This video is my favorite Booker out there, and I love and have listened to a lot of it. Is there any way to get a hold of it besides here? If it went offline somehow, it would just about break my heart.
Despite all of the Booker on Youtube, I keep coming back to this gem...the piano is simply an extension of the man. How I wish someone knew about cross-lighting!
I can remember back many years ago ... had driven into town to drop off a tax return at the main post office on Loyola when I heard this guy come on the radio, WWOZ I think, with a wild version of Junco Partner. Sounded like he was crammed into a tiny radio studio with a piano and playing and doing some interview etc. It was so good that I wanted to pull off the road to listen better but it was after midnight & I needed to get home 17 miles away. Sad he died so soon after.
James, my poor hero. Why couldn't you happy all the time? 28 years after your death your music still makes me shiver and pulls me through tuff moments.
I think I have a copy of it that has been circulating...if you can laboriously tell me how to send it to you, I will more than be happy to do so. I am not a computer guru and am just happy to open my email.
Cox Cable in New Orleans did a two hour special on Booker in 1983. It's a video of two sets that he does at the Maple Leaf Bar. It may be the set that I saw on youtube in part about a week or so ago, but can't locate now. This video is just under two hours and is a revelation in Booker's style, personality and overall joy of being the Spider on the Keys. Has anyone seen or heard of this video?
Thank you for this fantastic footage...he was truly at one with the piano. So sorry I never saw him in person, but he is currently being brought to my students...none of them were aware of his genius. Sure he was a very troubled soul...most sensitive and artistic types are...
So gorgeous. May I add my voice to the chorus of thank yous. I sometimes wish someone would put together a compilation of everything recorded (sound and video) or James. I truly think he is the best there ever was. It is a task I would gladly undertake if I had contacts with people holding these gems. Is this video available anywhere but here?
I can't even begin to describe the greatness of this mind-bending artist. To this day, his music grabs hold of my heart in a way not much other music is able to.
Echo prevoius comments...Wow...try my site,dogheadio,just posted a James Booker clip also some other New Orleans & Boogie Woogie stuff...but this is just Magic
The Dr. John autobiography is "Under a Hoodoo Moon: The Life of the Night Tripper", and yes, it's a wonderful book! And the last song he's playing is Allen Toussaint's "Fortune Teller", which I think Benny Spellman recorded.
@professor501 Booker could cover anyone's music and take total possession of it. He'd make it his own and deliver a better version than anyone could. This is the first time I've heard him cover "Fortune Teller" and it's brilliant. Spellman did record it - RIP Benny .... and Booker
drerosso, thanks very much for sharing this rare James Booker video with me. I appreciate it very much since he's my all-time favorite New Orleans style pianist. I read an interesting autobiography written by Mac Rebbenack (AKA Dr. John) where he wrote a little bit about Booker's life and how talented he was. Booker toured and played organ for Dr. John. From what was in the Dr. John book (I can't remember the name of the book but it's been out for quite a while, maybe over 10 years...)
It's flamin' marvellous to get to see this. I've jammed a couple of versions of "Oh Holy Night" in that style in the past. Nice to see James had the same idea!
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IndependentGeorge76 4 months ago
This video is my favorite Booker out there, and I love and have listened to a lot of it. Is there any way to get a hold of it besides here? If it went offline somehow, it would just about break my heart.
jjs98 4 months ago in playlist Booker
@jjs98 google youtube downloader, install it and then save the clip as an mp3.
IndependentGeorge76 2 months ago
Despite all of the Booker on Youtube, I keep coming back to this gem...the piano is simply an extension of the man. How I wish someone knew about cross-lighting!
MultiKZB 6 months ago
one person has no soul.
NarimatsuMusic 7 months ago
I can remember back many years ago ... had driven into town to drop off a tax return at the main post office on Loyola when I heard this guy come on the radio, WWOZ I think, with a wild version of Junco Partner. Sounded like he was crammed into a tiny radio studio with a piano and playing and doing some interview etc. It was so good that I wanted to pull off the road to listen better but it was after midnight & I needed to get home 17 miles away. Sad he died so soon after.
tamanite 7 months ago
Just so immediate and wonderful.....
Misruler 7 months ago
James, my poor hero. Why couldn't you happy all the time? 28 years after your death your music still makes me shiver and pulls me through tuff moments.
Please send a new load of lost tapes from above.
Love & Rest in Peace.
jjcale1969 8 months ago
I think I have a copy of it that has been circulating...if you can laboriously tell me how to send it to you, I will more than be happy to do so. I am not a computer guru and am just happy to open my email.
MultiKZB 9 months ago
Cox Cable in New Orleans did a two hour special on Booker in 1983. It's a video of two sets that he does at the Maple Leaf Bar. It may be the set that I saw on youtube in part about a week or so ago, but can't locate now. This video is just under two hours and is a revelation in Booker's style, personality and overall joy of being the Spider on the Keys. Has anyone seen or heard of this video?
1blastman 9 months ago
Thank you for this fantastic footage...he was truly at one with the piano. So sorry I never saw him in person, but he is currently being brought to my students...none of them were aware of his genius. Sure he was a very troubled soul...most sensitive and artistic types are...
MultiKZB 10 months ago
Thank you so much, a gem !
rahsaanism 11 months ago
what song is he playing starting at 1:27 or so. I woke up with a huge hangover and discovered this cat. Picked me up when I was down.
theblackkeys84 11 months ago
@theblackkeys84 O Holy Night
tamanite 7 months ago
So gorgeous. May I add my voice to the chorus of thank yous. I sometimes wish someone would put together a compilation of everything recorded (sound and video) or James. I truly think he is the best there ever was. It is a task I would gladly undertake if I had contacts with people holding these gems. Is this video available anywhere but here?
jjs98 1 year ago
Genius!!
elvispreseli 1 year ago
I can't even begin to describe the greatness of this mind-bending artist. To this day, his music grabs hold of my heart in a way not much other music is able to.
Thanks for this.
drbekken 1 year ago
Echo prevoius comments...Wow...try my site,dogheadio,just posted a James Booker clip also some other New Orleans & Boogie Woogie stuff...but this is just Magic
dogheadio 2 years ago
Booker is from space..
Brian22303 2 years ago
What happened to the HQ option for this one? I miss it!
Burnsomatic 2 years ago
WOW!!!!
59simonh 2 years ago
What is the name of last song?
JirkaSirkaGregory 2 years ago
Wonderful to see this great footage of Booker in the HQ setting. I can see it much better now. Thanks so much!!!
Burnsomatic 2 years ago
This very well may be the most amazing Booker I've ever heard.
BluesDuke 2 years ago
So beautiful!
Thanks my friend EngelmannSpruce to show me this pearl!
Veralucy 2 years ago
wow!
thank you
Chesterton7 2 years ago
I would love to see more like this
more and more and moooore!
TonyFranciosi 2 years ago
Absolutely superb footage. Had to learn the fortune teller immediately from this. A rare up close and personal view of the great man
dalestorr 3 years ago
could you explain? the fortune teller? is that the name of the tune he's playing in the second half?
it's amazing
clearlakenoise 2 years ago
ok- yes it's an allen toussaint song
I didn't know it- it's really how booker plays it that blows me away
clearlakenoise 2 years ago
fantastic clip -but why doesnt he just say Put Out The Light to the cameraman (sorry)
IndependentGeorge76 3 years ago
This is Booker's solo piano playing at its best. I wish the picture was better, but the music is pure and utter genius.
drbekken 3 years ago
WOW!! What an incredible treasure. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this!
wilburevans 3 years ago
I would love to see this in higher resolution.
Is there any way?
Burnsomatic 3 years ago
i love the end especially.booker! you are like a whole orchestra by your self!
turtlerobot 3 years ago
i love this
turtlerobot 3 years ago
There are so many great piano players but Booker was in a class by himself.
steviedeedee 4 years ago 6
What a treasure! I love every note he ever played or sang.
Burnsomatic 4 years ago
The Dr. John autobiography is "Under a Hoodoo Moon: The Life of the Night Tripper", and yes, it's a wonderful book! And the last song he's playing is Allen Toussaint's "Fortune Teller", which I think Benny Spellman recorded.
professor501 4 years ago 3
@professor501 Booker could cover anyone's music and take total possession of it. He'd make it his own and deliver a better version than anyone could. This is the first time I've heard him cover "Fortune Teller" and it's brilliant. Spellman did record it - RIP Benny .... and Booker
1blastman 8 months ago
O.o wow!!! thanks drerosso! amazing video! James is really awesome on the piano! i love the end of the video, i will try to learn it....
erin28041989 4 years ago
drerosso, thanks very much for sharing this rare James Booker video with me. I appreciate it very much since he's my all-time favorite New Orleans style pianist. I read an interesting autobiography written by Mac Rebbenack (AKA Dr. John) where he wrote a little bit about Booker's life and how talented he was. Booker toured and played organ for Dr. John. From what was in the Dr. John book (I can't remember the name of the book but it's been out for quite a while, maybe over 10 years...)
kirkwell 4 years ago 2
You're very welcome Kirkwell. I loved Dr. John's autobiography (Under a Hoodoo Moon by the way) what a life he's led. Some of it made me wince!
drerosso 4 years ago
Awesome video Andre! Thank you for sharing! You've greally got a treasure trove of Booker material!
professor501 4 years ago
I entirely agree with Professor down below :)
It's flamin' marvellous to get to see this. I've jammed a couple of versions of "Oh Holy Night" in that style in the past. Nice to see James had the same idea!
dompipkin 4 years ago
Glad you enjoyed seeing it guys and thanks for the info Dom, I didn't know what he was playing here. Any idea what the other tunes are?
drerosso 4 years ago
well, at least one of the tunes is "O Holy Night"!
stormgd3 3 years ago