Desolation Row by Chris Smither

Recorded on November 11, 2011 in Houston, Texas.

[@BobbyDPresents]

Every time I've walked away from a Smithers concert I am stunned by the impact he has on me. Authentic and most spiritual......Long life my friend

[@easystreet1888]

We drove through Houston Tx. on our way across the US in 1971. Visited my deceased friend who worked at a radio station. Next day we went to a local bar where one of Bob's co workers was entertaining singing and pl aying the guitar. I thought the fellow was fantastic and then learned as he sat with us that he earned a mere $50. an evening providing great talent and entertainment.

[@Hollcall]

hahahaahah......in 1970 I started my Apprenticeship { Lineman } for $1.74 Per Hr.8 Hrs. for app. $15. I would have "Kissed You " for $50. hahahahahaha

[@benmercadante5774]

Greg Brown, Chris Smithers, our best two poets...flyin right under the wire... ; )

[@nickgodwin3412]

Chris Smither is a musician of sensitivity and integrity without equal in his own unique style and rendition.

[@eddiesmithermusic]

Always happy to hear a "Smither" pickin' and (sometimes) grinnin'.

[@spadoukie]

So Folks, Here is a cool transition. Take a Dylan masterpiece...Desolation Row..have it beautifully rearranged by another master..Chris Smither...and then what happens..an emerging singer/songwriter is blown away by Chris's work and decides to put her interpretation out there. This is one of the main reasons I think that people love live music and hopefully continue to support it. Check out the Gabrielle Louise cut on KZbin of Desolation Row.

[@michaelminihane2535]

You could have filmed this guy anywhere and he would always be just amazing.

[@judyarmstrong3368]

Wow what a performance.Great guitar playing and singing.Thank you Chris Smither.

[@alphuez]

Sensational version done in reverence, one that Dylan himself would be proud of. Unlike the other poster here, I actually enjoyed hearing someone in the audience (OK, maybe a little drunk) reacting to the lyrics while obviously hearing them for the very first time. Yup. As always, Smither's guitar playing is as effortless as tapping his foot. Thanks so much for recording and posting. A gem.

[@paperprincess1050]

Love

[@TXmuseic]

I was so immersed in Chris that I didn't notice laughter. Not gonna go back to find it not gonna break the spell.

[@jbc6254]

Project song for January 2012. Thanks for posting.

[@MarkGerardBarry]

If you get a chance - hear Smithers version of Dylan's "Desolation Row" on his 2003 CD "Train Home" where he duets with Bonnie Raitt - stunning pairing on a lyrically genius piece of writing. Bob has nabbed the NOBEL PRIZE - and about fucking time too. I'm off now to sniff drainpipes and slaughter "Blood On The Tracks" for the 1000th time...

[@howardsimpson489]

Love Smither but you had better be careful of drainpipes. They are now the collecting points for covid discharge.

[@perilouspoozer3749]

This song has always moved me ever since it was released in 1965 (or was it 66?), even though I still don't really understand it. This is a great performance of it. Beautiful playing, as others have said.

[@leonaltmark2852]

Chris keeps it real, not a sell out. Thanks for your insightful words, great melodies and picking.

[@jaredsteele8506]

My favorite cover of all time

[@freejulianassange3143]

Fantastic upload. Thank you for your efforts!

[@ritaggn]

I love how he does Dylan songs. Great musician. R

[@Teddyb1939]

No tricks just Chris and magical guitar. up there with the best, just missed him on tour In The U/K, choked.

[@drkeithsnell]

I saw him on that tour, just outstanding and I was privileged to shake his hand afterwards to thank him for all the years of exceptional music making.

[@Teddyb1939]

@@drkeithsnell lucky you Keith. Chris magical,.

[@danmpearce]

Yes, fab version of great song. What a lovely chap and his guitar work is sublime

[@wayfaringchinese]

gosh, your singing of this song made my eyes cloudy

[@Teddyb1939]

So lovely.

[@petermarquard5107]

Beautiful rendition of one of Dylan's best songs. I wish he'd sung the verse about Ezra Pound and T.S. Elliott.

[@gups65]

Thanks for this great version!!!!!

[@troytaylor9228]

I've loved Smither since I first read just one of his lyrics! After looking deeper who couldn't be hooked!? Luv it thanks for the upload!

[@teddyduke6506]

You mean Nobel Laureate Mr. Bob Dylan's lyrics.....

[@Ludachris56]

I filmed this at a venue that serves dinner during the show. This front table included several people eating, drinking laughing, etc. unfortunately. So don't send me no more letters unless you mail them from desolation row!

[@robertnorrell9073]

You done real good, Mr. Sweeney. Thanks, had this song in my head all day, today, always love Chris. Have a great day ! :-)

[@theturk143]

Excellent comment !!! Great song...my favorite

[@perilouspoozer3749]

I think one of the laughs was because Chris Smither sings about Romeo “you’re in the wrong play my friend”, instead of Dylan’s original lyric “you’re in the wrong place...”. Smither’s lyric is quite an amusing take on the original. The other laugh might have been due to the line about Cinderella putting on a Bette Davis style, which is quite amusing, too

[@TonyWesley]

@@perilouspoozer3749 Besides changing the lines, he rearranges them. Smither will start in one verse and switch to another. It works well.

[@perilouspoozer3749]

Tony Wesley starting in one verse and switching to another is good? Are you completely mad, Tony Wesley? I have spent the last 54 years having the precise order of words of that song being etched into my cerebral cortex and I won’t stand for any changes! 😱

[@pietop55]

Outstanding!!!!!!

[@DictionRedaction]

Fantastic. Moving. Smither's in a class by himself in some important respects.

[@per-olofemanuelpalmertz4673]

I havn't heard him before, but now I will listen to him. He have a lovely voice an he do this song so very good. 💕

[@mikegowans1067]

That laughter really bothers me-------Sure, if you're not familiar I get it-----------The Dylan lyrics, etc.------------but fantastic rendition-----------truly captures the spirit--------Thank you for sharing

[@dianwilson4840]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone cover this. This man is a treasure.

[@geebud1880]

deep and sincere - this is All Right

[@grahamcole3534]

Just a fab version of an amazing song. Chris brings his own take to it and makes it almost a different thing from Bobby's fantastic originals.

[@Teddyb1939]

Chris so good, everyone should hear this beautiful version of Bob's classic song.

[@garrettmoore1549]

Chris Smither is a lyrical and musical genius. We are lucky to live during the time when he is creating such masterful works and to enjoy them as they are being created.

[@peerman2006]

Garrett Moore This is a Bob Dylan song.

[@alphuez]

Well of course. In tribute. He writes great songs as well, and I'm pleased that he occasionally covers those of others he appreciates. One thing that's odd is the laughter you hear from a guy in the audience after some of the lines. It's OK not to have ever heard the song before (strange, but understandable I guess), but that reaction struck me as a bit odd. It wasn't written to be a comedy..

[@beatsinabar]

@@alphuez Ooh, I don't know - there's something irresistibly comical about the opening line.

[@plasorsa1]

His guitar playing in open G is great. How many reality talent show stars can hang with Chris??? Zero. Love to more his take on even more Dylan songs. Love his Visions of Johanna.

[@friederich66]

+plasorsa1 could someone tell me, please, what "playing in open G" means?

[@Teddyb1939]

Chris is magical in Visions of Johanna,

[@eddiesmithermusic]

👍

[@johngault5214]

Only been to one CS gig in the Tall Ship Glasgow and love his style which is similar to the style I play

[@Teddyb1939]

Magical Chris,

[@g33fer94]

Great version of the Bob Dylan classic.

[@deborahkauffman09]

And he's at the Duck, Houston, too cool

[@ANGELKOHLER]

Una gran interpretación, muy muy buena.

[@rubenscorrea9337]

Simplesmente fantástica a versão de Chris Smither para "Desolation Row".

[@Wahey]

Wonderful cover of a masterpiece. Inspired by the great poet I've made a video of Isolation Row. Dylan is my inspiration.

[@gregorysullivan7175]

Chris Smither's sings Bob Dylan's Desolation Row yeah like the time King Kong shared a sinful desert with Godzilla. Two spoons. Thanks.

[@burnistuck9499]

Very very nice...

[@gregorysullivan7175]

@@burnistuck9499 Thank You.

[@breathize]

Very soulful!

[@philpinckley1720]

Excellent!

[@xXSironimoXx]

HRvF from GERMANY : Geiler Song

[@thecatalunya1]

lyricks fantastic...

[@gasbeing]

Very cool!

[@knip80]

yes..he plays this song in open g.......D G D G B D

[@fillra01]

I like this version. It's a Bob Dylan song from 1965, the Highway 61 Revisited albumj.

[@georgeparkins777]

I would give any non-vital organ to play like this guy.

[@LittleLeighVisual]

Or you could just do what everyone else has to and practice! ;)

[@georgeparkins777]

I've been practicing for something like thirty-five years and I'm nowhere close...

[@LittleLeighVisual]

George Parkins Then practice harder! No lol I am joking, he is very good.. it takes a hell of a lot of commitment to play well I think.. hmm and some natural talent too most likely!

[@g.stephens263]

The hopeful musician asked the New York cabbie..."how do I get to Carnegy Hall?". Cabbie's reply..."practice, practice, practice!" LOL

[@peerman2006]

Practice.

[@manuelamigliore6176]

Ok bellissima cover

[@fretkillrfan]

Thank you, CS + CS.

[@Teddyb1939]

Lovely version of Bob Dylan's masterpiece.

[@gilltplsrable]

nice version

[@bernardozon5872]

Génial!!

[@dianwilson4840]

Bravo!

[@moreisee]

Chris mics his feet tapping on a piece of particle board. Always amazing timing.

[@mejbarron]

Great work!

[@mejbarron]

Your performances reminds me of Rab Noakes' cover of Mississipi : kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGelp2mBr9h_hrc

[@gortagnan]

I am trying to learn some of his songs (almost ashamed I only recently found him!) Can anyone tell me his tuning here, seems to be some D open tuning but I am not sure ...Many thanks if you can help ....

[@teddyduke6506]

Bravo! Bravo! I believed every word. Open D?

[@normanchristiansen1864]

well --- (i do it in _DADDad ......)

[@tommcdonough9029]

Dude's got some big-ass hands.

[@xXSironimoXx]

geiler song (HRvF)

[@RemingtonRidersMusic]

Do you realize this video was published on 11/11/11 ?

[@brianmurphy9752]

great version.. but who is that fool ruining the track by laughing in the background

[@TheAien123]

I would kiss kiss if I’m tnere

[@Yahziboy]

Compare this imagery to T.S. Elliot's "The Wasteland"

[@friederich66]

several writers mention the expression "open tuning", for example "open G", i would like to know what that means.

[@Yahziboy]

+Billi Backer It means you get a major chord without having to push down any strings. In open G you strum and get G major. You have to loosen three strings, 1,5 and 6. And then when you bar the neck you get a different major chord. Smither plays an abbreviated A minor shape with two fingers which gives the sound of the fourth and fifth chords in the key of G (C and D) and he keeps walking them down ending with G. Just as a review, a major G chord carries G with the third and fifth notes in the scale (do, re, mi, fa, so, la ti do) combined. That would be Do and mi and fa.

[@friederich66]

Archie Merwin ah, thank you

[@frankiefranks3893]

Walter Schwaneberg But you know how to Appreciate Good Music and Good Musicianship! 😊

[@nwh57]

is he using an open tuning?

[@ennob1]

Is this g tuning?

[@osterzone2571]

ennob1 It's in E I think

[@ratbagsofrhythm]

Looks and sounds like open G to me.

[@Pambill54]

open " D " ...... D, A , D, F# ,A. D .

[@Gwyhir]

Yep Pambill54 its Open D

[@perilouspoozer3749]

How does anyone sit down and write a song like this? I wonder if “substances” had a role to play. Not that that diminishes the song or its author in any way.

[@normanchristiansen1864]

guitar is in an open tuning ?????

[@aaronvedock458]

I love Chris' interpretation of this fine tune. I must add, I do not understand what the guy with the camera finds so amusing about this song. It is a very serious song, nothing funny about it. His laughter I find to be quite odd.

[@adumbberg]

I think there's a lot that's funny about it. It's a great, sprawling song, heavy from some angles, but there's definitely some humor there. I don't find the laughter odd at all. Don't let it bring you down. :)

[@meetchyohanesse9852]

It's funny for people who don't know what the song's stories are about. The guy laughing might be an idiot, too... "at 20 she was already an old maid" really shouldn't be that funny. People want to be entertained...

[@aaronvedock458]

Meetch Yohanesse - Yes I agree Meetch, I the person filming/laughing is pretty oblivious.

[@robertschulte7638]

What is the song about?

[@robertschulte7638]

Meetch Yohanesse What is the song about?

[@Fillerspace]

You kidding me? I see close to 150k views and only 745 likes? People come on now were better than that, what if Dylan only write 11 verses to DR ?

[@jamesvalentine3793]

fanastic flat picking in an open chord

[@rheaub2]

+james valentine With respect, this is not flat-picking which is picking with a plectrum held between the thumb and index-finger. CS is a finger-picker and uses a thumb-pick plus picks commonly on the middle and third fingers: the alternating thumb on the lower strings renders the typical 4/4 timing of folkies.

[@hrxy1]

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