Jerry Jeff Walker - Desperados

[sevenfingers2001]

I know an old man like that. He's not my father but we shared a lot of good bourbon and talked for hours on end. He was kind of stove up from arthritis so I used to go by and help him out with stuff; tuning up cars, cleaning out the garage, etc. and he would slip me a few bucks, buy me a 6 pack.

He's still alive and kicking at 70+ years and one of the best "outlaws" I've ever had to pleasure to know.

God Bless you John

[TheGreyguitarist]

Great Song with great feelings.

Thank you to Guy Clark for writing this great song, Thanks to Jerry Jeff Walker for this truly amaizing rendition, and thanks to whomever posted this to YouTube.

[jerseytarzan2]

That guitar solo is absolutely brilliant!

[teresasmithnewton]

Guy Clark does this song--and all he's written--better than anyone else.

[miguelobrien]

this is right out of Larry McMurtry's books about Thalia, Texas. Sam the Lion. I knew an old man who told me he was paid a quarter to hold Jesse James's horse, just down the corner from our houses. And, you know, I bet he told the truth. The years figure out.

[goodguyradio]

Badass lead guitar

[42awww]

A simple line, "we were friends, me and this old man", reminds me I have a pulse indeed. A great, great song, performed by my hero, Jerry Jeff

[Wajlonis]

Damn, everytime I hear this song I say to myself that I ain't gonna cry this time. And then I start thinking about my grandfather, and how he always was my hero and how would it be if he died (I'm lucky enough to still have him around) and then I hear the ending, when Jerry Jeff says "You hang on in there" and I end up crying like baby. Every damn time.

[moodyforu]

I've been a fan of Jerry Jeff and Guy Clark for years. I used to go see both of them live whenever I could. I lived in Houston and there was this great night club called the Old Quarter, Townes Van Zandt played there some as well. Dusty Hill and his brother Rocky plaid blues there before Dusty joined ZZ Top. Lots of great stars played in that club.

[CaptRhett1]

Jerry Jeff is good, but Willie is my hero ! I want to be just like him, if I grow up.

[2410mencia]

@CaptRhett1 I have got your message about this song and I´m just now hearing it. It is a beautiful song and Jerry Jeff has also a nice voice. Desperados is a spanish word but it is written differently Desesperados but the meaning is the same.

[meseniusful]

Just like some old western movies.

[Jomammacita]

I'm sitting with my friend Billy sipping Coronos and Very Old Barton (the beer may be older than the bourbon) while he writes a song I'm thinking of Clark and my brother David. I'm the good looking one.We're twins. Clark introduced me to JJW and Guy Clark. Now David's little girl is in the bidness. Hope she knows great music like this.

[ljjtexas]

i love this song it reminds me of my dad

[Sunambra]

That audience should have stood up.

[swampyD1000]

....and now, I'm that old man.... :(

[zitlight73]

This is one of the greatest guitar solos ever and until a few months ago I'd never heard of the guy.

[kara1464]

I think that deserves another play.... and another... and another.... and I'll be back tomorrow for another.

Stopped me in my tracks...x

[TheCoffeeCreature]

The rhythm on this particular version is so different from other versions, it almost sounds like he changed the time signature. But I guess the tempo's just faster . . .

[snoopindaweb]

=///////===============>  - Go cat Go...!

[katalema]

oh man...i must be cry..

[MountainGyspy]

@katalema This song always brings tears to my eyes.

[shrisstevens]

@katalema I agree man especiall the ending, right on

[135munden]

amazing song, any one have tabs for the lead guitar?

[lwplwp]

It was so sad they cut this short on Viva Terlingua.....Once saw Ray Wylie and said he was once doing a show with Commander Cody and he didn't show up so they played this tune for an hour and a half.....Not sure anyone does it better than the Cowboy Twinkies.

[carolgundlach]

Guy Clark didn't write this. Jerry Jeff did.

[w3cows]

@carolgundlach Oh Carol........ You're sure about that are ya?  lol

[daleworrall]

No Jerry Jeff helped to make this song famous but Guy Clark wrote this song..

[thompson632]

this brings back the 70's for alot of us...clubs like the Abby Inn, Whiskey River, The Annex Mr Bojangles, Silver Eagle Mining Company, the last two of which I worked, hasn't been the same. these songs I teach my sons about Texas...miss those days.

[drtphd]

@thompson632 wow, thompson632, Abby Inn and the Annex! I'd lay big odds that I know you. Good to see you on a JJ Walker vid.

[thompson632]

@drtphd so who are you?I used to work the door at the Silver Eagle on Inwood in the '70's...

[thompson632]

@thompson632 so you think you know me? Did you frequent these clubs? The Annex/Mr. Bojangles, listening to Pecos Star? Silver Eagle Mining Co. on Inwood, good memories, and how about Calico at the Abby Inn? Good times, my friend.

[bellyupswashere]

This is such a great live tune!!! I have many fond memories of JJW shows.

[tinyNorman]

Breathtaking!

[tracytcole]

awesome version of this classic song, what a kick-ass ending. that guy on the guitar was laying it down!

[blueskiesblue]

After this song ended , I just sat here ... stunned. JJW is a legend, yet still oblivious to some people like me, who just found him, quite by accident. What a total thrill to experience Jerry Jeff and his friends. All over-the-top talents!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[macchriss]

If there was a song for my father this would be it, I miss you daddy.

[macchriss]

What a masterpiece, especially the ending!

[zitlight73]

This is the best version of this great song,wow, that's some guitar work.

[laidbackjohn]

This song brings a tear to my eye as it makes me think of a drunk old man, full of life and wisdom, I use to drive to and from the bar every Saturday night. I was only 16. He'd fill my old truck up with gas, buy me a pack of cigs, wink and give me money for the girls. That old man taught me alot about life. What Jerry Jeff did with the ending really tugged at my heart strings. That's the mark of a great song...

[mully65]

It's John InmOn, isn't it? "O" and not "a"?

[MegaTexan]

You are correct sir...John Inmon. I had to look to make sure on the Lost Gonzo Band's Myspace page.

[MegaTexan]

That's John Inman laying down the smack on the guitar and Bob Livingston laying down the smack on Bass! Love the ending to this JJW version of a classic Guy Clark song!

[abooboo4u]

There's not a song quite like this one.....anywhere

[w3cows]

This is a tune that characterizes the relationship with young boys and the important men in their lives. The Men they try to emulate, the men they want to be like when "they grow up." I reckon we only truly grow up after our heros die, and we become some other youngster's hero.

It is a Great Melody and Guy Clarke wrote this in gold ink with a silver pen as far as this cowboy is concerned.

[whitelinedrifter]

@w3cows Very well said. I have listened to this song for years and you summed it up perfectly. May we all have heros, and be heros. Live free my friend.

[tigerblue4ever]

@w3cows Sweet, very insightful remarks.

[cobrakeister]

who was that laying the smack down on lead guitar??

Anybody know?

Excellent work.

[sjlee1951]

John Inman....... Austin boy

[cobrakeister]

thaks buddy, I'll remember that name..... John Inman.

[dinkychickenshorts]

I can't stand country music. Maybe I haven't listened to enough Texas country. This is awesome!

[mwalshisme]

@dinkychickenshorts You just havent heard enough real country music. Hope you find more to enjoy. Sadly it's not on regular radio.

[dwnhllr1959]

THIS is why real roots music comes from TEXAS....not Nashville!  ;)

[carrots69]

hell yeah,man

i cant stand most nashville country

[coleyman1]

Really good stuff. Guy Clark's song and Jerry Jeff singing! The folks in Nashville just know money, they forgot about the music!

[gcp850]

One of the greatest songs ever written and sung one of Texas's finest.