Richard Shindell - A Summer Wind A Cotton Dress

[hughhill]

thank you pandora and youtube for introducing me to this amazing artist. can't wait to see him the next time he's in the city

[ngrey651]

This is probably the prettiest song about two married couples cheating with someone else and pursuing a short but deep romantic relationship I've ever heard. The fact that the singer still thinks about the woman even after he's got kids makes me think back to the "Shakespeare in Love" film, where Shakespeare transforms the woman he loves but can never be with into the ideal woman in his greatest plays, keeping the memory of her with him forever...

And being reminded of her by a summer wind...

[jeffsaxton22]

Thanks for posting this video of my favorite singer/songwriter. BTW, for those who can't discern the lyrics, try running a Bing or Google search for the lyrics & you can post them yourselves (DIY!).

[kjohns2001]

This needs a listing of the lyrics on the information box in a bad way. The playing is great but the song cannot be heard over the music.

[martyclark]

Great song. I think it's too dark in the video to tell if the instrument is a cittern or a bouzouki.

It's not my wife's favorite of mine lol.

[goryanhavefun]

My vote is that the instrument is an irish Bouzouki. The Cittern is typically recognized as having 5 pairs of 2 strings while the Irish Bouzouki has 4 pairs of 2. There is a lot of confusion in the naming as the "Irish" Bouzouki/Cittern are relatively new instruments not more than 40 years old to my knowledge. Regardless of, it's a well-chosen instrument for this great song. Btw, this video is the reason I purchased an Irish Bouzouki.

[jimboinfl45]

I believe it is an octave mandolin, a.k.a., a bouzouki...

[MrPolishbeer]

Most definitely a cittern.

[TomChair]

This is great. Thanks for sharing. It would have been great if he had done professional videos as well - his music would have been perfect. But these live performances are also great.

[knopfler720]

Richard has written many indelible songs. This is one of them. True to life. Right on. He's a god among men in the acoustic singer/songwriter world. I'm in my early 30's now and I've been listening to him since I was a late teenager. There's something "homefires" about his craft. Chicken soup, like Simon & Garfunkel.

[folkmusicgirl]

It's really nice to know that someone your age enjoys the music of Richard Shindell.

He is truely a brilliant singer/songwriter!

I was lucky enough to see him once in a small house concert venue in Pasadena, Calif. quite a few years ago now.

I don't come across too many people in their early 30's into folk/acoustic music.

Another artist you might like is John Gorka, a great folk artist/songwriter.

Also, Allan Taylor (a great folk singer/songwriter from England.).

[august20091]

I too am in my early 30's and LOVE Richard Shindell. You're right, it's hard to find others my age who listen to the folk/acoustic non-radio stuff that I like. And you are right that he is brilliant songwriter. I can listen to the words over and over and am struck by them everytime.

[folkmusicgirl]

That's great to know that there are people in their early 30's who really enjoy this music. Just curious,how did you first come to know of Richard's music?

What other singer/songwriter's do you like? Have you heard of Ralph McTell? He's British & also a brilliant singer/songwriter. He's most known for his song called, "Streets of London" but has many good songs. My favourites are: "From Clare to Here" & :"The Girl from the Hiring Faire" You can find those songs by Ralph McTell on Youtube.

[SleepWanderer]

Hehe... I'm 19... and I've known of Richard for quite a few years..

[zinkdude77]

@folkmusicgirl I'm 16 and i like his music. in fact i went to see him tonight at the iron horse. he was great!

[folkmusicgirl]

@zinkdude77

It's really great to see that there are fans of Richard Shindell at your age. Other young people have replied that they are fans too. I hope you continue to listen to Richard's music. Another great folk singer & guitarist that you might enjoy is a folksinger from England named Ralph McTell.

I mention him because he is a great songwriter, really good voice & guitar like Richard Shindell. Plenty of Ralph McTell on Youtube. Most famous for a song called, "Streets of London."

[zinkdude77]

@folkmusicgirl and yes i do like john gorka and have been to see him too :D

[MrFix3]

This song seems like it's sung by the character from Springsteen's "Thunder Road". He's singing about Mary, her cotton dress swaying on the front porch. Now, years later he looks back, the romantic image of her stuck in his head.

Great version.

[NikitasGuitars]

"its not my wifes favorite of mine" lmao

[mostofthetime]

Amazing:)

[rchristophe]

nice. one of my, say, 40 or 80 or so RS favorites. i mean absolute favorites. with the bouzouki -- or whatever it's called-- this version of summer wind is particularly cool.

[reflexrules]

I think that's a mandolin.

[VonHobbit]

I think it's a cittern...

[jfmm99]

This guy is incredible. See him live if you can. Wonderful performer and songwriter.