Tommy Emmanuel - Somewhere Over The Rainbow (live 2006 Leverkusen)

[dmeachy]

very well could be the best song ever written and is considered by many to be just that. What a wonderful interpretation Tommy has given us. I hope he plays this at his upcoming concert at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco!

[whouston33wh]

I love the picture on the link to this video. He looks really badass, but then you see it's Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Then you watch it and realize you're being sucked in by the awesome might of his guitar skills. He should call this song "Somewhere Over the Fuckin' Rainbow"

[teachingfeller]

What is it about this song that just reaches in to the heart and can drive even the hardest, meanest jerk to tears? Someone bring a mop, please.

[josephsk8bp]

can anyone explain why he has a mute in?

[tuftt]

@josephsk8bp because it helps having a better amplification. so no sounds can exit from the body of the guitar

[skyzito08]

Awesome.



[CSvingen]

7 people are ruby red slipper haters, nuff said.

[giogio2317]

He is certainly enjoying playing the guitar. It makes his performance better.

[bigm1953]

he is one of the greatest guitarists that ever lived!

[njd247365]

Stunning!

[chiefjerky5000]

7 people are stuck in Kansas.

[GWizardMelb]

This is a 5 min 46 second video...it took me 17 minutes to finish watching it cause i went back and watched certain parts so many times!

[Harky1951]

I can't think of anything I have ever heard that was more perfectly beautiful than this. God Bless him.......Pamela

[ReverendTFunk]

Tommy plays here every year. To be in the room while he is doing this is an experience that is beyond description.

[edro31111]

@ReverendTFunk You are so right. I was moved to tears the first 2 or 3 times I watched him live doing this song. After that, I just closed my eyes and drifted off into the high corners of the theatre! Unreal!

[tommyknockers1000]

Thanks for posting these....amazing talent, heavenly peaceful!

[kharmakreep]

i can't imagine doing something this beautiful and not screwing up in amazement at myself

[guitarmastah343]

What happened to this kind of music over the years?

[Zorozangel]

I love this......one of my favourites:))

[MartinLohmueller]

To all critics here: You are mistaken if you only use this brilliant vid for defining your opinion about TE. I tell you he can go RAW, and if he does, be sure to take cover.

[aendaltsev]

По-моему это та самая песня, которую нельзя играть на гитаре.

[44RoganAve]

So singular a talent defies comparisons.Do not miss an opportunity to see this tireless Wizard cast his spell.There is no one out there who can matchTommy's

Virtuosity.If you get a chance to see him in concert DO NO miss out.

[appetitefordynamite]

comparing those guitarists to Tommy is like comparing a quava, peach, passion fruit cocktail to a sliced apple. Playing an acoustic guitar as Tommy does is MUCH harder than playing an electric guitar with distortion. Tommy's skiill are way above that. Further, this is Tommy's video. Not theirs. Further still STFU!!

[SirGigalot941]

One of the most classic concert renditions of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" ever done.... just listen to the quality of every note, the melodic movement, chrording, dynamics, and harp-like effects. Skilled musicianship at it's best.

[joshppful]

people that go to Tommy Emmanuel gigs are so used to his amazing playing that when he does that incredible harmonic opening they just clap lightly!

[progrockertom]

amazing!

[argus1948]

First, it is a remarkable melody. Second, it is a remarkable arrangement and adaptation to the guitar. Third, it is so astonishing that anyone could play so many notes and OVERTONES without any errors (at least that I can hear) in one performance…

Of course, it IS possible, since we just viewed it, but impossible if someone suggested it before it actually happened.

I think it is the musical anthropic principle, applied to music.

Really amazing performance!

[kimjunmyung1]

잘하네

[jimmmmybrady]

...that almost made me cry......seriously.

[skymcfadden]

but can he play smoke on the water?

[Firestoner46]

@skymcfadden LOOOL!!!! 

[guitarmaster116]

@skymcfadden dont insult his intelligence with such rubbish

[rnrm4]

only an inbred imbecile could dislike this

[stephaniemoney100]

Probably the coolest man alive

[ursafan44]

I had the pleasure of hearing him do this live. Brought tears to my eyes.

[palatinodot]

@sthugh well apparently most ppl like his stage antics!

[vegalebron23]

STUNNING !

[kenmercermusic]

Pure fucking genius!!!!!

[NothingMuchTooHear]

Hey im a fingerstyle guitarist, ive played guitar for a year now and i idolise Tommy! please if anyone could spare a second a check a video of mine it would be much appreciated :)

[Firestoner46]

He has so much control, it's unbelievable... Words cannot describe the genius of Tommy Emmanuel!

[palatinodot]

This guy makes me proud to be an Australian!

[MrTikiboi]

@palatinodot  He's a bloody kiwi mate lol :)

[palatinodot]

@MrTikiboi No mate,peter jackson is kiwi,Tommy Emmanuel was born in muswellbrook,new south wales Australia on 31 may 1955 {check out wikipedia}

[MrTikiboi]

@palatinodot ....Get it right pal....Crowed house are australian...and Tommy Emmanuel is a Maori from Nz Sheep shagger you

[Stillwalking07]

I love the gift God has given this fellow! So amazing! So much hard practice to be able to play as Tommy does...and talent that surpasses all that practice! Thanks Tommy for sharing with the world!

[clyde21641]

You get my day started every day, you a guift to us all.

[aigorzap23]

I hear this, it ends and i pick my guitar and want to play it all day long BUT I CAN'T.... i'm not that good. Only thing i can do is play it again. It's kinda irritating

[frombaerum]

tommys hands are so big

[str8ngrrr]

Toughest job in music--solo, unaccompanined, with attention to song structure that enchants the listener. He is not equal to Hendrix, he is different. But I know how tough it is to hypnotize an audience, and Tommy does it passionately and technically. If THAT is acting, what an actor he must be. Me, I call it MAGIC, via solo acoustic guitar. There IS no greater passion.

[kingbrinston]

Some idiot wrote that this dude was Equal to Jimi Hendrix -no way. He is a talented guitar player but lacks the fire and passion to be in a League like Jimi - Edie Hazel or Ernie Isley or Santana.

[usmcbrat2]

@kingbrinston - While there's next to nothing that Hendrix played that Emmanuel couldn't reproduce exactly, the converse is about as likely as 1000 monkeys playing the song that you're listening to right now.

[sweetchildonline]

@kingbrinston omg tommy emmanuel is passion on the guitar,your are so wrong.Listen!

[bErNiEvEEE]

Too orchestrated... not raw passion... too technical - like he's acting. I'd go for Igor instead - plays from his heart.

[lotusfeet]

@bErNiEvEEE Not raw passion? Lol we must be watching two different videos....

[rodmeister74]

@bErNiEvEEE , I agree with you. Although I could never learn to play like him, and I can appreciate the difficulty of his playing, the music doesn't move me, except to be in awe of his technical skill, which is enough for some listeners, but I want some raw passion.

[pkirkup1]

What a genius!!

I'm off to set fire to my guitar

[uncrg821]

Stunningly beautiful!

[chezwick69]

Seem him last night in Napa Ca. Awsome!!!

[MsSpawn1234]

Stunning!

[BKApache1]

if you havent seen Tommy live, close up, your really missing out.

[bbucket12345]

... und deswegen wurde Domian verschoben... Schande über dich,

Tommy Emmanuel :D

[Raphmoris]

I dont need to watch the video to know that I have to click on the like button with Tommy !

[NoOne782]

Dude, that feedback or whatever is was at 5:30, was like a force of awesomeness that just hit me and made my ears go into wow-mode......amazing.... :)

[joebonamassa54]

they shouldn't even have the dislike button

[MrTiki48two]

never seen that before.

That... was... AWESOME dude!!!

[coolnwynpyn1]

Would he be playing a Maton BG808 ? Looks about that style.

[dabrovi402]

thx for this

[kicker44]

I have the same Feedback Buster soundhole cover...does that mean I can play like this?

[biggerbigd]

@kicker44 Only if you use the same thumb pick AND the soundhole cover.

[bastiaanzijlstra]

One of the few (if not the only one) out there, who doesn't only love to make music, but who is also actually making love with music..

[SmeagolTheBeagle]

The only man who actually got over the rainbow.

[StrategyMaister]

@SmeagolTheBeagle Not Including Isral IZ then. Asshole.

[TheYann17]

Niice

[spkrwill]

Its great that there's someone to continue where Lenny left off! Now we get to hear new pieces that stop us in our tracks, forgetting everything but what we're hearing!

[ANT00NES]

WTF? Really? Is that a harp or a guitar? oO

[ahz123]

@ANT00NES heh, if you're TE it's both.

[walkshe]

When played correctly, I think Somewhere Over the Rainbow is one of the most beautiful melodies every written....and Tommy DEFINATELY plays it correctly!!!!

[biggerbigd]

Finally, a camera person who knows how to shoot a guitarist! Thank you!

[MartinLohmueller]

@biggerbigd Just a note from me: This was done for german TV! At least they should know ;-). WDR is a german TV broadcaster.

[hotamali]

love the chord change at 0:28

[Pre00]

you don't understand he's doing runs usually just heard on electric..so effortlessly and precise..most players would have to have low action electric strung with 8's so the guitar almost plays itself..amazing..i've been playing 30 yrs and consider myself pretty good, but next to Tommy i'm a hack..lol...it doesn't matter who's the best, just enjoy what you play..the greats like Tommy don't sit around arguing who's best, they just get out there and stun the rest of us.

[Magmaking13]

@Pre00 Tommy is in a league of his own, but that said there are other superb guitarists out there like Steve Morse, Eric Johnson, Nuno Bettencourt and well the legendary Chet Atkins, all have differing styles of play etc but all are so accomplished they make players like me and probably u (no offense i dnt know how good u are) seem like amateurs. My biggest wish was that i was born into an era of music that isnt based on the same 4 notes repeated over and over again, at 24 i hate modern music

[SurfGreenStrato]

@Magmaking13 Amen to that buddy. Amen to that. 

[RandomMocker]

@Magmaking13 Check out a guitarist called Pavel Steidl :) If you ever get a chance to see him in concert, do so! His YouTube stuff only conveys about 5% of his talent and musicality.

[milodaman2]

@Magmaking13 Do what I plan on doing, change that 4 chord pattern. Hell, I want to have a blues rebirth.

[ibanezplayer91]

i completely agree with you, im only 20 and cant stand all the main stream bogus that they play religously day in day out, its nice to finally see someone that feels the same way as me, check out candy rat records if you already havnt, very inspiration music

[26lumz]

Awesome!!

[stonehorn59]

I play myself guitar für thirty five years and not so bad by now, but watching and listening to him makes me feel like a beginner. Okay, not really, but something like that. I wonder how someone can do these things on this instrument. Especially I love the "harp" in the intro.

A small comfort is: there is always someone who’s better.

And he's sooo good! And his music comes from deepest heart. Every single tone is played with full conciousness and genuine emotion. No artificial pathos.

[rgttgi]

@stonehorn59 The "Harp" you are stating is really a technique that he invented and used before any other guitarist probably. Its called Cascading. Hitting harmonics and notes.

[biggerbigd]

@rgttgi Tommy learned cascading harmonics from Lenny Breau and Chet Atkins. Tommy

shows how to do them on his DVD "Up Close."

[stonehorn59]

But I know it’s not the core to be the best. BTW: What is the definition of „best“?

Eric Clapton is famous, too, though I guess he can’t do some things Tommy can.

I think the matter is to have fun with what you do and reach the people with it.

If you’re true in your work people will see and appreciate it.

[fourstringmania]

This embodies everything that music theory can never teach. Perfection - nothing else.

[kaljus1]

Super

[Zdogs22]

There is something in Australia's water for sure

[crossingzero]

5 people hate there mother...oh yeah..Are you kidding me..that was guite possibly the most beautiful guitar piece i have ever heard......

[freddiemesquit1]

Impossibly beautiful. And to think I've been overlooking this guy for years. Not anymore though!

[garfinorbit]

is this heaven for god sake?

[danimal511]

a master

[JamirJamirJamir]

toca muito vei

This guy is the best

[valvetrom]

wonder if he ever would consent to play this with Keith Jarrett??who does a good job on the old rainbow too.

[whynotuseme]

AMAZING!

[martinaxman]

LOL. He's such a HAM!! lol. Absolutely love listening to Tommy whether it's singing or chatting. A truly amazing man and musician.

[TheReilly8]

waterfall harmonics at the start so beutiful best intro ever

[Coppertunes]

It took me fookin ages tabbing this out for Tommy.

[Powerslider]

My hero... Everyday's inspiration. Thank you, Tommy!!!

Cheers :)

[ZeldasDiner]

Ah, but it's modern and very beautiful

[bensononelly]

cant wait to see him in the belfast waterfront in november

[DanskeSange]

@bensononelly Have a good time. Wish it was me, but he never plays in Denmark )-:

[crossingzero]

Dont you just love how the audience knows the song is over but are still so flapped up, it takes a head shake or two,, just to roll the tongue back up, before the applause starts??

[crossingzero]

sometimes its hard to tell wher the guitar stops and he begins....he must have been a bridge baby :) !!!

[egilaat]

3 people smoking paint!

[FrankiusPrime17]

Lol, 3 persons missed the "Like" button!!

[loboDX182]

@FrankiusPrime17 i did actually miss it sorry a i press like 50 times now to correct it

[TheDudeFrom0Z]

this song is great for listening to before bedtime.. ahh sweet dreams

[Zorrozangel]

@TheDudeFrom0Z ...so true:)

[AlternateTunerDotCom]

I love to hate Tommy Emmanuel. I think he's a show off, and frankly a bit of a jerk.

But I can't argue with this, it's beautiful.

[Jago433]

@AlternateTunerDotCom how he a jerk? im not arguing, but has he really done something bad? or something to make him look liek a jerk? plz i ogtta know.

[lucasmamoru]

3 idiots that don't understand a sh*t about music.

[bluesgurugod]

@lucasmamoru I'm from Buenos Aires and I say KILL THEM ALL!

[TheDarkSide599]

he is like an acoustic hendrix

[SweetLittleRnRoller]

@TheDarkSide599 WAY better!

[TheDarkSide599]

@SweetLittleRnRoller NOOO WAY!! D:

[SweetLittleRnRoller]

@TheDarkSide599 I haven't heard Hendrix playing 3 guitar at once.

[TheDarkSide599]

@SweetLittleRnRoller so what......playing 3 guitars at once doesnt necessarily make you good at better at guitar than someone else. anyway you cant really compare them both because they are so different.

[RR5GUITAR]

HOW IS THIS LEGAL?

[crossingzero]

what he does with some of those old Chet A arrangments is simply facinateing to both watch and listen to..over the course of my life watching music evolve and those who bring about the evolution has been my greatest joy,, years from now,, people will look back and say there was so and so,,then there was so and so,,,but then there was Tommy E. blessed we are..truly!!

[colmonic]

One of the greatest songs ever written by one of the greatest players ever. It doesn't get ANY better than this.

[yipmicha]

This guy is just just incredible. He puts so much love in his guitar as others put in their girlfriends! He is a great man!

[puige3]

that was just speachless

[RainbowForMyFriend]

Unique, il donne une âme à sa guitare.

Elle n'est pas seulement guitare mais instrument d'expression et son expression à lui, TOMMY est un AS. Best of all i meet . I love him so much!!!

Nathalie

[fishingtrojan]

Beautiful!!!

[TAZBO264]

BRILLIANT GUITARIST, check out tommy play this LIVE 2010

[TAZBO264]

BRILLIANT GUITARIST, check out over the rainbow LIVE 2010

[donata73]

he's genious!!!

[raidacaipo]

this guy is awesome!

[motoman851]

I can't believe most of you guys don't seem aware of his brothers talent. Together, Tommy and Phil are truly a gift from the guitar Gods. And don't forget about their young prodigee', Smokin' Joe Robinson. He will surely have a great future.

[jblackbath]

This guy could DEFINITELY be considered as the greatest guitar player of the late 20th century (only competing with Andres Segovia). But he IS definitely the greatest guitar player of the 21st century so far!!

[leavemealone2006]

@jblackbath

if you think Segovia is one of the two greatest 20th century guitarists...

I can think of a number of classical guitarists superior to Segovia...

[brownbigb]

@leavemealone2006 100's really. segovia was great for his time. but he played everything like romantic music. even bach. he's been passed by so many, couldn't even count it.

[leavemealone2006]

@brownbigb

I totally agree, I just wanted to tread carefully since saying Segovia is less than a deity usually sparks all kinds of bad responses

[brownbigb]

@jblackbath segovia really can't be considered as a great on the late 20th century. mid, yes. there were many classical players better, but he is the famous one. julian bream, or pepe romero and so on. scott russell. even john williams. segovia was a groundbreaker for sure though.

[binnyman]

What a cultured audience; they held their applause until he was actually finished :-) They could've given light applause at 4:00 when he gestured to them, though....:-)

Absolutely phenomenal talent......one of the best that has ever been.

And if he was a bit younger, and played rock'n'roll, some Major Manufacturer would have a "Tommy E guitar", complete with road-worn finish for that "vintage" look, all for about $6000 !:P!:P Praise be to God for giving us Tommy !!! Peace:-)

[sambunyan274]

wow wow whoa-ie.

if you watch this and do not smile, you need serious help. my new favourite guitarist. true talent!

[oliverthorpe]

the ultimate entertainer....

[ericvanhalen5150]

one of the best for sure

[evilmonkey1911]

its got nothing to do with fooling around but about entertaining the crowd... thats why hes there and i couldnt stop watching so it clearly works. TOMMY IS THE GREATEST!!!!!!!!!!

[bunnieroe]

Tommy is the best. But check out another young Aussie, Joe Robinson if you've got time.

[hesika]

actions speak louder than youtube comments just play as long as you can, simply put...

[ScreechRAPS]

Where Practice gets you

[synesthesia67]

I think I could practice for a million years and not get here....my hands just aren't built for that....

[AgentZeroForTheWin]

16 hours a day since his teens he says

[TheDudeFrom0Z]

@ScreechRAPS and pure god given talent mate.

[aaqaaqaaqaaqaaqaaqaa]

@ScreechRAPS :Yes----practice and an odd -ball gene mutation.

[ZorrosAngel]

I listen to this many times....it is so beautiful...words cannot say

[bailinnumberguy]

A stunning player, but in my opinion he tries to do too much w/ the song. Over the Rainbow is one of the greatest melodies ever and his harmonic adventures detract a bit from the melody, but still quite a player!

[gameboygaf]

i disagree bailinnnumberguy....

i respect your opinion but i think his harmonic adventures complement the melody in an indescribable way.

think of it this way. if he didn't play it the way he does, it would be just another instrumental cover of somewhere over the rainbow.

Tommy puts all of his heart into every song he plays. in my opinion, there can never be too much heart. especially when it comes to music.

:)

[bailinnumberguy]

Fair enough. I suppose it comes down to preference, doesn't it? We can probably agree that he's an extremely accomplished player....

[gameboygaf]

absolutely :)

its nice to have a civilized conversation over the internet haha

[synesthesia67]

are you kidding??...sure, he takes liberties...a LOT of liberties...but that's what makes it...for me...I don't wanna see some stodgy segovia clone play the song...even if it's technically more proficient.,..he LOVES playing the guitar..and it shines through...

[Powerslider]

@synesthesia67 Brilliant comment. Couldnt agree more!!

[greatbigmeandog]

@synesthesia67 YES ! Tommy Emanuel could take a wood ruler, shoe box, rubberbands and elmers glue and make more beautiful music than most "guitarists" today. His love of music is flowing through him at such a large volume that the audience can not help but get it all over them. This proves yet again that modern effects are not needed.

[linville1000]

@greatbigmeandog You are right here, Tommy and his brother Phil used to do guitar clinics for us in the 80s, but they could never resist the temptation to pick up some really crappy guitar and make it sound like it was a $2,000,000 guitar

[mikhailasanovic]

@synesthesia67 agreed! its the character he brings to the music that makes it so special

[pinky0926]

I have to agree with bailinnumberguy here. Tommy has the greatest skills in the business and he even has a big heart and a wonderful feel, but sometimes I think he just gets a little too carried away and fools around even when it would be nicer if he didn't.

Just a personal opinion, nobody should be offended by it. I still think he's in a class of his own.

[Natokowsky]

Well said.

[UcantQme]

agreed

[skleung]

i guess its easy to get carried away when you're having fun....and it looks like he's having lots of fun :) haha

blessings

[bretona]

all part of putting on a show. he doesnt seem to have a hard time not sellin tickets

;)

[Lightmane321]

Yes pinky, I agree. but if his 'movements' are genuine, then I love them. If it's just for show, that's fine.

He's such a beautiful & phenomenal guitar player, that I have to believe that that's simply how he plays and he can't play any other way. I hope I'm right. Regardless, I could listen to this guy all day.

[Edis90Vienna]

AWESOME WOW VERY COOL :D and sounds powerfull and magic :D