Sometime in the 1940s, Woody was by chance sitting next to a folklorist named John Greenway on a flight from California to Philadelphia. Greenway woke Woody up to point out that they were flying over Oklahoma, Woody's home, and Woody asked for a pen. He jotted down lyrics that began with "I'd like to lay my heavy head tonight on a bed of Oklahoma clouds." Greenway was shocked and truly amazed that Woody could write a song that quickly. We learned 50 years that that wasn't the whole story.
Yes, Leroy on keys. That's Jonathan (JP) Parker playing the twelve string. He was the guitar tech... used to come on and sing Ziggy Stardust and a few others back in the day. Great guy.
No, you're correct. Woody Guthrie's daughter gave Billy Bragg and Wilco numerous lyrics her father had written but never set to music; they came up with completely new music and recorded the songs for the Mermaid Avenue albums.
alot of stuff woody wrote never made it to tape:( he was just too ill for a long time to perform, never dulled his writing ability though..and thank god these guys gave life to some of his stuff!!
@will1311 No. Woody Guthrie wrote a whole bunch of lyrics that he never set music to. According to the CD liner notes, "Woody's daughter Nora Guthrie approached me in the spring of 1995 with the idea of writing some new music to accompany those lost songs" (Billy Bragg). Bragg in turn approached Wilco and asked them to participate in the project as well. Wilco agreed, and in addition to recording with Bragg in Ireland, they were given their own share of songs to finish.
the thing i love about wilco, is how they sound amazing live, and on cd. its crazy... its kinda like the two sides of ween... except ween's a lot more teisted in the studio. great music though =D
thanks xonerdzruleox...sorry, totally forgot about the jay farrer/wilco connection... i really enjoy jay's work, but have yet to tap into the wilco well of sound... i've loved this song for some time... will have to buy more of their stuff. what's your favorite disc by wilco? can you recommend something slow and twangy. thanks again;-D
as far as i know, these are it. mermaid ave. volumes 1 and 2. but nora did let the boys cherry pick the archives. so they got to do the ones that moved them...
@FidellC Billy Bragg did his versions in a different style than Wilco did. I believe his style was a little closer to what Guthrie had intended. "Unwelcome Guest" was one of the best tracks on the CD.
If you all like this type of music, you might take a second and check out a band called Vintage Roulette and specifically I would suggest the song Bedside Lullaby. I think you might take a liking to their music as well....
If you guys are interested in braodening your singer songwriter horizons, you should check out a song called Bedside Lullaby by a band called VIntage Roulette. I think you might really take a liking to them.......
One thing i never got with that movie though is that the mix they had in the film wasn't nearly as good as the one that actually became yankee hotel foxtrot, and they didn't really get into the details about that.
Harsh, Joe! I meant no offense. Wilco and Billy Bragg used the actual lyrics from Woody's song and credited him appropriately on their Mermaid tribute album to him, so it is not a rip off in the normal sense. Anyway, who could do a better job of bringing these lost lyrics to life, except maybe the Jayhawks?
How are you to the moon and back is killing me a pic of the and then you can use to be the first time in of my favorite things to places where the moon is not to say that say
I guess after all the shit I went through in court to know you Victor Wilson, I still would like to thank you baby, even though you 'f%c*k'g hate me now, heh, well baby I hate my life and me too, why do you think I wanna lay my head on the bed of califorina stars?
this is awesome. i love this band. i have a version of When The Roses Bloom Again (from the same recording project) on my page...check it out if you get a chance.
@jcd123ish how can I be a poser...when I actually smoke weed....and why I might add am I sitting here a year after this forgotten comment was posted, a completely different person, being insulted and commenting back? Is it because I care? Must be.
@DarthKazi check yourself man. thats not why pop music's gone so far downhill. these guys are professional song writers too. their music just doesn't suck. and it's real. the song writers you are referring to would have no power if not for the willingness or eagerness of the public to lap up the dog shit and shun true music.
Wilco is a great band love this song. Makes ya feel good.
I dedicate this to my sweet Tejano. Those California stars brought us together, my love...
Most funky rendition of this great song.
While Nels Cline is one of my absolute favorite guitarists ever. Jay did a great job while he was with the band. RIP Jay...
california stars in Helsinki 20.5.2010 = heaven on earth
These guys are truly talented and chill. it baffles me that they arent alot more popular
Alot of great artists are not appreciated in their time sadly, in order to make room for talentless hacks who sell their souls. Wilco didn't sell out
Rest in peace, Jay. You will be missed by your music will live on.
Was ours in October 2001. Worked like a charm. My missus is from California.
Best version on RUclips I reckon.
It's a privilege that Wilco got to work with these lyrics. A well earned privilege.
My room mate is in love with this guy!!!
I love this song!
you did a great service here... I'm layin' my head on those ca stars.....
Sometime in the 1940s, Woody was by chance sitting next to a folklorist named John Greenway on a flight from California to Philadelphia. Greenway woke Woody up to point out that they were flying over Oklahoma, Woody's home, and Woody asked for a pen. He jotted down lyrics that began with "I'd like to lay my heavy head tonight on a bed of Oklahoma clouds." Greenway was shocked and truly amazed that Woody could write a song that quickly. We learned 50 years that that wasn't the whole story.
Great series, great performance. For years I had to rely on a gunked up dropped out VHS tape of this show, thank God I can dig this now.
My dad once played a whole show with Jay Bennet. RIP
the masses lruike good music. Grand FUNK rules.
Yes, Leroy on keys. That's Jonathan (JP) Parker playing the twelve string. He was the guitar tech... used to come on and sing Ziggy Stardust and a few others back in the day. Great guy.
No, you're correct. Woody Guthrie's daughter gave Billy Bragg and Wilco numerous lyrics her father had written but never set to music; they came up with completely new music and recorded the songs for the Mermaid Avenue albums.
Love the song..HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY
First time I saw Wilco was this show "Sessions on W 54th" really miss Jay Bennett.
yep, Jay Bennet and Phillip S. Hoffman.... both great guys
I knew this song from the movie 'california king' ... this was used at the ending scene.. I love it...
best. video. ever.
Still the best band on earth! Please come back to germany soon!
Great song just got into this band!
"Mermaid Avenue" is one of the greatest CDs ever recorded.
alot of stuff woody wrote never made it to tape:( he was just too ill for a long time to perform, never dulled his writing ability though..and thank god these guys gave life to some of his stuff!!
I miss my uncle too.
This was from that shoot.
ruclips.net/video/NZTAaMaWorI/видео.html
great song great performance...
jay is grooving. rip jay
I really wish this was synced up...
It's super great anyway and thanks a bunch for upping it!
:)
Damn, this is good!!
they killed it
All royalties from this should be mailed directly Paul Westerberg
still great version...impressive
luuuvly
R.I.P Jay you will be missed :-(
stays in my head beautiful
.]
a.
I miss my DAD
@will1311 No.
Woody Guthrie wrote a whole bunch of lyrics that he never set music to. According to the CD liner notes, "Woody's daughter Nora Guthrie approached me in the spring of 1995 with the idea of writing some new music to accompany those lost songs" (Billy Bragg). Bragg in turn approached Wilco and asked them to participate in the project as well. Wilco agreed, and in addition to recording with Bragg in Ireland, they were given their own share of songs to finish.
this is the wilco i love (a.m. style). either they've gotten way over my head or im just lame
Some say the corrent Wilco is the best lineup. I dont see anything wrong with this one.
Mama, play this at my funeral
روعه ياروعه
JAY!!!
This is going to be the first song with my new wife at our wedding
Genio!
the thing i love about wilco, is how they sound amazing live, and on cd. its crazy... its kinda like the two sides of ween... except ween's a lot more teisted in the studio.
great music though =D
Riiight
wow . ken coomer on the drums .
This is the Woodie Guthrie song, Joe!
@coronet67 Getting this lineup back together would be difficult, however. :)
jay. RIP.
you know of other woody songs that have been brought back life?
thanks xonerdzruleox...sorry, totally forgot about the jay farrer/wilco connection...
i really enjoy jay's work, but have yet to tap into the wilco well of sound...
i've loved this song for some time...
will have to buy more of their stuff. what's your favorite disc by wilco? can you recommend something slow and twangy.
thanks again;-D
I also like it how the song is 4:20 long...
as far as i know, these are it. mermaid ave. volumes 1 and 2. but nora did let the boys cherry pick the archives. so they got to do the ones that moved them...
easily, easily. to jay's credit, though, he kills this performance.
Also this song was by woody guthrie ;)
@FidellC Billy Bragg did his versions in a different style than Wilco did. I believe his style was a little closer to what Guthrie had intended. "Unwelcome Guest" was one of the best tracks on the CD.
Wilco was the best with Jay Bennett.
the real deal...wilco gets nice. :)
i thiink it was written bt woody gunthrie, never found a copy of it yet though
@DarthKazi Ain't that the truth! There's no way "Mermaid Avenue" would ever get off the ground today.
@420andsuch it's 4:21 though.
What amplifier is Jay using? Matchless?It sounds great!
If you all like this type of music, you might take a second and check out a band called Vintage Roulette and specifically I would suggest the song Bedside Lullaby. I think you might take a liking to their music as well....
Mermaid Avenue (Vol. 1) w/ Billy Bragg. All Woody Guthrie lyrics.
@odderaindie its 4:20
paxman, please forgive my ignorance, i'm new to wilco's music,i LOVE this song, but who is the `Jay' that you speak of?
If you guys are interested in braodening your singer songwriter horizons, you should check out a song called Bedside Lullaby by a band called VIntage Roulette. I think you might really take a liking to them.......
@420andsuch right that's the mistake I made haha It is quite strange indeed
@420andsuch Is it not 4 minutes and 21 seconds?
is that jay bennett with the dreads?
what fret is he capoing?
This version has a different vibe
here lies an arky that digs tweedy and wilco.......on a bed of california stars
@420andsuch Mine show's 4:21...
@derekhudson1975 never recorded it...
the song's originally written by woody guthrie, right??
what is up with the drumstick in the drummers right hand?
One thing i never got with that movie though is that the mix they had in the film wasn't nearly as good as the one that actually became yankee hotel foxtrot, and they didn't really get into the details about that.
Harsh, Joe! I meant no offense. Wilco and Billy Bragg used the actual lyrics from Woody's song and credited him appropriately on their Mermaid tribute album to him, so it is not a rip off in the normal sense. Anyway, who could do a better job of bringing these lost lyrics to life, except maybe the Jayhawks?
DITTO... Big Ditto.
The lyrics to this song is written by Woody Guthrie, dude.
man their lineup is so much better now
How are you to the moon and back is killing me a pic of the and then you can use to be the first time in of my favorite things to places where the moon is not to say that say
Just so that I might add... it is, indeed 4:20 not 4:21. At least on my player is.
I guess after all the shit I went through in court to know you Victor Wilson, I still would like to thank you baby, even though you 'f%c*k'g hate me now, heh, well baby I hate my life and me too, why do you think I wanna lay my head on the bed of califorina stars?
Im imagining how woody guthries version would sound. I doubt it would be anything like this.
this is awesome. i love this band. i have a version of When The Roses Bloom Again (from the same recording project) on my page...check it out if you get a chance.
Who's playing piano on this? Leroy Bach? Bob Egan? Who's the bald guitarist in the background?
@jcd123ish how can I be a poser...when I actually smoke weed....and why I might add am I sitting here a year after this forgotten comment was posted, a completely different person, being insulted and commenting back? Is it because I care? Must be.
@420andsuch ....im not your pal buddy
@DarthKazi check yourself man. thats not why pop music's gone so far downhill. these guys are professional song writers too. their music just doesn't suck. and it's real. the song writers you are referring to would have no power if not for the willingness or eagerness of the public to lap up the dog shit and shun true music.
@420andsuch ... its 4 minutes and 21 seconds.... heh....... fail.
@MrWallerstein im not your buddy friend
mine shows 666
I miss Jay Bennett. :(
It's good... But I would've like to have heard Woody do it.