Added: 3 years ago
From: BRod313
Views: 128,637
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:
see all

All Comments (183)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • great video!....excuse my ignorance but who's that singing with rodney crowell?

  • Beautiful! More talent on stage for that song than parades across Letterman's cameras in an entire season. "Hold your applause", my ass.

  • One word. Chills. 

  • If you like this songwriter style country music, I suggest you consider attending the Frank Brown international Songwriters festival, on Perdido Key (Pensacola Fl) . Flora Bama Lounge.. google it... you may walk away changed forever.

  • Awesome. Completely awesome

  • I love Nancy but she should have just sang backup here. Completely out in left field. Still, an incredible rendition.

  • @tigerblue4ever

    I agree completely. The soprano voice coming in suddenly on the lead is jarring and out of place. And like you I'm a big Nancy fan. I think that album is a classic.

  • WOW! From Guy to JJW, unfreakin' believable.

  • great. tnx u

    

  • Lemme see... A Beatles reunion (with John) or these guys live.... No brainer... Guy, Jerry Jeff, Jimmie, Nanci... All friggen day long!!!!

  • Incredible.

  • Is that Smokey from the Big Lebowski on the end there, singin at 1:55?

  • @100286dasilva not unless smokey was played by jimmie dale gilmore... hochbob, i agree with you...it's her album, but she is definitely the one out of place on this song

  • @100286dasilva Yep, that's Smokey, aka Jimmie Dale Gilmore, a living legend of country music.

  • guy clark does it the best....he just sings it with so much more soul then everybody....and if there is a heaven i hope hes singing when i get there

  • there's no whiff bro at 4:13 that's just the Texas coming out in him, he wrote the dam thing

  • Wow, that is Texas music at it's best.

  • This is my favorite Guy Clark song and it is amazing to see all those legends on the same stage, but did anyone else notice that someone really whiffed a note at 4:13?

  • As good as Nanci is, she is the weak link in this group

  • come on jack...that son of a bitch is comin

  • Nanci Griffith sucks balls(and I really don't say that lightly). Too bad she had to sing here, because she detracts from the genius of Jerry Jeff, Guy Clark, and Townes van Zandt. When I saw the title of this clip, I went "Far OUT!" but when Dave held up that terrible CD......I'm sorry I wasted any money on it, but it was "Easy To See" why it was only a buck. .

  • this made me cry~:**~ wooooooooow

  • good as it gets right there but wheres Willie

    

  • Letterman proving he's legit

  • HOLY SHIT, thats SMOKIE! over the line!!!!

  • The whole group was grate, but Guy Clark stands out, he is just a master.

  • What a lineup. Simply genius. True artistry. Hats off to each and all- synergy works and transcends to power with the right players together. Cohesive, brilliant, robust.... beautiful.

    Turn me loose I'll never be the same!! !

  • I absolutely love this song!!! Geez.....it takes me back to when I was in a band and used to play this and a lot of other songs by these guys. Ah.....the memories. Priceless!!!!

  • So very nice, but sad for one notably absent peer. Rest in peace, Townes Van Zandt.

  • This is the best song ever written. Guy Clark is a genius and a living legend.

  • All-Star? That's "All-Star"!!

  • legendary.........

  • since Steve Earl has cleaned up he has packed on the pounds.....good video though

  • This is not 'Nam Smokey, this is bowling. There are rules.

  • @78dal78  Mark it 8, Dude.

  • This is like listening to a really cool sermon at a far too cool church service, Nanci Griffith should be commended for the tribal gathering of righteously religious gospel country singers, this is just wonderful and Guy Clark is in fine company! thanks to BRod313 and the Tube for the share of the upload and leaving the light on for us!

  • maxes, I suppose we could give credit to Dave but I seem to remember hearing some time back that Dave leaves the musical guest invites to Paul S.

  • This is too wonderful for words alone.

  • I good friend of mine, when he opened a bar, called it the "Green Frog Cafe" just because of this song.

  • @captainvaritek does it get good business, and is it int eh south, or in texas, or where?

  • @slovakmath It's in Pennsylvania, up in the Northeast. It does a very good business. We play this song every once in a while to educate the college hipsters when they stop in for a drink.

  • Unbelievable the nitpicking throughout these postings. Don't you know this is EXACTLY what would happen in a campground late in night with everyone sitting around the fire. Egos out the door - only the music. Everyone sings. Listen to what jmdurant2000 posted - This IS what music will sound like when we get to heaven!

  • One of my favorite Guy Clark songs performed by *authentic* country artists. Wonderful.

  • Wow, spectacular. 

  • I loved this

  • What a fantastic amazing line up!!!

  • How much talent can you get on one stage?

  • This is what music must sound like in heaven.

  • @jmdurant2000 If they let live people in.

  • a great song i love it! but steve earle is my ultimate singer!

    angry young man

  • Not knowing what greatness Guy Clark is... there's nothing to say...

  • that's because nowadays country music has gone pop and folk music is the real country.

  • They don't know what to do with their hands if there's no guitar to hold. They need Billy Joe Shaver too.

  • unclebobunclebob, ain't it the truth?...so much crap on the radio...everyone trying to sound like one of the new country singers that have made a few bucks...doing it for money and not for the love of music...use to be able to tell charlie pride from merle haggard from johnny cash from hank williams...and on and on...cookie cutter shit describes it perfectly...

  • This is Country and Western Music . Period. Not the bullshit heard on top 40 radio in the U.S. Nashville has its head so far up its ass it couldnt hear good music if it had to. How bout' Corb Lund or Bo Ramsey et al.  If I go into a bar and play this on the jukebox in most places people look at me like im from Mars!

  • ..... that lady is just....  everything!

  • They all get played on the radio where I live. The Santa Cruz Mountains!! KPIG Hallelujah

  • Guy blows 'em all away. Only Steve Earle comes close.

  • Letterman has had Nanci Griffith on his show, repeatedly, along with other great alt country and indie label names over the years...he has been a friend to the artistic talent of America, not just the "popular" big money names. Thanks again Dave.

  • What can you say? So good -- say nothing!

  • Now this is true country and not those wannabees with rhinestones and ten gallon hats.

  • I've asked myself the very same questions, Bob. When will Nashville get its head out of its own ass?

  • actually I think the Green Frog Cafe was in Monahans Texas

  • WOW

  • The Green Frog Cafe in Jacksboro, Texas

  • I assum the Green Frog Cafe was in Monahans. Thats where and he lived and where the song is set

  • actually I think it was in Monahans Texas

  • That was awesome.

  • holy cow! score it dude!whats that cats name from the big lebowski?

  • . . . great line up - excellent ! ! !

  • now, i dont have any respect for letterman on a personal level... but on a musical level hes pretty high. lol. in the summer of 2006 i think he brought mr. willie nelson to his home town. he played in choteau montana. it was a few hour set with a backdrop of the rocky mountains, it was in a fair ground on july 3rd, made lotsa texans mad that he didnt have his fourth of july picnic in texas that year, haha. the concert was free, thanks dave, i agree with maxesquapo. hes got a clue.

  • Letterman definitely has a clue. He loves country music. However, his favorite song is "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner." That is no put down of any one of these aces. But he and Warren Zevon had something special. Warren's last performance (which lasted the whole hour) is on You Tube catch it. It is great.

  • I just like that Smokey from "The Big Lebowski" (Jimmie Dale Gilmore) was involved.

  • this performance chilled me to the bone. im so embarrassed to have never seen it before, but so happy now that i have ... legendary! truely legendary and so powerful .. thanks for posting .. i enjoyed beyond what words can convey ...

  • yup good music & there's always an a-hole to argue

  • wow, that was cool

  • They should call this assemblage the Armadillo Allstars

  • Guy and Susannah are still together, the paul Newman and Joanne Woodward of red dirt music. (If you're not from TX, you won't get the red dirt part)

  • ....and Jacky Jack ain't even a real Texan, he's from NYC

  • Steve Earle was Townes Van Zandt's closest friend other than Guy and Susanna Clark. You idiots need to get a life. Towns wrote the songs that made other songs fall into these peoples brains. Seyeve and Justin Townes Earle are his living legacy.

  • Gotta appreciate Nancy G., because this was a tribute to the guys who actually create the music that she sings. Especially Guy Clark, but also JJW for making it famous.

    Dittos to the comment about Steve Earle being a fraud. His fake hick twang is about as convincing as Donald Trump trying to play a hillbilly.

  • @Bound4NH and woodcarving: Uh, you brainaics: The FACT is that Steve Earle is one of the best songwriters in the history of recording, and his performances are some of the finest ever done. He ranks with or actually, sometimes, exceeds the genius of Guy Clark, Townes, Dylan ... probinson said that you idiots need to get a life, and I agree with probinson, but I would add that while you're searching for a life, also try to find a brain and a heart and a soul. Idiots, indeed. Geez!

  • @worldrimroamer You should know better than to argue with a Justin Beiber fan! LOL All these performers are world class and deserve so much more attention. Funny thing is, when big movie soundtracks are made, these folks plus Emmylou, Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss are the ones they turn to. Great singers and songwriters all.

  • @rockinredneck57

    Yes, you are so right. Keep on listening to those neglected greats, the finest in the music business. Coincidentally, I was just listening to / watching Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show doing a cover of The Band song, "The Weight"  Have you seen it?

    youtube[dot com] [slash] watch [question mark] v=zXf-SuBbJa0

  • @rockinredneck57 Not all "great" singers,but great stylist.They seem to do their own material better than anyone else can do it.You can't say that about all songwriters. Most writers are one dementional and only hear the song the way they wrote it,which is not always the best interpretation of the lyrics.These guys are really exceptional,but I have heard some of Clarks stuff done by others that I really liked.

  • wow! I grew up listening to these songs and have a deep appreciation that is absolutely unmatched.....<3...

  • Wow...that's pretty damn cool

  • qll you precious people should know this, The song comes from Old Number One and I bought this album 30 odds tears ago in England when nobody knew who Guy Clark was (I certainly didn't ) but it was playing in the store when I walked in, some Gonzo was obviously in charge of the deck and I thought hey, I like this guy's voice. At the time Guy was married to a beautiful stunning women whose name I cannot remember but I'm sure someone will know. Long Live JJW and Nanci G

  • I believe her name was Suzanna. Old #1 is still my favorite album of Guy's!!

  • Love Texas Cookin also. :-)

  • @matineccy Susanna also a songwriter and artist. He has also played on stage with there son, Travis.

  • Who is the sexy guy with the long grey hair who sings right after Rodney C. I love him!!

  • Jimmy Dale Gilmore from the Flatlanders.

  • You are entering a world of pain.....mark it zero smokie...MARK IT FUCKING ZERO!

  • great posting!

  • and Letterman has done MUCH to promote great music - he loves Leon Russell, Warren Zevon, Guy Clark and obviously loves Nancy Griffith paying her GREAT respect here.

  • Letterman didn't introduce it as someone else's song nimrods. this song is written by Guy Clark and this rendition is from Nancy Griffith's new album. It's HER album - and she put all of these people together to sing it on her album. Letterman was only promoting HER album. I do hate stupid people of which many of you posters ARE.

  • Well done.

  • Wow! You throw that "stupid" word around too much, and people will think you are bitter about something! Lots of folks are not going to feel the same way we do about alot of things, but "stupid"?? I think not. Different, maybe, but not stupid. Regardless, this was a great happening that we all got to witness. Glad we have it on film and can keep it to watch as we like. Have a good new year.

  • Bonehead!

  • @jo44bob Get a grip.

  • Wow, the best of the best writers and performers all in one room!!!!

  • that was awesome

  • Nah, Letterman is a champion when it comes to proper music. Look what he did for Warren Zevon before he dies. Enough said.

  • where do you get off saying letterman has no clue?! dave's favorite song is "pancho and letfy" by a man he is enamored with and inspired by, Townes Van Zandt. dave has a proven track record of inviting guests that come from the great texas song writing circles; all of whom are great song writers, none of whom sell comercials network tv. good for dave! f you both. you don't have a clue.

  • dave's favorite song is everlong by the foo fighters, n00b.

  • @maxesguapo Plus he was really good friends with Warren Zevon.

  • @maxesguapo Not to mention Dave's longtime support of the great Warren Zevon...

  • @maxesguapo seriously, man. Letterman has no clue. The "hold your applause" jab is typical of his "laugh at someone else's expense" MO. All of the folks performing here are legendary, and he has no clue. So what if his favorite song is Pancho and Lefty? It's the most commercialized song ever written by the greatest song writer ever. One that was popularized and bastardized by someone else. Doesn't really speak well for Letterman's depth of discernment.

  • @bleargify it would be nice if you had a clue but apparently not,Letterman has always had and loved the outer edge singers,you must be badly fucked up..he knew all about Guy and Susannah Clark..do you??

  • @4aceshigh1957 Wow, now I see how you might think I'm effed up because of my original post. And kudos on your Guy and Susannah question! In the future, you might try something specific. I admit David Letterman is one of the most underrated aficionados of roots music. I remember when he heard Hootie & the Blowfish for the first time and had to have them on the show. Only then was I introduced to the monumentally profound "Only Wanna Be With You." They don't write 'em like that everyday.

  • @bleargify lol

  • @bleargify -- No, the Letterman comment was a rip at the audience -- for not applauding (or even knowing!) every name he'd mentioned. As a person who runs a concert series and books a lot of great artists few people in this area know, I deal with the same thing when I'm announcing upcoming shows in my pre-concert announcements/introductions, and get no audience reaction to names that should elicit thunderous applause and excitement that they'll be playing at my venue.

  • @bleargify Your life would be better if you took off the shit coloured glasses and viewed things in the clear light of day.

  • @tblaxxable thanks for your adroit perspective.  I'll be sure to take this into consideration.

  • BRod, it is amazing what you have gathered here, for YouTube. I'm 63, and new to Jerry Jeff Walker .... but I feel like a kid in a candy store watching him, and all the wonderful vids you have so graciously posted for us. Long live these great country cowboys, here and in the great shows beyond! This is a keepsake. Thanks again!

  • Wow. I can't believe I didn't find this clip earlier. Wow.

  • AN EDUCATION FOR THE MUSICALLY LOST

  • If this does not give you goosebumps, it's possible you don't have a pulse. Wow.

  • you're an idiot!

  • Talk about an all star lineup! Reminds me of the Townes Van Zandt tribute a few years back. Much the same lineup!

  • This is one of Guy Clark's most poignant songs. Have to thank Nanci for highlighting our TX music heroes.

  • Never heard this song done any better. Too bad Nancy had to over do it.

  • WOW!!!!

    What a lineup...

    WOW!!!

    *****

  • that's quite a group...

  • One of Guy's true masterpieces. I love hearing him sing his songs. I love that Nanci gathered these guys...Letterman loves her.

  • guy brought steve earle to us and for that i thank him until i die....i love Guy, too, and all of those fellers from Texas where we all grew up....

  • A thought here - yes, Jerry Jeff owns this. However, I couldn't find a loser on that stage.

  • @andaloudog you reckon? If I was in that audience and dave mentioned Guy Clark, I would've gone nuts. This is his song.

  • outclasses all the losers on the stage? Pull your head out of your ass.

  • Oh my gosh.  Without a beard, Steve Earle looks like Meatloaf.

  • Haha, I thought the same thing!

  • WOW, WOW, F'in WOW!! Thank you!!!

  • What's to be said. It was great seeing all these people together on national TV. In reality they could have each done it (and have done it) solo. But it was good to see Jimmy Dale and Eric Taylor (Nanci's ex) outside of the Lone Star state. Jerry Jeff has been out enough to have been threatened with bodily harm by none other than Red Skelton if he didn't stop cussing in a restaurant and Guy, Rodney, Steve and Nanci are bad...and they're nationwide. (That's not a put down it a ZZTop joke)

  • Comment removed

  • Great! What a stunning group of artists this is! Amazing performance

    .

    I love Nanci, don't get me wrong, but I'm a little surprised she's the one who is Lettermans hero. Though she's really great and talented, in this incredible company of country and singer/songwriter royalty she's the least talented in my opinion.

  • It would be hard in any circle to call Nanci, the "least talented". But... I get what you're saying. Guy is the star, as always.

  • man did you nail it "singer song writer royalty". I was sorry Jimmy Dale didn't get a chance to sing.

  • wow, what an amazing group of talent! I love them all........one of a kind video.

  • WAIT. is that Hillary CLinton?

  • What an awesome collection of talent. Letterman has class.

  • Nancy was a little over the top, but she's jazzed to have all those guys up there with her. Jimmie Dale is a treasure who rarely gets outside of Texas, really mainly Austin, but he's as good as any of them. The only ones I haven't met are Nanci and Eric Taylor, and to say JJ is a grouch is like saying that west Texas can get a little breezy. Great video, thanks for the post.

  • Awsome song, alot of great artits there. thanks for sharing this vid

  • ol` steve earle ,looks like he just got out of rehab ? he`s not missed many meals!!

  • what a cast!  simply amazing.

  • I have met both Rodney Crowell and Jerry Jeff. Rodney is a very nice guy. I love Jerry Jeff, but he can be a bit grouchy.

  • my favourite you tube video to date.... fabulous!

  • First of all, thank you Guy Clark for such a beautiful song I have loved and played and sang for almost 30 years!

    Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, and Steve Earl would have made an AWESOME quartet of this great song...

    But what a delvery!!! Wow! What emotional lyrics and moving melody. I love the acoustic guitars and barritones seasoned and smooth.

    Thanks.

    By the way, who's the chick?

  • Take out Earle? Fuck you, that man has more talent hanging from his asshole than there is in the entire state of Tennessee.

  • punk, why are you looking at this if you don't know any more about music than that! Take JJW and Earle away? Crowell is goofy? I'm sure Tears for Fears and Oingo Boingo are available if you are not sure what real music is! GET THE **** AWAY FROM HERE!!!!

  • Ermm.. I wonder who invited Nancy Griffin LOL.. Great song and vid

  • All of these people are still active...masters who NEVER get played on country radio. What's wrong with the music industry. When I say I like country, I mean people like these, not the CRAPOLA cookie cutter shit that gets played nowadays.

  • Guy clarke wrote the song man!! His is the definitive version. The man is a genius!!!

  • wow i nevre thought i would hear anyone do this song as good as cash nelson jennings and kris but there it is that was gr8 brought a tear to my eye

  • I'm so glad that my life has been filled with the sounds of the likes of Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Jimmy Dale, Gilmore, Jerry Jeff Walker- Guy is definitely the leader of the pack. All these guys are great.

  • Guy and Jerry are brilliant....but how are you guys missin' the true leader of the pack?.... Townes Van Zandt. Truely the ultimate final say in Texas songwriters.

    Awesome video tho!!!

  • Ya, totally after I wrote that I was like I forgot someone. Guy's the living legend.

    Townes died way too young. Too bad..

  • Guy Clark is fantastic, but Jerry Jeff is the king of Texas.

  • Would have been better with just Guy...just sayin.

  • Wow - what a collection of talents! hanks for sharing!

  • ONE OF THE MOST UNDER RATED SONGS OF ALL TIMES!!! This is a Great Song, I just love L.A. Freeway!!!

  • pretty good collection of texas songwriters. Guy is the king of'em all

  • floafy1 and all..

    I agree so much...Guy is a National Treasure..

    for anyone who has suffered...or loved or wondered if the earth remember's their name..

    his songs are witnesses...when we love these songs we co-create this fiercely loving presence...

    how can we best honor Guy in real time...and as Nancy Griffith has done so beautifully done here? Can we create a fund to provide musicians with health insurance? I wonder....

    love,

    redtailmusic

  • Chills from head to toe

  • WOW ! great

  • Jeez....that was fabulous. Guy is a national treasure.

  • That was a tremendous show of support for Nanci Griffith by all these talented country stars. It speaks volumes about the respect that this amazing woman commands from her peers.

  • There is seldom a group so talented put together for such a wonderful song. This was truly amazing!!!

  • Wow is the word. Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Jerry Jeff Walker AND Steve Earle one one of the best songs ever! WOW!!!