Folk Alley Sessions: Darrell Scott - "American Tune"

Darrell Scott performs Paul Simon's "American Tune" in Folk Alley's studios.
Listen to an exclusive interview with Darrell Scott as well as view more videos from this session at:
www.folkalley.c...
www.folkalley.com

[@mikemcnevin1785]

Amazing rendition of a song by a true American treasure by an American treasure.

[@centraterasen]

Truly this is not just another remake of the old tune. Darrell fully understans it and makes it addictive. I can't stop listening to this version... Keep up the good work!

[@grayowl108]

The best cover of this brilliant Paul Simon tune, IMHO.

[@fiddlinmike]

This guy is the complete artist. His delivery of this song is incredible.

[@matthewquinlan3822]

I think that's somehow an understatement.

[@ellawright5362]

Darrell played this one on a Steinway grand piano to close his concert last night at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis. Absolutely unbelievable, half the audience in tears.

[@rodsnap]

So much soul. Takes something really special to do a Paul Simon classic better than the original. Love it.

[@dennycrockett1582]

One of the greatest songs written by Paul Simon, and this might be the best cover I've ever heard. Wow!! Darrell Scott you are incredibly talented.. Well done.

[@paulthiers2008]

Of course the music was actually written in 1600 by Hassler. J. S. Bach took it an made it famous in his time. Paul Glazer was the first to take it and add modern lyrics in 1947. Then the tune was made famous in our time by Peter Paul, and Mary who (class act that they were) gave credit where credit was due: kzbin.info/www/bejne/goLIhmSkbd94Z5Y Paul Simon is indeed a great song writer in the folk tradition as illustrated by this some being credited as Simon/Hassler with 400 years between them.

[@SlickD217]

Probably my favorite singer/songwriter.. So much feeling and expression. Love that even his renditions feel like a personal story.. Just an amazing musician.

[@tradfolkie]

I agree, he has a stunning voice and is a superb guitarist and when it comes to covers he has the most perfect taste! Such an emotional, exqusitie delivery. x

[@KateFleming1]

god, I come back to this every now and again, and it's still so beautiful. Every time.

[@megacharlieifihealy5327]

one of my fav Darrell Scotts , anything he does he put his heart of hearts into it thats his mark, that what makes him stand out from the rest.

[@johannesdopmeijer3804]

Just love this version of Paul Simon's American Tune. Played by the great Darrell Scott. He makes this song his own..

[@iansimpkins]

Darrel Scott is one of the most amazing guitarists on this planet. What a spell-binding version of a classic. Can't wait to see him again in Glasgow in January. Totally agree with kkelley; this is the standard to strive for, and what about that amazing picking style? Just awesome!

[@misomaya]

And, not a bad pianist, either.

[@rodsreel]

Forever blessed for this music. Cheers to everyone fae Bonnie Scotland

[@Stringman1950]

Great version of a great song. Thank you, Paul Simon. Thanks, Darrell.

[@eamonnmorris5331]

I love this song. I have recently listened to several versions on KZbin. Recently I heard a lovely, flawless version by a young lady with a great voice. I searched my mind for what was missing. It was an understanding of the profundity of the message. I decided that Paul Simon's own version was the only one that conveys that ... until I heard this!

[@angies.7689]

Absolutely amazing. Nuff said.

[@ericanderson9012]

That was great - I especially love the way he juxtaposes the verses with the gentleness of the refrain the first two times through. Bravo!

[@zacsamuel7295]

It's a universal tune! Thank you for this fantastic version of Paul Simons beautiful song!

[@kkelley100tube]

i love everything from Shostakovich to Miles Davis to Hank Williams to Sam Cookes gospel stuff, and damn, this is perfect. If youre someone trying to play guitar and sing a great song, in this particular emotive style, this is your standard to strive for. Wish he was more well known. Incredible talent. To me this is jaw dropping goodness.

[@smfearless14]

This is amazing. One song professional song writer that has the voice to go with it. Outstanding guitar skills.

[@sergebergen73]

Best cover off this song I've heard

[@restinopolis1]

There are very few songwriters on a par with Paul Simon, and very few musicians on a par with Darrell Scott. Put the two together and it's a hit out of the park.

[@johnfloridis62]

Thanks so much for sharing this. I had the pleasure of interviewing Darrell several years ago for a show that I produce for Montana Public Radio, and he's a great guy to talk with as well as simply first rate as a musician. He's simply not to be messed with, musically speaking....

[@tonyragle]

This is amazing and the only thing better is seeing him play it live.

[@SniffaWhiffa]

I've listened to this song about 5 times a day. His spin is so emotionally charged. Well done. Nice licks on the guitar too.

[@KCatmull]

My god that was beautiful. Well done.

[@tradfolkie]

I agree, he has a stunning voice and is a superb guitarist and when it comes to covers he has the most perfect taste!

[@blufordbirdsong1834]

I know this is 12 years old. But so beautiful. Thanks

[@TheWhoQuad]

Where have I been? This guy is amazing!!!! Great soul in his voice. AWESOME!

[@sfv6]

Best cover !!

[@jasont79]

Not a single note out of place. Darrell is simply from another realm.

[@elis6299]

Greatest cover ever made

[@Ringelstern]

most beautiful singing, guitar playing and arrangement of the song! I'm a Darrell Scott Fan since today :-) love from Germany

[@kcdavis576]

Incredible

[@caseyaddason]

Unreal!

[@paulholyfield]

This is the best cover of this song I have ever heard

[@papanton311]

Very respectable cover, mr. Scott. Thumbs up !!

[@JayRojasLive]

If you like what you hear, Post!!! If you don't like what you hear, keep moving... Find something that's down your alley, Don't go crapping on someon'e page just cause you don't like it. Everyone's allowed to like or dislike as is with life, just keep your negativity to yourself... And yes, this is an awesome cover of American Tune!!!

[@FeatherCl]

thank you so very much!

[@MsKleonas]

best perfomanance ever!

[@babyblue8302]

Bloody brilliant.

[@liverqiconstraint]

Beautiful!

[@Sykthor]

best cover of this song i´ve ever heard... great performance, man if you ever come to vienna, i´ll be at your concert!

[@07LUTE70]

Awesome picking refreshing to hear a slightly different version of this beautiful song.Man you made it your own.Very nice, so articulate.I like what you do.

[@alexleggett6270]

This guy is a legend.

[@TomMills]

Love the tunes he does with Tim O'Brien! Great on his own too of course.

[@kenspooner7459]

The definitive version of this tune

[@malhadeff]

masterful

[@RobAnderlik]

Wonderful!

[@davidbirchall3294]

Yeah we love your music from city of liverpool

[@Yrksman]

Superb!

[@rw4170]

WOW!!!

[@RCROSSH]

espectacular cover !

[@edotoole]

Amazing talent. Superb.

[@placidpond]

Paul Simon's tour de force, played with passion...Bravissimo!

[@guitaruss7]

Oh my god, oh my god this guy is awesome!!!!!

[@lynnmarkegard2386]

Exquisite!!

[@hughleather6525]

The great ones always make it look easy. I love that Taylor!

[@brendanconway7317]

Superb

[@michaelosolosax]

Wonderfully realistic rendition ... last lines so true in these times ...

[@TheCatalunya]

never heard of him before today where the hell have i been...

[@mikewilliams258]

Great version.

[@daw162]

@drakolan I'd imagine a lot of people watching this video feel differently. I've not paid attention to Paul's original version of this until I heard Darrell's. Paul's sounds slow and dead to me - both the tempo and the guitar playing, especially some of the earlier versions with the nylon strings. It's also not as if Darrell is just a cover singer, either. When a songwriter and musician as prolific as him does a song, I'd imagine someone like Paul sees it as a compliment.

[@mattmathai]

Paul Simon's version isn't "slow and dead". It's melancholic and bleak. This is a very different interpretation of the song. I love them both.

[@sfv6]

Sweet

[@EricSwanDahly]

Dang! DS - this is a simply mind blowing cover of one of my favorite songs, and I generally don't like covers.

[@jmzfactor]

Yes, he makes it his own. That's what great artists do, and he is truly great. Ask Robert Plant why he chose Darrell to be in his Band of Joy.

[@MaabudZ]

@thomasmidas You're right! Damn that is slick. Just one more reason to admire his guitar slinging skills.

[@connopv]

Nice.

[@tejastani]

Took me 2 years to figure out his guitar part.

[@mistahcoughdrop]

Now more than ever. Trying to get some rest...

[@lindatheobald7789]

mule would like a taylor guitar--a beautiful voice--mule would love to sing openly to those who can not hear but absorb feelings that bring them a tear

[@JayRojasLive]

Apart from Eva Cassidy's version, I love this one. My only wish is to play like him... Simply Amazing!!

[@MaabudZ]

Whew! I've been working on this recently, now a whole new perspective to work with. For most of the song it looks like he's using a flat pick but at the end you can see his thumb, no thumb or flat pick. Can anyone offer further insight into his picking method here? I thought he was flat picking and using fingers for additional melody and harmony notes but now I'm not sure. Is it all fingers? If so why are the thumb and index so tight together for most of the song?

[@MarkSmith-bo4eo]

I imagine he can palm the pick. Watch Warren Haynes, pick comes and goes. Like sleight of hand JG put pick under nub finger to pick banjo style. These people have it both ways.

[@mingkee27]

thanks Iain Anderson (from BBC Scotland), that I know this signer/songwriter with great voice try Joan of Arc, it's good too

[@qrptedmac]

Man, Im gonna throw my guitar out in the street. Its no use trying. Darrell is just too good!

[@jmtanner2245]

There just aren't enough superlatives to describe him!

[@ericjacksonheights]

melody by J. S. Bach, unattributed to by Mr. Simon on his album or thereafter.

[@paulholyfield]

I think it predates even Bach, I have read he too borrowed it. Paul wrote the melody, chord changes, and words of the bridge section, which is the best part of the song in my opinion.

[@stevefah]

So it's not like Paul Simon's version--so what? Scott has a great voice, and is a wonderful guitar player, so his version is not only valid, it's good! Who would want to hear only one version of a song their whole life? Get real.

[@YAUUN]

Amen!

[@stevejohnson4499]

If you like Darrell, you'll probably like Kelly Joe Phelps as well. My kind of music.

[@thomasmidas]

@MaabudZ at around 4 mins 4 secs you see him put the pick between his index and middle finger.. :) its very quick but you see it..

[@andrewz4537]

Now watching closer I see that he does it several times, i.e. back and forth near the end of the song. The only adjustment is that at one point he moves the pick a bit when bringing it back into play the 2nd time around to get a better purchase with his thumb. Whew, amazing!

[@cwsturgeon]

lol I feel the same way

[@daw162]

@passinItOn >> what's so great about cross picking....capo

[@waterkant999]

we came on a ship they called terrorstorm

[@KARSSIENOOMS]

great voice! reminds me of Jeffrey Foucault . Hope you don't mind the comparison :-) you're in good company!

[@nat00ben06]

His guitar playing is pretty cool in this, and his attack is quite sharp. It's not as beautiful and melodic as Paul Simon. All the same it's interesting and playful. I like it. See know this guy could be in his early 50's and that's the difference between his generation and the damn 20 yr olds of today and the garbage they play.

[@iheartdonut]

no, he sounds great and all, but Paul Simon's version has WAY more soul when you see it live.

[@keithwigley1256]

Doesn't work for me on this one...tottaly lost the soul of it ...

[@ShaneKelley207]

Way off

[@passinItOn]

25 years in every aspect of this business, and if I hear this song one more time I'll puke. For real what IS so good about some cross picking and a capo? People need to get some rest before truckin on. I mean rather save myself for the big O. tipping a hand is foolish, good peeps and fresh blood aint an escape mechanism either. Daddy always sang dance with who brung ya and Tom T. Hall Songs to boot. Whirled Peas>or a piece of the pie?