David Johansen on September Songs

[MrMoneyTrouble]

Out of all the interpretations available on the net, this is the one I return to. I like the song and the visuals here make sense. Original intent of the writer? I doubt that it matters. Anything that breathes life into an interesting piece of music should be welcomed.

[TZKeyz]

I think this is great. I can't believe I haven't stumbled upon this version before. TZ

[RenzoRienzi]

Fantastic!

[benbisley]

Weird and excellent-

Ellen Shipley is superb.

[elship]

@benbisley

THanks for the kind words!

[pahlie]

you got to expect this from David Jo, been a fan since I was a teenager, he is still at it. Ralph Schuckett was in the original Todd Rundgren's Utopia...,

[ColodeHurlingham]

how fear

[koelcreme]

I really need to track down the PBS Sept. Songs... I've always thought of this version of the song as closest to what Brecht and Weill intended. I have no idea if this is true at all, but it's nice to have found the video for this! Thanks!!

[tiffinnisaintranae]

buster poindexter?

[PinkDino]

same person :)!

[ramonesacidpillsh]

Mr. Johansen is such a weirdo, but I wouldn't have him any other way. but man.... He's just about the weirdest person I've ever met!

[rocknrollphilip]

bizzaro, to be sure. while this version is enjoyable, the version off of the Doors' debut album is the one that knocks me out. this song and that band's wierd and wonderful sonics are the best match. check out ellen shipley's underrated album,

"breaking through the ice age", released in 1980. thanks for the treat!

[chansonex]

I remember when September Songs was on PBS back in the 1990's. It was strange yes, but I loved so much of it.

This and Stan Ridgeway's Cannon Song were probably my favorites, followed by both the Stratas songs, Nick Cave, Costello, and PJ Harvey.

I enjoy the strange, nightmarish quality of this piece. It's like watching a journey of the damned.

I used Shipley's interpretation of this song when I auditioned for a production of Rocky Horror a few years back. I was cast. :)

[porkinwitz]

yeah i remember too. i thunk it was 95. but back then i thought "what a treat", and a bit strange as well. back then i was always going the record store and asking about the soundtrack, and no one knew what i was talking about. i'm glad theres you tube.

[elship]

@chansonex

I'm so glad you got cast!

I loved doing this film1

[phdecora]

is this part of a play or something? wow

[a99999z]

I saw a performance of Mahagonny at the Kennedy Center in the 70's. I also saw the NY Dolls in the 70's and never put the two together. 30 years later, I do! C'est incredible!

[moribund14]

I think this video captures the spirit of the song almost perfectly-- after all the subject matter is not about restraint. And it led me to look up Bob Dorough on Wikipedia. The man has an amazing resume!

[coldironhands1]

you can always tell david johansens's voice jeez. yeah yeahyeah oh no no no no no

[smurfswacker]

Of all the many versions of this song on YouTube, this is the only one I've seen include the verse about the next little dollar. The production is a bit over the top, but I kinda like it.

[DaGaukla]

david bowie sings it too

[leel1052]

I've never seen a live performance of Mahagonny and have only heard one once 10 yrs ago, but I think Weill and Brecht would not have disapproved of this and may even have liked it. I agree it's a bit over the top but the longer I listened the better I thought it was. When it started I thought, "Oh my." But it does grow on you. As I recall this whole show is pretty strange so this rendition is hardly out of context.

[phillyflu]

Nice

[FreedomMan2191]

From "The Rise and Fall of Mahagonny." The Doors also have their own rendition of their song that I love.

[Raoulof]

Sammyreed,

What is wrong with your hearing, she is singing, pretty boy, as in the score of the opera. I love it, the singing is perfect, exactly like the version in 1928 with Lotte Lenya

[toonsis]

Its a song...not a script. Johansen has done alot better then this and that Buster stuff

[sammyreed]

Ellen sings "the next whiksey boy"!

It makes me think of the "Sanford & Son" moment where Woody talks about "whiksey" vs. "whiskey".

[devinehell]

i have this on a cd, cant believe thier is a video for it..haha

[devinehell]

never mind, im a idot -its from the movie september songs which i never saw- from which the cd comes from.u tube should aloow you delete comment, if you been up too long

[and2rew]

the dark haired lady, ellen shipley was married to Bob Clearmountain (Springsteen engineer and producer). She also co-wrote one of anita baker's later hits from 1995 (but I can't recall the title).

[elship]

@and2rew

HI

This is Ellen Shipley.

I was never married to Bob Clearmountain, but to Ralph Schuckett of Utopia fame!

I did write "Body and Soul" for Anita Baker.

Doing this film was a fabulous experience!

[and2rew]

@elship

You sure? I take your word for it..... Ralphy? You got lucky gurrrlll.

What have you done to me

I can't eat

cannot sleep .....

I used to love AB. Thought she was great. But for some reason I can't stand her voice now.

I adore Chante Moore! A sweet voice that doesn't grate with too much wailing.

I almost bought your something through the ice age album far too many years ago.

About BOB. I must have read that in 1980 in Record Mirror.

Andrew

[toonsis]

Too hollywood,too rehearsed, too many drama queens

[Wuzrobert]

Toonsis you have no idea how ironic your comment is. Kurt Weill was one of the 20th century masters of composing for the STAGE! In the 1930's Weill composed several scores for hollywood fims. His wife, Lotte Lenya was the epitome of "drama queen". This song was written for a Bertold Brecht production titled Mahagonny-Songspeil (The Little Mahagonny)

[phdecora]

too short, too trite, too furious for no reason

(my review of your comment)

[elship]

@toonsis

Done in Canada with very dedicated artists from all genres in music .

Having lived and worked wiith so many artists oer the years, I can tell you for sure,

since you weren't there, that this production was the least "Hollywood" film concert, recording session, etc. that I have ever worked in.

It is supposed to be over the top---that's called "stylized" and it was what the director wnted from us.

It always blows my mind when people make comments like they KNOW what was really going on-

[toonsis]

@elship wow a reply to a comment I wrote 3 years ago. What are you his girlfriend ??? I am a big fan and have seen him live many times but I felt this sucked and said as much. I still stand by it we will have to agree to disagree. I dont know whats going on, I dont want to know whats going on. Its just a comment boy, take the good with the bad and know you feel you did a great job no matter what I think

[peterorlovskypoem]

it is, it really is

[yostie]

Production worthy of Tom Waits...