Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Old Man River

[beezerk1]

it's genius, alright..saw him perform live twice. he was something like the black version of spike jones, but crazier

[Msenuj01]

What a shame to have misused that beautiful voice in such a stupid manner! But, I suppose that was the only way he could make money.

[ELTGLO]

great entertainer, crowd pleaser

[seanwrightvids]

genius!!!!!

[MuttleeCrew]

Who are the 26 morons that don't like this? Probably the same 26 people that actually like the new channel layout YouTube is forcing on us.

[beowulf3075]

Ha ha - brilliant.  Tongue biting time at about 2:00

[Marruschkka]

Just fantastic♥

[ZZombyWooff]

this is like bad tom waits

[Lee86Cr]

@ZZombyWooff Tom Waits would likely disagree..

[hantagaxi]

fine stuff!

[mikestrat56]

What can you say but "wow".

[InterferencePatterns]

It's like Naked City possessed them a couple of times :D

[auditoryarmory]

OMG that part at 1:42 freaked me out hahahaha

[arqueoluiza]

@auditoryarmory Agora sei onde foi a fonte que John Fogerty bebeu... até o estilo de cantar!

[taila1976]

I just watched I put a spell on you..

[iamademocratic]

Whooo, could he kick ass. A true original.

[beowulf3075]

This guy is full of surprises, heard he was going to try opera, with his lungs, no wonder.

[zim0905]

fuuuck! i'm scared when he's scream xD

[theCluevi]

3:13

[DarklightTears]

WHAAAAA!!!!! 0.0 lol i got a kick outa this one

[minesajd]

Tourettes is just Screaming Jay Hawkins coming back into the world

[FearlessAnn]

His voice is amazing but dude is hilarious

[bluscorpion]

You better sing!

[jonsilence]

Sublime. Screamin' Jay was a man of God.

[swamisMotelBand1]

screaming jay owned it .what an act.

[lucychinn149]

I can see why he compared himself to Paul Robeson.  He did indeed have a operatic voice.

[guckemal13]

@lucychinn149 Screamin Jay I know....who's Paul Robeson? : )

[lucychinn149]

@guckemal13

He was an opera singer many, many years ago, who was black.

[karmadhyana]

@guckemal13 You're kidding, right? Paul Robeson made this song famous in the 1936 musical, "Showboat," in which he played Joe, a dock worker. Prior to that, he played the same part on Broadway. He was known for his phenomenal voice, but most folks don't know he graduated from Rutgers, went to Columbia U Law School and became a lawyer, but due to racism, his career ended. He then became an advocate for social justice, and equality. Later, Joe McCarthy declared him a threat to America.

[littleoutrage]

That voice!

[ghodium]

lol

[hamlanzon6]

Wow, this guy is so interesting. I think I might have a new favorite.

[downchick105]

that was sick.

[theBigNoseAttack]

if you like screamin jay,tom waits,captain beefheart and other crazy blues/roots stuff you may want to check my channel! got a brand new video for you!!cheerz

[WonderWomanFan4life]

damm he is like classical trained voice in my opinion. like operatic.

[masercot]

@WonderWomanFan4life He was classically trained... His original goal was to be an opera singer. "I Put a Spell on You" changed his career path...

[WonderWomanFan4life]

@masercot

wow. thank you for sharing. I had no idea. he was wonderful and a great pianist as well

[pedrovanhalen]

Thanks to my badasses friends that have showed this tribal elvis from hell to me .

[utwobing]

Wth was that? Bold voice, weird theatrics or comedy or something...

[scandiumtrioxide]

I wish a show like this still existed. Just people playing great music, no more no less.

[JPearson1987]

@scandiumtrioxide

I always compare this to "Late Night With Jools Holland", yet I have to admit this to me seems so much more badass.

[fjbutch]

Wohhhh!! entertaining...that was great !

[Tuathalful]

Screamin' Jay Hawkins, it's not just a clever name! What a legend :)

[TraustiHraunfjord]

Hawkins died on February 12, 2000 after surgery to treat an aneurysm. He left behind many children by many women; an estimated 55 at the time of his death, and upon investigation, that number "soon became perhaps 75 offspring".

--From Wikipedia--

[jerryrigging]

excellent post

[Gwitfu90]

This was definitely a precursor to Mike Patton.

[bloodsling]

@Gwitfu90 this makes Mike at his weirdest with Fantomas look sane lol

[thankallahalltime]

thenoblequran (Ctrl+Enter)

[roman9694]

nice voice !!! wow :D

[spencerfreitas]

Dude kills the keys and definitely has an operatic quality voice.

If you don't know... better ask somebody.

[atimlee]

Wow...Suck on that Litle Richard

[plunkza]

DAT VOICE.

[TheArsenalgooner]

Paul Robeson was his hero!

[Trystaticus]

He would have made a great Sweeney Todd.

[OBGillis]

best version ever

[staplerdude]

Is that Lil Wayne on bass?

[scaryninja1693]

Dont you dare roll the credits over Jay you corporate bastards ;)

[JPearson1987]

That guys Sax makes my eyes bleed.

[setamonkeytoy]

by the way i'll say again kick ass version of this song sjh what a legend

[setamonkeytoy]

you know about as much about divinity as you know about your own religion wich is pretty much fuck all. if your going to be ignorant about life at least know your scripture and if you don't know that as well as heathen than shut the fuck up and stop spouting crap

[setamonkeytoy]

he even sent his only child to “death” even though this child was a demigod he said no even tough you’re a demigod and immortal because you’re a part of me I’ll let you get nailed to a cross for a few day oh wait one day and this will prove I love humanity what the fuck would a deity know about humanity

[setamonkeytoy]

Your god is not only not loving he’s a genocidal , manipulative bastard what kind of loving god would convince Abraham to murder their child or try to wipe out all humanity bar two apparently blessed people and that’s before we get to the plagues of gab flies and boils or rains of fire your god is a cunt he’s proven this time and time again

[whitepeoplearestupid]

@setamonkeytoy "you know about as much about divinity as you know about your own religion wich is pretty much fuck all." you seem to think you know something about theology. typical atheist babble. youre only gonna hear what you wanna hear

[setamonkeytoy]

and if you think otherwise quiet obviously you haven’t read your own scripture and your preaching your own pagan religion maybe you don’t understand that last rights do you believe the word of god is true do you believe in the apostles do you believe in the saints DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD if so than you must believe that I’m right or you simply haven’t read or understood your own scripture god does not like children out of wedlock a word created by your religion

[setamonkeytoy]

he doesn’t love everyone unconditionally his illegitimate kids are bastards by the laws of your god

[Badasskicka]

mmhhhh...how did this religion stuff start? this is about music, not aboput god.

so please keep your religious opiniouns to yourself and just enjoy the music!

[setamonkeytoy]

@Badasskicka i ripped the top comment guy for being a hallmark christian dasenuf kept it going from there top comment guy refused to answer to his own stupidity

[Antlers68]

@Badasskicka

mmhhh...why did your bias show through? please be tolerant of others who don't share your views and just enjoy the music.

[changer81]

My bad it wasn't aimed directly at DASENUFF. ;)

[marbleann]

He's great. 

[disturbed4ever2]

best version

[igla88]

true artist 

[toddchoc]

What a great performer Screamin' Jay Hawkins was...

[setamonkeytoy]

I didn’t say I thought they were bastards I said YOUR god thinks their bastards because YOUR religion defines illegitimacy by wedlock. so don’t preach that god loves us all because he doesn’t if he did there would be no hell as defined in YOUR scriptures. and rather than editing your faith to suit you maybe you should just stop spouting clichéd crap. god is god there’s no interpretation so don't bastardise your own religion saying god loves all the little children when clearly he doesn’t

[dasenuff]

@setamonkeytoy-yer wrong...he does love us all..he IS a loving GOD.... dont think YOU can comprehend that...maybe your not a parent or maybe you were abused as a child & cant understand what a loving parent is...he does love us  all.. it is his will that we should all be saved and >NONE< parish..but he respects OUR decision to defy him...but GOD is ALSO JUDGMENT.....so thats the truth btw,,,its not my word or anyone elses..is GODS. get in line w/ it or not yer choice

[changer81]

@dasenuff I'm still amazed by the short sight, religion brings with it. It is GODS word? The truth? Because it has been written down? Because it's obvious?

Many religious people think that if you're an atheist, you absolutely have NO spirituallity. I don't believe in this "God", but think alot about the "mysteries" that the human race can simply not explain.

Let everyone have a free mind, don't "restrict" thinking using religion. Crusades & Jihads have never done much good. In the name of God!

[dasenuff]

@changer81 religion /short sight..... well your right..religion,which is mans concept of God..is short sighted....but as far as 'Gods word and the truth" well the proof is in his word that it has prophecy and that to prove to you and us all that he exist..he brings the prophecy to pass in front of our eyes. judeo christianity is the only belief that whereby GOD provides forgivness and redemption by gracve..a gift freely given..all other religions have all work towards that 'goal'

[changer81]

@dasenuff I might just do that! haha! I meant to say, many people are profoundly "believe", but to some people this "belief" completely sets them apart. They KNOW it's the truth so why keep looking? They KNOW they'll go to paradise if they respect the holy book, so why let that go? So, to make my point that's what I meant by short sighted, there are so many ways to look at something, not just one. And SOME people restrict themselves, by holding on to something eyes closed.

[dasenuff]

@changer81 2... now you say that these beliefs are "restricting" not so...the foundersd of the u s a were men who were christians who were some of the most free thinkers becuase of their beliefs & they brought forth a free nation... the world had never known what these founders created due to their belief in Christ and God....in 500 years no such liberty was known to excist..all due to the fact that they understood the 'mystery' of God. i think u need to get a bible n start reading..

[changer81]

@dasenuff Offcourse there are MANY intelligent religious people like you say. But don't think atheist are ignorant or dumb. I mean, why are you trying to "prove" god exists to me? I think my parents taught me how to think, to search... I don't need a church or a moskee to go "prove" that i'm a good man. I think theres a certain level of hypocrism, having a group of people holding on to one and ultimate truth! Offcourse this is all just MY opinion, and I hope many others will create their own.

[delphi6666]

This Lad is blessed with an exquisite voice by the Lord.

[troutfeatures93]

genius.

[ayashadilrukshi]

Search some naughty women online **mworld5.info**

[searcherboy]

God, I used to love watching this show. I happened to turn it on one night, and couldn't believe how good it was. David Sandborn's idea was to mix musicians of all kinds of styles and backgrounds, back them up with a great house band, and let them do their thing. The results were never less than good and sometimes magical.

Why has this show never been released on video??

[GoesWithTheNameOfGTJ]

When he was a boy, Screamin' Jay always wanted to be an opera singer, you can hear it back in this song. Fortunately, he chose to do this instead.

[guckemal13]

@GoesWithTheNameOfGTJ He chose to do this because the white man refused to give him and his awesome music any opportunities....so he created his own, and STILL became world-famous. He simply would NOT be quiet. Pwned!

[ALLiLaTioN]

Φωναρα φωναρα,πολυ φωναρα..τρελη φωνη..τρελη

[hellohey000]

lol @ screamin jay hawkin. brilliant & classic

wwwDOTlovablefashionsDOTcom

[likelylassofArcady]

oh my it's unbelievably, perfectly, deeply genious..... during 4,5 min my eyes were opening wider and wider, really

[The900custom]

what a voice superb

[rjs1982]

this whole show is very strange yet it really gets you in the rithm towards the end of the song. Great voice too.

[goreXXXwhore]

this is really good! the crazy parts remind me of john zorn.

[slicknicknirvana]

I prefer the Ray charles version!LOL .HAD AN ANXIETY ATTACK AT 40 SECONDS.

[PhillyGirl1]

that Screamin' Jay Hawkins, had style that can be equated with Lil' Richard, Prince, and jimi Hendrix and a voice that carries

[petfireball]

roddiggy4eva hell yea but real rockers know him....somebody should ressurect him

[petfireball]

wow what a great deep voice,i know he had talent but damn but in the 50s and 60s i wondered what whites was thinking when they saw him

[MimiZ914]

God Bless you Jay for all the great music you left behind.

[The900custom]

what a voice. terrific thanks

[MimiZ914]

He had about 50 kids by various women. Let's hope the talent and music stays alive.

[artistsassist]

Magnificent!

[desparanga]

I never heard of him before, but I have to say his voice is amaizing an his performance is unmistakable.

[KKsABC]

RIP and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Screamin' Jay!

[RawJewel]

What a voice! 

[1408alan]

What a showman! Yet there's a vulnerable edge to Jay that sometimes peeks though. The phrase "one of a kind" was invented for him. RIP, you made the world a bit more colourful.

[MimiZ914]

What a character, what a voice!

[catherinek94]

this sends shivers down my spine =)

[MegaYoshitsune]

It's hard to take him seriously after he does a song called 'Constapation Blues'

[byroncallas]

The guy is a gas. Gotta love him.

[martinbirch22]

What a voice...

[elmatadorwangmachino]

gorgeous

[redsalmon]

FANTASTIC!!!

[theoriginalbadbob]

FANTASTIC! Screamin' Jay Hawkins was awesome. I never got to see HIM, but I did see Screaming Lord Sutch. HE wasn't all that awesome.

[Headbangerballz]

If you want to see Screaming Jay Hawkins acting, watch "Perdita Durango", a 1997 film.

[benenada]

@Headbangerballz Also he has a part in the movie "Mystery Train", I must say his voice gave an extra depth to any character he did, : )

[xcaluhbration]

1:40 Scared.. the Living daylights outta me.

[hardrain08]

wish i coulda seen him sing in person

[dethklok745]

I Bet None Of You Caught The Part When He Was Cross - Eyed I Bet !! Go To 3:06 And You'll Find Him Doing It!

[thefortysixand2]

Sublimely beautiful and avant garde, Screamin' Jay was a true American original.

[nightrocket99]

Can the poster tell us about the show this was on? what was "Night Music"? Was the host saxophonist...whatever his name? Thanks.

[scmm42]

@nightrocket99 Night Music was a great show that ran for two seasons from Fall 1988 to Spring 1990. David Sanborn was the host, and the show featured an eclectic mix of jazz, rock and other musicians. Check out my channel for many more clips from this show.

[nightrocket99]

@scmm42 Thanks very much for explaining. Was this a show that replaced "Friday Night Videos"? or was it scheduled after? Interesting that it didn't register with me. Thanks again.

[scotydo1]

I think his performances were in direct response to the fact that no one took him serious as a true talent.

 The man had some serious pipes!

[roddiggy4eva]

LMBO @ 1:41

[roddiggy4eva]

Probably the most slept-on rock and roll dude ever

[mus1cat]

@roddiggy4eva "slept on"? Do you mean "Stepped on"?

[TraustiHraunfjord]

@roddiggy4eva

sorry for your confusion, but SJH was all about BLUES... not rock. But that doesn't change the fact that he was great. :)

[maximvint]

Ahahaha!! This is amazing perfomance!!! Bravo!!!!))))

[yepheth]

great musician besides the showman, Jay spred a lot of great notes along decades.

[kungpoofdoofdoof]

everybody in this room is gay

[JacKass00001]

kungpoofdoofdoof:

What in the wide world has SJH with you and your friends "gayness" to do??

Just out of the closet, or what??

[pfeld]

I don't know the date for this amazing (he was ALWAYS amazing) performance, but it had to be a long while ago and I LOVE the fact that he doesn't do the "nothin" or "sumpin", etc. He was a mensch who wouldn't suck up to anyone.

[scmm42]

This performance was in 1989 or 1990.

[empire07today]

R.IP. Screamin Jay Hawkins. the whole world loves ya lmao @ this great superb maestro

[Kliffhaenger]

i hate the synth sound

[Nkerklaan]

Jesus Christ, what a voice.

[zieckzack]

Oh My God! I LOVE HIM!

[DanteWhite]

huh? i dont understand, explain?

[TabeKat12]

respect

[DanteWhite]

the birth of grindcore

[Gormer]

@DanteWhite, lol agreed.

[joetyner]

OMG he was so damn good. R.IP. Screamin Jay Hawkins.

[HeroForOneDay]

Awesome performance, easily one of his best.

[SideWaysThinker]

For some strange reason, in this video he looks like a black vincent price :s

[Melevolentzeroenvoy]

Amazing!

[jimthigpen333]

Jay could have EASILY performed in a traditional way, but, he would not have been SCREAMIN Jay if He had. I wish I had been able to sit in one of His concerts. He was genious . Also, the post about illigitimate children-------- no child is illigitimate in GODS sight , since it is HE that gives all life.

[magdaszabo]

@jimthigpen333 oh i DID get to see him, very small venue, he was great. he just filled he place!!

[jimthigpen333]

@magdaszabo Life is just too short. I wish we could all live and love on this planet without all the hate and violence.It seems the more we change , the more we stay the same.

[moominpic]

@jimthigpen333 Agreed. The problem was, as SJH commented, was that nobody wanted to give him a chance to do stuff straight. They only wanted him to be a freak. Songs like "Portrait of a man" show how knockout he could be straight.

[MimiZ914]

@jimthigpen333 And Thank God that Jay's gene pool & talent is alive, well and large. I think he was one of the best entertainers around.

[setamonkeytoy]

@jimthigpen333 that’s so sickeningly corny i feel physically ill, and besides the bible defines the terms for illegitimate children no god, no bible, no weddings, no illegitimate kids. it your religion stick to it or give it up. don't turn a religion into a hallmark cliché..... but he is an amazing singer i'll give you that

[jimthigpen333]

@setamonkeytoy I suppose then that you would call all of Jays children bastards. Lets attatch a stigma to them all, as if life isn't already harsh enough. Why don't we rather just let GOD be GOD and stop worrying about someone elses lives. I only WISH I had dozens of children. I love the five I have .

[Godonstilts]

@jimthigpen333 Agree about the Screamin Jay bit. The bit about God etc. Is subjective to your own beliefs. Thus, a child may be illegitimate in varies members of societies eyes, or in the law's eyes, as the law is secular.

[funkmasterflex28]

what legend. i remember reading somewhere he had a a ridiculous amount of illegitimate children

[malepanda666]

By the time he died it was something like 77 lol

[joetyner]

Screaming Jay Hawkins died on Feb 12 2000

[chaosquall1]

wtf

[max8987]

lol

[hoof565]

The most underratted baritones EVER! The man was a genius!

[hobossuck2]

what year was this

[koo65]

To know that nothing new of sjh will come along is so sad. I am collecting his stuff for more than 25 years now. But at least I had the honour to see him live in Hamburg during the 80ies. RIP

[KlaYde12]

The weird parts reminds of John fuckin' Zorn's Naked City hehehe, totally sounds like the mayhem produced by Zorn and his guys ! Love SJH !

[memeexclusive]

This man is hilarious!

[drudow]

I love the body language between Screamin' Jay and the sax player at 1:56. :D

[drudow]

Haha, this is excellent!

[Monstrosity23]

that scared me

[PeteyHop]

Brillliant!!

[hah13]

talented man

[spartacist88]

I feel this man should be considered the Salvador Dali of Rock and Roll... a true genius