostbox.

  • Nothing better than seeing more than one master at work!

    Thanks guys. Your friend...Edgar Cruz.

  • thanks to edgar cruz as well for his inspiration,your such a wonderful player as well!!!!

  • I have to say, Edgar, that your covers of Queen are briliant. Such a lovely listening :-). . . Thank you

  • both great guitarists, but Tommy shines because he looks like he's having a blast. Not to take anything away from Richard either, though.

  • My jaw is so dropping right now! Awesome! 8^)

  • They both are amazing players! Watch tommys comping behind richard. Its perfect. If you guys get at chance, buy the album "happy hour" with tommy and jim nichols. The solos are GREAT, but the thing that i like most with the album is tommys comping. You gotta listen to it!!!!

  • I totally agree!!! Richard's fabulous too but Tommy's comping puts him at a level that as a listener is physically euphoric because he makes it sound like he's got an upright bass in that Maton Guitar of his.

    Together - they sound like Birds on the first day of Spring!

  • I love you guys...

  • brilliant.genius!!!!

  • Never mind. I see it.

    Stompin' At The Savoy

    Way cool swing tune!

    Sounds better than the original big band song

  • What is the name of that song?

  • Hey guys, boyh are incredible !

    But Tommy is the best, as he always helps his partners during their solos. It is great when he supports.

    And is he always has fun on stage.

  • and he can play anything. as all of the others cant.

  • it just seems that Richard's not having fun and not grooving and thats why i like tommy more.

  • they do what they want when they want. I remain without voice in front of as much talent. Thank you for this video.

  • FANTASTICO!!!!

  • have to say they are both very good! But tommy is the man. Richard is annoying the way he plays. but both good together.

  • Try watching Richard in his days with the 'Richard SmithTrio' -The CD's from that era are great!!!

  • @MattAlexan I Love Richard Smith these days :) haha I guess I just felt his volume was too high in this song. But excellent :)

  • Some thought about Richard Smith: He should care about his health more. Nashville food will kill that guy and that would be literally very big loss. Secondly, he should burn his guitar and take something with solid sound.

    This nylon sounds like a perfect opposite of full-rich-tone.

  • I'm impressed, but it's too bad that Richard overplays Tommy's turn with his attempt of bass. He totally changed the sound of the song by doing that. Note how complimentary that TE is when Richard is playing.

  • I love it when Richard goes into the walking bass line!

  • two extrely talented...clean pickers....Chet who?

  • Chet Who? Well Chet's just their main influence...

  • yeah i know...just saying i would rather listen to either of these guys than Chet..he was great, but always sounded country no matter what he was picking...imho

  • Ahh, I gotcha. Yeah, even when Chet would do pop songs, they sounded Country...

  • This year they are come both to Raalte, Holland.

  • This is FANTASTIC !!!! It doesn't get any better. Wish I had a front row seat !!!

  • these guys ar good i,ll admit,but no one beats dolly parton.

  • LOL

  • what guitar is richard playing god it looks small i know he's a big lad but it looks tiny

  • I think it's a takamine

  • i really doubt a guy that good would play a takamine... unless he just doesnt care about the guitar he plays

  • It's a Sands guitar richard smith model-made in Laguna Beach, CA

  • Born to it, honed by attitude and experience -like two dolphins frolicing in their element. Just addictive viewing.

  • whats this tune called anybody love em both magic

  • Stompin' at the Savoy

  • thanks for that ive heard this tune for ages i think benny goodmans version was the last i heard great tune good luck

  • Thats one of the best things iv ever seen

  • AMAZING x 2

  • There is always that sorta competitive thing but "not" going on which is suppose to keep each other on their toes I guess lol. Definately they both are in the vibe on this jam and having fun esp. Tommy you'll rarely see him in a bad mood if ever. That Richard is darn smooth and in his element.

  • this looks like Tommy had some competition :ø)

  • that's awesome very very talented man and with TE fenomenal :D

  • i watch te every year had the pleasure of having a chat lovely man never heard of richard smith have now what a player my next cd r smith thanks richard very very much

  • WHAT?!?!?!?!? That is crazy. Well it figures the 2 greatest are together....

  • I agree that was amazing!

  • indeed

    there both amazing!

    im going to see tommy soon too!

  • Fantastic. Richard used to leave near us, we saw him and his brothers loads of times - he is equally at home in jazz Django style and country Chet style. He's a great bloke, as I am sure Tommy is. Just looks to me like too guys on the top of their game having a laugh. Enjoy.

  • They are playing different styles:

    but both of'em do a great job on their guitars. So you really can't say one is better than the other. Yip!

  • sorry guys - next to tommy everybody else sounds like a hack - just my opinion of course, but hey - at least i realize it just my opinion - tommy is a natural genius and you just cant practice your way into that

  • <<<has Drop Jaw Syndrome.

  • brilliant

    just wish richard smith would turn his guitar down - its too loud - we cant hear Tommy!

  • Is it only me getting the chill?

  • is it just me or does richard try to out solo tommy like every second

  • it's just you :o) two geniuses love jammin together, who cares if one or the other plays longer solos...

    btw: i'm a big fan of the one and only tommy and just got to know richard :o)

  • Two masters, proving to the rest of us wannabes why they are able to make a living with their playing! Love it!!!!

  • holy wow!

  • That was ******* awesome.

    Why, for the love of God, do people keep feeling the urge to go "He is better" "No, he is!" blah blah. You CANNOT say either one is better, it's unquantifiable. Just sit back, listen to, and enjoy two of the finest musicians ever to grace us with their fantastic gift.

  • why can't i click "thumbs up" more often? :o) jokin...

    word, well said!

  • yeah, that's blowing my socks away - including three or four toes :-))

    Simply great!

  • Man I wish these dudes would do an album together.

    Nothing rehearsed, just get in the studio and break something out like this. Amazing.

  • Im in heaven =D

    When 2 of the best in the world get 2getha it is truly spectatular

  • ma che glie vol di da sti mostri,questi la musica se la so magnata coi vestiti addoso!

  • Perfect

  • Outstanding.. makes me want to eat my guitar! or practice more.. don't know what to do first M:)

  • Awesome!!!!!!!

  • Hey, critics. When you can play like these two guys, then - and only then - you can come up with your B.S. "technical" appraisals.

    As for the comment that Richard is fat; your point being....?

  • "Good" "Better" "Best" these are all just words. TE and Richard Smith are great people that make being a guitar fan so much fun. I have been amazed over and over by these great men of the guitar. I just enjoy it, over and over.

  • Truly two of the greatest guitar players of our time.A Masterclass in guitar playing regardless of the video quality.

  • how can anyone think that richard is better....that seriously just blows me away.....he isn't even close

  • both are super preformers. Have seen both of them and they are really great musicans...

  • they are bouth great but chet atkins is al lot better

  • Great.Now i know how I would never be able to play.But im not sad.A whole new world these guys opened about what you can do with a guitar.

  • both are good - iv seen tommy live a number of times - but dont you think, that when tommy is soloing, richard is still very loud, so we cant hear tommy. Tommy gets it spot on with his volume when hes doing the rythm guitar. Great duet though. :)

  • If we're talking about the better player, I disagree totally that Richard is playing 'cleaner'. A lot of those runs sounded kinda muddy to me (not as muddy as I'd have played them though!) - you don't get this from Tommy. Both are excellent players though, no sense in competition!

  • Who cares who is better. I just see two great players - one extravert and one maybe a little introvert. If I was on stage I would find it difficult to smile, but for other reasons... Feeling a little like an idiot maybe:-)

  • Yeah, Richard is playing cleaner here, but he's showing disrespect; he's got his guitar neck sticking into TE's 'space' and barely acknowledging him.  You see that all the time among wannabe's and it shows a lack of class.

  • Richard is NOT a wannabe. Check out the video of him

    and Chet Atkins when Richard was 11 years old and he

    (Richard) was playing Chet's tunes AND style as well

    as Chet himself. He's good, no, superb, and has been

    for many years. Tommy ain't no slouch either. :)

  • My bad. I meant that 'wannabe's' behave like that--hardly acknowledging the other guy, playing too loud and etc. Clearly, Richard is WAY better than that. Be nice to see him engage a little.

  • You're right.

  • because weak people need idols

  • If two giants are jamming together then why are these comments nessesary that somebody is better than the other. They where not comepeting for chrying out loud. Be reasonable!

  • I just love tommy as arhythm player! When he puts that little bit of percussion throughout the piece it just makes it all the more audible! so come on!!! Give the guy some credit, Richard is of course an outstanding player but theres no need for bastardizing comments about tommy, Theyre both top notch players!!

  • Yes agreed,,,  but Richard is better.

  • no he isn't !! Listen to richard when he is giving the melody....he is too loud and doesn't add little things to his playing that tommy does. and he's fat too

  • Why compare? Sit back,listen and enjoy.

  • No one is better than Tommy!

  • You're forgetting one thing, mate, and that is that

    Tommy is a SHOWMAN. He CAN pick, but he also puts on

    a show. Richard is picker's picker. No show, just the

    BEST and fastest and as near flawless picking as you'll ever hear. No hype, just fact.

  • You suck!

  • I hace lising to tiger rag and a little bit of blues. I still think tommy is a lot better. Lising to gameshow/cannonball rag,the hunt,Train to Dusseldorf

  • Te is so much better than richard

  • richard is ok. but no chet atkins! theres only a handful of them. chet and øystein sunde!

  • Listen to Richard Smith playing 'Tiger Rag' AND 'A Little Bit of Blues'

  • I like TE but at times tire of the overly flashy playing. Richard Smith just has class - both are good but I can listen to Richard over and over. Same with Doyle Dykes.

  • Woah, i didnt know richard smith could solo like that!

  • Richard is also a great Gypsy Jazz player

  • I'll second that comment also !