In Memory of - Kenny Rankin - Black Bird - Java Fest. Prod.

[sseklof]

Thanks for doing this tribute. Kenny was such an incredible vocalist. His original interpretations and performances are stunning. Professional Dreamer is one of my favorite albums.

[njteech]

Awesome...thanks for sharin'...RIP Kenny

[TheSaverino]

Fabulous!

[adrianwillanger]

amazing

[justpcozz]

I love this video and all of Rankin's music. Walker Valley & the Truckee River are special places to me when I lived out West & I'm sad I can't find Kenny's "Darcy Farrow"....anywhere...till this day! I like Ian & Sylvia's and John Denver's renditions but Kenny Rankin's, got me to my "ballad bones".

[noonav]

*Thank you* so much for posting this... I adored KR & just now learned of his passing while looking for his music online. I was introduced to his music in Tehran when i was 12, when an American friend played me the Silver Morning album.. It was love at first listen... He gave me a cassette which i played over & over again till it was worn out & finally broke. After moving to the States, i looked for his concerts & loved each one i went to... He was always amazing, funny & sexy. Incomparable...

[noonav]

Kenny Rankin was an AMAZING vocalist & an incredibly prolific musician, the likes of whom only walk the earth once in a blue moon. I always thought of him as "a musician's musician" & it puzzled me that he wasn't more famous, but then he never went for mass appeal. His scatting was *totally* unique. Saw him only twice & his talent & stage presence gave me goose bumps the entire show.



RIP Kenny... there will never be another you. Your body of work will live on forever in the hearts of many...

[Jazzticism]

4:25 ... gosh my hair stands when this song starts up.

He was so wonderful, wasn't he?

[sunflower71852]

i miss him soooo =((... i came to love soft jazz because of him... i just cry when i hear "Silver Morning". Thank you so much for posting, we really do appreciate it. What a legend he was!

[rythmyx]

Kenny was one of the few artists whose music transitioned me over to jazz at a relatively young age. I will always absolutely love his music. Thank you Kenny. A lifelong passion in jazz is a priceless gift.

[martinaxman]

Oh dammit! I didn't know he passed!! Oh man! That's terrible. Well thanks for passing this along to us. It's greatly appreciated. Last I saw him I think was on a PBS special and he sounded GREAT as usual. Oh that is awful. . .

[Margiemalaihollo]

The best jazz singer...rest in peace, my favorite singer ! Thank you, Peter, for posting this.

[Margiemalaihollo]

The best jazz singer...rest in peace, my favorite singer !

[MaMark808]

Thank you Peter! "Like a Seed" stopped me in my tracks when I heard it in a record store years ago. I saw Kenny's one-man acoustic concert in Honolulu shortly before his passing. He was so relaxed and appeared very happy playing his beloved first guitar (was her name Diana?), telling stories, sharing that he had just won back the rights to his music, and that his cancer was in remission. His voice and playing were pure and FANTASTIC. Will always miss him. God bless!

[1niwall]

No words can surpass the appreciation we felt for you for sharing this video from such a legend as Kenny. Thank you.

[kilogram19]

Still crying. Kenny was my favorite. Still can't really believe he is gone.

[MrDiamondcut]

Thank you Peter... I'm so shocked that I didn't learn of Kenny's passing... In college, I remember hearing "Haven't We Met" while standing in a music store at the University of MD. I bought Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key of Life", Stanley Clarke's "School Dayz" and got out of line to buy "The Kenny Rankin Album". Amazing and delightful talent. Imagine a concert featuring Kenny Rankin, James Taylor, Sarah Mclaughlin, and the late Eva Cassidy...

Heaven must sound like that.

RIP, Mr. Rankin.

[klassworksmusic]

Thank you so very much for sharing this wonderful footage.

[kciyavicencio]

It was my first and last to see him performed live @ Yoshi's in Northern California many years ago...thought I will be able to see him again but the unfortunate thing happened. His legacy will live forever. He will be truly missed just like Jim Croce.

[lunab4]

wow, it's wonderful he was asked to sing.

a voice from heaven - pure sweetness.

R.I.P.

[christaljr]

I have never so inspired as when I first heard Kenny. He will be greatly missed. I am one of his greatest fans. Love you always, Kenny.

[zzzdogutube]

I'm sorry for his loss.

[wtchtower]

My heart gently weeps knowing Kenny is gone. :((

[lein108]

Empecé a conocer su música en Area Reservada de Radio 3 hace algunos años. La verdad que sino veo este video , no me enteraba de su fallecimiento. Kenny nos dejaste muy buenos temas. Descansa en Paz

[ImpossiblyLost]

How he could play with, and re-invent, yet again, his interpretaions of "Here's that Rainy Day" and "Black Bird." He just gets better with age. I miss him. God gave this man a heart and soul above most people's

[emilnoir1]

@ImpossiblyLost - Wrote one draft. Over 1OOO words long. I knew Kenny as I headlined for him in the 7O's at Bogart;s Cafe in Cincinnati. I still can't believe he's gone. Did you know he was on Johnny Carson many times in the late 60's and 70's. JC favorite actually. Is it selfish to say that part of me is gone. I hope he drank the bottle of Bordeaux I gave him in 1981. Why couldn't everyone hear and appreciate what I was hearing. An Icon past, one of a one of a kind. Rest in Peace Kenny.

[ImpossiblyLost]

How wonderful that you got to give him a bottle of Bordeaux. I listened to his albums over and over again. Sang along and wondered at his flexability of tone color, rhythm, harmony and the spiritual nature of his lovely songs and covers, (interpretations). The closest I ever got to him was at the music recital hall at CSU, Sacramento. I was awestruck at his low speaking voice and high high singing voice. The air was magnetized with his presence. I wanted to cry that I got to be there 1x.

[ImpossiblyLost]

Does this mean that we both heard the same thing? Did you ever hear his interpretation of" House of Gold" by Woody Guthrie? Woody wrote a great song but his original came to life in the heart of Kenny. I love him too. God Bless you.

[bulliondotcom]

Wonderful! What a special tribute to an incredibly talented human being. Thanks for sharing this.

[dakotakai4]

It was my good fortune to see Kenny several times in concert in a very intimate setting. It was beyond wonderful. I was very saddened to hear of his passing. He was an incredible talent. I have loved his music for 25 years and will miss him..

[soriana9]

I always thought that I would get to meet Kenny Rankin. I admired him so. His songs and his voice inspired my songwriting and my singing. I learned today that he died on June 7, 2009. I am very sad about it. I was sad when Michael Jackson, Patrick Swayze, and Mary Travers died, but I cried when I heard that Kenny Rankin had died.

[ChillyMemphis]

Thank you for posting this. I just learned today that Kenny Rankin died on June 7 and I have been crying all day. I have loved his voice and his guitar playing since I first heard his album, Silver Morning. I never got to see him in live performance. thank you, for sharing this video. I am so sad. What a beautiful and remarkable talent!!

[gwynnplaine]

He REALLY was godgifted. I will love him forever. Thank you, Kenny. You're "here in my heart".

[bushhawgsinger]

The most incredible voice and guitar

listening to him is like taking pain relief for ahead ache , like meditating or something. KR alive in our hearts for ever.

Heavens music has just stepped it up another notch with a nylon string classical guitar and a feather soft voice.

[firelione]

Can't believe he is gone!!! Horrible news.

I am in shockl...:(

[penguinmama88]

Golly!  Thanks for posting this...We all loved him, miss him like mad. However, as I posted elsewhere, it's because he is gone that I believe in God and Heaven. There is one "hella" concert going on up there with all the musicians we have lost :)

[iamthemindseye]

I, like angorasox, am also in shock...I just now learned of his passing. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans (of which I am the biggest one). His voice has been like an old comfortable piece of furniture in my home for years. No other singer or voice captured my attention like Kenny's. My jaw dropped the first time I heard him sing "In the Name of Love". The only man who could do a cover of a Beatle song and make it his own. We love you, Kenny ! Silver Mourning !.

[angorasox]

Kenny Rankin touched my life with his soothing, soulful sound. My prayers are with his friends and family. He will be deeply missed. What a gift he shared with us all! This is the first I heard of his death. I can't believe he's gone so soon. I feel so sad.

[GingerGroup]

All the best to you and your friends of music - thank you for posting this. The generosity with which Kenny shared his immense talent has inspired me since I was first introduced to his stunningly expressive voice in the early '70's. Be Oh So Peaceful, Kenny...you've blessed us with your art.

[DLSmith93]

Thank you so much for sharing this performance. Just like everyone else, I was a fan and a recipiant of Kenny's kindness at several concerts. I flooded my house with his voice and my tears when I heard about his untimely passing. Clips like these are comforting. Thanks so much again.

[fallman74]

Just found out of his passing. Thanks for the wonderful posting. It's like he's right here. A wonderful musician and singer - the ultimate stringman.

[TheJazzgrl]

I just heard the news about Kenny's passing. I recorded a duet with him titled "And All That Jazz" written by Benny Carter.

I was so taken with his wonderful presence I couldn't focus on my part I had to sing, but managed to get through it.

He was just brilliant, soulful, funky, and clearly knew his stuff!

My heart is full of tears. God rest his sweet soul.

TheJazzgrl

[cojonesdeoro1]

A real treat! I saw Kenny Rank a number of times. I enjoyed him most at The Bottom Line in NYC, where he would walk around the audience chatting before the show. I still remember the first time I heard his voice. . . .

[micheallove64lisa]

That rainy day is here.... I'll miss you forever..Lisa

[guildmkvl]

Beautiful! Thanks so muc h Peter

[TheJudyChop]

Thank you Peter for sharing this treasure. Every song he ever sang was magical but my favorite is "Here's That Rainy Day". My heart is breaking but thank God for recordings, video & youtube.

[PFGontha]

Judy, u are wellcome, I am so glad people appreciate the postings , may we all ...always...remembers this great person....Peter

[casadefrancia]

I'm really sorry to hear that Kenny passed away, I got his record from a friend many years ago and it has inspired me very much

Thank you for all the great music and a beautiful voice...........

Henk de Laat

[mraldcity905]

Had the pleasure of attending a Kenny Rankin concert in 1976 In Pittsburgh PA at the old Stanley Theatre. In love with his music since then. Pure genius of a musician/vocalist. I will hold that concert dear to my heart. :( Rest in peace fine, fine man. You will be sorely missed by millions.

[rjzatcoff]

This is a perfect tribute.  I still can't believe it, I am so sad.

[katcon67]

Thank you for posting. Kenny Rankin can sing for the angels, and maybe teach a thing or two ~ lucky angels... He will surely be missed here.

[bhmartin]

A genius. Chet Baker cool meets James Taylor earthiness, with a touch of class throwin in. Beyond categorization. So he didn't sell records. So what. Van Gogh didn't sell many paintings in his lifetime either. RIP Mr. Rankin.

[manila612]

My all time favorite! I saw him performed privately in Makati, Manila '91. A true musician. No comparison. The best. What matter's most is that he loved music and performed. Rest in peace!

[aargoldtakesflight]

Peter, thank you for sharing this with us and let me extend my sympathies for your loss. You were blessed to know him. I first came across Kenny Rankin when I found out he did a version of the Fred Neil song "Dolphins" on YouTube. Of course, it has been recorded previously by Tim Buckley and Richie Havens but Kenny Rankin gave the song a whole different feel. I wanted to see him perform in NYC at the Iridium in Nov. '06 but other commitments rendered that infeasible.  I am kicking myself.

[readfiredoglakecom]

Perfect Tribute. Thank you for sharing. Countless hours listening to him, not a second of it was wasted time.

[eireluv2]

The purest voice ever has been silenced.

God rest Kenny Rankin.

[JimmerSD]

Kenny will be missed. His music had an effect on me and the direction of my music.

[peleka]

Amen to that. I stumbled across Kenny not too long ago. As an jazz guitarist I had not focused on vocalists. Only a few really moved me. Ella, Sarah V of course. Bobby McFerrin. This guy was so free, relaxed and pure. There was no ego between the intention and what he manifested. A true pure musician.