Steve Goodman - City of New Orleans

Steve tells the story of the song and sings it
on a Chicago radio show in the 70's.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Steve
• Goodman
• City
• of
• New
• Orleans
• chicago

[bondman1066]

What an incredible posting. i loved the interview stuff. After hearing this I forgive Arlo for taking the song and making it his. Some day i'd like to hear John Prine do a recording of just Steve's songs. My two favorite songwriters would be great. What can I say...I'm a Chicago boy

[jamieson55]

I saw Steve Goodman 30 years ago,live in this theatre,all by himself. This guy had the audience eating out of his hand,in a large hall. He had the chops. One of my top ten live events.

[coachleif]

Beautiful man, wonderful husband, incredible songwriter, wonderful human being, awesome song. Arlo, thanks for being a great caretaker of this song and friend to Steve. This song is good in any musician's hands, it was great in Arlo's, it was magic in Steve's. Nothing phony about Steve ever. Saw him many times in Chicago in the early 70's. His heart shines through everything he writes. You want a good, manly cry anyone out there? Listen to him sing "The Dutchman". Miss you Steve -- lots.

[almoothie]

Ride their Daddies magic carpets made of steel,what a great image,one of my all time favourites

[Wilhelmena3]

I always thought Johnny Cash wrote this song.  It's so amazing to hear this. I know awe is not a real place, or a noun of any description, but I am in it.

[28fireflies]

another great one gone too soon, God Bless!!. You will be missed.

[nosleep62]

thanks for sharing this invaluable interview!

my own 2 cents: arlo guthrie is to be commended for making a great single of the song and for doing more to introduce and establish mr. goodman than anyone else could have (remember, goodman already had kristofferson and anka behind him, but no hit came out of it!) and i don't think it's fair or appropriate to pit goodman vs. guthrie; god bless 'em both!

[Grisbi6]

I saw Steve Goodman at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, maybe 30 years ago. I wish I could say that I really appreciated him at the time.

[williemyers]

true story...

in '84, after Willie's release of "City of NO", the song was nominated for a 'Best Country Song" Grammy and the voting ballot listed Arlo Guthrie as songwriter.

There was a huge furor by Grammy Academy members (like myself) who flooded L.A. with calls and telegrams, demanding a correction showing Steve as songwriter. The Grammy Academy, to their credit, sent out a nationwide notice to the membership to correct the error. Later that year, Steve was awarded (posthumously) the Grammy

[naturelover172]

I'm showing my ignorance here. I've always loved Arlo's version, and assumed that he had written it. Wow! This is actually better and that is something I never thought I'd say. A great educational post - thank you, YouTube and jackogreene!!!!!!!!!!

[grahamcroston]

@sallygal7 I'm probably swimming against the tide here, but I don't think Arlo Guthrie improved it one bit. I just heard this version for the first time after hearing Sara Paretsky recommend it on BBC Radio 4 this morning. It is a revelation. I knew Arlo Guthrie's version - I liked the tune but found it a bit bland. This version is clear and crisp, Here, Goodman makes the lyrics shine. The vocal style, words and tune make a meaningful whole - Guthrie's version is too saccharine for my taste.