Thanks Fil for getting around to Jerry Jeff Walker. a great song by a great artist. as you know this year has claim the lives of so many great and legendary artists. Rest in Peace Jerry Jeff Walker and thanks for being a great storyteller.
Best live music moment of my life Jerry Jeff Walker Walker live in a small bar in Ambergris Caye Belize with the Caribbean Sea as the back drop and maybe a hundred fans loving every moment played for 2 plus hours pure magic.
Thank you for this. Been listening to Jerry Jeff for more than fifty years, and hearing of his passing was heartbreaking. I got to work with him a few times, and he was really one of the good ones.
I was just watching Jerry Jeff doing this song many years back and I remembered this video. He's playing here in a much faster tempo than he did on the earlier video. Both of them are excellent.This one seems more spontaneous. Thanks Fil!
Thanks so much for covering this, Fil! Jerry Jeff had so many great songs, and was a huge influence on me. I play a lot of his songs, and his death has devastated me like nobody since John Denver.
45 years of being a fan. Never been a fan of nobody else like I was Jerry Jeff. I turned on lots of people to him, in other countries too. Jerry Jeff was his music, and his music was him. He lived it his way.
❤Thank you Fil. I spent 7yrs of my childhood in Texas my dad dragged me to Jerry Jeff, and many other county/folk/outlaw performers and I dragged him to Pantera and the like I did not always fully appreciate his taste in music but I do now.
His eponymous studio album is one of my favorites. Every song on it so touching or sweet or funny. He was a great story teller. Sorry to hear he's gone.
Thanks much Fil... you're much appreciated... Jerry Jeff is the reason I got into the business... I met him a few times and unwittingly wound up in the foyer of his house early one morning... I still can't believe he's gone.
I took Jerry Jeff’s songs on the road with me in 1976 and played them for people in clubs in Illinois, Wisconsin, and other places in the northern US who didn’t have a clue who he was. After I came in off the road, I moved back to Austin and caught Jerry Jeff in concert on the UT campus. Just Jerry Jeff and his guitar.
I live up north and trust me all us Yankees were not blind or dead to JJW. Talents at least not me and my bros. Not saying that the disco dummies didnt have the air time up here so you bought the good stuff and shared with friends never had one bitch about it either. 69 pushing 70 and I ain't giving up for pop ,rap, or crap
Oh you said Illinois and Wisconsin sorry Tim but that's not the midwest you have to cross the Mississippi river to be west Chicago and Milwaukee. That's not country MO.IA.MN.KS.SD.ND. THATS midwest then you cross Missouri river now yer heading west no wonder you were let down by the crowd heck I been there I felt the same big city's suck and trust me I've been to 95% of the s__tholes in this country as the old song said I been every where man I've been every where look it up google it old trucker killing time. .no harm intended hope your career is well and if not hope your life is.
Thanks Fil for this...I lived in San Antonio in the 70's, saw Jerry Jeff play live many times in and around San Antonio and Austin. Hearing of his passing brought back many fond memories...it sucks growing old...thanks again!
Amen brother. Now I know what the old folks, used to say "If I'd known, I was going to live this long, I'd have taken, much better care of myself." Is absolutely true. Of course we all know Keith Richards will never die.
The song Mr Bojangles is a great example of the beauty of music and how a song can touch us. Jerry Jeff Walker wrote a song that would touch the great Sammy Davis Jr, who himself identified with the song Mr Bojangles - Sammy Davis Jr once said in an interview he feared becoming Mr Bojangles. That’s the beauty of music, it’s universal appeal.
I saw Jerry Jeff and the _Lost Gonzo Band_ live at Texas Tech University in 1976. It was a great show. One thing happened that got a big laugh from the audience. Gary P Nunn was singing _London Homesick Blues_ into one of those big chrome microphones they used back then when he got too close and it zapped him in the lips with a jolt of electricity. He moved backwards about 5 feet instantly and shouted several words that were not in the lyrics. Jerry Jeff, Gary and the band performed great....without the horrid high volume that concerts have now.
Now I'm curious is the curator of this a Brit or an aussie and why not review the London Homsick blues truly one of my favorites I'd like to know what that big eyed girl wanted to meet him for ? Bet she has regrets. Bye.
First I've heard of him. Part of the reason I like this channel. Opens my eyes to new musicians. Love his voice. Reminds me of Mark Knofler. Dont think I spelled that right. Forgive me.
JJW was an amazing country songwriter, and he always plays with the timing in his vocal delivery like Willie Nelson does. Always dancing around the beat vocally.
Doesn't he drop down out of the melody to a low note, like Willie Nelson often does at the end of a phrase? He was reminding me of Willie, too, but for a different reason!
Jerry Jeff performed his songs the way he felt at the moment and sometimes he and the Gonzo Band could take the timing or the riff somewhere else for a bit then swing right back around.
Sad to hear about Jerry Jeff passing. I'm out of Austin but never met him. I knew his friend Rusty Wier ("Don't It Make You Wanna Dance?"). Rusty used to say, "Good night. If you liked it, I'm Rusty Wier, if you didn't I'm Jerry Jeff Walker!" Rusty was also an "Outlaw".
I saw Jerry Jeff at Camp Belize in 2007. He was awesome and the setting for a series of concerts he performed was unbelievable! He had a house down there and would come to the concert via his boat. Just an fantastic memory for me.
RIP Jerry Jeff. You'll be missed. When I was a teenager the Top 40 stations played the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's version...over and over and over and over and over
I have never heard a version of this wonderful song that I didn't love. Prolific country songwriter Harlan Howard described a good country song as, "Three chords and the truth."
@@lynndow3185 I feel lucky for living in Colorado and having Red Rocks. I saw many concerts up there and the acoustics are great. Not to mention sitting under the stars! It was Amazingly beautiful.
I love that song. And R.I.P. Jerry Jeff Walker Lovely voice..❤❤😎 Brilliant 😢His guitar has been played a lot. Old musicians and old ships make me sad .and nostalgic .May sound stupid, just can't it. I have digressed.💙
First time I heard this song was by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Lots of people doing it in the seventies. I believe Jim Stafford was the second version I heard--if I remember correctly Sammy Davis, Jr's was afterwards. No dissing any of the versions, they all have merit, it was just to my experience and ear I was most familiar with the NGDB version--didn't know for some time that it was Jerry Jeff Walker song. At the time I wasn't big into his kind of music, so I never delved into his work in general, but it's obvious from this one song he was an astute songwriter.
Thank you, Fil, for this phenomenal explanation. I saw Jerry Jeff Walker in 1976 and have loved his music since then. I played the albums so much they wore out. You are right about the storytelling. Do you know his cover of "My Buddy"? He just draws you into anything he sings. There's a memorial concert streaming coming up soon - early June! I love that you embrace such a wide spectrum of music. Respect.
Thank you for leading us through a beautiful song and dance. You take this piece of music and present it in a way that not only makes sense, but paints a picture that enhances the beauty of the guitar and it's story.
It's a great song. The story being told is actually tragic. A man of renown, reduced to nothing, after years of adulation. Very sad indeed. It brings back so many memories. Another jam that brings tears to my eyes is Leon Russell's "Song For You". Donnie Hathaway did an outstanding version.(of course Leon is a homeboy, so maybe I'm prejudiced.)
" I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was down and out and he looked to me to be the eyes of age as he spoke right out..." Love how he used words so eloquently. RIP. Jerry Jeff
Fil--THANKYOU FOR PLAYING THE PERFORMANCE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. His timing is so appropriate for the song and his voice. Nice chords, as well. The timing is, in itself, "dancing" and, after all, is that not what the song speaks?
FIL--thank you for reading my comment. You may also see me as "Mike," a nickname my parents chose the very day I was born. Because my name is so distinctive, I rarely, in the world as it is today, publish my full name. Enjoyed last night's live stream very much. I envy your talent, and applaud your hard work.
Great writer- great song. I'm so sad when I hear that we've lost someone who made such a marvelous contribution. "Mr. Bojangles" what a marvelous story. A story I never got tired of. What wonderful insight into the human condition. This song evokes a very strong emotional response. We care about Mr. Bojangles. His character is personified and he becomes our friend. Thanks Jeff. Thank you for introducing us to "Mr. Bojangles."
While more country music is in 4/4 there is a lot that is in 3/4 - my father taught me a basic 2 step (4/4) and a basic waltz (3/4) and told me that as long as I could dance those, I could dance anything 😉
Thanks, Fil for finding this particular performance of Jerry Jeff's. Incidentally I'm a major fan. I thought I had found a perfect live performance from that era. Yours is better. He still sang those pretty bass notes, as he was not able to in recent years. Big hero of mine! Kills me how all my hero's were friends. Thanks, Fil for the guitar tips. Great historical info well researched! For the memory of Jerry Jeff, I'd pull my guitar out! ❤️
Another educational experience! Now I know where “Mr. Bojangles” and its content came from, all of the information being so important to all of the versions of the song that I’ve heard. Many thanks! 😎🎶👍🏻
thanks for doing this. after this song jerry jeff kinda flew under the radar for a lot of people but he always rocked and was a masterful storyteller. i cover some of his songs and was just getting around to this. great job breaking it down. appreciate the wide range of music you feature in these analysis videos.
Thank you for identifying key elements in the melody and in Walker's style, helping us better understand and appreciate his composition and his performance. I like the way you get to the heart of each performance you analyze, and provide demonstrations on your guitar. All of this information gives me an even greater appreciation of these artists, their songs, and their performances. I had always enjoyed this song by Walker (although my first exposure to it was through the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), and last week reconnected with the song after watching your analysis of Sammy Davis Jr.'s performance. In general, in the past few weeks since I've been following your channel, I feel more enriched by my musical experience thanks to you sharing your knowledge of what you learned and uncovered through your analyses.
I've been listening to JJW since I first saw him on ACL in '74 . Back when he wrote the song he was not a country associated act , he was " folk " singer. The transition took place after The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band made it a top hit . Even then it was a few years more until he was finally recognized for the artist he was. Good stuff indeed, keep on doin'what you do.
GREAT song by The man who wrote it. RESPECT.♥️ Still the BEST version by far in my opinion. Love this song. Great performance here. Thanks for reacting to this Fil. Great analysis Fil! 🎼🎶🇨🇦
From the time I first heard JJW in about 1976 I knew he was singing my life. I met him in 1985 after a show in Atlanta. We talked and he found out I had played BB in college and pro. He was a very good high school player and loved the game. We became friends and the next time he came to Atlanta he stayed at the house. For a few years he had trouble getting bookings as he had a habit of showing up too intoxicated to play. I booked him into my favorite bar in Decatur, although the manager made me buy 300 tix up front. Sold 330. He played sol for 31/2 hours. I still got the tape.
Jerry Jeff was one of the best. When I heard the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band perform this (give their version a listen -- it's their signature song) live the first time, I cried. My dad loved this song and I do too. Thanks for your analysis, as always!
Like so many, i love JJW and cried when he passed. Great analysis video Fil. From that brief spell with Circus Maximus was a fanrastic song called Wind. I've read that it got a lot of radio play in the Northeast. Definitely worth a listen. Saw him live only once and i am thankful for that evenibg in Augusta, Ga when he played for less than a hundred of us, and stayed and talked. I am fortunate.
Fil, I'm really glad you respond to people you are real and take your time to thank and reply and also I think it's nice you do an occasional run down of a song and explain it. Kind of a mini lesson for some. I just wanted to let you know I thank you and appreciate what you do!
Just a walk down my teenage years JJW concert 1975 and his piano player helped me on stage and I gave Jerry Jeff a bottle of Sangria and then he kissed me . Was always my favorite since forever
What a beautiful synopsis / review of that tune, It's a special song and hits hard slap bang into the human condition. For all the jokes about C&W (american Folk) got re dogs dying etc, " after 20 years he still greives......" is a hellova line that taps into deeper things. I love the man he describes, very cool Of Jerry to document such a honored encounter with Mr Robinson. Reminds me of a Kerouac descriptions of his encounter of a railroad bum/hobo. Pure beauty....longe live jerry Jeff Walker and Jack Kerouac :)
Great review and demo Fil. Many thanks. He had that "star quality" that could hold an audience with his talent. I saw him in Oklahoma in the early 80s and he was fantastic. When he sang Redneck Mother the audience went mad.
I always liked Derby Day, the chorus "And it must've been one hell of a starry night. Yea the moon was bright, I guess it must've knocked out all of your lights. I guess that's the night that you fell for my silvery line", is an absolute killer!!!! I love that jam!
I didn't know he wrote it, or much else about him, save save for one song. Nor, alas, did I know he had died, but, I wasn't sure he was still alive. Now I wish I knew more.
After seeing your analysis here Fil, I checked out your analysis of Sammy Davis Jr. You are still new to me.. Didn't know Jerry wrote Mr. Bo Jangles.Of course I saw Sammy's performance before (classic). I can't add anything to what you said about Jerry, except what a great songwriter and guitarist can give to humanity: a story about life☮️
My comment here was not meant to compare Jerry Jeff and Sammy Davis Jr.; just how a great song could be interpreted by another artist, and make it greater than anyone thought it could be☮️♥️
Love his version.. I don’t think I’m very familiar with this guy, but I enjoy the song.. thank you , Fil.. you did another analysis of someone singing this song, if I remember right. All unique... oh yeah, Sammy Davis, Jr.
@@musicairplanes4884 There are many of us who know who David Bromberg is, it's just that we are all getting a bit long in the tooth, LOL. He is still actively performing at 75 years of age and as good as ever. He's truly a national treasure and a musician's musician.
So sad to hear about the passing of Jerry Jeff, he was a great innovator of songwriting. This song seems to have followed me throughout my life. I grew up with the Nitty Gritty version. We played it over and over on the jukebox, sixpence a play. I later became a fan of Nina Simone and then discovered she had recorded a beautiful cover. Loved Sammy Davis, and Robin Williams’ covers and Jim Stafford does a fantastic monologue version. One night many years ago I was aimlessly wandering around the streets of Sydney when I stumbled into a pub. There was this Yank with a cowboy hat playing a guitar. I was just in time to hear him play his final song
When I was in USAF ROTC in college in the late 70's, had several officers as guest speakers, describing their different career fields during my sophomore year. One of the officers said that before the Air Force he worked in the music industry. He worked with NGDB on their arrangement of "Mr Bojangles."
NGDB did a great job. I liked where they had the old man talking to his dog "Teddy". A masterful version, of course NBDB were fabulous musicians, I had their "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" album, & of course Dirt Silver & Gold.
My first recollection of this song is seeing Sammy Davis Jr singing-and dancing to it-on television. Although The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had the big hit with it, my favourite version is Neil Diamond's. Still, all those, and this by Jerry Jeff himself are very enjoyable.
Even though you don't make it an instructional video, it's very helpful to get the info and be able to sort it out for myself. Thanks Fil. Really cool stuff.
I loved this vid Fil, I love the song and the performer. I came across this tune in the 70's like so many other people through the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's version and then on a Neil Diamond album and then as he toured Aus, Sammy Davis' cover of it. Waylon Jennings name checked this guy called Jerry Jeff in one of his songs and then later reading Jimmy Buffett's autobiography where he speaks at length of Jerry Jeff Walker and their travels through Key West in Florida and writing songs and learning his craft (Buffett at this point in time was a relative no one in the music industry) . So I checked out this Jerry Jeff Walker guy and got the live album A Man Must Carry On (where he briefly tells the story of writing this song). It's a slower version than this one and he really tells the story as he sings. Thank you for doing this tribute to Jerry Jeff. It is just unfortunate the circumstance ♥
He wrote this as a folk song--not a country song. He was part of the folk scene in NYC when his recording of Mr. Bojangles was being played on the radio in 1968. I recall my first time hearing it on the radio as a galvanizing experience. What a voice! What a song! He's singing this beautiful, early version on a video of a 1969 solo TV performance on slydogmania RUclips channel. In fact, it sounds like a recording he's singing to since you can hear, but not see, other instruments playing with him. It really is a fantastic performance...I reckon he was 26 or 27 years old at the time...I hope you'll check it out. And to get a sense of how engaging he was as a performer there is another video on RUclips of him singing a song about a pickup truck, preceded by a long rambling fun story to provide context for the song. It's just so great!
its a Texas waltz lol his folk song back ground. i can actually see this guy dancing in the cell and telling his story.Saw him often even one time openig up for SoulHat a local rock band lol not his crowd but he owned that place that night.
Wow. SoulHat. Haven't thought of them in a while. I just looked them up and I guess they are still around, but I haven't seen them in ages.... I can't imagine him opening for them. Wow.
@@sallyatticum it was a mini festival at waterloo park in austin i think they had a little of everybody playing that day.we dropped acid to go see soulhat and ended up 2 stepping with JJW for an hour. wonderful night lol
This is also a song that can fit any genre. t's been covered by multiple artists, including Bob Dylan, John Denver, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis Jr., and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Jerry Jeff considered himself and rightly so a folk singer/guitarist. When he had a band behind him it would take on a different sound. I saw him twice in Luckenbach Texas and once here in Colorado. I greatly admired his guitarists Jon Inmon and Lloyd Maines. Jerry Jeff played in a duo with David Bromberg years ago and felt nobody could play this tune better than Bromberg. The style JJW played was similar to many Texas musicians which is not country or rock but music of their own. Joe Ely was one as well and employed a great guitarist name of David Grissom after Jesse Taylor passed on.
agreed... from up tempos to ballad "Mississippi, you're...mind" I played that album so much I know every lyric on every song. I can't say that about any other album I owned back then. RIP. Mr Walker... genius.
Absolutely!! Ive been a JJW fan for 25 years!! Growing up in Southern Texas his music was ALWAYS on and around!! Ridin High is a FANTASTIC album!! Jaded Lover and Pissin' in the Wind are such amazing songs!!! RIP Jerry Jeff!! We will miss the hell outa ya!!!
@@glenntate7570 25 yr fan ,welcome aboard where were you for the 30 yrs prior? To 1995 I first saw JJW. In the 70's at Willie's 4th of July picnic in Tulsa ok. After tx. Didnt want him to picnic in tx. 300,000 fans went to Tulsa and hot as hell partied all day . JJW. Was a master story teller and will be missed by many .wish you had been there. I drove all the way from ia. After closing time and attended that afternoon too bad Tx. Had such a hard on for willie all that lost revenue got them back in line tho. Asleep at the wheel waylon kris k. Merle H. Bocefus, and many others my 69 yr old mind cant name other than jerry jeff. God bless him and happy trails. Till we meet again. Good luck to you
Thanks once again for breaking it all down, Fil, got so much out of it. Wasn't his voice so easy to listen to. I've been noticing the "staircase" you mention in so many songs----does it come especially naturally to writers who are guitarists? (Studying your Fundamentals power chords....)
Saw Jerry Jeff in 1979 in Reno. No seats, so the 1st wife & I ended up with our elbows on the stage. Jerry was in great form, the band were excellent musicians. Jerry looked at the band & said "Bojangles." The guitarist & bassist looked at each other & rolled their eyes! I said (& I know they heard me because they both gave me a "f*ck you" look.)"Hey, we didn't pay to see you, we paid to see Jerry Jeff. What's up with your attitude?" Then my 1st wife (who was always mouthing off) said "My husband's a better guitar player than you!"(I was not.) But this song is a classic. Dylan recorded it, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had a huge hit with it, a great version btw). One thing I've come to realise, a great song, is a great song, you can arrange them, change tempo, etc, & they're still GREAT songs. (Many of Bill Withers tunes come to mind) they're hits regardless of the time they're released. Simply great songs.(I figured the song out in high school, did it in C. Regular "cowboy chords" no capo.) Jerry Jeff has another song I dearly love called "Derby Day", great song, the chorus is a real killer for me. He also wrote a regular Country Bar & Beer joint staple "Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother"(He's 34 & drinking in a honky tonk. He's kickin' hippies asses & raising hell" absolutely love Jerry Jeff. I was NEVER a real C&W fan, but Jerry Jeff was such a great song writer. So sad, he's gone, John Prine is gone, etc. My heroes are dropping like flies. Of course we all know Keith Richards will probably live forever (perhaps he got the 300 year extension on his life, when/if he sold his soul. Joking of course.)
Check out his live album from ‘73 called Viva Terlingua recorded in the dance hall at Luckenbach, Texas. A marvel of the time that I think is still a quite good record today.
When I lived in Naples Florida in mid 80's Jerry was scheduled for a show, the promoter forgot to book an opening act. The tickets to see Jerry were quite expensive. We received a call, would we be available TOMORROW NIGHT to open for JERRY JEFF WALKER? YES!! Any day of the week. We received our normal pay, we played nearly 90 minutes, then he strolls out with just his guitar, does over 2 hours. He owned that audience. The band I was in had 5 members, we were to finish the night after his show. I dreaded having to follow him. I was familiar with all the songs he had written but had never seen him live. Amazing show. His eyes looked strange, hard to explain, once I got past that . . . One of the high spots in my playing career. R.I.P. Jerry.
When I saw him, he looked like he'd smoked a few bowls, & drank several beers.(I was in the same condition, so I knew what to look for). They advertised his show as "100 Kegs of Beer" plus a prize for the "best belt buckle". I had a belt buckle that 1 side was a woman, the other side was a man. The man's "organ" hooked into the woman's "equipment". However I digress, the "judges" went with the "biggest" belt buckle. I was so disappointed I bought a draft beer.
Very nice. Very informative. A JJW compilation album by various artists would be most welcome. I'm a JJW fan going on 40 years; my first 2 albums were It's A Good NightFor Singin' and Cow Jazz. I bought them on cassette, for $1 each, at Tower Records (true.) For $2 I was introduced to the artist whose work would transform my whole outlook... just 2 bucks, but he was worth millions to my psyche. Thanks.
Thanks Fil for getting around to Jerry Jeff Walker. a great song by a great artist. as you know this year has claim the lives of so many great and legendary artists. Rest in Peace Jerry Jeff Walker and thanks for being a great storyteller.
Thank you for your this excellent and respectful review of Jerry Jeff Walker. He brightened the world during his brief time upon it.
Best live music moment of my life Jerry Jeff Walker Walker live in a small bar in Ambergris Caye Belize with the Caribbean Sea as the back drop and maybe a hundred fans loving every moment played for 2 plus hours pure magic.
From what I know of him, he would rather play there than on a big stage in front of thousands, and wouldn't care much if he was being paid for it.
Thank you for this. Been listening to Jerry Jeff for more than fifty years, and hearing of his passing was heartbreaking. I got to work with him a few times, and he was really one of the good ones.
I love Bojangel's... Bringing a tear to my eyes... I had some great dog's .. They always are so hard to say goodbye too.
Brotherrrrrrr - 🎸 rock 🎸
Jerry Jeff Walker was a gift. His style was always recognizable always as his own. Tears in my heart. Thank you for featuring this gifted man.
I was just watching Jerry Jeff doing this song many years back and I remembered this video. He's playing here in a much faster tempo than he did on the earlier video. Both of them are excellent.This one seems more spontaneous. Thanks Fil!
Thanks so much for covering this, Fil! Jerry Jeff had so many great songs, and was a huge influence on me. I play a lot of his songs, and his death has devastated me like nobody since John Denver.
It's so hard when the loss of an especially beloved artist hits like the death of a close family member. I'm sorry, Mick McGrath.
Losing the man who gave us Charlie Dunn so soon after the man who gave us Sam Stone has been wrenching. 😪
45 years of being a fan. Never been a fan of nobody else like I was Jerry Jeff. I turned on lots of people to him, in other countries too. Jerry Jeff was his music, and his music was him. He lived it his way.
And Jimmy Buffett, two of my all-time favorites. Both are missed.
Jerry Jeff Walker was a favorite of my late husband Jerry. Thanks for the memories.
❤Thank you Fil. I spent 7yrs of my childhood in Texas my dad dragged me to Jerry Jeff, and many other county/folk/outlaw performers and I dragged him to Pantera and the like I did not always fully appreciate his taste in music but I do now.
💖👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💖
His eponymous studio album is one of my favorites. Every song on it so touching or sweet or funny. He was a great story teller. Sorry to hear he's gone.
I'll always remember him for London Homesick Blues (The Armadillo Song) which was the original theme for Austin City Limits.
Thanks much Fil... you're much appreciated... Jerry Jeff is the reason I got into the business... I met him a few times and unwittingly wound up in the foyer of his house early one morning... I still can't believe he's gone.
Fun story 👍
TIME STAMPS -
0:47 Performance
4:28 Analysis Start
5:39 Not Quite Country!
7:12 Guitar Rhythm/Chords
8:45 Rhythm Upstrokes
10:45 Musical Staircase
14:08 Song Background
15:37 History/Career
RIP Jerry Jeff Walker, Thanks for sharing this and thanks for the guitar lesson!! This is one of my favorite songs and a great classic!!
I took Jerry Jeff’s songs on the road with me in 1976 and played them for people in clubs in Illinois, Wisconsin, and other places in the northern US who didn’t have a clue who he was. After I came in off the road, I moved back to Austin and caught Jerry Jeff in concert on the UT campus. Just Jerry Jeff and his guitar.
my mom forced us as young kids to listen to viva terligua 8 track on road trips . he was our soundtrack to adventure lol
I live up north and trust me all us Yankees were not blind or dead to JJW. Talents at least not me and my bros. Not saying that the disco dummies didnt have the air time up here so you bought the good stuff and shared with friends never had one bitch about it either. 69 pushing 70 and I ain't giving up for pop ,rap, or crap
Oh you said Illinois and Wisconsin sorry Tim but that's not the midwest you have to cross the Mississippi river to be west Chicago and Milwaukee. That's not country MO.IA.MN.KS.SD.ND. THATS midwest then you cross Missouri river now yer heading west no wonder you were let down by the crowd heck I been there I felt the same big city's suck and trust me I've been to 95% of the s__tholes in this country as the old song said I been every where man I've been every where look it up google it old trucker killing time. .no harm intended hope your career is well and if not hope your life is.
Thanks Fil for this...I lived in San Antonio in the 70's, saw Jerry Jeff play live many times in and around San Antonio and Austin. Hearing of his passing brought back many fond memories...it sucks growing old...thanks again!
Amen brother. Now I know what the old folks, used to say "If I'd known, I was going to live this long, I'd have taken, much better care of myself." Is absolutely true. Of course we all know Keith Richards will never die.
The song Mr Bojangles is a great example of the beauty of music and how a song can touch us. Jerry Jeff Walker wrote a song that would touch the great Sammy Davis Jr, who himself identified with the song Mr Bojangles - Sammy Davis Jr once said in an interview he feared becoming Mr Bojangles. That’s the beauty of music, it’s universal appeal.
One of my favorite JJW tunes. Such a storyteller. Great choice, Fil. And RIP, Jacky Jack, you will be missed.
Thanks, I thoroughly enjoyed this piece on Jerry Jeff. Sorry to hear of his passing. 😪✌
I saw Jerry Jeff and the _Lost Gonzo Band_ live at Texas Tech University in 1976. It was a great show.
One thing happened that got a big laugh from the audience. Gary P Nunn was singing _London Homesick Blues_ into one of those big chrome microphones they used back then when he got too close and it zapped him in the lips with a jolt of electricity.
He moved backwards about 5 feet instantly and shouted several words that were not in the lyrics.
Jerry Jeff, Gary and the band performed great....without the horrid high volume that concerts have now.
What a fun memory. Jerry Jeff and Gary together - it had to be memorable.
Now I'm curious is the curator of this a Brit or an aussie and why not review the London Homsick blues truly one of my favorites I'd like to know what that big eyed girl wanted to meet him for ? Bet she has regrets. Bye.
RIP Jerry Jeff. Fortunate to see him several times in central Texas especially at my favorite place Luckenbach Texas. 🙏✌️
Well done again, another sad loss but Jerrys’ songs particularly Mr Bojangles will live on for every thanks to guys like you. Cool x
First I've heard of him. Part of the reason I like this channel. Opens my eyes to new musicians. Love his voice. Reminds me of Mark Knofler. Dont think I spelled that right. Forgive me.
JJW was an amazing country songwriter, and he always plays with the timing in his vocal delivery like Willie Nelson does. Always dancing around the beat vocally.
Doesn't he drop down out of the melody to a low note, like Willie Nelson often does at the end of a phrase? He was reminding me of Willie, too, but for a different reason!
Jerry Jeff performed his songs the way he felt at the moment and sometimes he and the Gonzo Band could take the timing or the riff somewhere else for a bit then swing right back around.
Sad to hear about Jerry Jeff passing. I'm out of Austin but never met him. I knew his friend Rusty Wier ("Don't It Make You Wanna Dance?"). Rusty used to say, "Good night. If you liked it, I'm Rusty Wier, if you didn't I'm Jerry Jeff Walker!" Rusty was also an "Outlaw".
I saw Jerry Jeff at Camp Belize in 2007. He was awesome and the setting for a series of concerts he performed was unbelievable! He had a house down there and would come to the concert via his boat. Just an fantastic memory for me.
Not much of a country fan, but love Jerry Jeff Walker. RIP. Thanks for the analysis. Well done.
This might be my favorite song of a time. The lyric/words and a descending melody give it a sad but somehow happy feeling in the song.
RIP Jerry Jeff. You'll be missed. When I was a teenager the Top 40 stations played the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's version...over and over and over and over and over
Thank you Fil. Very nice tribute to Jerry Jeff Walker.
(Mr. Bojangles) Bill Robinson 1877- 1949 performed shoe tapping with Shirley Temple
I have never heard a version of this wonderful song that I didn't love. Prolific country songwriter Harlan Howard described a good country song as, "Three chords and the truth."
I loved Jerry Jeff. Saw him twice at Red Rocks in the 70's. the concerts were so much fun!
So jealous! That looks like an amazing venue!
@@lynndow3185 I feel lucky for living in Colorado and having Red Rocks. I saw many concerts up there and the acoustics are great. Not to mention sitting under the stars! It was Amazingly beautiful.
Hi Fil! What a voice! He will be missed! Love this song....beautiful!
The above show took place in 1983. Marvelous.
2 major Outlaw Country men gone within just a few days of each other. RIP Jerry Jeff and Billy Joe!
Texas has been hit pretty hard lately.
I love that song. And R.I.P. Jerry Jeff Walker Lovely voice..❤❤😎 Brilliant 😢His guitar has been played a lot. Old musicians and old ships make me sad .and nostalgic .May sound stupid, just can't it. I have digressed.💙
First time I heard this song was by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Lots of people doing it in the seventies. I believe Jim Stafford was the second version I heard--if I remember correctly Sammy Davis, Jr's was afterwards. No dissing any of the versions, they all have merit, it was just to my experience and ear I was most familiar with the NGDB version--didn't know for some time that it was Jerry Jeff Walker song. At the time I wasn't big into his kind of music, so I never delved into his work in general, but it's obvious from this one song he was an astute songwriter.
The sound coming from his guitar is great!!
Thank you, Fil, for this phenomenal explanation. I saw Jerry Jeff Walker in 1976 and have loved his music since then. I played the albums so much they wore out. You are right about the storytelling. Do you know his cover of "My Buddy"? He just draws you into anything he sings. There's a memorial concert streaming coming up soon - early June! I love that you embrace such a wide spectrum of music. Respect.
Thank you for leading us through a beautiful song and dance. You take this piece of music and present it in a way that not only makes sense, but paints a picture that enhances the beauty of the guitar and it's story.
This song always makes me cry, I don't know why:)
Me, too..
Me too!
me too...
I’ve been listening to this song for over 40 years and I still cry when it gets to the part where his dog up and died.
It's a great song. The story being told is actually tragic. A man of renown, reduced to nothing, after years of adulation. Very sad indeed. It brings back so many memories. Another jam that brings tears to my eyes is Leon Russell's "Song For You". Donnie Hathaway did an outstanding version.(of course Leon is a homeboy, so maybe I'm prejudiced.)
" I met him in a cell in New Orleans, I was down and out and he looked to me to be the eyes of age as he spoke right out..." Love how he used words so eloquently. RIP. Jerry Jeff
RIP Jerry Jeff Walker and Billy Joe Shaver
Fil, thanks again. I am enjoying every genre you analyze, like to see some western swing if possible. Keep up the good work!
Fil--THANKYOU FOR PLAYING THE PERFORMANCE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. His timing is so appropriate for the song and his voice. Nice chords, as well. The timing is, in itself, "dancing" and, after all, is that not what the song speaks?
FIL--thank you for reading my comment. You may also see me as "Mike," a nickname my parents chose the very day I was born. Because my name is so distinctive, I rarely, in the world as it is today, publish my full name. Enjoyed last night's live stream very much. I envy your talent, and applaud your hard work.
Great writer- great song.
I'm so sad when I hear that we've lost someone who made such a marvelous contribution. "Mr. Bojangles" what a marvelous story. A story I never got tired of. What wonderful insight into the human condition. This song evokes a very strong emotional response. We care about Mr. Bojangles. His character is personified and he becomes our friend. Thanks Jeff. Thank you for introducing us to "Mr. Bojangles."
While more country music is in 4/4 there is a lot that is in 3/4 - my father taught me a basic 2 step (4/4) and a basic waltz (3/4) and told me that as long as I could dance those, I could dance anything 😉
Congrats on 154,000 subs! 200,000 is around the corner.👏👏
😁
Been waiting on this!!!
Thanks, Fil for finding this particular performance of Jerry Jeff's. Incidentally I'm a major fan. I thought I had found a perfect live performance from that era. Yours is better. He still sang those pretty bass notes, as he was not able to in recent years. Big hero of mine! Kills me how all my hero's were friends. Thanks, Fil for the guitar tips. Great historical info well researched! For the memory of Jerry Jeff, I'd pull my guitar out! ❤️
You might like the version I have on my channel.. ruclips.net/video/keImuXtH7DU/видео.html
@@cravinbob Thanks, cravinbob!
Another educational experience! Now I know where “Mr. Bojangles” and its content came from, all of the information being so important to all of the versions of the song that I’ve heard. Many thanks! 😎🎶👍🏻
RIP Jerry Jeff.. I always sing pissing in the wind as a tribute to you
Remember how the intro is a spoof on Kris Kristofferson's Pilgrim: Chapter 33?
@@BOOMNERD51 i just wanna say THANK YOU!! That lead me to look up that song and I just wanted to thank you for that!!!
@@glenntate7570 You're welcome! ❤️ I listened to Kris from 72 on (making me discover JJW) and I love how the two intros are similar.
@@BOOMNERD51 Oh yeah its definitely a spoof or tribute!! JJW's sounds like he might be messing with Kris!! 🤣 Great song though!!
@@glenntate7570 From "Scamp" Walker both ! ❤️
Wonderful! Thanks for doing this great artist and song.
Always enjoyed the Jim Stafford version of Mr. Bojangles, too. It's a classic song that has made the rounds. Thanks for highlighting JJW.
Great choice. You are batting 1000. Thanks also for the guitar breakdown
Yes , I agree with you Paul ☮️
thanks for doing this. after this song jerry jeff kinda flew under the radar for a lot of people but he always rocked and was a masterful storyteller. i cover some of his songs and was just getting around to this. great job breaking it down. appreciate the wide range of music you feature in these analysis videos.
✨ Jerry Jeff Walker ✨
Rest in peace
This was beautiful. Thanks, Fil! 🖤
Thank you for identifying key elements in the melody and in Walker's style, helping us better understand and appreciate his composition and his performance. I like the way you get to the heart of each performance you analyze, and provide demonstrations on your guitar. All of this information gives me an even greater appreciation of these artists, their songs, and their performances. I had always enjoyed this song by Walker (although my first exposure to it was through the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), and last week reconnected with the song after watching your analysis of Sammy Davis Jr.'s performance. In general, in the past few weeks since I've been following your channel, I feel more enriched by my musical experience thanks to you sharing your knowledge of what you learned and uncovered through your analyses.
Never heard this version before, never realised who the writer was either. Much faster than most versions I've heard. Nice one.
I've been listening to JJW since I first saw him on ACL in '74 . Back when he wrote the song he was not a country associated act , he was
" folk " singer. The transition took place after The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band made it a top hit . Even then it was a few years more until he was finally recognized for the artist he was. Good stuff indeed, keep on doin'what you do.
GREAT song by The man who wrote it. RESPECT.♥️ Still the BEST version by far in my opinion. Love this song. Great performance here. Thanks for reacting to this Fil. Great analysis Fil! 🎼🎶🇨🇦
From the time I first heard JJW in about 1976 I knew he was singing my life. I met him in 1985 after a show in Atlanta. We talked and he found out I had played BB in college and pro. He was a very good high school player and loved the game. We became friends and the next time he came to Atlanta he stayed at the house. For a few years he had trouble getting bookings as he had a habit of showing up too intoxicated to play. I booked him into my favorite bar in Decatur, although the manager made me buy 300 tix up front. Sold 330. He played sol for 31/2 hours. I still got the tape.
Jerry Jeff was one of the best. When I heard the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band perform this (give their version a listen -- it's their signature song) live the first time, I cried. My dad loved this song and I do too. Thanks for your analysis, as always!
Check out 50 year reunion of Nitty Gritty at The Ryman with JJW.
Like so many, i love JJW and cried when he passed. Great analysis video Fil. From that brief spell with Circus Maximus was a fanrastic song called Wind. I've read that it got a lot of radio play in the Northeast. Definitely worth a listen. Saw him live only once and i am thankful for that evenibg in Augusta, Ga when he played for less than a hundred of us, and stayed and talked. I am fortunate.
Fil, I'm really glad you respond to people you are real and take your time to thank and reply and also I think it's nice you do an occasional run down of a song and explain it. Kind of a mini lesson for some. I just wanted to let you know I thank you and appreciate what you do!
Thanks!
Just a walk down my teenage years JJW concert 1975 and his piano player helped me on stage and I gave Jerry Jeff a bottle of Sangria and then he kissed me . Was always my favorite since forever
What a beautiful synopsis / review of that tune, It's a special song and hits hard slap bang into the human condition. For all the jokes about C&W (american Folk) got re dogs dying etc, " after 20 years he still greives......" is a hellova line that taps into deeper things. I love the man he describes, very cool Of Jerry to document such a honored encounter with Mr Robinson. Reminds me of a Kerouac descriptions of his encounter of a railroad bum/hobo. Pure beauty....longe live jerry Jeff Walker and Jack Kerouac :)
Great review and demo Fil. Many thanks. He had that "star quality" that could hold an audience with his talent. I saw him in Oklahoma in the early 80s and he was fantastic. When he sang Redneck Mother the audience went mad.
I always liked Derby Day, the chorus "And it must've been one hell of a starry night. Yea the moon was bright, I guess it must've knocked out all of your lights. I guess that's the night that you fell for my silvery line", is an absolute killer!!!! I love that jam!
Can you believe Jerry Jeff was in a band called Circus Maximus?
Great songwriter, musician, and adopted Texan.
You will be missed.
I didn't know he wrote it, or much else about him, save save for one song. Nor, alas, did I know he had died, but, I wasn't sure he was still alive. Now I wish I knew more.
"LA FREEWAY."
I love that song!
I have been a long time fan of Jerry because I love the song. The whole Mr. Bojangles album is pretty solid, especially the song "My old man".
After seeing your analysis here Fil, I checked out your analysis of Sammy Davis Jr. You are still new to me.. Didn't know Jerry wrote Mr. Bo Jangles.Of course I saw Sammy's performance before (classic). I can't add anything to what you said about Jerry, except what a great songwriter and guitarist can give to humanity: a story about life☮️
My comment here was not meant to compare Jerry Jeff and Sammy Davis Jr.; just how a great song could be interpreted by another artist, and make it greater than anyone thought it could be☮️♥️
Love his version.. I don’t think I’m very familiar with this guy, but I enjoy the song.. thank you , Fil.. you did another analysis of someone singing this song, if I remember right. All unique... oh yeah, Sammy Davis, Jr.
I love David Bromberg's version which includes talking about Jerry Jeff.
Been asking Phil to cover David
@@bobsteinzig The best artist no one has heard of. Except you. LOL!!
@@musicairplanes4884 There are many of us who know who David Bromberg is, it's just that we are all getting a bit long in the tooth, LOL. He is still actively performing at 75 years of age and as good as ever. He's truly a national treasure and a musician's musician.
@@DaisyMae0929 I agree with everything you said. Got to see him a few years back and he was amazing as usual.
So sad to hear about the passing of Jerry Jeff, he was a great innovator of songwriting. This song seems to have followed me throughout my life. I grew up with the Nitty Gritty version. We played it over and over on the jukebox, sixpence a play. I later became a fan of Nina Simone and then discovered she had recorded a beautiful cover. Loved Sammy Davis, and Robin Williams’ covers and Jim Stafford does a fantastic monologue version. One night many years ago I was aimlessly wandering around the streets of Sydney when I stumbled into a pub. There was this Yank with a cowboy hat playing a guitar. I was just in time to hear him play his final song
Yeah, it was Jerry Jeff himself playing my all time favourite song. So sorry I missed the whole show. So sorry he’s gone.
My favorite version of Bo Jangles was done by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Can't agree there. Jerry Jeff both wrote and owns this song.
Apparently, his favourite cover is the version by Nina Simone.
Mine too !
I like the Nitty Gritty Band version too. Plus they had someone act out Mr. Bojangles.
When I was in USAF ROTC in college in the late 70's, had several officers as guest speakers, describing their different career fields during my sophomore year. One of the officers said that before the Air Force he worked in the music industry. He worked with NGDB on their arrangement of "Mr Bojangles."
NGDB did a great job. I liked where they had the old man talking to his dog "Teddy". A masterful version, of course NBDB were fabulous musicians, I had their "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" album, & of course Dirt Silver & Gold.
My first recollection of this song is seeing Sammy Davis Jr singing-and dancing to it-on television. Although The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had the big hit with it, my favourite version is Neil Diamond's. Still, all those, and this by Jerry Jeff himself are very enjoyable.
Even though you don't make it an instructional video, it's very helpful to get the info and be able to sort it out for myself. Thanks Fil. Really cool stuff.
I loved this vid Fil, I love the song and the performer. I came across this tune in the 70's like so many other people through the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's version and then on a Neil Diamond album and then as he toured Aus, Sammy Davis' cover of it. Waylon Jennings name checked this guy called Jerry Jeff in one of his songs and then later reading Jimmy Buffett's autobiography where he speaks at length of Jerry Jeff Walker and their travels through Key West in Florida and writing songs and learning his craft (Buffett at this point in time was a relative no one in the music industry) . So I checked out this Jerry Jeff Walker guy and got the live album A Man Must Carry On (where he briefly tells the story of writing this song). It's a slower version than this one and he really tells the story as he sings. Thank you for doing this tribute to Jerry Jeff. It is just unfortunate the circumstance ♥
Just a guy and a guitar. That's all you need when the melody and lyrical content are so compelling.
Totally agree Donna!! That's what makes the world go round 👍☮️
He wrote this as a folk song--not a country song. He was part of the folk scene in NYC when his recording of Mr. Bojangles was being played on the radio in 1968. I recall my first time hearing it on the radio as a galvanizing experience. What a voice! What a song! He's singing this beautiful, early version on a video of a 1969 solo TV performance on slydogmania RUclips channel. In fact, it sounds like a recording he's singing to since you can hear, but not see, other instruments playing with him.
It really is a fantastic performance...I reckon he was 26 or 27 years old at the time...I hope you'll check it out. And to get a sense of how engaging he was as a performer there is another video on RUclips of him singing a song about a pickup truck, preceded by a long rambling fun story to provide context for the song. It's just so great!
its a Texas waltz lol his folk song back ground. i can actually see this guy dancing in the cell and telling his story.Saw him often even one time openig up for SoulHat a local rock band lol not his crowd but he owned that place that night.
Wow. SoulHat. Haven't thought of them in a while. I just looked them up and I guess they are still around, but I haven't seen them in ages.... I can't imagine him opening for them. Wow.
@@sallyatticum it was a mini festival at waterloo park in austin i think they had a little of everybody playing that day.we dropped acid to go see soulhat and ended up 2 stepping with JJW for an hour. wonderful night lol
@@bretthardin9239 God... Those were the days....
Great analysis. What a song and sad story but I love when it comes on the radio. Get some rest Fil you look tired. ❤
This is also a song that can fit any genre. t's been covered by multiple artists, including Bob Dylan, John Denver, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis Jr., and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Jerry Jeff considered himself and rightly so a folk singer/guitarist. When he had a band behind him it would take on a different sound. I saw him twice in Luckenbach Texas and once here in Colorado. I greatly admired his guitarists Jon Inmon and Lloyd Maines. Jerry Jeff played in a duo with David Bromberg years ago and felt nobody could play this tune better than Bromberg. The style JJW played was similar to many Texas musicians which is not country or rock but music of their own. Joe Ely was one as well and employed a great guitarist name of David Grissom after Jesse Taylor passed on.
🏆🏆🏆🤗🙏
Thank you for sharing
His best album, in my opinion, was “Ridin’ High”. Not a bad song on it.
agreed... from up tempos to ballad "Mississippi, you're...mind" I played that album so much I know every lyric on every song. I can't say that about any other album I owned back then. RIP. Mr
Walker... genius.
I loved Viva Terlingua, but Mississippi, You're on my Mind" is a great cover of Jesse Winchester's song.
Absolutely!! Ive been a JJW fan for 25 years!! Growing up in Southern Texas his music was ALWAYS on and around!! Ridin High is a FANTASTIC album!! Jaded Lover and Pissin' in the Wind are such amazing songs!!! RIP Jerry Jeff!! We will miss the hell outa ya!!!
@@BOOMNERD51 I bought Viva Terlingua on vinyl yesterday!
@@glenntate7570 25 yr fan ,welcome aboard where were you for the 30 yrs prior? To 1995 I first saw JJW. In the 70's at Willie's 4th of July picnic in Tulsa ok. After tx. Didnt want him to picnic in tx. 300,000 fans went to Tulsa and hot as hell partied all day . JJW. Was a master story teller and will be missed by many .wish you had been there. I drove all the way from ia. After closing time and attended that afternoon too bad Tx. Had such a hard on for willie all that lost revenue got them back in line tho. Asleep at the wheel waylon kris k. Merle H. Bocefus, and many others my 69 yr old mind cant name other than jerry jeff. God bless him and happy trails. Till we meet again. Good luck to you
Thanks once again for breaking it all down, Fil, got so much out of it. Wasn't his voice so easy to listen to. I've been noticing the "staircase" you mention in so many songs----does it come especially naturally to writers who are guitarists? (Studying your Fundamentals power chords....)
Saw Jerry Jeff in 1979 in Reno. No seats, so the 1st wife & I ended up with our elbows on the stage. Jerry was in great form, the band were excellent musicians. Jerry looked at the band & said "Bojangles." The guitarist & bassist looked at each other & rolled their eyes! I said (& I know they heard me because they both gave me a "f*ck you" look.)"Hey, we didn't pay to see you, we paid to see Jerry Jeff. What's up with your attitude?" Then my 1st wife (who was always mouthing off) said "My husband's a better guitar player than you!"(I was not.) But this song is a classic. Dylan recorded it, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band had a huge hit with it, a great version btw). One thing I've come to realise, a great song, is a great song, you can arrange them, change tempo, etc, & they're still GREAT songs. (Many of Bill Withers tunes come to mind) they're hits regardless of the time they're released. Simply great songs.(I figured the song out in high school, did it in C. Regular "cowboy chords" no capo.) Jerry Jeff has another song I dearly love called "Derby Day", great song, the chorus is a real killer for me. He also wrote a regular Country Bar & Beer joint staple "Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother"(He's 34 & drinking in a honky tonk. He's kickin' hippies asses & raising hell" absolutely love Jerry Jeff. I was NEVER a real C&W fan, but Jerry Jeff was such a great song writer. So sad, he's gone, John Prine is gone, etc. My heroes are dropping like flies. Of course we all know Keith Richards will probably live forever (perhaps he got the 300 year extension on his life, when/if he sold his soul. Joking of course.)
Check out his live album from ‘73 called Viva Terlingua recorded in the dance hall at Luckenbach, Texas. A marvel of the time that I think is still a quite good record today.
Another great artist RIP.
Between Jerry Jeff train songs and Huge Berry rain songs Blue eyes crying in the rain 🌧️.
Jerry Jeff. "gettin' paid for doin' somethin' I'd be doin' anyway" So little known but such a huge influence.
When I lived in Naples Florida in mid 80's Jerry was scheduled for a show, the promoter forgot to book an opening act. The tickets to see Jerry were quite expensive. We received a call, would we be available TOMORROW NIGHT to open for JERRY JEFF WALKER? YES!! Any day of the week. We received our normal pay, we played nearly 90 minutes, then he strolls out with just his guitar, does over 2 hours. He owned that audience. The band I was in had 5 members, we were to finish the night after his show. I dreaded having to follow him. I was familiar with all the songs he had written but had never seen him live. Amazing show. His eyes looked strange, hard to explain, once I got past that . . . One of the high spots in my playing career. R.I.P. Jerry.
Before the end of our first set, he joined us onstage to play L. A. FREEWAY. I was star struck.
The issue with the eyes, that was due to copious amounts of Wild Turkey.
When I saw him, he looked like he'd smoked a few bowls, & drank several beers.(I was in the same condition, so I knew what to look for). They advertised his show as "100 Kegs of Beer" plus a prize for the "best belt buckle". I had a belt buckle that 1 side was a woman, the other side was a man. The man's "organ" hooked into the woman's "equipment". However I digress, the "judges" went with the "biggest" belt buckle. I was so disappointed I bought a draft beer.
Very nice. Very informative. A JJW compilation album by various artists would be most welcome. I'm a JJW fan going on 40 years; my first 2 albums were It's A Good NightFor Singin' and Cow Jazz. I bought them on cassette, for $1 each, at Tower Records (true.) For $2 I was introduced to the artist whose work would transform my whole outlook... just 2 bucks, but he was worth millions to my psyche. Thanks.
Best live version is when David Bromberg accompanied him with a lovely acoustic solo thrown in.