Ry Cooder Dark End of the Street

[y0stbtbd0]

The year is 1977, this OGWT recording was during the tour that followed the release of Chicken Music the previous year. I saw Ry at Manchester Free Trade Hall in March or Feb of '77.

[AURORA4105]

Fantastica esibizione,

bellissima

[AURORA4105]

Fantastica esibizione.

[artboy11000]

james carr  dan penn

[assaidsly]

Three world class singers, tex-mex flavouring, and the finest craftsman the guitar has. Superb. 

[dodgerama37]

I am singing this song on Friday night in the semi final of a local singing competition and this has inspired me beyond heaven! If only I could play bottlekneck like Ry it would be a sure winner.Amazing XXX

[loukevdwijns]

please listen to the version done by the great Roy Hamilton; it sure will give you goosbumps

[WoodyGuthrieDemocrat]

Sorry... I just listened to the Carr version and this cut way deeper.

[acerooni]

Off the charts beautiful...

For years and years I've been listening to a live version of this band's rendition. Finally to see this fantastic performance is so sweet.

[TheAnnepandekaffekan]

swell

[TheRickynow]

Nice but not on the same planet as James Carrs peerless version

[lorez99]

Yep that is correct!

Known as The Chicken Skin Band... year 1977 toured Europe

Ry Cooder - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals; Flaco Jimenez - Accordion; Isaac Garcia - Drums; Henry "Big Red" Ojeda - Bass; Jesse Ponce - Bajo Sexto; Pat Rizzo - Alto Sax; Singers: Eldridge King; Terry Evans; Bobby King.

[stickyfrog]

RY COODER & CHICKEN SKIN MUSIC LIVE AT SHEPHERDS BUSH STUDIOS 1977

[chiangmai700]

best version ever...so wonderful..

[TCmastr]

My all time favorite guitar solo!

[carshagify]

This is the coolest thing ever. EVER!

[bloodandwhiskey5]

This is fucking soul, folks.

[luciebasset]

Who are these guys singing this as I love this song, especially by James Carr and Eva Cassidy....

[pretty9reenpark4]

Terry Evans is part of this line. up I kno he's Done some work with bobby king aswell

[pretty9reenpark4]

Same for you tobias check out ry's other recordings think there is an album on eBay ry an Arnold mcCuller

[pretty9reenpark4]

@ goose think its Arnold mcCuller and the moula rythm aces band. Check out ry's other performances. Jesus on the mainline,Jesus hits like an atom bomb, and chain gang all as awsome as this performance.

[pretty9reenpark4]

Jeff beck ain't got shit on ry cooder. Ry is the master of the slide o caster

[goosegossage32]

Who are those three amazing singers? Anyone know their names?

[TheBigDelicious]

I first heard Ry around 1972 or '73 on late night radio in NYC. I love the man's music.

Dja know that his son plays with him. A great Cd is Ry and V M Bhatt.

[TobiasReese]

Who is the opening vocalist? Gives me chills....everyone in this outfit is so gifted it kills me. If someone knows this vocalist or can lead me to other work of his, please send me a note. Thanks.

[the5th2000]

Thanks for posting this, it's fabulous

[stephenwalsh19]

Awesome

[52joan]

Lord have mercy! That sliiiiiide is just too sweet!

[casuj]

blackjamhead,

tuning is open d.

The original Daphne Blue Coodercaster (the one on this vid) has a p-90 in the bridge position, but the other pickups are stock. The later Dave Hill Sunburst Coodercaster has an Oahu lap steel pickup in the bridge and a Teisco at the neck.

[TheAbeppe]

it crawls under my skin and gives me a feeling of warmth. thanks guys!

[TheBitterWeed]

Back in the day when CAMERAMEN DID NOT REALISE HOW BADLY I WOULD ONE DAY WANT TO LEARNT THIS SLIDE STUFF , GOD DAMNIT !

;-)

Seriously, this is sublime...

[2stringsleft]

I like Ry a lot, he is a traditionalist, and a first-rate musician - but imagine Jeff Beck playing this - that would change the game . . .

[juliovac]

@2stringsleft agreed

[2stringsleft]

I like Ry a lot, he is a traditionalist - but imagine Jeff Beck playing this - that would change the game . . .

[TheAbeppe]

this version is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

[gnarlythotep]

Damn fine. Why doesn't music work like that anymore?

[JustinSage]

Is it wrong to cry to this?

[TheAbeppe]

it goes deep into your soul...

[hahaurmno]

im 14 and have loved ry cooder for 14 years and will do till the end

[MysteryHunterz]

Recently I visited some place, when a man came walking up to me as a Ry Cooder song was being played. The man said "Ry Cooder is good, but he don't have the blues too much does he" I only laughed and said "You poor guy, Blues ain't getting much better or deeper than Ry Cooder"

[rocktenniscat]

This one and "Vigilante Man" make your hair stand on end! I am a long time fan of Ry Cooder. 'Haven't seen him perform in Toronto since the early 80's.. Dammit, 'wish he'd come back, but he doesn't seem to tour anymore.

[danocable]

PATTI OCONNELLS SONG.

[lysergical1]

Thank you for posting this alice87redfield

[pascanal]

I have never seen Ry in concert, to see the chicken skin gang would be a must!

I did get to see Flaco with his own band at the "half moon" pub in putney, london in 1989, his side -kick then was an hombre called Oscar Telez, vocals and bajo sexto and was lucky enough to get a signed beer-mat from Flaco.

Ry is a string genius and all the musicians that have performed with him are gems, Bobby King with his side-kicks have to be some of the finest perfomers of soul ever to have graced a stage.!

[rocktenniscat]

@pascanal - do you know why he doesn't tour anymore? Is there something fans can do to get him back on the road?

[kaudogg]

one word "WOW" thanks for posting this video. it brought out some emotions in me

[djlegand]

It was my great privilege to see this band and get a sound board tape of the night in '77 still play it at least weekly thanks for this vg version

[waterfordrs22]

I'm a big Ry Cooder fan, it gets no better than this.

[dannysigma]

Thank you

[grahambanks]

nobody has a better touch on the slide than that!

[desertdog5223]

Well ladies and gentlemen I want to start by saying this performance is not only great in my opinion on guitar, but also on vocals. This song has a Rolling Stones connection, for while the Stones never played this song on an album, Ry cooder greatly influenced Keith Richards who hung out with Gram Parsons who covered this song with the Flying Burrito Brothers. The music is complex and so it the backstory! Great Scott!

[shootthewave]

i like this. sure there are people out there who don,t but thats what makes us all individuals.

[black325ibeamer]

It just does not get any better than this. Excellent.

[stratoman2004]

Find it hard to understand why this has four dislikes....obviously people who have no soul....

[longstack1]

This Is one great track

The Band

Ry Cooder on Fender Guitar

Flaco Jimenez, Accordian

Isaac Garcia on Drums, Henry Ojeda, Bass,: Jesse Ponce , Bajo Sexto,:: Frank Villarreal Alto Sax.. ::Vocals, Eldridge King, Bobby King, Terry Evans

Recorded 1976

Song written by Numan and Penn

[woodsheddin]

I've listened to this 100 times if not more and I have yet to find a song that is as moving as this performance. Stunning vocals and Ry's solo is perfect.

[rockn0329]

Great song, done in sublime perfection by a stellar band...saw this tour in D,C,...blown away by the virtuosity...what absolutely great singing by the vocal trio, any of whom could have fronted the band!!!

[gotahvcls]

Oh my. Thank you fellows.  Well done ...down to my bones.

[jaundicedi]

Is that Flaco Jiminez on Accordion?

[jdm8109]

incredible.

[willy350z]

TFS Hellan, for this wonderful share and Happy 2011 to you and yours:)W

[bloodandwhiskey5]

Unless you wanna lynch the band, there's NO reason to dislike this video.

[DelbertMcJustice]

happy new year, all...

[waterdogwayne]

Amazing!  Who are the singers?

[studeddead]

Racist

[jfredadam]

I am floored, that's incredible.

[jfredadam]

I an floored, thats incredible.

[djlegand]

saw this band 6/13/77 in buffalo ny life changing have a sound board tape

[kellifdavis]

babyblue4u absoluletly beautiful, I listened to Ry Cooder way back in the day, sure evokes awesome nostalgia, and such a sexy song. so glad i found this to listen to again, the slide sounds soooo goood and the vocals are beautiful. LOVE IT.

[chris3312music]

3 people have no ears! this is flawless ! beautiful!

[custardflan]

Flaco looks as young as I've ever seen him. This has to be from the early 70s.

[Jefounet]

Fabulous Ry Cooder... Thanks, Miss Alice...

[Bumptiously]

Awwwww, so pretty. Love being able to hear this. Bless them all for making this band happen, and bless you for putting it up on Youtube.

[radioarno]

gosh that's gorgeous, breathlessly gorgeous

[loui0008]

Absolute bliss - thanks for posting! who are the singers?

[Biggus63]

@loui0008 - I do believe that's Eldridge King, Terry Evans, and Bobby King. One of my favourite ever tunes. If I'm feeling a little mellow I end up in tears every time.

[Biggus63]

@loui0008 - Ah...found it! If you follow this link watch?v=4uLrbodN-9A during another number from the same gig Ry introduces the members of the band. If you like this you should get Ry's 1977 album 'Showtime' with the same line-up and songs.

[loui0008]

@Biggus63 - Ah, I only saw your response today when listening to this again - thanks so much for the link - cool!! I'll definitely look out for that album. Kind of you to respond - I want more music like this! Take care

[adiah]

I saw them in this combination in the concert hall Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Netherlands in the mid seventies. With this song there was not one dry eye in the house...thanks!!

[memmrl]

great james carr song

[1questionable]

What is the name of the black guys, do they have a band becuase they sound great?

Let me know .

rosa37mike@live.com

[1questionable]

Man it is beautiful and a blessing when you mistakenly find music while looking for others. God thank you for such technology. I never even heard of these guys, but I am gratful to hear them.

[moonriverdiver]

No need to compare this rendering with the starker instrumental version on Ry's Boomers Story-both breathtaking

[dreadedlurgy]

not bad but far behind the commitments version in my opinion! so dont lose the plot coz music is a personal thing and everyone has different tastes. lol :)

[robsham]

A wonderful performance of a great soul song. Thanks for posting.

[inisbeag2]

@ryreinhardt You are right 'The Commitments' is a comedy.

[SirShakermaker]

sorry..i prefer the commitments' version!

[DelbertMcJustice]

@SirShakermaker ... yessir'... they tear it up.. the Commitments.. the James Carr original just kicks butt.. this version seems to send chills down my spine tho.. these guyz were really ON that night.. wreaks of soulfulness..

[ryreinhardt]

@SirShakermaker are you deaf or just stupid and tastless - I bet you'd enjoy a shit sandwich

[SirShakermaker]

@ryreinhardt how very polite you are..read my comment again and you will see that i never said that i do NOT like this version. so don't go getting all pissy at me just cause mr. ry cooder fanboy can't take it that someone has different preferences than his own.

I have no more to say...suck it

[ryreinhardt]

@SirShakermaker THE committments are a joke...and.you are a comedian!!! OK I get it - no one could be that dumb

[DelbertMcJustice]

i love this performance.. i am hooked on it.. it is the best ever.. i keep coming back here.. to my drug.. to get my fix.. i will never get enough.. it is flawless.. they don't make 'em like this no more.. i get my justice here.. i can put my mind back together here.. like being sedated.. one more time..

[freetibetrangzen1]

wow that makes me goosebumps

[1953jazzman]

Ry Cooder's genius lies not simply in his guitar work but also in his ability to gather the world's most remarkable musicians around him and showcase their talents at the expense of his own spotlight. A musician's musician!

[brussels75]

Saw Ry in Brussels at the Palais des Beaux Arts, must have been about 1980.. fantastic performance.

My spine tingles when I hear this song..just brilliant.. everything is perfect, from the vocal perfomance, Flaco's great work and what a slide solo.. unbelievable..

[jamindailey]

I was truly not expecting the vocals to give me as many cold chills as the incredible guitar playing

[SimplyPhalin]

I've heard quite a few versions of this ... but this ... this is divine.

[blackjamhead]

does anyone the tuning of his guitar in this clip? pm me ;)) , if you know what kind of guitar he's using you can pm too, there seems some editing on his guitar i like to know about it :) it looks like a capo he uses but it also looks like he replaced the neck bridge.

Thanks for the video,. :)

can i get a copy of it? :p

[JohnHardingBuxton]

@SimplyPhalin - yeah mate... it is. Never knew Ry covered this.

[PhotoCher]

Beautiful version of a great song. There is solo acoustic live version from 2004 by Elvis Costello worth checking out. The yt video is just called "Dark end of the street".

[w5u5]

pragtfuld spil og sang kan ikke gøres bedre.

[SuperNefilim]

love it. just wonderful.

[charlieohms]

hot damn

[paparossco]

The old grey whistle test had some great bands. This is my favourite along with the Jackson Browne set.

[Tomslassagain]

@paparossco Ah Yes.Jackson Browne.I miss OGWT:(

[pretorious700]

ate up looking brothas sho' can sing

[pretorious700]

If it gets better than this, I don't think I could bear to listen.

[stratoman2004]

It really doesn't get much better than this...pure musicality and soul...something that couldn't be captured in this digital age...but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try of course. Cooder is one of my fave musicians and his choice of co-musos has never been less than stellar. Sure there have been great versions of this song by others but have you ever heard the second verse sung with more soul than that? Stunning!

[madzdad1991]

Sandinista007 have you never heard Percy Sledge sing this?

[Fruscianteistheman]

if i could slide that god only knows how often i would move away from the guitar.

[measel]

Thank you :)

[Joeeezy1]

Sing it brothas!!!

[wokboy60]

The more I travel youtube land checking out the other stuff the more I come back to this video and have to ask ....is this the best music video ever ??! Pro musicians at the top of their game on a night /session when it all came together in the most awesome  way ! Not a note wrong or voice off key with sublime lyrics that just combine to create something soul moving ! What ever your taste in music ...this is very special !!

[DelbertMcJustice]

@wokboy60 justice be done..  testify

[murrayw]

@wokboy60 Absolutely!

[DelbertMcJustice]

i am obsessed.. this wreaks of "soul"... more than any 100 top ten songs of the last ten years.. combined..

it is true.. what they say.. "less is more"

so much, much more ! i am so stirred that it makes me cry !

thanx.. for sharing this treasure

[sandinista007]

Love it but I have to say that GP's version is still my personal favourite

[mathproof]

Of course it is 1977: look at those afros.

[twiddlerpalmer]

Whos sings the second verse?

[Taitikoes]

It's Terry Evans

[savamac]

Yup - 1977 - the BBC recently transmitted this Old Grey Whistle Test programme (as part of a series on Latin music). This version is TERRIFIC - show it to the the youngsters !!

[lftc10]

Yeah, It was in 1977.

[ParaffinLampherman]

1977 was the year of this majestic performance - (I think)

Great upload.

[jetsafox]

Mr. Cooder and this band at their best, I would say, everyone should really listen to this version. It Is so, so, sweet. I adore it. Ms Sepulveda

[steelpoppy]

It doesn't get much better than this.

[Tron239]

Ry is still the smoothest slide player ever.

[ssballs]

Wow!

[elletsco]

wow. tasteful on every front. incredible job from all

[tomferent]

Great Band, Great Singers. Perfect!!!

[billieredsocks]

One of the finest performances of this heart-breaking song! Thanks for posting!

[jetsafox]

ry cooder, the band, it's all so sweet. Great song absolutely a fine performance. Even better in concert & absolutely worth seeing in person. He is so good. Love it Jet

[rushwb]

I know this from the Flying Burritto's version, which is also good

[vladamih]

@rushwb

Probably the best version.James Carr recorded it first and his version could also be considered definitive although I slightly prefer Gram's vocals.

[dannpenn]

nobody can sing this song like James Carr

[jetsafox]

@dannpenn obviously you have not seen this band in person. You would realize how very sweet this truly is.

[HighMaintenance2099]

Pecrcy Sledge knocks it out every time on stage

[TheWeeklyBull]

Many thanks for uploading this superb performance.

It was recorded in 1977 and Ry is playing here with -

Eldridge King, Terry Evans, Bobby King : Vocals

Pat Rizzo : Alto Sax

Isaac Garcia : Drums

Henry "Big Red" Ojeda : Bass

Jesse Ponce : Bajo Sexto

Flaco Jimenez : Accordion

[juliusgoncalvesjam]

After some internet research I believe the singers are

Bobby King / Terry Evans / Arnold McCuller but I'm not 100% sure

[warrenctuna]

Yes, I am 99% sure - at least Bobby King and Terry Evans, who went on to record together and individually, and it is well worth searching out their own CDs. They have recorded this wonderful Dan Penn classic together and solo.

[juliusgoncalvesjam]

Who are these singers? I need to know!

[Macariotron]

Just heart-breaking.

Eat your heart out, Clapton/Gilmour/Beck/etc. This is expression removed from dexterity or ego.

[wxyz777]

Gregg Allman does a great version.

[sandyj321]

man, I'd love to see if anyone has Linda Ronstandt singing this- it was off her Heart Like a Wheel album. Would love to hear again

[bertbretherton]

One of the great guitarists yet again simply accompanying a group of brilliant performers rather than 'fronting' a band. Exquisite.

[fzappa007]

killer slide work ...classic Cooder!!!

[chetplayerwhoknows]

Whose the singer?

[mstar1988]

WOW. This is brilliant. Probably the best version of this masterpiece.

[PalleSchultz]

Im completely blown away.

[natacha45]

Fantastic!

[PaulAsbell]

Too good!

[thecomicalhat]

speechless...

[ringworks]

Great performance

[peterpterodactyl]

This is a truly beautiful performance- vocally and instrumentally.

[wokboy60]

I ve posted before when this version has appeared .........this is something so special that you cannot describe it ..live and and perfect ...every body really "nails " it here ...many years in a studio could not re create this performance ...Enjoy ....over n over again !!

[iggusfriggus]

flawless lyrics. i am spellbound.

[teyrrysmx]

Me gusta mucho como el acordeon acompaña la maravillosa guitarra de Ry, y que decir de las Excelentes voces, simplemente Delicioso!

[bellissima18]

Great--this was mine and my husband's

theme song so many years ago. Thanks for this excellent rendition.

[0belvedere]

beautiful, thanks for putting this back up.

[Messmitch2]

This was 1977 - (February, I think) I hitchhiked to Oxford, England to see him the next day and he signed and dated my programme at the soundcheck in the afternoon. Slide guitar taken as read, but what great, great singing - that falsetto!

Steve Mitchell, Nottingham

[Nackyammer]

すげえ！

こんなギター、死ぬまでに弾けたら死んでもいい！

[tojaks]

The guys on vocals are Eldridge King, Terry Evans and Bobby KIng

[WillieDines1]

I think Willie Green Jr (Bass Singer) would have been golden on this performance as well, but I'm not sure if he was with the vocal group at that time or not :)

These guys were awesome in Crossroads too :)

[tojaks]

It was 1980 I think.....I recorded this on audio cassette at the time and still play it. At that time I didn't have a video recorder. I never thought I would see this masterpiece again. Thank you so much for uploading it.

[septip123]

those guys were great...i almost wish ry didn't play