Mickey Newbury - Unchained Melody - 1991

[MrAnth58]

Totally agree, Mickey's 'American Trilogy' is one of the most beautiful performances i've ever seen, just happened to be watching Old Grey Whistle Test and up popped this chap i never even heard of an knocked me for six.Unbelievable.

[lovemesomcumberbunny]

This guy was also a very talented song writer and peoducer. He wrote the Kenny Rogers & the first Edition hit .. Just dropped in (to see what condition my condition was in.) He also "created" The Trilogy - Elvis made famous. Love and hate multi-talented people... :)

[davidsanger]

very heartfelt rendition, that improves even more as he gets into it.

[nllleonard]

Exceptional cover.

[cuntrydude1]

fantastic music here..

[jimincairns]

I'd have LOVED to hear Mickey sing 'Danny Boy'....

[birthofeternity]

@jimincairns Me too.

[IamOsaka]

I think I've listened to this song about 3000 times by now and its still amazing!! 

[birthofeternity]

@IamOsaka Cheers!! It must be my 100th time listening to Mickey's version, but I already know this song is in that realm.

[ekaj416]

Newbury is the classic "unknown" genius of American singer/songwriters. In my

humble opinion he is the musically/lyrical equal of Foster, Gershwin, Berlin. That is

not an opinion that is open to any semblance of debate, IN MY OPINION. I own

everything this amazing man has ever recorded and I miss his presence in my life

as if he were a member of my immediate family. His music and words have truly

made me a better human being.

[verbaud]

God's own cello...Mickey's voice.

[Bamaboompa]

Johnny, your posts of the triad sessions & other simple live songs of Mickey's are incredible.

Much better than the produced & packaged songs with the pop country sounds of the 80's with electric piano and smooth string sessions.

I don't know who's singing his songs today, but I'd love to hear somebody like Jamie Johnson put his edge on these works of art.

Thanks again!

[cliftongal51]

I "found" Mickey Newbury in the 70s and wore out the 1 album of his I could find. It's the one with "Apple Dipped in Candy" onit. He was fabulous in several ways - songwriting abilities and the character so plainly heard in his voice. I don't know where he came from or how he got started, but I wish he was still here.

[goffbum]

He went way too soon. G&%Damn the cigaretts and booze and drugs that got got him. He was great but so weak.

[Bamaboompa]

Well, slap butter on my butt and call me a biscuit!

All I knew about Mickey Newberry was the line in Waylon's "Luckenback, Texas".

Incredible voice and rendition.

Thanks for making my day!

[KingofRoath]

He has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard.

[BlakeBarable]

Still can't beat the Righteous Bros, but in it's own right this is beautiful

[MickeyNewburyMusic]

@BlakeBarable

The difference being this was a one-take demo, that was never mixed, and never meant for release. Whereas the Righteous Brothers version you are used to was a major studio recording.

[jimincairns]

@BlakeBarable It was first recorded in 1955 by Al Hibbler and Les Baxter, The Righteous Brothers version pales into insignificance when played back-to-back with Mickey's rendition of a sixty-year-old classic.

[BlakeBarable]

sure we all have opinions

[jimincairns]

@BlakeBarable ...and the uninformed ones are annoying.

[BlakeBarable]

And so shall it be

[Smatthewthemathcat]

Gorgeous.

[MickeyNewburyMusic]

He was the first to admit that his vocals on this weren't the strongest. This was part of a one-take demo, never meant to be released. Luckily the engineer, who had just started in a new studio kept the tapes. On the Cello, Dale Bradley, had never even rehearsed these songs with him. It was all impromptu. Given some time in the studio, I'm sure he could have put down some amazing tracks, but he was always focused on his own songs, and didn't commit a lot of time to working on covers.

[jimincairns]

Not since the release of the movie 'Unchained' in '55 has there been a version that could hold a candle to Mickey's; warmth, feeling and emotions all melded together in a superb performance. Sleep sweetly, Mickey.

[verbaud]

Further proof of what I've always refered to as "God's own cello". God bless you, Mickey.

[tracyb934]

TheJohnnyfontaine.....

thankyou so much for that information,Living ,as I do way down here at the bottom of the earth (Australia ),I was not aware that Cortelia Clarke actually existed.

Thanks again

tracyb934.

[lightstudies]

mickey -- even though you are not around, you still pull the same emotions out of us... and all we have to do is listen... and 'time can do so much...'

[robtjonz]

More emotion in one line of lyrics than most singers can reach in a lifetime.

[eddy7elly7]

Never thought I would say it but someone did a song better than Elvis the king, not this one but listen on you tube to Mickey's version of American Trilogy with the sound up full (and the headphones on) and let's have your thoughts

[TheFBB]

@eddy7elly7 You are so right there, Mickey Newbury singing American Trilogy is so beautiful.

[tracyb934]

This song was never on any of his albums that I am aware of and that's a shame because they don't/didn't come much better than Mickey Newbury.

My favourite song of his is,

"Cortelia Clark",possibly one of the great love songs of all time.

[TheJohnnyfontaine]

Cortelia Clark was a blind begger who sat eveyday with his guitar and cup (usually on 4th ave) in Nashville. Use to stand and listen to him on a regular basis while growing up. Mickey captured his spirit right on. Mickey was the greatest, most unheralded artist in Music City history. May his music live on forever.

[bishopaz]

my favorite album.frisco mabel joy. which features ,an american trilogy. his finest album.

[amberfly0011]

this is what is sooo fantastic about You Tube..i had never heard of mickey newberry! and i never ever would have if you Johnny 576375 hadnt shared this video with us...what an amazing talent, what a beautiful voice, Thank you so much , im now a fan....amber.

[bishopaz]

gosh,i am so sorry for your loss.

[reggaejuggler]

@bishopaz:

Cheers dude! The pain becomes less sharp as the hours trickle-by. I can watch Mickey's videos now without outward tears, but a warm, gentle bitter-sweet smile. I've never had any faith before, but I'm trying real hard nowadays to believe in something, and I think it's helping. Thanks for the comment.

[jmdm1957]

Amazing.

[LincolndeOliveira]

This is the best voice ever for this music,

Mickey, YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Lincoln de Oliveira

[Souly74]

what a voice !!!

this was the very 1st time i've ever heard of mr.newbury...and i'm musician for almost 20yrs...this was just amazing!!

on this one he's really close to the 'king'.

[Titan752]

Mickey puts the 'hometown' touch to this song...

As a longtime fan of his velvet melodies, this is a new surprise! I never heard this tune from him before now.

[Paaaaaaaaaaap]

I am not used to listening to covers. But I am a M. Newbury fan... It was marvelous. RIP.

[macaulaymulgte]

I never knew this guy could sing so well. Almost as good as Elvis!

[MABISEIBANO]

IS VERY ORIGINAL. I LIKE IT.

[1952ARONIA]

A beautiful man, beautiful music.

[evegpt]

The future is not what it used to be..miss you my friend.

[SkyPrisms]

I came to hear the music, but nobody has put my favorite Mickey Newbury here. PLEASE if anyone can post "Love,Look at us Now " I will be forever grateful. Oh and thanks for the Unchained, it's sweet!

[shodog01]

Newbury's 'GHOST' lives on after all these years.

[elijahsnan]

Thanks for this track, Mickey is at his best when he sings his own, but just to hear his wonderful voice is always a pleasure.