Dan Hicks performs "I Scare Myself"

[anneshuck]

Yeah baby. I heard Dan in Mill Valley years ago. What a unique sound they have, huh? The track off of "Striking it Rich" was out of a studio. This is a live recording. Personally, I prefer the live performance. It seems more real to me. But that's just me...

[soybalm]

@anneshuck I think that studio violin solo on the studio album is divine. I saw him live as a duo at Paul's Mall in Boston around 75?76. with his bass player. I couldn't believe how much I didn't miss the band. Great original bass player, I like this live video but I won't compare the studio to say that one is better. I could compare it to another live performance with the same lineup. I don't mind the rearranging here.The song was too long for televised formats and any kind of variety show.

[sonnybrakes]

That was a pleasant four and a half minute workout. Great sound.

[fwdixon04]

Great song but a so-so performance by Dan who seems to be forgetting the words and arrangement from time to time. Sounds much better on his classic "Striking It Rich" album.

[DanHicks01]

I like his name...

[mikemaginn]

I saw Dan and the Licks playing in a small student theatre at Syracuse University in about 1972 and never forgot it. He had a unique style then and he still does. Just listen to his recent--"That's Just The Smoke They're Blowing"...Great stuff...

[gdhccl]

I love this AWESOME band! Been listening to them forever,no only 30+ years.Sharing with the kids now !!

[MrPblower]

best song on youtube bar non. if you don't agree i will fight you to the death next week in leeds outside the town hall. bring your mates.

[69BearPedo]

GOD IS A PRICK !

[darkridr25]

Wow, I never knew Thomas Dolby's version of this was a cover until now! How very interesting this original is!

[deborahllucas]

I'm on the search for an instrumental song that sounds very similar to this. It's haunting me! Any ideas or clues?? Also- Anyone know who's playing the violin on this cut?

[workerbeedrone]

@deborahllucas

I think that is Brian Godchaux on violin.

[doodahgal]

thank you for this! I had this album, and someone must have permanently borrowed it, so I have lost some of my very favorite music....

[Rumpio]

I too love both versions. Neither is better than the other, they're both gorgeous.

[giddiand]

@Rumpio Totally agree!! One naturally blends into the other...

[gamoonbat]

me no scarum

[UncleJimsBand]

Hicks disbanded his group in 1974.  Dolby didn't record his cover until ten years later. I think both versions are great. Thanks for the re-intro to Dolby.

[UncleJimsBand]

Hick's disbanded his group in 1974. Dolby didn't record his cover until ten years later. I think both versions are great. Thanks for the re-intro to Dolby.

[rvbarnesboy]

I think it's way cool that he digs Thomas Dolby, who I believe wrote this ditty. Someone gave me a copy of "Tangled Tales" and I really admire his talent. And I do this for a living. the Dolby album is The Flat Earth. Also his masterpiece Aliens ate my Buick. (Dolby, that is)

[OctoDunn]

Great song! I love the fiddle.

[howtoplanaparty]

My favorite Dan Hicks sons are not in Youtube. Bad Grammer, Jukie's Ball. 103 is here, well done by another.

[n2musickansasgirl]

Thanks Frank and Mary Hicks for bringing a legend, Dan and his Hot Licks, to KC Saturday. It was another great show at Knucklheads.

[fusion07mp3]

Dom Um Romao on percussion here...thanks for posting.

[Sauriz]

dang, this is still such a great tune. haven't even heard of these guys in nearly 20 years. this is why i love youtube. thanks for posting.

[dudeat32]

Just a great song!!!!!

[JohnnyLovely2]

i prefer Thomas Dolby's version because of the vocals mostly

[fluxstringer]

Dan plays the Kent Stage about once a year. He is well remembered here. A great show by a great down to Earth guy.

[emtsier]

'I Scare Myself' . . . . highlight of tonight's show by Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks . . . just a little slower and a little greyer - but still hot! ; )

[iamstarlvr]

Yes, just like that Dan.

[BobJakeMcManus]

Stupendously Delish!

[BobJakeMcManus]

Stupendous!

[BobJakeMcManus]

Stupendous!

[CarlSchwamberger]

Best Dan H cover of this I've seen was from a 'Austen City Limits' show. Tempo was slower & the vocal more etherial. It captured the vibe I used to get from this on the old FM radio circa 1971.

[bobhuber]

Go David Sanborn! SIck sit in.

I forgot all about that show. I was a teenager when it was on TV.

[KENOEFF]

Nice video.

[DENISMURRELL]

Well, I bought Dan Hick's album, with his second version of this on it, in 1980. That version is one of my all-time favourites of all the songs in the world and I shed a few tears every time I listen to it. What a song! What a sound!

[Harrylechat01]

Whooaah Slow down! I know Dan Hicks wrote the song but Thomas Dolby 's version is far and away superior.

[Juliasblues]

You mean "In your opinion"......you're excused !

[micr0cosm]

Not lol.

[lyasgarden]

We just saw Dan in his Holidaze in Hicksville show at the Raven in Healdsburg, Ca for the second time...great show of course. He gets more irreverent and has more fun with lyrics as time goes by. A very fun time!

[miss2tone]

Well ya learn something new every day... i didnt even know this wasnt Thomas's song...! Who knew?. first time Ive heard this guy... its different...

[rdkellykompany]

To all of you who have never had the extreme pleasure of actually being in the presence of a Bay Area "Icon", nay. just a musical genius who has spanned almost 50 years sharing his talent, please don't let this one performance be the one upon which you base your judgment! Google Dan Hicks, let your fingers do the walkin' on different sites, then listen and let your ears be your jury!!

Bob

[TheTScotRhys]

@rdkellykompany Yes! Such a beautiful city. I honestly thought I'd never get to see him. I moved to the tiny burg of Waterville, Maine a few years ago, but surprisingly, Colby College and the Opera House here get some real artists, musicians, plays, and films here. And lo! To my everlasting delight, they brought Dan Hicks here last year. It was an unforgettable treat! It's not so lonely in the State of Maine after all, despite what Blue Oyster Cult says.

[quantise]

Dolby's is a beautiful interpretation of a brilliant, emotionally intelligent song. We might thank both of them for giving us those gifts.

Just a thought.

[mrdawebb]

If memory serves,this is faster tempo than the studio version, and I know of several assholes who have brought us great music. Se what I did right there. Heheh.

[legbider]

Is that Julee Cruise in the center of the Lickettes? Sure looks like her.

[scmm42]

>> Is that Julee Cruise in the center of the Lickettes?

Good eye. Julee Cruise was also featured in this episode of Night Music. That's her.

[mogsa]

amazing song!

does anyone have guitar chords or tab for it ???

[prcauch]

Pretty much E to F and back and improvise from there...

[ppanama]

DOHCsnake:

ah, you are wrong. dolby played acoustic piano, and there was an amazing trombone solo...

Thomas Dolby - Vocals, Piano, Effects

Kevin Armstrong - Guitar, Trumpet, Backing vocals

Matthew Seligman - BassLesley Fairbairn - Backing vocals on tracks 2, 3, 6

Robyn Hitchcock - Vocals (spoken) on track 4 - Clif Brigden - Percussion, Electronic drums

Peter Thoms - Trombone on tracks 6

[synonynantonym]

It's Dan's song, but Dolby's version is very nice. It's not a contest. They're both very enjoyable.

[himself801]

I guess whose ever one hears first influences ones opinion.

Compared to Thomas Dolby's, this sounds like it's getting the bum's rush. It sounds like is performed too fast that undermines the effectiveness of the lyrics.

[tacomadc]

Sounds great - this was my favorite violinist he played with, except for possibly Sid.

[pierstheoneandonly]

I prefer this line-up/arrangement. Sanborn's soprano gives it an arab market-type feel which fits with the chordal structure. Fiddle is effective without being grandstanding. And Dan is attired rather more the dapper europhile sophisticate here.

[TuesdayPillow]

I like the music here better, and love all the instruments and the beat. What I don't like is his voice and I don't know if this guy knows what a "key" is and how to stay in one.

[70blackfeetboy]

You're an idiot!!!

[ecam222]

Great tune. It's been many years since I've heard this, but it's always been stuck in my mind.

[Teddy17bossa]

Dolby's version is much better! Hicks is an excellent songwriter and has chutzpah, but he can't hold a candle to Dolby's chops or licks! on the keyboard and music arrangements. Hicks is much like Dylan a legend who can sing only marginally! This version sounds like an alcoholic- speed freak version in comparison to Dolbys'.

[Mottmon]

I agree, the slow... swingy? version thomas dolby makes is much better than the... bossa that this is, it's almost like Music Dissonance, This version

[DOHCSnake]

You're an idiot.

Dolby was all synth. These are real instruments.

[siys]

Dolby is only fit to lick the dog crap off of Hick's shoes!

[70blackfeetboy]

Whoa!!!!

Are you familiar with Dan Hicks music?

The Hot Licks?

We're all entitled to our opinion.

[brownztone]

As unpopular as this opinion may be, I totally agree.  Dolby's version is way more serene and quite beautiful... and if I remember correctly, it's mostly acoustic. Dolby's touch on the piano throughout the tune is lovely. The man is an innovator.

[Teddy17bossa]

i totally cocncur, seeing Dan Hicks drunk off his ass berating his audience at the lonestar cafe in manhattan in the 80's. versus seeing the consumate musician innovator Dolby the Radio City Music Hall. Thomas in all his english cool and sensitivity to the dynamics of this very lovely. beautiful song, so muchbetter done than the original.

[lkmaudio]

omg, i saw him in tempe arizona back then and he did the same thing, it was so bad he couldn't even perform! i still love his music though. too bad.

[IExposeMormonism]

haha., In c. 1970 Dan Hicks was at Poppycock in Palo Alto, Ca. "we" ran it, did the lightshow, etc. Not many showed up that night. Maybe 10. and little applause or appreciation. At some point he started shouting at the audience "F-you, we know we're great, you're all a bunch of...." etc. And he was right. No one was listening and he was doing a good show.

[iowa61]

"Consumate Musician and Innovator?" That title applies to Hicks FAR more than Dolby...

[funkey72monkey]

@iowa61 Purely an opinion of yours, as Dolby introduced a new genre of music.  Both are extremely talented and have visions of music well beyond the norm. While Hicks may be an innovator, I don't think he can touch what Dolby did in terms of introducing and advancing a style of music that took off like wild fire because of Dolby's pioneering.

[alexleitch37]

Surely this song has been whispered in Dans ear by the Eternal muse who heard Adam sing it to Eve about 6,000 years ago. Torn between his love of God and his need to perish with his wife Adam must choose. Adam chooses to bite the fruit but it isn't Eve he is scared of (or the Serpent) it's himself. "It's Me I'm scared of..and when i'm running I keep thinking of you...I scare myself to think what I might do (when I'm without you") Perhaps Adams sons sing it to Eves daughters still. cheers alex

[manos77035]

Dan frickin' rules!!!

[warriorscat545]

I am so glad I went to see him at the Kent Stage in 06

[warriorscat545]

love it

[affectivity]

Striking It Rich is still one of my favorite albums.

[tabber87]

Those aren't the Lickettes.

[srvinfinity]

Do you mean "The Hot LiCKS"?

[tabber87]

What? No, I don't.

Dan referred to them as "The Lickettes". Either title works.

You should listen to "Where's the Money?". It's his/their best album.

[Tricolino]

i prefer dolby's version...

[Efrasnel]

Granted, this is a bit too fast for my liking, but the version on Original Recordings wipes the floor with Dolby's...and Dolby's version is no mean feat either.

[stopthrm]

@Tricolino This blows IT OUT OF THE wATER. Turn up your volume knob.

[walkinbass]

That's Brian Godchaux on violin. He's a great musician.

[deepindercheema]

Is that Hiram Bulluck on the stratocaster?

Who is the man with the bouffant at the beginning? oh I see he is playing the soprano.

[lazydave51]

That man with the wild hair is David Sanborn.

[caudillo1]

Yes, it is Hiram.

[catlady4justice]

Thank-You for the Video this is good stuff!

[chasmala]

First time hearing this original after hearing the T dolby version again for the first time in over 20 years. Prefer it in Dolby!!!

[rupertbishop]

without Y Tube I would have never found this, only knew the Dolby version, thanks to all who informed me of this. Cheers!!!

[ScooterNerd]

Dan is so freaking cool...

[gmcg923]

Yes, the Walkin One and Only is cooler than shit.

[SMdiabla]

This is so great...I didn't realize Thomas Dolby did a cover! While I like the slower tempo of Dolby's, this is fantastic. Thank you for posting.

[RichardSwaine]

Mr. Dolby took all the parts of this wonderful song and made a charicature, a perfect one I have to admit. Both the original and TD's versoins are quite classic.

It means the song will go on no?

[leroy32x]

Thank you Thomas Dolby for turning this very ordinary song into an absolute classic. If you like Dans version you must listen to Thomas Dolby's

[SMdiabla]

While I agree that I like Thomas Dolby's version better, I think it is a bit unfair to call this "very ordinary". The lyrics are unique and Mr. Dolby kept this beat for a reason.

[nyartistcoalition]

Sorry, it's just not the same without Maryann Price, Naomi Eisenberg and Sid Page. I was lucky enough to see Dan when all three were with him at the Troubadour in L.A. years ago. Maryann was a fricken goddess, just drop dead gorgeous! Her voice was heaven.

[gerbildad]

I won the woman I married because of this song...:)

Thanks so much

[FrozenSilence]

The earliest memory I have is riding to work with my dad when I was 3 or 4, listening to Last Train to Hicksville. I think it's great to find someone who has nostalgia tied to this song like I do.

[GeSchmidtt]

Dan - The walking one and only!

[hoyvenmavin]

i prefer the slower tempo of the studio version

[Robkat3751]

What year was this?

[scmm42]

>> What year was this?

1989.

[sqaat]

@scmm42

They weren't really "The Lickettes," it was part pf the format of the show to bring different acts together for the finale. Julee Cruise had performed, as had Dan Hicks and the Acoustic Warriors.

Oh, that's my friend Terry Blaine standing to the right of Julee as she faces forward!

[sqaat]

@sqaat

TYPO!

Probably obvious, "it was part of the format...."

[gmcg923]

Dan Hicks is fuckin awesome!

[monkeytutu12]

cool.

[caudillo1]

You've got to give props to the band- Omar Hakim, Nana Vasoncelos, Phillipe Saisse, Hiram Bullock and of course Sanborn. They were almost always better than the guest musician's own band. American commercial networks have probably never been as uncommercial as this program. It will be a great day once a box set is available of this show.

[Neville6000]

When was this show on, and on what network?

Considering how hard it is for most shows with old song on them to get on DVD, don't hold your breath.

[caudillo1]

Night Music/Sunday Night was on for two years- 1988-90. Since it was was syndicated, it usually ran on independent stations. The same stations that later converted to UPN/WB.

[Neville6000]

Thanks for the info.

[MOTOGRRRL666]

Without Naomi and Maryann

(the ORIGINAL HOT LICKS)

Hicks is nothing!

They are what made him,

and without him it is just dull,

lifeless, boring, bland, and sad.

He is a dead phantom of what once was.

[TurboD]

So the Lickettes wrote the music and lyrics for Dan? I think you just hate men and you can't accept your sexuality. Quit hating so much. And fyi, I'd say booze might have had something to do with the collapse of the bands glory days. Not the absence of 2 average female background singers.

[RobL2756]

I think technically, the original "Lickettes" were Christina Viola Gancher - Vocal, Celeste, Piano & Sherry Snow - Vocal. But yeah, I love Naomi Ruth Eisenberg - Vocal, Percussion, 2nd Fiddle & Maryann Price - Vocal, Percussion.

Lighten up on Dan. Neither of these nor future line-ups would have happened without him.

[nyartistcoalition]

Well, I wouldn't go that far, but I know how you feel about Maryann and Naomi they can't be replaced. I agree with you there, however Dan is awesome in his own right. He was obviously the brains of the band. Check out his work with Tom Waits and others, it's top notch.

[snoobeagle]

Thomas Dolby did an awesome version of this song. Check it out on Youtube!

[peacewomanisrael]

thanks... I like this band. never actually saw them on TV or live back in the day...  so this is realy cool for me now. So organic and hot.

[lcastleberry]

I'd LOVE to see more Dan Hicks on here...News From Up the Street you say? If only you'd deliver it....

[wildbunch]

..the letter I write.

[sihingjimo]

OK...Mu..Fuhhss

[sihingjimo]

Dan..this may be an out-dated comment..but I for one...love you guys and your Fukkin EExtremely Greattt not-touchable music..I have been into you guys since around 1986, tnks to a fellow worker who knew about your stuff...way back when, I absolutely was in Love with that picture of MaryAnn Price on the album(with the flower in the hair),here is another woman lookin' better than her..well, anyway, I play a little guitar and your tracks have been an inspiration, so feel good about that

[Thalarctusmaritimus]

Who has Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks performing "A Turkey Ain't Nothin' But A Bird"?

That's right, no matter what you seen, no matter what you heard, a turkey ain't nothin' but a bird.

Happy T-Day, y'all.

[Horseheadnd]

The coolest man on the planet

[Jenscool]

As American as Grateful Dead and Frank Zappa!

[jimbresnen]

Someone please post "News from up the street" live!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wildbunch]

"..she's people I'd like to meet".

[rundoetx]

An American Legend.

Free Hugs From Tx

RundoeTx

[funeguy2]

F***in so cool...never saw this before. glad I did tonight.thanks

[windsdiver]

I love this song, and it's my first exposure to Dan Hicks. Recorded it on a long lost VHS tape, late night, late '80s. GREAT to see it again!

[DrRobDammet]

And thats Don Alias (sp) on percussion...played with Joni Mitchell.

Get "Wheres the Money" LP if you can find it. Classic live performance at the Troubador. My guitar teacher bartended that night...

[bunsomatic]

Thankyou for posting this. I have never seen Dan Hicks exceppt for the album covers, all of which I have.

[massadvj]

This isn't a particularly great performance, but a lackluster Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks tops a great performance by just about anyone else, except maybe Susie Arioli or Rickie Lee Jones.

DAN HICK: You probably think it's easy being up here singing and dancing. Well it isn't. It isn't easy. Thank you.

[duster71]

This is the best shit when your driving around Honolulu at night in an old prosche and smoking the Herb right from the island.

[belawood]

They were so hot. He's a little off in this one, but they rocked. I'd like to see Walking One and Only too.

[craigshergold]

Thomas Dolby covered this during his early-80's glory. It had a lot of nice moody trumpet work.

Cocaine music? Lordy. He's still around, had a recent comeback. My brother had his records in the 70's, which along with the Clockwork Orange soundtrack was an important musical oasis in the days of prog drek.

[liz1060]

Your brother was listening to Hicks AND Clockwork Orange soundtrack? I swear I thought I was the only one....I swear I still do...

[lancedivvio]

Don't have any dan hicks, but Wendy Carlos is still in rotation. If you like his/her work, Carl Stone is a modern guy in that vein.

[mrbede]

David Sanborn accompanying Dan.

[Efrasnel]

Prog drek? I beg to differ. Some of that stuff was good. But I get your point. Why listen to 15 key changes in one song, when a 2 chord ditty can bring up more emotions. Dan Hicks is an American treasure and should be worshipped.

[ccrussell1112]

Great music. Wish I could find "Walking One and Only".

[pcdriver]

I miss the extended guitar opening.

[spritecan567]

what is this? seriously some1 reply to me

[heymoe55]

this is early 70's cocaine music. Dan was a cali performer, a talented jazz, blues, rock, acoustic mix. with a blend of 20's and 30's thrown in.

[basspond51]

Fantastic...Dan's the Man!

[blusluvr]

Good stuff. What a great video from an outstanding performer.

[OSCAR1987wwa]

very well received in warsaw