. Country or is it the Blues or should it be call GOOD music? I can say I don't hear much that equals songs like this into days music. Rock Country or Blues. Townes you are missed
There simply has not been a country music artist since the days of Townes Van Zandt or Hank Williams, Johnny Cash - that isn't a caricature of what the genre was. People didn't realize that it was like tragic satire - just these bluesy catchy tunes with these utterly depressing themes expressed so matter of factly - it was brillant - now the entire genre produces nothing but crap - I'm still trying to figure out Hank III...
I was a young man of about 18 (I'm 65 now) when I went with friends to a coffee house called Sand Mountain in Houston, Texas. There I saw the most profound TVZ sing Cocaine Blues. I knew then that I was witnessing something very special, and to this day I cherish the memory of that performance.
Man... Townes was really something else. If youve never seen Be Here To Love Me the documentary they did on him i highly suggest it. It was really eye opening and if anything it made me appreciate the music even more. He was another truly great artist who was never appreciated the way he should have been. Its a damn shame but i guess it makes it that much better for those of us who know him. Also everyone should check out my channel! Thanks to those who do
@dehihihaha I know its on Netflix if you have it. If not than you can watch it on Hulu. Its pretty hard to find online so if those dont work you might have to download it or go try and rent or buy it somewhere. Hope you enjoy it!
This is one of the most down jams i've ever heard. I enjoy the picking in the guitar and feel the words!!!!!!!!!! I'm glad people still appreciate good music like this!!!!!!!
you could once enjoy all the great things america offered that, the rest of the world don't have. Freedom is what made these wonderful things possible. there's so many laws now that, only a corporation can come up with anything even remotely creative. cause, there's a damn law against it. the cops weren't kicking in doors and kids weren't shootin each other in school when coke ,marijuana was legal.too bad americans don't like freedom anymore....at least other ppl's freedom.
@nedmorlef your right...theres a law against alot of things now days but...its only illeagle if you get caught though...right? hahaha i smoke weed almost every day down the river with my old radio and the cops even know about it...they know i dont start no trouble so they dont bother me...i watch the sunset listining to the greatful dead sometimes on my old tape player hahaha...thats another thing...they dont make things...good...strong...and...meant to last like they used to eaither...
I give my puppies cocaine...just kidding, that would be a real waste wouldn't it?...anyway, seriously, who cares what the music is called..if Townes' music was wildly popular, so what? That would be a good thing. Sometimes the population DOES get it right (Beatles, Dylan, Lady Gaga ...again kidding re Gaga...) still, many artists go unpopular simply because they offer TRUTH and but lack the slick marketing to sell it....that is Townes...my point is sometimes the truth is popular.
I think all 7 of this dislikes are westboro baptist church members. can't think for themselves, don't know good music when it slaps them upside the ear drum
@mollyjeorgensen I liked this.. and you are right, but Townes can't be confined to country music.. can you define Prine or Dylan? the answer is a definate "nupp" and a spit. Townes raised his own bigtop and put his head in the lions mouth all on his own dime. no industry (uncluding country music) really leant him any help.
I cried the Day I heard Townes had passed - was working in a music shop in CT - it cut me hard and all I could think through my head were the lyrics to "Only him or Me."
I'd lost another hero to addiction (in one form or another it'll take you) and that plunged me further into mine.
Fortunately, Demons CAN be left behind. Fortunately too, good music never can,
I think Townes was wrong about the origin of this song. It seems to be a Piedmont blues first recorded by Luke Jordan of Lynchburg, Virginia in the 1920s. The Greenwich Village folkies (such as the late Dave Van Ronk, whose version is very good, too) learned it from Rev. Gary Davis, the great blind bluesman from South Carolina. I like the way Townes sings it and this "Texifed" version with fiddle.
May have been mentioned, is the the only Van Zandt version of this song available? Would anyone know what album to find this live version on, or any other version?
Townes is buried in the same little country cemetery as my brother. Their graves are not far apart. Just thought I'd mention that. It's funny but I lived my life in my youth more like Townes and my brother lived his life clean-cut and now he's dead and I'm still kicking.
I bet he really learned it from John Lomax in Houston. Townes and Lightin' Hopkins both had John as a mentor or at least a friend. Mr. Lomax was from the famous Lomax family and was the dad of the John Lomax that tried to help Townes get a good record in Nashville. Mr. Lomax used to sing it to his Scout Troop along with many other folk classics.
@ganyawee The problem was not the A&R skills of John. It seems that Townes previous producer (the guy who literally sat on some of his tapes) pulled him back with more unfulfilled promises.
@tresguerros If everybody liked Townes Van Zandt then his music would be pop music, and then you wouldn't feel so special for liking it. Why don't you worry less about what other people like or do not like and grow up? You have completely missed the mark.
@porterhouse you hate puppies, don't you? that's okay, you can hate puppies. i'm not saying that everyone has to like his music... or puppies...or even cocaine. i'm certainly not implying that i'm special because i do appreciate well crafted songs. agree to disagree. to each his own, right? i was simply stating that i don't understand how anyone with a functioning frontal lobe can't appreciate the pure honesty that comes from Mr. Van Zandt's writing. that is all, have a nice day. ...what mark?
@porterhouse Do explain your point of view, or admit that just because lots of people like something it doesn't necessarily mean its no good. You can have something that's obscure and is still shit, and you can have something that is popular and isn't rubbish.
Or we could just get all this sexual tension out and fuck now :)
@porterhouse Oops, I've just noticed that my original comment I sent to the wrong person. I'm not a moron, honest, I just love attention and was so anxious to get it that I sent it to you. Sorry about that!
@porterhouse Oops, I've just noticed that my original comment I sent to the wrong person. I'm not a moron, honest, I just love attention and was so anxious to get it that I sent it to you. Sorry about that!
@tresguerros You, my friend, have a knowledge of music and writing skills, but your perspective about what is essential to living a good live is really screwed up. I love all of Van Zandt's music, but I don't want to emulate the story lines. You best go easy young man or you might wind up like Townes did....
Yeh, we love Townes. But song a warning, not meant to glorify coke. You youngsters think it's cool. Sure, try it, but there are better ways to spend money. Makes endorphins (natural feel-goods in the brain) shut down, as coke is doing their job. But, oops, next day endorphins don't know they need to be back at work. I knew Van Ronk's version first, my fave. Good friend died after swallowing a bindle when he got pulled over; that night at Jackson concert the words sure hit home.
@ladyleesutter You are wrong about the whole cocaine and endorphins thing, for herion would be true but cocaine is a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor, somewhat different.
@ladyleesutter TO response from purplepineberry (don't know how to contact you directly).. Thanks for setting me straight re what happens in the brain:, and that it isn't endorphins (altho is for heroin).."cocaine is a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor, somewhat different.." It's good to keep information as accurate as possible on the internet and i always appreciate further education.. I primarily wanted to stress coke's addictive qualities.
@ladyleesutter Cocaine is considered to be an DNRI because the main effects are caused by binding to DAT and NET in the brain. Drugs that effect serotonin significantly, like MDMA and LSD, have hallucinogenic properties.
@Fogeyblue very few people recall the lyrics you mention, from Luke Jordan, originally, then Dick Justice, so the story goes. I guess you are already aware, but iplaybanjonow/too (I think) has a blues video of the song. She is talented, a female Townes. Thanks.
I haven't come across the person you mention, I'll look it up.
For those squabbling about the best version of this song, do yourselves a favour and listen to people like Dick Justice, Luke Jordan, Gary Davis and all the others. Dig around in the origins of this music. It's a great American treasure - and it is what inspired the people you are talking about.
@Fogeyblue If memory serves, Dave van Ronk also did a nice version of this in the late 60's. Oddly, van Ronk was the musician whose success Dylan wanted to emulate..."If I could be as big as Dave van Ronk......etc."
that's yet another reason townes is the man....a million people have done this song but no one with the conviction he has. that voice it just goes right to the heart.
@villafane12 I love coke AND I love this song. I say that if for no other reason than what would 20th century music, literature, film or art (or science or politics) be without the influence of drugs such as coke, speed or shmeck (and other intoxicants) on the most sensitive, creative, brilliant and talented minds among us? We never would have had rockets or a space program, or walked on the moon and on and on.
I guess you can fool all of the people some of the time. There is no question that Townes was wonderful, but this recording of Cocaine blues doesn't have Townes playing at all! This is the incomparable David Bromberg playing. Jerry Jeff Walker said of Bromberg; "He's the reason God put strings on guitars."
yeah it's pretty awesome, check out this instrument called the njarka fiddle (i think) it's on some of Ali Farka Toure's recordings, you might like it, it's not really that similar but I like em both
This is an interesting version of Cocaine Blues. The version I first heard (mid 60s) was Dave Van Ronk's who got it direct from Gary Davis but this song is older than the hills so Hoyt Axton's story is probably close to the truth.
this sounds a lot like "sugar mama" by ray lamontagne, i know ray was a big fan of townes van zandt, but i wonder if "sugar mama" was just ray using this song with his own lyrics?
someone's been reading wikipedia it seems... rev davis did write the thing, but townes says in this very introduction that he learned it from hoyt axton, and he plays it very similar to axton's version too. townes also has another song called 'delta momma blues' which is played almost exactly the same though, so im not sure where this exact picking pattern came from. this one is from roadsongs ('94) but my personal favorite rendition is from live at the old quarter.
This is just pure Americana
mattjm82 1 week ago
Excellent version of an old song. I don't understand the 11 dislikes. Must be some hypicritical religious nuts that don't really understand the song.
rquan61 1 week ago
11 LIKES = 0 DISLIKES GBNF
xXSpyHunter007Xx 2 weeks ago
i just love cocaine runnin' round my heart and all around my brain
JBelle725 1 month ago
nowhere near keefs version
JBelle725 1 month ago
@noobcom1 me too
nocash100 1 month ago
dylan rieder brought me here
noobcom1 1 month ago
This is where any lines that might exist between country & blues are blurred masterfully! Genius...
screwyootube1 1 month ago
. Country or is it the Blues or should it be call GOOD music? I can say I don't hear much that equals songs like this into days music. Rock Country or Blues. Townes you are missed
MrSanteeclaus 1 month ago 2
@MrSanteeclaus Folk man
forgetfull40 1 month ago
@forgetfull40 -this is pure blues.
1954telecaster 1 month ago
There simply has not been a country music artist since the days of Townes Van Zandt or Hank Williams, Johnny Cash - that isn't a caricature of what the genre was. People didn't realize that it was like tragic satire - just these bluesy catchy tunes with these utterly depressing themes expressed so matter of factly - it was brillant - now the entire genre produces nothing but crap - I'm still trying to figure out Hank III...
TheStinkfister 1 month ago 3
Country just anything what it used to be. I grew up in the wrong era thats for sure.
copenhagen6053 1 month ago
Taj Mahal does a good one
BerkLeeDrm 1 month ago
i love jorma too
BerkLeeDrm 1 month ago
fuck anyone in modern country. This guy is the real thing, and I'm not even sure what's going on today.
TheFirstAnnuals 2 months ago
fabulous, what else is there to say?
jjbowmarsouth 2 months ago
@SidewalksRomance Do you know what album this is off of? I love the accompaniment.
rstysmms 3 months ago
@rstysmms I THINK IT'S OFF OF REAR VIEW MIRROR
FahQposeurfag 2 months ago
I was a young man of about 18 (I'm 65 now) when I went with friends to a coffee house called Sand Mountain in Houston, Texas. There I saw the most profound TVZ sing Cocaine Blues. I knew then that I was witnessing something very special, and to this day I cherish the memory of that performance.
carrotcake611 3 months ago 4
Man... Townes was really something else. If youve never seen Be Here To Love Me the documentary they did on him i highly suggest it. It was really eye opening and if anything it made me appreciate the music even more. He was another truly great artist who was never appreciated the way he should have been. Its a damn shame but i guess it makes it that much better for those of us who know him. Also everyone should check out my channel! Thanks to those who do
NumbAsAStatue27 3 months ago
@NumbAsAStatue27 where could i watch that?
dehihihaha 2 months ago
@dehihihaha I know its on Netflix if you have it. If not than you can watch it on Hulu. Its pretty hard to find online so if those dont work you might have to download it or go try and rent or buy it somewhere. Hope you enjoy it!
NumbAsAStatue27 2 months ago
u never understand...addictions in my mind.simple things seem incredibly complicated
Dramacidal1 4 months ago
Whenever I listen to this song I feel happy becouse it's so beautiful.
OGG241 4 months ago
Im ready for some dragons
dxprong6 4 months ago
Townes Van Zandt was also known for his drug addictions
BucknutDolfan 4 months ago
Comment removed
Dramacidal1 5 months ago
@Dramacidal1 because someone upstairs loves you??
dawnjakeleah 4 months ago
Thank you for posting this, SidewalksRomance.
writersblock26 5 months ago
Which performance is this one from? It's not live at the old quarter
MrEntropyProductions 5 months ago
Cool..thanks to the themodennhuman--connect/
MisterTymes 5 months ago
If you don't like townes you should just go kill yourself cause your an idiot!!!
LukaszKrolak 5 months ago
Love me some Townes:)
GretchenSchmitt 6 months ago
kinda makes me want to do some cocaine
MarkyCmarkyDo1 6 months ago 2
damn good song
MarkyCmarkyDo1 6 months ago
This is one of the most down jams i've ever heard. I enjoy the picking in the guitar and feel the words!!!!!!!!!! I'm glad people still appreciate good music like this!!!!!!!
heffnermarshall 6 months ago
Haha, my featured video is "...and I'm a Mormon", I shit you not.
conboybp 7 months ago
such a soulful voice, he's obviously paid his dues to sing these blues.
1954telecaster 7 months ago 2
you could once enjoy all the great things america offered that, the rest of the world don't have. Freedom is what made these wonderful things possible. there's so many laws now that, only a corporation can come up with anything even remotely creative. cause, there's a damn law against it. the cops weren't kicking in doors and kids weren't shootin each other in school when coke ,marijuana was legal.too bad americans don't like freedom anymore....at least other ppl's freedom.
nedmorlef 7 months ago
@nedmorlef your right...theres a law against alot of things now days but...its only illeagle if you get caught though...right? hahaha i smoke weed almost every day down the river with my old radio and the cops even know about it...they know i dont start no trouble so they dont bother me...i watch the sunset listining to the greatful dead sometimes on my old tape player hahaha...thats another thing...they dont make things...good...strong...and...meant to last like they used to eaither...
121293g 7 months ago
@eric3ripper stupid fucking comments like this seem to always make it to the top, and they make me want to thumbs down shit even though i love it.
phadedlife 7 months ago
I give my puppies cocaine...just kidding, that would be a real waste wouldn't it?...anyway, seriously, who cares what the music is called..if Townes' music was wildly popular, so what? That would be a good thing. Sometimes the population DOES get it right (Beatles, Dylan, Lady Gaga ...again kidding re Gaga...) still, many artists go unpopular simply because they offer TRUTH and but lack the slick marketing to sell it....that is Townes...my point is sometimes the truth is popular.
lungflogger9 7 months ago
I believe Hoyt Axton also wrote the Pushernman(Steppenwolf)
heavyhauler58 8 months ago
who is hoyt ashton?
herbalthaternation 8 months ago
Dave Van Ronk does a nice gritty version too :)
paganus12 8 months ago
I think all 7 of this dislikes are westboro baptist church members. can't think for themselves, don't know good music when it slaps them upside the ear drum
mytruthisyourlie 9 months ago 19
The music is great but the reality of cocaine abuse is pretty sordid - it's for horses, it's not for men!
petermatthew123 1 month ago
No other country artist can touch him... Sorry.
mollyjeorgensen 10 months ago 27
@mollyjeorgensen
Maybe johnny cash
Metayounis 9 months ago
@mollyjeorgensen I liked this.. and you are right, but Townes can't be confined to country music.. can you define Prine or Dylan? the answer is a definate "nupp" and a spit. Townes raised his own bigtop and put his head in the lions mouth all on his own dime. no industry (uncluding country music) really leant him any help.
MrGitsnShiggles 2 months ago
@mollyjeorgensen this is country? i thought it was just good music
sk8brd4life 1 month ago
pure beauty.
titifeti 10 months ago
Smooth as f***.
Tarneyable 10 months ago
Best guitar in the universe!
MrDirtyratmiller 10 months ago
Caleb followill from kings of Leon is one of my Heroes and he said Townes van zandt has a huge influence on him he turned me onto this guy amazing
ele523 10 months ago
TVZ is amazing!!
Reddirtgirl55Again 10 months ago
Townes version is my favorite version
imaStonesGirl1 10 months ago
could someone help me find it from Bob Dylan ??
natasha91100 10 months ago
@natasha91100 i have it favourited.
ShotgunGeoffrey 9 months ago
@natasha91100 I have it but how do I send it to you?
AnandoJ 9 months ago
I love Townes music
Trent5281 10 months ago
I cried the Day I heard Townes had passed - was working in a music shop in CT - it cut me hard and all I could think through my head were the lyrics to "Only him or Me."
I'd lost another hero to addiction (in one form or another it'll take you) and that plunged me further into mine.
Fortunately, Demons CAN be left behind. Fortunately too, good music never can,
Thanks for all the beautiful music Maestro!!!
nevillejking 10 months ago 2
Hero
NotQuaid 10 months ago
this version is on the album road songs it is an all cover album he also does wabash cannonball on it which is also pretty great
martinguitar22 11 months ago
I think Townes was wrong about the origin of this song. It seems to be a Piedmont blues first recorded by Luke Jordan of Lynchburg, Virginia in the 1920s. The Greenwich Village folkies (such as the late Dave Van Ronk, whose version is very good, too) learned it from Rev. Gary Davis, the great blind bluesman from South Carolina. I like the way Townes sings it and this "Texifed" version with fiddle.
unionguy36 11 months ago
May have been mentioned, is the the only Van Zandt version of this song available? Would anyone know what album to find this live version on, or any other version?
jrl2320 1 year ago
@jrl2320
Rear View Mirror, Vol. 2 has a version with different lyrics (best one imo)
Drama Falls Like Teardrops Disc 2 has a different live version
Texas Troubadour [Snapper Long Box] Disc 4 has yet another live version
herbalthaternation 11 months ago
Townes is buried in the same little country cemetery as my brother. Their graves are not far apart. Just thought I'd mention that. It's funny but I lived my life in my youth more like Townes and my brother lived his life clean-cut and now he's dead and I'm still kicking.
TheShooter1946 1 year ago
@TheShooter1946 life is odd I suppose.
mikeyzemaniac11 1 year ago
I bet he really learned it from John Lomax in Houston. Townes and Lightin' Hopkins both had John as a mentor or at least a friend. Mr. Lomax was from the famous Lomax family and was the dad of the John Lomax that tried to help Townes get a good record in Nashville. Mr. Lomax used to sing it to his Scout Troop along with many other folk classics.
smalldogK9 1 year ago
@smalldogK9 I gotta say someone who couldn't make a good record out of TVZ's work is a pathetic excuse.
ganyawee 1 year ago
@ganyawee The problem was not the A&R skills of John. It seems that Townes previous producer (the guy who literally sat on some of his tapes) pulled him back with more unfulfilled promises.
smalldogK9 1 year ago
This guy's fantastic... But you gotta love the sniff at 0.31, made me laugh! Possibly totally subconscious, maybe not... lol
Tismesue 1 year ago
HOw can anyone not like this? F A N T A S T I C !! Thanks!
stupidshitsucks 1 year ago
also check out john prine, OLD ray charles, wille nelson and more townes vanZandt
wendyluvskyle 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Ive done a small bunch of Townes covers and would really appreciate if anyone would check 'em out and give me some feedback.
Thanks Oli.
fredjenner 1 year ago
Terrorism = DEA
ElKabongNva 1 year ago
dont do coke kids. it might be fun but its production oppresses working people and funds terrorism.
jonnyjaywick 1 year ago
@jonnyjaywick don't buy nike kids. it might be trendy but its production oppresses working people and funds terrorism.
plxplxkthx 1 year ago
there's 6 people out there that hate good music, cocaine, freedom and probably puppies too.
tresguerros 1 year ago 75
@tresguerros If everybody liked Townes Van Zandt then his music would be pop music, and then you wouldn't feel so special for liking it. Why don't you worry less about what other people like or do not like and grow up? You have completely missed the mark.
porterhouse 8 months ago
Comment removed
tresguerros 8 months ago
Comment removed
tresguerros 8 months ago
Comment removed
tresguerros 8 months ago
@porterhouse you hate puppies, don't you? that's okay, you can hate puppies. i'm not saying that everyone has to like his music... or puppies...or even cocaine. i'm certainly not implying that i'm special because i do appreciate well crafted songs. agree to disagree. to each his own, right? i was simply stating that i don't understand how anyone with a functioning frontal lobe can't appreciate the pure honesty that comes from Mr. Van Zandt's writing. that is all, have a nice day. ...what mark?
tresguerros 8 months ago
@porterhouse Popular music doesn't mean it's good OR bad. It makes no difference at all to the quality of the music itself.
ExpectationsShotgun 8 months ago
@ExpectationsShotgun This is the most vapid pairing of sentences I have ever read.
porterhouse 5 months ago
@porterhouse Do explain your point of view, or admit that just because lots of people like something it doesn't necessarily mean its no good. You can have something that's obscure and is still shit, and you can have something that is popular and isn't rubbish.
Or we could just get all this sexual tension out and fuck now :)
ExpectationsShotgun 5 months ago
@porterhouse Oops, I've just noticed that my original comment I sent to the wrong person. I'm not a moron, honest, I just love attention and was so anxious to get it that I sent it to you. Sorry about that!
ExpectationsShotgun 5 months ago
@porterhouse Oops, I've just noticed that my original comment I sent to the wrong person. I'm not a moron, honest, I just love attention and was so anxious to get it that I sent it to you. Sorry about that!
ExpectationsShotgun 5 months ago
@porterhouse Oops, sent the original message to the wrong person. Ah well, least I got a lil attention. Sorry about that!
ExpectationsShotgun 5 months ago
@tresguerros You, my friend, have a knowledge of music and writing skills, but your perspective about what is essential to living a good live is really screwed up. I love all of Van Zandt's music, but I don't want to emulate the story lines. You best go easy young man or you might wind up like Townes did....
coleyman1 7 months ago
@tresguerros Or even chinese foods...
MayChild8 6 months ago
@tresguerros they probably kick cute little puppies too. I'm kidding and hope it is not true.
dawnjakeleah 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
so glad i found this post, i had no idea who this dude was. AWESOME STUFF !!!
cupidofinsanity 1 year ago
so glad i found this post, i had no idea who this dude was. AWESOME STUFF !!!
cupidofinsanity 1 year ago 2
glad to see townes gerttin the love he deserves on youtube....and for the 4 dislikes pfft ur not even worth my time.
19jr82sr 1 year ago
Yeh, we love Townes. But song a warning, not meant to glorify coke. You youngsters think it's cool. Sure, try it, but there are better ways to spend money. Makes endorphins (natural feel-goods in the brain) shut down, as coke is doing their job. But, oops, next day endorphins don't know they need to be back at work. I knew Van Ronk's version first, my fave. Good friend died after swallowing a bindle when he got pulled over; that night at Jackson concert the words sure hit home.
ladyleesutter 1 year ago 31
@ladyleesutter Real Talk
UngratefulLiving420 1 year ago
@ladyleesutter You are wrong about the whole cocaine and endorphins thing, for herion would be true but cocaine is a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor, somewhat different.
purplepineberry 7 months ago
@ladyleesutter TO response from purplepineberry (don't know how to contact you directly).. Thanks for setting me straight re what happens in the brain:, and that it isn't endorphins (altho is for heroin).."cocaine is a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitor, somewhat different.." It's good to keep information as accurate as possible on the internet and i always appreciate further education.. I primarily wanted to stress coke's addictive qualities.
ladyleesutter 7 months ago
@ladyleesutter Cocaine is considered to be an DNRI because the main effects are caused by binding to DAT and NET in the brain. Drugs that effect serotonin significantly, like MDMA and LSD, have hallucinogenic properties.
GROEP6NAH 6 months ago
Lay off the cocaine. You can reminisce about it.
And practice, practice, practice.
TCrawfor 1 year ago
hmmm just got hip to this... looks like I gotta little bit of research to do 8|
anothergunner 1 year ago
man that g#7!!!!
cooldevinis 1 year ago
hollywooddsssss
kahlinkoch 1 year ago
r.i.p. bro all this dope im doing ill prolly c you soon
masterchiefer123 1 year ago 7
@masterchiefer123 damn... hope it ain't that bad, best of luck
cooldevinis 1 year ago
@masterchiefer123 my friend i did a lot s of smack for years , your attitude towards it doesn t not asssicure me , take back yor life , and smile .
peace AND LOCVE MY FRIEND.
fercio123 10 months ago
such a good song by such an underatted man
namey420 1 year ago
rip
SIXXX1POUNDER 1 year ago
nice photo of townes and uncle remus
niddyd 1 year ago
wow, this is just beautiful.
Natronwasserglas 1 year ago
4 people should probably kill themselves...
420Cannabis 1 year ago
god, that sweet, ol' fiddle, just breaks my heart. RIP Townes. You're missed by many. <3
thebeatlesrock909 1 year ago
EXCELLENT !!! .
TheHQAUDIO 1 year ago
Thanks, Bob H. for sending this to me this a.m., reminding me of what matters these cold-ass shoddy days.
upfromunder 1 year ago
FANTASTIC !!!
zorbazig 1 year ago
Ive been playing for a long time and i love this song. so much fun to mess with.
RTDURAZO 1 year ago
And here was me thinkin this was a John Martyn original
lurak9 1 year ago
That guy DOES play the shit out of that fiddle!
CoolCatJohn 1 year ago 4
what albums is this from .... if any???
TheHUAC 1 year ago
what album is this off?
jackbrickhouse 1 year ago
Here comes Sally with her nose all sore
Doctor says she won't smell no more
Cocaine, all around my brain.
Fogeyblue 1 year ago
@Fogeyblue very few people recall the lyrics you mention, from Luke Jordan, originally, then Dick Justice, so the story goes. I guess you are already aware, but iplaybanjonow/too (I think) has a blues video of the song. She is talented, a female Townes. Thanks.
2dodaz 1 year ago
@2dodaz
I haven't come across the person you mention, I'll look it up.
For those squabbling about the best version of this song, do yourselves a favour and listen to people like Dick Justice, Luke Jordan, Gary Davis and all the others. Dig around in the origins of this music. It's a great American treasure - and it is what inspired the people you are talking about.
Fogeyblue 1 year ago
@Fogeyblue If memory serves, Dave van Ronk also did a nice version of this in the late 60's. Oddly, van Ronk was the musician whose success Dylan wanted to emulate..."If I could be as big as Dave van Ronk......etc."
BobTheSubgenius 1 year ago
@2dodaz Thanks for that - yes, she's very good.
I'm English, but I've been listening to that music since the 60's (I don't call myself Fogey for nothing). I play a bit too.
Fogeyblue 1 year ago
@Fogeyblue no preperation H in those days?
steele917 1 year ago
that's yet another reason townes is the man....a million people have done this song but no one with the conviction he has. that voice it just goes right to the heart.
WashingtonClouddrago 1 year ago
i hate cocaine but i love this song
villafane12 1 year ago 3
@villafane12
TheRalphus666 1 year ago
@villafane12 I love coke AND I love this song. I say that if for no other reason than what would 20th century music, literature, film or art (or science or politics) be without the influence of drugs such as coke, speed or shmeck (and other intoxicants) on the most sensitive, creative, brilliant and talented minds among us? We never would have had rockets or a space program, or walked on the moon and on and on.
TamarZucker 1 year ago
This a reverend Gary Davis song originally
MrDaemonB 1 year ago 2
Fuck yeah, cocaine!
zex84 1 year ago
Beautiful.
NickeyWhitfield 1 year ago
Jackson Browne covered this, it wasn't as excellent though
anunenthusiast 1 year ago
I guess you can fool all of the people some of the time. There is no question that Townes was wonderful, but this recording of Cocaine blues doesn't have Townes playing at all! This is the incomparable David Bromberg playing. Jerry Jeff Walker said of Bromberg; "He's the reason God put strings on guitars."
73Howie 2 years ago
are you high? that's Townes. no two ways about it. if you listen to any recordings of him talking it's clearly the same voice.
joshuaGFU 2 years ago
Yeah i think he is finger picking and one guy is strumming
FooFighter778 2 years ago
Townes always fingerpicked, true on that
bushuraloser 2 years ago
Got a documentary, shows him playing flat pick on and off. Usually fingerpicked, not always though.
blackestcracker 2 years ago
gotta hate that comedown
123daydream321 2 years ago
I recently discovered Townes, and I have to say, a true treasure. Thank you for posting.
cflonnes 2 years ago 3
God bless Townes. Fuck I'm not worthy!
gratefuldave55 2 years ago 5
Singing about cocaine while freebasing the tobacco drug.
tripjet999 2 years ago
haha at 0:29 it sounds like he's got a case of the drips
newbeachinvasion 2 years ago 5
I'm so stuck on this song. I've listened to Townes for a while now but this is a wonderful find. Thank you, this is why I love youtube lol :D
lGnossos 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
This is David Bromberg, NOT Townes Van Zandt
larrygenegill 2 years ago
i know
sayyes2bull 2 years ago
Haha, was the sniff into the mic a hint?
davedaveisdavedave 2 years ago
im pretty sure david bromberg plays guitar with him on this song
RustyCage352 2 years ago 2
are there two guitars? or is Townes just singing?
IpkisStanley 2 years ago
I think that's the violin.
futoncat 2 years ago
man that fiddle...
PowerfulDragon 2 years ago 60
yeah it's pretty awesome, check out this instrument called the njarka fiddle (i think) it's on some of Ali Farka Toure's recordings, you might like it, it's not really that similar but I like em both
IpkisStanley 2 years ago
@PowerfulDragon You're there already
biggibson49 1 year ago
great tune
rikkosuperb 2 years ago
This is an interesting version of Cocaine Blues. The version I first heard (mid 60s) was Dave Van Ronk's who got it direct from Gary Davis but this song is older than the hills so Hoyt Axton's story is probably close to the truth.
booksteve 2 years ago
check out Dick Justice's version of cocaine blues- its very old and very different.
subterranean47 2 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
wow man, its pretty slow n shill for a coke song
FingerLickinGravy67 2 years ago
Cause it's written from the perspective of the guy who woke up in the morning and didn't have any.
Noodlebass 2 years ago 5
doesnt woody guthrie have a "cocaine blues" too? all these songs about cocaine, it's confusing!
demera12 2 years ago
ya alot of ppl do, its an old folk song
Russ3ll23 2 years ago
what record is this from?
MISFITROBBY138 3 years ago
revere the rev!!!!!
luv ya!!!
hausenharry 3 years ago
im jonesn right now
dantheman992004 3 years ago 3
lmao amen brother
matt0910pxy 3 years ago
this sounds a lot like "sugar mama" by ray lamontagne, i know ray was a big fan of townes van zandt, but i wonder if "sugar mama" was just ray using this song with his own lyrics?
ajdelanger 3 years ago
Comment removed
kingcutt 3 years ago
someone's been reading wikipedia it seems... rev davis did write the thing, but townes says in this very introduction that he learned it from hoyt axton, and he plays it very similar to axton's version too. townes also has another song called 'delta momma blues' which is played almost exactly the same though, so im not sure where this exact picking pattern came from. this one is from roadsongs ('94) but my personal favorite rendition is from live at the old quarter.
awaggenspack 2 years ago 3