Tom Rush - Urge For Going

[joshua725]

Yes, ..., credit Tom with bringing it to the attention of the general listening audience, (and arranging and performing the best version of it, as he has done with so many singer/songwriters from his generation; consider James Taylor, Jackson Browne and Jesse Winchester among others).

[rocktenniscat]

I'm not a musician, but some of the chord combos (I don't know the terminology!) remind me a bit of Gordon Lightfoot. Gord, Joni, Tom....all true greats.

[Yarrb53]

Olivers on Landsdown Street a club inside The Cask and Flagan, advertises that Jimi Hendrix among other name bands played there when they weren't so famous.

[Yarrb53]

Barrow s.b. I'll trade you any time, I'll take that ten years in a heart beat. I remember Linda was just beautiful, I thing she was about 18 or 19 years old at the time. I also remember the bass player was stoned out of his mind. Those were the days. There used to be some great clubs around Boston back in the 60s and 70s The Elliot Lounge had some great local talent, the clubs around Fenway the old Olivers had Jimi Hendrix play there back in the late 60s..

[54taqiyya]

@Yarrb53 i really don't think jimi played in boston. i was devastated when he died coz tics were going on sale. great clubs i agree with, jazz work shop, paul's mall?

saw janis at her last concert at harvard.

[autodelete66]

@54taqiyya Jimi played the Boston Garden once.

[54taqiyya]

@autodelete66 ok , no argument from me. :)

[barrowsb]

@Yarrb53

Sometimes i wish I were about a decade older than I am ... that was a bit before my time unfortunately. Oh to have seen Linda at that age ... I saw her in the 80s in Worcester - still beautiful but a little cranky :-)

[Yarrb53]

Bull Run a great venue, stopped there for lunch one day and was blown away by the talent that plays there, I think Tom is local, Johnny Winter used to appear there too.

[barrowsb]

@Yarrb53

If "local" means "at most one state away", then yes, he's local. Johnny has played there many times.

[salimmatt]

Tom Rush wrote this song -- not Joni Mitchell

[barrowsb]

@salimmatt

Sure about that, are you? :-)

You might want to take another look at the liner notes on Tom's The Circle Game LP. :-)

Or look up Joni's wiki page...

[written12]

@salimmatt

This was definitely written by Joni.

Nothing against Tom Rush- I first heard his version of the song-Circle Game album- and its a perfect rendition.

[spoiledbigtime]

@salimmatt Sorry man, it's a Joni Mitchell tune that she wrote, but a great song nevertheless.

[autodelete66]

@spoiledbigtime Joni let him release it first, as I remember.

[gitgeezer]

@salimmatt

Sorry...That's a Joni song. Just ask Tom!

[007TommyB]

@salimmatt - Incorrect, sir.

[gitgeezer]

@salimmatt

No, Joni Mitchell wrote it and gave it as a gift to Tom Rush

[bartgos]

I remember when this was in heavy rotation on WBZ, Boston. The show most closely associated with it was "Dick Summer's Subway" which aired on Sunday nights.

I had the pleasure of working with Tom a few years ago( I'm a 'sound guy').  He's a great guy to work... and have a drink with. Hats off to you, Tom.

[54taqiyya]

@bartgos saw tom at paul's mall.

[autodelete66]

@54taqiyya Paul's mall! you are dating yourself!!!

[54taqiyya]

@autodelete66 lol, in fact, an aside, the last to play there, was BB King but they used old new years eve, tom rush tickets!

i think i might still have mine.

[Ninya57]

For AGB & everyone on this Labor Day Weekend, Tom Rush live "Urge for Going". Sidenote: Tom dedicated the song, "The Dreamer" to my daughter-in-utero (!), Samantha, in Copley concert, 3/85. A class act!

[barrowsb]

@Ninya57 Well done! And congratulations :-)

[shayrul49]

this is my fave joni mitchell song ... BUT this was the first voice I ever heard sing it. I think it's one of my all time fave songs. Fantastic!

[ceejay0207]

One of my favorite songs of all time-Tom does an excellent version! His voice has barely changed since I used to listen to his records in the sixties- truly amazing!

[Dylan1984dvd]

One of my favourite songs...thanks for sharing this lovely performance.

[AnotherPaul1]

Tom is a great performer and a good person, who spent lots of time with all of us at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis last year. Come back again soon Mr. Rush.

[misterzigg]

Dear Mr. Rush,

I really wish you would get the urge for recording and puttin' out a new CD. I bought of course your last one "What I Know"...

[nedarc]

I had this song on '8 Track Tape' in my '64 Corvair, I had just had a painful breakup with my first girlfriend in 1969 and was driving through Valley Forge, Penn. Playing it all night long. We never got back together, but this song still haunts my soul when I think about her....Great song.

[esslar1]

This came on radio late last night, hadn't heard the name Tom Rush since high school in early 70s. This video is just great, what a beautiful song and wonderful performer.

[b1ackm3ssiah]

thats where I heard it, on cbc radio, its a great song, I want to find a better version.... can you help?

[barrowsb]

A better video version? The best versions are on the official releases of course.Go to his website and buy the New Year CD.

[GalaxyHorse]

@b1ackm3ssiah You could always check the original version out by Joni Mitchell, that is sublime.

[williedb47]

I have always loved this song. Brings back so many memories. Nadine

[Ulriche912]

Great Song... brings back a lot of good memories. Not of New England but Davis, CA and UCD... good times.

[buckskinbuccaneer]

Love this song. Great to see this.

[itztru1]

Anyone coming to Stowe, Vt. for foliage viewing will want to catch Tom at The Jackson Ice Arena on 10/3 - see Tom's website for details. Love this song - want to hear it "live" again!

[phillypaul75]

Thanks so much to you and Tom.

[KathyInglis1]

Used 2 listen 2 WBZ late at night as a teenager in Buffalo NY, adored this song. Remember Bruce Bradley, Jeff Kaye who moved to WKBW in Buffalo circa 66/67, around the same time I saw Tom perform in Buffalo. And Dick Summer's campaign against Evil Earl of Sandwich in favour of naming said savoury snack after its rightful inventor the Good Duke of Buckingham. Moved to Liverpool UK in 73, joined the folk scene and added this to my rep. a while ago. Great stuff. Luv to Tom.

[harveyowenbond]

how wonderful to run across this.

[iamkristi4u]

how about the new world coffee house in portsmouth new hampshire...a kool coffee house and art gallery on the water where the tugboats tied up....tom rush sang there a few times.....awsome times

[BigChiefLtd]

I used to hang out at WBZ and pester Dick Summer back then. When the station got the song, Summer and I discussed it at length wondering what Joni Mitchell's inspiration was. Years later, I met Tom at a show. When I told Tom about BZ he smiled and said, "I know. I was hiding in the closet. They didn't really have the record. I'd just come out & play it several times a day, then go back into the closet. Sometimes they'd even feed me," Classic Tom. A true Classic entertainer!

[rockinroller7]

Yeah, those were the days.

Peace.

Rock

[Pauleglide]

Burning leaves on a crisp overcast fall day in the Massachusetts hills.

[andyinoregon]

When the local stations powered down at sunset in western Ohio I could pick up Boston's WBZ and I became one of those long-distance fans of Tom Rush and his definitive cover of Joni Mitchell's song. Only wish there was a second guitarist here to add that incredible little riff that made the studio recording so damned perfect.

[ForeverYoung58]

So many people that post videos of live performances unfortunately cut the video off before the audience reaction at song's end. That being said, this has to be one of the most sadly beautiful songs ever recorded. Timeless.

[barrowsb]

:-)

Sorry, but you really don't want to see the footage I cut out. You see, I was holding the camera in my hands and ... well ... I wanted to clap, too! lol

[ScooterNerd]

Tom's voice is mellower now...and just as wonderful as ever.

[teddyoneills]

Success is fleeting, talent is everlasting, anyone who has not bought Toms new album "What I know" is missing out on more of the same from this truly gifted songsmith. Anyone living stateside, you dont know how lucky you are to be able to get to a concert. I would love the chance to see him unfortunately there is a rather large pond between Ireland and the states stopping me at the moment. Teddy O'Neill Dublin.

[barrowsb]

I'm happy and amazed that this is still going strong. Keep spreading the word, and make sure you check out Tom's new album! It's got some real gems on it and belongs in all your cd collections.

[totovillefranche]

@barrowsb when Scott Walker came up with No Regrets

[totovillefranche]

@totovillefranche I*s more into Springsteen and Petty; Curtis Stigers covered it in *99 on Bleeckerstreet, and it slipped my mind again, but this time around it will be the soundtrack of a summer; * Who do you love * was on a mixtape belonging to a love of mine who'd gotten it from a friend many years ago in Paris - with only titles but no artists; been dying to find out ever since

[youjaney]

He is The Best.

[2lemonde]

BRAVO on your first video. Very nice choice. I hop that you are still posting videos.

[drhogan1]

beautiful!!

i still play his original version all the time

thanks for posting this

[prrolg]

I know Joni wrote it and performed it beautifully but there's something in the feeling you get the way Tom performs this. Sadder somehow

[kdb89]

SHUT UUP :) Is this really on here??

I can't believe this is on here! This is great!

:D

[sweetsusan72]

Great video, loved it....gave me the urge

[lezgon]

Splendid performance, the guitar so subtle.

[filmrider]

thank you , tom & thanks to videographer

[jedmarum]

Great song! Great performance! Great performer!

[gwrprinret]

Takes me right back to Boston in the 60's. One of the few songs that stays with you forever.

[prisrob]

it is one of those songs that lives within us.

[dianeguercio]

that resturaunt is owned by my aunt and uncle.great song.

[Prescott60]

Excellent video-

In the words of DJ Dick Summer when he played this on WBZ Hootenanny in the late 60's - "Sounds like cool spring water flowing over soft fur.

[schvanzie]

this song gets me every time

[SeaChanter]

One of my favorite songs and my favorite person who sings it.........

All these years....

[YeshuaKingsKid]

Thank you for posting this awesome treasure

barrowsb! Tom is such a talented minstrel

and a true joy to hear...I love all of his

songs!

[rih98112]

College memories!

[prrolg]

Just lost a heart string

[bpdcaptain7]

I remember the original version that Tom refers to that played on Dick Summer's show on WBZ radio in the 1960s. Anyone know what tuning Tom is using here?

[jkh54]

its what tom calls a4 40 but is actually standard tuning, capo at 3rd fret,playing a shapes, comes out in C, see toms dvd some of my favourite song and how i play them

[PJRHMB]

Joni Mitchell wrote this song in 1966.

[MusicLover1948]

We also love this song.

Tom is a genuine poet as well as a performer.

He recently did a wonderful 'in home' outdoor concert near Temecula, California with a wonderful full moon and the sound of croaking frogs as background. What a great night of music. Urge for Goin', Panama Limited, Drivin' Wheel, can't get enough of Tom!

[charsalutube]

Every time I hear another Tom Rush song, I want to go out and learn to play it. They're not easy. His remember song has over 3 million views. A true youtube hit.

post more

[UpstairsMaid]

except that this would be a joni mitchell song.....

[charsalutube]

You are right it was written by Joni but Tom recorded it in 1968 on the "Circle Game" album, the title song having also been written by Joni. I don't know when Joni released it as a single but so far as I recall, it did not appear on an album until the "hits".

[UpstairsMaid]

Tom offered it to Judy Collins, but she wasn't interested. She made a hit with another Joni song, 'both sides now'. According to Tom, the circle game, which he first heard from Buffy St. marie, was probably the best song he had ever heard.

[charsalutube]

Tom received "The Circle Game" from Joni on a tape. At least that's how he tells the story.

Charsal

[UpstairsMaid]

yes that's right. Joni didn't even like it! there's a great video on that under joni mitchell circle game

[ChasinMe]

Great song-great singer

Excellent work on the video

Chas

[davitong]

Tom Rush is such a great song writer. His tunes are timeless.

After some 40 years, this song is still as powerful and relevant.

[MROSEN62]

Except that Joni Mitchell wrote this song.

[davitong]

Thanks for the correction.

Tom Rush had such control over this particular performance that I got fooled. This was an older tune and Tom was from the same period as Joni Mitchell. Memory blurred a bit. Thanks again.

[UpstairsMaid]

yes, I'm sure he is, except that he didn't write this.

[MrsAriaAmour]

Has it been 25 or 30 years since I last heard this song? Still love it and all his songs. Thank you for posting this!

Ahh memories . . .

[daysailor4055]

this is one of the best songs he ever recorded....simply haunting!!!!!

[ca11idryas]

Thank you thank you thank you. Love this song.