Elliott Smith - 5/9/1997 Aquarius Records, SF CA

I shot this video originally but unfortunately the master was stolen. I maybe made 4 copies of it for friends before the master disappeared and this transfer was made from one of those VHS copies. It is not the best quality but I was thankful to find out that somebody still had this copy in their possession.
This was an incredibly intimate show for around 35-40 people at one of the best record stores in San Francisco. Later that night Elliott would play at Bottom Of The Hill to a crowd that was not quite as respectful.
1. Division Day
2. Alphabet Town
3. Angeles
4. Between The Bars
4. Alemeda
5. Thirteen (Big Star)
6. Southern Belle
7. Say Yes
8. St. Ides Heaven

[@SG_7733]

0:13 - Division Day 4:02 - Alphabet Town 8:45 - Angeles 12:15 - Between The Bars 14:40 - Alameda 18:25 - Thirteen 21:24 - Southern Belle 24:59 - Say Yes 27:30 - St. Ides Heaven

[@keldonj.6054]

Thank you!

[@TravelinFrench]

Wawa world

[@grungepants]

He played all the hits

[@TheMonolake]

Thx so much the rawness is exceptional amazing artist !

[@AlexanderMarshallI]

Thanks a million

[@marcc.3513]

I feel like these are some of his best performances. So cleanly played and sung

[@jimtroeltsch5998]

I like listening to them. For that reason. I'm sure life on the road, singing everyday, made his voice a bit rougher over the years. He definitely sounds very "clean" and nuanced. Very powerful performances.

[@Eyrascal]

I’m so grateful for all the live recordings of Elliott. His legacy lives through his music but beyond that, videos like this give us a glimpse of who he truly was. The way he interacts with his audience as if they were close friends he was shooting the shit with. His confidence, struggles, vulnerability, and personality shines in every performance. Despite hurting and feeling safest behind closed doors he had an amazing ability to open people up and make them feel less alone. He connects people beyond his magnetic and raw talent, there is so much more to the person he was. It makes me wonder how he felt to step in the spotlight solo going what he was going through, the kind of courage it took to devote himself to the passion he had for music and the publicity that came with it. What an amazing soul.

[@JunkBondTrader]

Love how he comes off the mic. You don't hear him completely unplugged very often.

[@patrickgoodwin]

it was such a small space and everyone there was stone silent

[@davidcapone17]

@@patrickgoodwin you took this video?

[@patrickgoodwin]

@@davidcapone17 yeah, originally on Hi-8 video but the master has been lost, this is from one of the copies I made years ago. I think I sent it to maybe 3 people and thankfully someone still had their copy of it.

[@teddyrieck1758]

I think that's where he sounds best

[@richardstern3893]

User name checks out

[@raymondng3318]

He performed Angeles perfectly. One of the best of this.😀 RIP Elliott

[@alvinddenysetyawan7306]

everytime I hear he sing "Between the Bars", I feel shaking..

[@fatherofpearlmusic]

Between the bars is songwriting perfection!

[@flashoflight9175]

When I feel really alone and like no one cares, that’s the song I listen to. Imagine someone singing that for me. What a delusion but it’s ok.

[@amgroblin5898]

@@flashoflight9175 if it works, it works

[@TheHappys]

Wonder if those little kids know they are listening and watching one of the best songwriters to ever live?

[@michaelprhodes]

I wonder if the original poster has any memories of how the kids happened to be there. One of them is reading a book! Almost seems like they’re there kind of coincidentally as a way to pass the time.

[@RustinChole]

I saw him the year before this on the either/or tour at 16, and I most definitely knew. Before he was famous, he would silence a room like you wouldn’t believe. You could hear a pin drop. Walked away from that show with his second and third records. Changed my life. Still listen to him all the time.

[@stevebeye1585]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nileslandon]

Those “little kids” are probably older than you right now. Hahaha.

[@XenomorphLV426]

Those kids are from my generation. I wish I knew about him then.

[@d-coreenterprises18]

seeing the kid in the background's head nod involuntarily during the intro of alphabet town is so fuckin satisfying that i can't stop myself from doing the same

[@skeenohardcore3152]

Amazing. Wish he was still here.

[@starsackaney4996]

Isn't he though? Imagine not discovering his music?

[@mrdaniel511]

As long as I have my hearing, he’s right here :)

[@asdfasdfsadfasdfsfda]

he's here as long as we are...

[@sherlocketek2289]

Nah, he'd hate the world even more now. Seriously.

[@xaviertayo6208]

I teared up during several songs. Thank you for this Elliot. We miss you.😢

[@christiangasior4244]

Yeah it’s sad being a fan. I have severe depression so I kinda have to be careful cause this music kinda triggers me. But yeah his talent was through the roof.

[@inrspc777]

Excellent. The best environment for Elliott to do his thing was in a relaxed and small setting. So glad to see this. Thank you.

[@josephndungu6762]

This just made me feel like there's something to look forward to in life. I want to have a concert like this sometime this year. I still have anxiety when I'm performing, so this would be awesome, a small crowd of people who listen to my music and my friends

[@akeithing1841]

If you like Elliott and play I'm there because I like Elliott and play... I know a lot of his songs and write my own too, keep playing!

[@raveholly]

same!

[@jaq8604]

It’s the best thing in the world. I was playing out a lot last year up until the very end of social gatherings.

[@willyounts3308]

you can do it!!

[@nileslandon]

I always have a lot of anxiety before I play. After 2 minutes into my live set. I feel more relaxed. The anxiety goes away, but I’m still extremely focused.

[@ValveSpecial]

This sounds glorious because it’s a rare live Elliott video where the guitar is recorded acoustically rather than being amplified via the pickup. 💯🎉

[@emma-mq4ie]

Can u explain what you mean here? Genuinely just wanna understand I don't know all the music words!!

[@josemontenegro4351]

Well he is using a pickup, you can see it with the cable cord hanging from the guitar

[@flyondonnie9578]

@@emma-mq4ie most of his recorded live performances are in larger venues where the acoustic guitar has to be amplified using the sound hole pickup to send a signal to speakers. This results in a metallic and unsubtle sound because the technology in the pickup isn’t well suited to replicating the acoustic sound of a guitar. Here we are hearing the actual sound of the guitar without the pickup being involved, so the sound is woody and beautiful just as the instrument and his playing are designed to sound.

[@flyondonnie9578]

@@josemontenegro4351 it’s not in use: he turns the amp off around 4:00

[@willyounts3308]

it sounds so much more like his recordings!

[@xraeko3722]

I would literally kill to be one of those little children. They were just the age I was when I found out about Elliott, but for me it was the same year he died. They look like they were soaking in every minute!

[@joshshrum2764]

I’m just hearing about him because of this popping up in my recommendations, and now i am already ordering a Division Day, single which has the special color design that matches up with the colors on the sleeves cover i can’t fucking wait to get it, because it’s already my favorite song by him even after the first listen.

[@Pretermit_Sound]

I was a a junior in high school when he died, and had been a fan for a few years already. I actually heard about it while I was at school from a friend who had heard about it on the radio. I cut class the rest of that day, and headed home to listen to his music for the rest of the day and into the night. Then, about a month later, ‘From a Basement On a Hill’ came out, and it was like listening to his eulogy, He was such a treasure. An incalculable loss. Hopefully wherever Elliott is now, he’s at peace ✌🏻

[@AJ-ty9bc]

Yeah, I always wish I could've gone to one of his shows. But I was born in '01 so unfortunately it wasn't meant to be... Also, Steins;Gate hell yeah!

[@nikkicook7687]

This makes me so happy, can’t believe there’s even the possibility of new videos. Thank you!!!

[@theviciouscircle1541]

Just when you think that's it, more pop up 👍🙏

[@carolska]

@@theviciouscircle1541 🙏🙏🙏

[@artur-rdc]

Another fix for us Elliott Smith Junkies :D

[@scrapkingfilms]

I agree, it’s just such a treasure to see a series of songs performed, as I’m sure he too a lot of pride in the work involved to carry that off. One of a kind.

[@projectnewmoon9314]

Absolutely, I’ve been searching for another version of alphabet town to help learn how to play it. This video is a goldmine!!!

[@JackT13]

Best way to tell if a singer/songwriter is actually talented: give them nothing but a mic and a guitar and see how similar they sound to the studio version. Elliott was without question a phenomenal musician as well as a superb songwriter

[@j.filteau2688]

I can't believe how fucking talented he was, man.

[@joeythieman]

There are all kinds of great guitar players, and singers and writers, but few who do it entirely their own way; and do all three so well. Everything he did is singular, compared to other musicians, it’s the Elliott world. This video is amazing, I feel changed around, like I know him and always have, because he’s the same as me, only he’s an exception to the rule. I hope for more gems to emerge like this, I thought I would be watching live at the breakroom for the millionth time and then here was this

[@christiangasior4244]

Now I feel changed around and instead of falling down I’m standing up the morning after

[@christiangasior4244]

Very well put, btw

[@JunkBondTrader]

Omg, this is absolute GOLD. Digital gold. Fuckin A dude, thank you so much. Oh man, can't decide if I should watch now or save it for a rainy day. The one downvote is the cop from the Miss MIsery video.

[@jasonaguirre3461]

Elliott: Do you wanna hear a loud song or a quiet song “Quiet” Elliott: say no more *plays between the bars*

[@clementello]

does everyone want to cry loud tears or quiet tears?

[@scotey]

This is a treasure. I hope the folks in that crowd realized they were in the presence of something rare and special.

[@JunkBondTrader]

23:00 Elliott misses ONE note by half a step on the second slide, in the solo of one of his trickiest songs, and you see him wince and roll his eyes to the crowd like "I know, I fucked up" haha like anyone noticed or gave a damn. You see him do that a lot in live shows :p

[@JunkBondTrader]

@D D lol oh nooo ya got me. Take me away your honor :P

[@grungepants]

He probably should have gone a bit easier on himself.

[@mark1800]

Lol i noticed

[@AlexanderMarshallI]

Bahaha this is awesome. I hadn’t even noticed! Thanks dude. Fucking AMAZING.

[@clementello]

@@JunkBondTrader I sentence you to ten years in a Shyamalan movie plot hole! Take him away!

[@CollinBartley]

This might be my favorite Elliott set / recording I've found yet. So warm and close.

[@aysecgagon3355]

Definitely one of his best vocal performances

[@jesseclift3743]

I think I have watched everything there is on KZbin as far as full shows and you're right. There was a period of time around here where his voice was perfect and this performance is a great example of it.

[@aysecgagon3355]

@@jesseclift3743 yea it's like at some point after this he lost all confidence it seems like.

[@patrickgoodwin]

@@aysecgagon3355 odd you say something like that because during the show he played later that night in front of a crappy audience he picked up a pint glass and looked at it said “there is something in my beer, i think it’s my self esteem” .... or something to that effect. I remember being really angry with the people at that show

[@AlexWattBum]

@@patrickgoodwin please tell us more about these shows, if you can

[@michaelnewham6958]

I wonder if he knew he was a genius?🧠⚡️👂🏻 That’s a perfect set he’s just pulled off 🗣🎼🎸 It’s always an amazing part of a new day when you unearth something new like this on you tube, so thanks to all that made this possible. X

[@juliesuzanne8011]

I think he knew

[@galbeeri8360]

best musician ever lived.

[@jaq8604]

I’m always sad he’s gone, but this video makes me feel even more sad, cause its like he’s right there. But he’s not here anymore. It’s not fair.

[@milkitalready]

Good chance I was there! Amazing set! That’s got to be Andee Connors (P.E.E., A Minor Forest) in the doorway at 11:48! Damn, I miss Aquarius (and SF in the 90s)

[@adanmartinez2734]

His music touches my soul

[@christiangasior4244]

I think Elliott had a way with melody. Only other bands that consistently give me chills like this are The Beatles, Radiohead, and others can do it but not as consistently.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

I agree. I'd also say Fiona Apple is another one. Never put out a bad song or album.

[@ealo8747]

THe GOAT!!!!!

[@jameshighers6083]

by far the best elliott smith footage on the net....thank you for posting, good sir.

[@jespersahnerpedersen]

Holy moly, after so many years, thanks!

[@LateNightRewrites]

Were you there?

[@seroquelchamber]

ive been to diy shows just like this, ive hosted them, ive played them. i wonder if one day a video of someone i've seen with unsuspecting us in the background will show someone who went way farther than any of us thought. rest in peach elliot. what a songwriter.

[@joep4372]

It's rare I comment. That being said. Thank you Patrick Goodwin!

[@JonShade-fy2gm]

He was a fucking genius -- incredible singer, songwriter and guitarist. INCREDIBLE guitarist.

[@MartsEntertainment]

Thank you so so so so so so so so much for keeping this up, I will forever love Elliott Smith. For those of you looking for other musicians that are somewhat(as there is no one quite like him) check out Townes Van Zandt, Rowland S. Howard, Vincent Gallo, R. Stevie Moore w/&w/o Ariel Pink, Nick Drake, Patrick Watson, Patrick Joseph, Ambulette, Soley, and Patrik Fitzgerald. Obviously this is after you’ve indulged in Heatmiser, The New No. 2, Jon Brion(who was close friends with Elliott), and Quasi.

[@wicolous]

thank u so much for this, discovered some awesome new tunes.

[@acryptphotography3238]

Thanks a lot!

[@Michaelist_music]

don't know how I never found this gem before. love Elliott's songwriting style, and a truly great guitarist

[@scarballeyra5303]

So very happy to see this today, one of the greats and my favorite of all time. Brings back some of my happiest memories.

[@wiIc0]

this made my week. i will be watching this everyday now

[@nickgrant6480]

95-2001 Elliott was on absolute fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@RadioPsychicAstrologyByPepper]

This is so good and I never get tired of Elliott and I never will. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@erikmolnar6585]

Great footage of one of those special times and places in the 90s. I'm sure these great moments in music and art continue to happen today, but technology and work along with age have made me tired. So this is really awesome to see

[@hurdygurdymensf]

Thanks so much for sharing... what an amazing songwriter. This performance has a great intimacy/vulnerabiliity to it. Elliot has had such a profound impact on my own songwriting/life. Very sad that he is gone, what an incredible loss for the world... but his songs remain an enormous gift.

[@christheufonautnutting8686]

Thank you so much for this upload. Incredible. Fucking amazing. Such a personable and beautiful performance. Thank u 🙏 so much sir. Not many videos of performances from this time in his career from what I hear. Not many to the public I’d say

[@lynxcore]

this is the best set of his i've ever seen or heard probably

[@eatingmiguel4455]

Golden footage

[@meatbawling]

this is my favorite performance of his, he sounds so beautiful here

[@JonathanLit]

God I miss him so fucking much

[@caveguy22]

This is a really special piece of footage just because it feels so natural

[@jkretzmer]

Phenomenal show and recording. Thank you so much for sharing this. Any chance at getting the original files from the transfer? I would love to give a go at audio restoration (and maybe an AI upscale / stabilization effort.)

[@patrickgoodwin]

I will see what I can do. I captured the audio and video separately and can link them on google drive for you. It may take me a few days to get some time to get it together.

[@AndyAcker]

Ooooh, wow, please keep us posted!! This was incredibly good.

[@AbsolutEden]

@@patrickgoodwin please do that. Its such a Gem to have and to share.

[@clinclin1240]

@@patrickgoodwin Yes please!!

[@seandon3k]

If you release it, let me know where I can find it!! You guys are doing gods work.

[@samtitille_7148]

this video is véritablement incredible, great chance for us, thanks for the post, elliott smith for ever and ever

[@chadbenekos]

This is amazing

[@patrickgoodwin]

Ok, this show was not for kids, but there were quite a few very small adults there … lol

[@veronprevotat8113]

OMG ! It's still possible to see new videos of Elliott ?? Thanks so much for sharing !

[@jeremydavenport3123]

Thanks so much for sharing! I miss Elliott and Aquarius ❤️

[@tanyatomasch9208]

Thank you patrick Goodwin you've given me a beautiful Christmas present, finding this today❤

[@jakemarlow7928]

Thank you very much for sharing this

[@blockperce]

yo

[@pdxfox2604]

What a loss. It’s never not hurt. He’s never not missed

[@teenactavis]

greatest musician

[@nnamsamoht]

I'm so so SO happy to be able to watch this. Thank you so much for sharing this. You made my day 😀😀😀😀

[@fwluke4857]

Thank you so much

[@RustinChole]

Oh wow. The only time I saw him play St Ides Heaven was on the Either/Or tour. Walked away from that show with the self titled album and either/or. After that he did it once electric when I saw him, but it’s one of my favorites.

[@smellofrain6093]

Thank you. It's wonderful magic

[@cynthiadeluise3160]

Such a wonderful artist.

[@whyoli1147]

This is the best set list i've ever heard

[@oldpaleridge]

Thank you for sharing. This is wonderful!

[@willyounts3308]

this makes me sooooo happy elliott is the best ever :)

[@benjaminbird6166]

I feel very lucky to have been recommended this, thanks for sharing.

[@pcgreen]

25 YEARZ AGO!!!

[@gregoryfrench2227]

Thanks so much for uploading. The guitar work alone on Southern Belle is insane

[@jodywheeler5779]

This is one of the realest shows I've ever seen of his. The fact he turns off the mic and amp and songs into the room makes you feel like you are there.

[@wiwma]

Thanks so much. This is incredible. He was incredible

[@mackjreynolds]

Holy labia, this is an amazing performance.

[@danielml363]

This is beautiful, I'm happy I found this. Thank you.

[@jake_villanueva]

This has to be one of my favorites I’ve found on this recent deep dive. Love the set list. This big star cover is top notch.

[@antidepressantscale4675]

Awesome to have another live version of southern belle. That song is very tricky. Love how snappy it sounds here

[@underclvss]

wow the moment of him turning off the amp is so fucking sick. i wish i could see him perform man

[@RustemMullayar]

Undoubtfully that was the golden age of Music...RIP Elliott and true music

[@steveoreillyvideos]

Thanks for sharing. I saw him at Tramps in NYC years ago and we had a drink at Ludlow lounge at some point. He was incredible and I am always taken back whenever I hear his music. Awesome stuff here.

[@wayneng4505]

Thanks for being there.

[@panchojd]

This is really Beautiful. Thanks a lot !!!

[@amircat]

This might be my favorite Elliott Smith set on youtube

[@stevebeye1585]

This is prime Elliott!!! Thank you!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@jamesdolan2804]

Amazing... loved this and so happy to see a new video. He ended with one of my favorite songs. Just finished watching The Heaven Adores You doc then stumbled on this video...

[@thexxfan]

this is one of the best elliott performance on his best years

[@Matt-cu8ly]

a beautiful soul. man he was so talented. love this.

[@abatavick]

I miss yoooo and still get weepy hearing your uniquely beautiful voice.

[@lexremillard2549]

im so grateful you uploaded this vid. I saw him open for Will Oldham (Palace Bros) at the Lounge Ax in Chicago. Will was touring the Arise Therefore album and Elliott was in either/Or. Im not sure if i've ever seen a better line up, in an intimate space (Lounge Ax was small and corridor-like). Both artists were solo and so heavy I get fucked up after each set. Elliott opened up and I had never listened to him before. I was up front next to the stage waiting for something to happen and I heard this amazing finger picking coming from behind me and Elliot was sitting much like he is in this video in the middle of the bar with a mic and just crushed it. No talking all action. He played a similar set..Needle In the Hay/Condor Ave/Waterloo Sunset/a Big Star tune probably Thirteen. It was crazy. He was sweaty and did not look well. But I could not believe his strength and control and power and emotion that effortlessly flowed out of him. I'll never forget it. I had tickets for All tomorrow's Parties in LA years later in 2003 but alas he had just passed and it was as heartbreaking as it is to this day. RIP brother you were the man. Thank you for what you showed us all. True vulnerability and a piece of your insides arranged in a way that it could connect with the parts of me I could not look at in the day light.

[@TobiasHoendervangers]

Grateful that you shared this!! Greetings from the Netherlands

[@Dave-gw6wh]

I also greet from the Netherlands!

[@marzosmenagerie]

It’s fricken perfect!

[@ratbones620]

I hope those kids know how lucky they are.

[@Fschud]

This has to be my favorite live set of his! So happy i stumbled upon it. Would love to hear any stories you have from this day. Thanks for uploading this❤️

[@patrickgoodwin]

the one thing I remember from this was that it was raining pretty good, and the store was super hot and humid inside as they had turned off all the fans and shut the door, though you can still hear the occasional car go by outside

[@LateNightRewrites]

@@patrickgoodwin moar Elliott stories please!

[@RECON02]

14:40 I love the way he starts it off. ❤

[@PinkDevilFish]

Wow I never thought I'd see a new performance pop up. I never got to see him live. I had ticket for what ended up being his last show but friends bailed on me last minute so thinking I could see him next time I didn't go.

[@sidmicheals9739]

its really a GEM thank you patrick

[@Cassyels]

Thank you so much ! I listened to this song a million times but cried again hearing him play between the bars

[@penelopepuffman]

Never wrote a bad song

[@Em-gj2sg]

Amity

[@xxmyharturhandzxx]

@@Em-gj2sg AMITYAMITYAMITYAMITY🔥

[@Barryislarge]

Hey man, don't know if you're still around, but I cleaned up the audio for this a tad; nothing drastic, just used RX and got rid of all the pops and clicks for ya! reply if you want it :)

[@jaq8604]

I did the same thing! With a bit of mastering too

[@ascovers5132]

Could you guys post these? I'd love to see them!

[@Barryislarge]

@@ascovers5132 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jH6cfoVulKmpkJo it's unlisted until this dood decides what he wants to do with it, but you should still be able to watch it!

[@ascovers5132]

@@Barryislarge Thanks so much!! I'm beyond excited for this :)

[@luisjalabert8366]

wow! new material!