C.W. Stoneking at Paste Studio NYC live from The Manhattan Center

1. On A Desert Isle 0:59
2. The Love Me or Die 10:23
3. Good Luck Charm 18:07
Watch C.W. Stoneking live at Paste Studio NYC! More sessions and interviews here: www.pastemagazine.com/studio
Audio: Bob Mallory
Video: Brad Wagner

[@codyroe7588]

Damn shame this man isnt more widely known, blessing in disguise as its not impossible to see him in person. Top notch gentleman. Own 3 of his records and all are signed. Cant speak highly enough of him.

[@craig1702]

Im annoyed with myself that I live in Australia and have just discovered him

[@juniorvicepresidentofzimba4946]

I used to watch CW nearly 20 years ago in cafes and small pubs in Melbourne. Could never figure out if he was in character or not.

[@ThePduncan742]

thank the lord he ain't commercial known

[@aaronbaker3869]

I don’t think this guy knows how ridiculously good he is, a definition of a diamonds in the rough.

[@catherineoloughlin7451]

well....i was in my local woolies in colac this week...and guess who i happened to see...i contained my excitement, and kept shopping...well he walked passed me, so i had to say it.....'CW'...he stopped and looked back.....,.,omg, i am 69 and this just made my day........he really is lovely

[@NM-rz6tq]

His accent is fascinating. I have never heard someone sound like they're from an Northern Territory remote community in Australia and also the deep south in North America...

[@kenzopoe7050]

He's got a Haunting voice like Ledbelly.

[@raul-qi6xp]

WHAT DOES HAUNTING MEAN

[@kenzopoe7050]

@@raul-qi6xp it means it sounds like a voice from the past, An eerie sort of sound to it.

[@filgus497]

together with the smokey, vintage recording techniques he uses - first time i heard him I thought he was from the same era as Leadbelly as well! Haunting is a great way to describe his sound though, but a soothing sort of haunting. Like a ghost sat on a porch sipping whiskey

[@user-rs3gr5rp7w]

Yes!!!!!

[@jensschettler1732]

He is the coolest cat in the last 30 years. Awesome talent.

[@raindogred]

On a desert Isle, where he sings “ i lifted up my spyglass of old buckley’s hope”..could be the most Australian line ever sung..sheer genius

[@jordanhedington2421]

William Buckley?

[@josephinesaddles1458]

He has a few of those, one of a kind, lines. I like, "Writing H-E-L-P in letters 15 feet". And from 'Talking Lion Blues....."The judge was a monkey in an old wicker chair"....genius. Nice moniker, by the way.

[@benjames5735]

@@jordanhedington2421escaped convict who lived with the black fella tribes in Geelong Victoria. A giant of a man 6ft3 huge for the time. The term Buckleys and none comes from William Buckleys escape.

[@AA-wb6qz]

CW Stoneking is one of the few artists in my "Genius" folder. There's also Tom Waits in there, Beck, Grandaddy, The Tall Dwarfs, many Brazilian DJs and singers and less than a few dozen artists. Long live C W Stoneking!

[@ElTravis]

My man 😎

[@ryanwashburn7444]

I've just recently found this man.... I'm glad someone else loops him in with Tom Waits! He's definitely got his own unique sound, but there are times where I sense a tinge of Tom in there. I can't wait to see him live!

[@vandechu]

Very unique artist. Nothing fancy, fake or pretentious about his delivery. Genius in my opinion

[@joeycummens6828]

Over The Garden Wall introduces me to him. Second time a kid's cartoon showed me my favorite artist

[@LordGeord]

I knew I was gonna love that show as soon as I heard his voice, literally shouted at the TV

[@jkuebler89]

What was the first?

[@KristineMaitland]

@@jkuebler89 I'm curious, too. My favourite musicians via cartoons are Hoyt Curtain, Yoko Kanno, and The Seatbelts.

[@fladderhoentje]

This guy is a genious! Saw him yesterday in a solo show.. amazing!

[@reneadams9274]

Lucky! Must have been amazing.

[@chrischismsounds]

This man is channelling his voice from another dimension. Goodness. Otherworldly.

[@marceloriffo1988]

Listening to this for the first time is the kind of thing that makes life worth living

[@jkuebler89]

Ah man I can't imagine him with a full New Orleans brass band backing, would sound incredible.

[@dodgedforgottenn]

Absolutely transfixing it is watching him perform. What a unique and intriguing talent. I can’t underestimate how much I appreciate his genius and artistry.

[@AcousticG713]

I am just discovering this amazing gentleman and I don’t believe I’ve ever felt so cheated in life. 12/10 on guitar style and singing. 👏🏽

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

Felt the same when I first heard him... then my favorite band, Queens Of The Stone Age, took him on tour lol! Hope he got a lot of exposure from that. His version of _Mama Got The Blues_ with Queens is 🤯🤯🤯!

[@allieb.5711]

Mesmerized-- just in awe- Can’t wait to hear him in person- Greetings from Arizona

[@munchkenstiehl3714]

This is Penny Jean and I am cheering for C.W. Stoneking all night and day!!! Oh, how I wish so badly to see you again... I've popped up at least a couple of times during your shows, but it was always a bit of a sneak attack surprise that I have not yet gotten the chance to dance in the crowd while you rock out in all your magnificent ways that you do. I'm so amazed by all that you do, I adore you sir... with love, Penny Jean Pebbil ;)

[@catherineoloughlin7451]

he is such an endearing man.....i could listen to him speak, let alone sing...all day long.,.....

[@nebthet]

Love me or Die is my song!! Love it!

[@nunyabiznatch243]

Mixed some shows for CW in LA a decade ago and was simply floored by his depth of golden age country and blues music knowledge and mastery of it's sound and performance down to the most subtle details. He's an artist, a musicologist, and a living historian of Americana to rival the best in America, and he's Australian. At least where he's from he didn't have to worry about a bunch of Bugaloos appropriating his music for their white supremacy, or the SJW movement accusing him of Cultural Appropriation instead of recognizing his motives as a preservationist and his deep respect and admiration for the artists of that era. I wish your shows host had the insight to ask him what it's like to play in America where the most passionate cultural identity types are more interested in preserving ownership over the music and art of their cultural heritage than they are in actually understanding it on a deep level, or keeping it alive with the kind of respect and devotion that a musician from Australia does. I can tell CW was as uninspired by the interviewers banal and shallow introduction and questions as I was by his mostly laconic responses. Opportunity for great music journalism wasted. Once again. I'll never accuse Paste Magazine of being inconsistent in that regard. Never the less, thanks to Paste are due and proper in regard to helping to promote this amazingly underappreciated artist.

[@hadenbaillie1833]

Wow just wow,recently discovered this guy and he's a fucking gem 💎

[@marcoscamillo6606]

His sound is so nice, On a Desert Isle is a hell of a song.

[@DerBierat]

Advertisments are annoying. We all agree. but cutting off one of his songs.... Is like spitting on music itself.

[@OttoMack1]

ublock origin gets rid of ads

[@chartyotinchinskul8073]

At first, I just finding a live version of his songs to listen while working. But man, his voice is sooo damn beautiful that I need to visit the comment section.

[@samesryals6952]

His guitar playing is just perfectly dirty and lose enough that it always keeps me intrigued I'm a huge tom waits fan and when i first heard cw stoneking about fifteen years ago i new right away I'm going to be following cw the same way it's just real and raw with no pretentiousness involved

[@leftish23]

That meandering guitar figgin melts me.

[@bruitdefond]

Stoneking is one of one. Amazing voice and lyrical wizard. Desert Isle is so sad and wistful yet somehow manages to be like a warm hug.

[@RandyJamminMusic]

He is so incredibly good at guitar it's incredible

[@nathanmunro-donohue4330]

Yeah man. People don’t realise how much depth is in this playing

[@ReyYbarra]

freegin insane, he's such a great player, and if that's him sick, holy crap he's an incredible vocalist as well!

[@torontolarrivee7965]

Grooves in his songs are just killer...the vocal phrasing against the guitar parts

[@andrewcampbell2903]

A fine madness in his method ..........

[@poolieDW]

First saw this guy at the Tall Ships Festival in 2010 in Hartlepool United Kingdom, absolutely brilliant, like nothing I'd seen live before.

[@theherbpuffer]

Does this remind anyone of Tom Waits a bit? I dig it

[@slydogy41]

Will have to go and see him live if he comes back to Australia.

[@willowozurumba4352]

He IS Australian

[@slydogy41]

@@willowozurumba4352 but he lives in the US.

[@candydandy2694]

he's touring in Aus right now, FYI, if you didn't know :)

[@zeroatomfault]

I'd suggest that, contrary to stated opinion, this man's voice sounds even more fantastic early in the morning, after a heavy dose of air conditioning.

[@nickbrown4152]

I seen him play last night in Broken Hill, he was brilliant. He is moving to live in Broken Hill, LUCKY ME

[@marcelihling67]

I like that sound very much! big regards from Germany!

[@willy1986tralara]

This Guy is blessed damn

[@dylanhill5]

Love this guy!

[@jasonr3991]

Thankyou for the music

[@davezdad]

Amazing!

[@kungfusansoo6649]

Wow!!!! Amazing

[@joshuamichaelcook1987]

wow this is AMAZING CW STONEKING HAS THE BEST STYLE !! BOTH CLOTHING AND MUSIC!!

[@wcfields547]

Yep I like he is reviving Tom Waits look and from the 80s

[@rheakybele4952]

Yep. I’m positively in love with this man now.

[@bobertramirez6456]

This is fantastic I had no idea. WOW.

[@soulgamblers]

Just saw him in a small basement venue in Baltimore and he was great!!!!

[@rharleymusic]

Beautiful

[@Madmen604]

Loving this, esp the love me or die.

[@pennyjean1100]

So lovely waking up to you and your music... You'd guys are wonderful merce...

[@Darth-Egg]

Found this man cause I wanted to find out who was the best voice on Over the Garden Wall’s soundtrack. Incredible voice from a different era. Completely incongruous with the man himself, not even 50 yet.

[@banndolfbannhammer9038]

Awesome voice❤️

[@seymourbeetle]

this man is a treasure

[@smccowan7106]

Love this guy. Come back South C.W.!!

[@mrkengage]

Such an outstanding musician and singer!!

[@sirgaryo]

Absolutely brilliant 😍😍😍😍🎸👌🔥🔥🔥

[@stephenbivens3224]

I live in NYC and I am unhappy I missed him being here....

[@chrisstrybos8073]

brilliant man

[@homeguitarplayer9482]

Wow, I love the songwriting.

[@curls9032]

What a unique voice, takes you away.

[@MaLeXitaVnzl]

He came to south america for a Tour, and I didn't knew about it :( . Please come again!!

[@trenthennessy395]

crazy talented!! please put out another record!!

[@burroughs334]

fantastic

[@rossbratlee6541]

Last live show i saw (pre covid) @ the Blue Jay listening room Jax Beach FL. Absolute gentleman and a brilliant performance. ☕

[@joe56474]

Love it. This is one original dude. Can't say I've ever heard anything quite like him before.

[@KieranDacey]

Brilliant

[@donhall-aquitania1025]

3 songs so different from each other. Magnificent.

[@stephenwalsworth8295]

Class lad , love it .

[@robmcneilage8787]

Avantgarde blues king. I love his music.

[@Nevereveragain69]

This man is a musical anomaly. No one like him before or after him. A style of his own. I can’t get enough of him n

[@MaayanBand]

Pure Genius!

[@justinboom1762]

All great artists know gospel is where it all began. Great sound.

[@HoneyBeePollen]

It’s John Crops! I didn’t recognize him without his pumpkin head and cucumber limbs but I’d know that voice anywhere.

[@seesfractals2462]

This guy is the real thing. What a talent.

[@vincebrophymusic4371]

Ah this guys so great. Mate come and play at the Tamar Valley Folk Festival. We played your jungle album tonight New Year's Eve. Brilliant! You got a whole lot of new fans. Cheers Vince.

[@bikepacker9850]

Freekin Genius

[@JimmyMook700]

I saw him live in Columbus Ohio in a small venue and he was excellent! Nice guy too! I bought him a tray of whiskey but he refused it. Lol!

[@candydandy2694]

nawww, he must be being a good family man now. I bought him whiskey back in the day, before he was famous and he drank it then, not quite a tray though tbh, just 2 LOL!

[@martinkrauser4029]

consider if he accepted every time this happened. it's not feasible to do so and remain a functional person! :D

[@catherineoloughlin7451]

saw this wonder for the first time on march 13th 2021...in birreguura, western victoria, australia......wow.....i had not listened to anything of his...like full on.....just heard snippets.......i wish i had at least listened to his stuff before the night...at least i could have at least joined in...especially in ZOMBIE

[@music_works]

God damn.

[@andresvola7408]

Beddle um bum, rag mama rag y beans son increibles por cw stoneking

[@JoaoSantos-js9eo]

I can see why Josh liked him.. talking about a surprise Happy Meal without pickle and extra cheese (or the other way around. Don't mean to hurt no ones feelings) A Futuristic Mark Lanegan from Australia.

[@igors5128]

Genuine

[@ArvensisAndromeda]

Goddamn his voice is delectable.

[@chrisgarvey2833]

Played in Lund last year - magic

[@justuswinthrop8413]

I'm trying to see him play in the US

[@Cody6918]

He's back in Australia.

[@craigmardon8165]

Saw you live .... I still recovering

[@craigmardon8165]

I love your music 😎

[@brentanllewellyn3898]

Jungle Blues lives in my jalopy

[@GUITARTIME2024]

His Dads American so I guess that helped his sound.

[@raindogred]

yeah hes got a thick yank accent lol

[@GUITARTIME2024]

@@raindogred when he's singing, but his speaking voice is a real mix of Aussie and American South.

[@raindogred]

@@GUITARTIME2024 sure mate lol

[@BenNash]

@@GUITARTIME2024 agreed, I hear it. I'm thinking more southern Ohio or Kentucky area

[@philipmorris57]

This man's the real deal and no mistake, big love y'all x

[@KingDarklosV]

...😎... Woow

[@TTLavigne]

Bad ass

[@sebastian_lorenzo]

If it weren't for the HD I would think it was a recording from 1940

[@candydandy2694]

IKR, he's amazing!

[@lasto10]

I'm in love with a Jersey girl

[@ThisCreaturesFeatures]

The worlds different now

[@RonaldBarron]

Holy fuck

[@ajude234]

We always sing the beans song for the kids

[@suncat5160]

"is the camera on the guitar?" "yep its real close up" *camera zooms out as far as possible.

[@razberry93]

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who found that funny as fuck lol

[@just4Fun7707]

🎙👏 📻🎶

[@petesearby2377]

How have I not discovered this dude earlier! Wow. What is that guitar?

[@user-zn8lx6mm2r]

心に…しおん紫💜音ぎたーと、名付けた、コード覚えるしおん紫💜音やるぞー！届いきましたけれども、難しい曲夢？英語　勉強中。