This song is covered all the time by musicians who come and play at the coffee house where I work. Hearing the original gives me a certain appreciation for the song.
Been watching and listening to JJ since 1970. Seen him live 5 times. A few years back on my birthday my sister surprised me giving me the original 45 rpm vinyl record of JJ doing Mr. Bojangles. Played it once and retired it as a trophy!!! No one can touch him on this one, though many have tried. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band comes closest!!!
I'd say that, since Jerry Jeff Walker (born as Ronald Clyde Crosby of Oneonta, New York.), is the author, the creator, the man who wrote the song...HIS version is the absolute BEST version of them all!. Now doesn't that make the most sense? End of all arguement.
A perfect example of where another artist does the song better than the original. Sammy Davis Jr rips my heart out when I see and hear him do this song - I just don't feel it like that when JJW does it. I can listen to country music and can certainly appreciate JJW's talent - he wrote the tune after all - but he lost this song when SD Jr did it.
I'm glad I found this. I just heard Joe Nichols do this with the Grascals. It was good, but this is great!! Nobody does it like the guy who wrote it. I'd like to find a recording of this.
i heard him do it on the arlo guthrie show..pure genius. if u haven't heard him on that show, that version, please please please do..cos that was pure, spiritual perfection.
Totally agree, when you hear the original version he tells the story with a passion that can't be duplicated. A masterpiece and it used to be on y tube years ago, but haven't seen it in last year or so.
i saw Jerry Jeff live in Chicago way back in the '70's. it still remains one of the best concerts i've ever seen. I've always felt that Walker never really got the recognition he deserved. One of the greats...
@manwithnoname123 Very true but many from the Austin music "movement" were great and did not get the recognition they deserve. JJW, Townes, Blaze, Earle, Shaver, and I am probably still missing some. I agree 100% it is very sad that these great singer/songwriters are people that the general public knows nothing about. They call it free market I call it classism censorship and you can call it what you want.
Looks like many people don't realize that this is the man who actually met Mr. Bojangles and got inspired to write this song. THIS is the original, it's the man who tells not REtells the story =)
love listening to him singing this, how to own a song. Listen to the writer bringing it to life in a totally different way from all the others..thanx for sharing it :)
Looks like many people don't realize that this is the man who actually met Mr. Bojangles and got inspired to write this song. THIS is the original, it's the man who tells not REtells the story =)
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This song is covered all the time by musicians who come and play at the coffee house where I work. Hearing the original gives me a certain appreciation for the song.
DimebagsZombie 5 days ago
Been watching and listening to JJ since 1970. Seen him live 5 times. A few years back on my birthday my sister surprised me giving me the original 45 rpm vinyl record of JJ doing Mr. Bojangles. Played it once and retired it as a trophy!!! No one can touch him on this one, though many have tried. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band comes closest!!!
DaveCarroll4 4 months ago in playlist Jerry Jeff Walker
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Check out this English kid, Ryan Kirwan, singing this,... He is unbelievable!
youtube.com /watch?v=gczHbszEVWo
AJGallichan 6 months ago
so nice so wonderful god bless
MrArrchie4 8 months ago
I'd say that, since Jerry Jeff Walker (born as Ronald Clyde Crosby of Oneonta, New York.), is the author, the creator, the man who wrote the song...HIS version is the absolute BEST version of them all!. Now doesn't that make the most sense? End of all arguement.
dave11222 9 months ago
john holts version is better
jackwimbledon 9 months ago
Love this version and it's a great song but Nina Simone took this song to new levels that have never been surpassed imo.
rafasboys 9 months ago
like this version better than any frankly.
knucklehead0202 9 months ago
Finally..A video of JJW singing Bojangles without a bunch of rude audience clowns talking and yelling in the background. This video is Great!
TheGhost5600 9 months ago
my civics teacher played this for our class.
and the immature kids that some of them are...
they remixed the song into balldangel.
i kind of l.ol.'d at it.
but this song is pretty awesome. :)
carlayyay 10 months ago
A perfect example of where another artist does the song better than the original. Sammy Davis Jr rips my heart out when I see and hear him do this song - I just don't feel it like that when JJW does it. I can listen to country music and can certainly appreciate JJW's talent - he wrote the tune after all - but he lost this song when SD Jr did it.
MrDarkShadow64 10 months ago
it should be the best... Jerry Jeff wrote the song
prober45 11 months ago
Happy birthday Jerry Jeff!
eibhlinb 11 months ago
laughable version..only fit for texas.
musical parody. shameful
worldcoup 1 year ago
I'm glad I found this. I just heard Joe Nichols do this with the Grascals. It was good, but this is great!! Nobody does it like the guy who wrote it. I'd like to find a recording of this.
OldClarence 1 year ago
Slide guitarist looks like Mike Schank
dasenase 1 year ago
@dasenase Slide guitarist is Lloyd Maines (Natalie Maines' dad)
mammysusan 8 months ago
Great Song. Keep them coming. Our American Legend Jerry Jeff Walker.
Thanks for the Song
MrJimk91710 1 year ago
jjw wrote this behind bars.
i heard him do it on the arlo guthrie show..pure genius. if u haven't heard him on that show, that version, please please please do..cos that was pure, spiritual perfection.
hsinghalphazulu 1 year ago
@hsinghalphazulu
Totally agree, when you hear the original version he tells the story with a passion that can't be duplicated. A masterpiece and it used to be on y tube years ago, but haven't seen it in last year or so.
waketheoblivious 1 year ago
i saw Jerry Jeff live in Chicago way back in the '70's. it still remains one of the best concerts i've ever seen. I've always felt that Walker never really got the recognition he deserved. One of the greats...
manwithnoname123 1 year ago
@manwithnoname123 Very true but many from the Austin music "movement" were great and did not get the recognition they deserve. JJW, Townes, Blaze, Earle, Shaver, and I am probably still missing some. I agree 100% it is very sad that these great singer/songwriters are people that the general public knows nothing about. They call it free market I call it classism censorship and you can call it what you want.
bnewsom81 1 year ago
An American Classic !!!!!!!!!
Buckhead1959 1 year ago
He effortlessly negotiated the tricky rhythmn of the song and the phrasing....nobody does it lke this guy. Of course. It's his baby.
cleverfeller 1 year ago
Looks like many people don't realize that this is the man who actually met Mr. Bojangles and got inspired to write this song. THIS is the original, it's the man who tells not REtells the story =)
liepaite45 1 year ago
Awesome singing of this classic .
Tejano44 1 year ago
Magic indeed. This brings back memories. JJW was the first version of this song I heard and it is etched. Thank you.
Anonym912 1 year ago
just one word: WONDERFUL
fangiafu 1 year ago
. . . let's go to Luckenbach TX again ! ! !
Nashvilleagain 1 year ago
love listening to him singing this, how to own a song. Listen to the writer bringing it to life in a totally different way from all the others..thanx for sharing it :)
P4NDI 2 years ago
Nice to see Jerry Jeff sober and serious. This was a great song. I like the piano addition as well.
steel966 2 years ago
Magic. Wow, this must be the best version and video of this song on youtube! Thanks for sharing
zoarces 2 years ago 4
@zoarces . . . yes it is ! ! !
Nashvilleagain 1 year ago 4
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@zoarces
Looks like many people don't realize that this is the man who actually met Mr. Bojangles and got inspired to write this song. THIS is the original, it's the man who tells not REtells the story =)
liepaite45 1 year ago
CLASSIC!!
mshorba 2 years ago
Oh that is just SWEEEET!!! Jerry Jeff writes and sings about LIFE! ;) THanks for posting this clip!
dwnhllr1959 2 years ago