Michael Smith - The Dutchman - Howmet Playhouse

[REmilJFolk]

I first heard this at the Filling Station in Detroit in 1973. Phil Marcus Esser turned me on to MIke's music. I later went to see him at The Earl of Old Town in Chicago before with a friend just before he came to Detroit. What a great time. I still remember the album, "Mickie & Babs Get Hot" which had some of the best songs I ever heard. I wish I still had it. There are few experiences like hearing Mike & Barbara sing "Oceloa's Last Stand."

[jonnytheshirt]

beautiful song, poor rendition. Funny how that happens.

[wizardofwaste]

I hope to meet Mike Smith one day and shake his hand.

[rdvqc]

I have heard Michael do better versions of this song. Notably about 10 years back at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival.

I do agree though that nobody did it better than Liam.

[seanreillyireland]

One of the greatest of all songs.

[tintosangre]

Funny. He seems to be using an open tuning, no? I've seen him play other songs live where he more clearly used the d-e-f# flow against the G that's more familiar in this (classic) song

[lateniterev]

I've seen and heard Michael perform this many times, and there is nothing like hearing the writer perform his work...I think because he gives the true meaning to the words. Mike is one of the good guys and great unknown songwriters. For a good laugh check out "The last days of Pompei."

[ristowge]

@lateniterev

The best version is Josh White Jr's version on his live LP "Sing Me A Rainbow" which as yet is not available on CD

Harry Lime

[rocktenniscat]

Of course Steve Goodman's version is "better" but it is a special privilege to "meet" the creator of this wonderful song on Youtube. Many songwriters are better at writing than singing...(Jimmy Webb for instance!)

[ynotryme]

the best version is on the steve goodman's tribute album

[morgaineraven]

how did i miss this!? i saw him when he was at MCC a while back and even got to go to his workshop. he is an amazing talent. i'm so freaking bummed i didn't know about this.

[JRH22BFD]

Some songs are so good they take on lives of their own. Many people think Tommy Makem's "Four Green Fields' is an ancient song, which it isn't. "Paradise" by John Prine is another. So don't blame the Irish guy for not believing Smith. Well, ok, blame him a little bit.

[Ambidexter143]

Michael Smith tells a story that he was singing this song in Ireland and an Irishman said that his mother used to sing this song when he was a young boy. Smith said that he had written the song about ten years previously and the Irishman basically called him a liar.

[JRH22BFD]

Liam Clancy's version is 789,000 times better than this one. Writing is one thing. Singing is another. God bless him for writing it but let's not pretend this is some masterful performance.

[fnupfnup]

I looked at it but I disagree. Clancy's version is kitschy and for this song an Irish accent doesn't fit. So I think Clancy's version is only 0.274 times as good as this one here.

[DMcGuinness]

@fnupfnup you're mad Liam puts much more feeling into the words. you must of had your hearing aid on low or something

[gertrudewhite]

--Agreeing with you! The song is lovely though. :^) Just listened to the John McDermott version and then found this on the internet and have to say I like McDermott singing it MUCH better.

[jbalsbaugh]

@JRH22BFD Sigh ... some folks just don't get folk. You just as well trumpet the virtues of The Byrds' "Tambourine Man"

[lencanbarelyplay]

Heard this from many. I cried over this.

[JoeChrisMorris]

Great stuff. Thanks for posting!

[MarshallVoit]

There's somebody in the audience singing some beautiful harmony, it's nice.

[wakerlew]

Finally! We get to hear it by the man who wrote it. I fell in love with the song from Steve Goodman's recording, and have it on a CD by John McDermott. Both are good, but this one is the best.

[SSchus87]

This is the all-time favorite song of me and my wife. It is 'our love song'. I have had the great pleasure of seeing Michael Smith perform this song live 5 times, and this version is as good as it was in person. Thanks for taking the time to post it. I can't wait until he comes to the Ark in Ann Arbor in January, '09. I will be there!! Keep up the GREAT work Michael, you are a songwriting treasure!!

[hanshotfirst1138]

Unrequited love. Awesome.

[2xVitamR]

I can't stop hearing this song. First time I heard it 3 days before and cannot stop. On this video you can hear a silent weep and also may senses are. He is a great songwriter because he shows how deep the love of Margret to the dutchman is. Even the version of Steve Goodman has found the way directly to my heart. Never had a great feeling by hearing a song. Michael

[Johnfern99]

The man can write songs!!

[owlzguy]

Thanks for this one. Saw Michael perform at a Coconut Grove club in '73--unforgettable

[rlpniew]

One of the great loves songs of all time written and sung by a master.

[simplyDiann]

My husband, Bob, has been singing this song for years--we first heard it sung by Steve Goodman. While Bob sings a great version of The Dutchman, its a pleasure to hear it sung by its writer.

[bets1313]

Thank you more than a thousand times. I have been a Michael Peter Smith fan since his early days in Detroit. I am blessed to have seen "Personals" (a theatre production) several times and wish that Michael and his wonderful company would do it again.

[morgaineraven]

I can't believe I missed this!!! I saw Michael a few years ago at MCC and even had the pleasure to go to his workshop. I had no clue he was coming back! Thank you so much for posting this. I love this song!

[GoodOldGar]

Who respects a song more than the one who wrote it? There is also a video on youtube of Michael doing The Dutchman at the Old Town School of Folk Music.

[Shellikey]

Thank you a thousand times!Loved Liam Clancy's cover but I've been waiting a long time to hear it by its writer.Harry