Watch James watch a shockmount

GEOFFREY O'BRIEN SAID: "My brother is by now involved with a new band that formed out of the wreckage of The Kingbees, who broke up after their single didn't chart. This time the material is mostly original, written by a young songwriter who's just come to town, a childhood friend of the guitarist. He already has a whole catalog of finished songs, and no one doubts that these are 'real' songs, the kind that can go anywhere in the world without having to be explained or hyped. A small circle forms around the band; we go to The Night Owl night after night to hear the same songs, anticipating, in the strange way that fans have, that our own lives will be uplifted if this group--our team--can succeed."

Memo to evanrkq: The above quote is in reference to The Flying Machine. Joel O'Brien was the drummer.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• james
• taylor

[mariegau]

There's something so intimate about this exquisite acoustic version that I feel I should ask Mr Taylor's permission to watch it.

You sure know how to pick them, sallybiter; thanks.

[sjellis1955]

I have been listening to this gentle gentleman for a long old time. Nobody else has ever produced songs that speak to me so clearly or carry such a near indescribable amount of beauty. We.....my daughter and I ....are going to see him again in july when he tours the uk. For those of you who may not have seen/heard him ...live ..just go. It is an utterly wonderful time and something you will always be pleased you have done. He is simply the finest singer/songwriter in the world and God bless him!

[whispine2]

His music is pure therapy for the soul! What a gift! Thanks James.

[yew2ewb]

Surpassingly beautiful. Thanks for posting. I really think you should change how you've titled it. I passed by it several times because I didn't know what shockmount meant. Mention both the song and Charlie Rose. I watched the Charlie Rose interview sample which ends with Charlie saying they'll close with a song, but the song doesn't follow. Seeing it here, after that interview, is really powerful. I think if you flag it as what it is, the hits will skyrocket. Thanks for posting. A real gift.

[SparkTV]

Nevermind, on the last part...

[SparkTV]

What a great acoustic performance of this song! I like the little intro at the beginning too. Do you know what year and where this is from? Just curious.

[paulybear2008]

What a beautiful song!,a wonderful man,genius in every way! i'm really finding it hard to believe this has only had 7,792 viewings? could be the title? but so many people are missing out on such a beautiful thing,thanks for sharing =)

[fireandrain1]

Real talent,real music with real feeling..

I've been fortunate to see the great man 7 times in the last 10 years or so here in Scotland..

Everytime it's magical.

[b8tovene]

I really consider this perfect music. I don't think you can put together a string of notes and express those notes, tones, and words any better than this. Some things transcend the English language..explaining the beauty of this song comes real close.

[DrMalPracktiss]

Why vocal processing is our friend - and why you should stand when you sing - or at least not sqush your diaphragm.

But as raw as this is, leave it to this guy to still somehow make it sound great. I came away really liking this, and we've got exactly 12,456,873 renditions - as of the latest count - to compare it with.

I especially like the "chunkity chunk" (official acoustic term) sound of his (likewise unprocessed) guitar here. Also love the accent guitar lick at 2:55.