Gillian Welch & David Rawlings on Sessions At West 54th Street (1997)

[@jimsanford9215]

Thanks Corey we've missed this for years. I had this show on a VCR tape which we watched over and over again. Sadly we lost it with flood Sandy...

[@l214laus]

Seeing your comment, hopefully you are safe from the recent hurricane and the current hurricane Milton. Regards from south east Australia 🇦🇺

[@joannelediger7781]

I was there! So grateful. The very first time I saw them perform live too, and I got to sit right behind David. PURE BLISS

[@greenjoel70]

Wow what a treat that must have been!

[@robdevilliers666]

Fabulous.... and that old guitar of David's is for me an ikon like Trigger.

[@rodfriesen4370]

We saw Gillian and David perform in Winnipeg. The venue has a failed air conditioner and it was sweltering hot and humid!! And it was maybe the best concert I've ever been to. When Gillian stepped her boots made a squishy sound from the sweat! They play like 1. They sing like 1. Just amazing

[@batstube]

Really doesn't get much better than this- simply masterful- playing , singing, writing Wow

[@mikeboardmansr6977]

I will happily listen to anything Gillian is singing and Gillian and Dave are a wonderful pairing.

[@rodneycaupp5962]

BIG Time....................

[@montemichelbleu]

Never heard a thing from them that did not move me. Never been a time when their music did not seem right for the moment.

[@TheBomboraboy]

those vocals together! those guitars together. what incredible musicians.

[@bernhardlohr4662]

Brilliant! Singer-Sonwriter/Country at its best!!! Thanks from Germany

[@immidereinzige8671]

also thanks from me from Hessen, Germany. Singer/Songwriter - I love it! I've been a fan of these two for a long time.

[@starsandguitars2050]

Gillian and David are gifts to the rest of us.

[@coreyj72]

They surely are. Here’s hoping there are live performances to see soon.

[@tomnorton9705]

I saw this on PBS when it first aired! I recorded it on VHS tape and I also transferred it to cassette tape back then. I had never heard of them and was floored buy this performance! These songs are amazing!

[@coreyj72]

I hadn't heard of them either when I saw Sessions at West 54th Street, probably late because I'm in Australia but it was 97. I always taped the show because I never knew who would be on. I seem to have lost the tape somewhere in a move - so thank heavens for KZbin!

[@joymcguire]

Gillian has helped preserve music history. Thank you for sharing. Rawlings playing that cheap guitar is perfect! If you see them live, Gillian will play Dave's guitar to prove how talented he really is!

[@robynjustrobyn1014]

This is just mindblowing! ❤❤❤

[@stevensaunders6018]

2 of my favorites, will travel by train,to see them perform,tames my soul

[@bigalski10]

Brilliant. So earthy and true 😊

[@spencer97m]

They are such a phenomenal pair.

[@florriehathorn1890]

The thing I love about Gillian and her brilliant writing is that she is in fact an orphan girl who was adopted by people who wrote music for the Carol Burnett Show - so although she may genetically have great genius, I can't help but think that the atmosphere of being raised in a songwriting household must have been an advantage. These two are pure musical talent. I love this early clip.

[@davidcolton6201]

Other worldly... Dave and Gillian are brilliant! This is great stuff, could listen to it 24/7.

[@markhosselton8271]

Good gods, what a killer set! The solo by Rawllings in 'Tear That Still House Down' WOW! But then his solos are that. Brilliant!

[@danielmorris3687]

Agreed. His playing is brilliant. And I see he is already playing that sweet '35 Epiphone Olympic archtop here too. I remember reading how he found it in a friends basement workshop but I didn't realize it was this early in their career. Dave can make that guitar sing.

[@josvandersteen3564]

It don't get no better folks!🙌🏻

[@rodneycaupp5962]

I have to agree with you. The two are blessed..., and our pleasure.

[@Prehab224]

Bouncing around youtube. Found this. Thanks.

[@andrewdressler6173]

Whoever gave this a thumbs down should have their thumbs ripped off.

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

Totally amazing real music, I have been a fan of this awesome music for years and never ever tire of it

[@wernerspitzenberger6916]

i wished i could have been there. love from germany !!

[@inlandonline]

Don't forget the flawless rhythm that Gillian lays down and her git-fiddle. She is also a drummer.

[@rodneycaupp5962]

Big smile. It is hard to sum-up these two amazing top of the Heep, Artists. Country, and blue ridge, and cowboy all wrapped into one. Beautiful people by God!

[@emmytolkein3320]

Rawlings is a master with the guitar. Welch a master with her voice. What a pair!

[@hasssanie7609]

Thanks Corey ✌🏾

[@rhomacity]

just found this, what a treat! I have been listening to these guys for 25 years or more. None better.

[@coreyj72]

It’s an incredible set.

[@tangledandfar]

Thank you! I remember seeing this on PBS (I think) sometime in the late 90's. It was the first time I'd heard them and I remember being transfixed by this searing set. I went out and bought their music as soon as I could.

[@coreyj72]

I did exactly the same! But in Australia it was on commercial TV late at night in 97

[@davethompson5642]

Oh man, this is pure art. It’s sad. All great art is sad.

[@LutherKrank]

Thank you for saving this, priceless...

[@jayabbott9542]

Such a priceless video. Hardly anyone knew who they were back then.

[@taparoo101]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing!

[@brianaldersonsmith8965]

I LOVE that Dave's vocals are a bit more forward than usual.

[@X976V3T]

my lord this is good and pure

[@X976V3T]

and thanks for posting

[@Markdchristoph]

this is what 100% sounds like. Gillian is The Standard for songwriting & performing

[@InParticularNobody]

Brilliant. David Rawlings seems to be one of those rare musicians who have a lightening-fast connection from their brain to their fingers, so all he has to do is 'think' the notes in real time, and they just happen. And Gillian is a powerful force of nature.

[@coreyj72]

It’s incredible playing on an amazing guitar. And it compliments Gillian Welch so perfectly.

[@10MinuteGuitarJams]

I saw this around the time it was broadcast.. I was transfixed but they never mentioned the name of the artists.. In Ireland in 1997, it was early internet days.. but I managed to find out it was Gillian and David.. Some of the most amazing music I've ever heard.. David is an unbelievable guitar player and their voices together is something really special.. Shit, just realised it's 20 years ago..

[@victorpearson1418]

My experience exactly ! Couldn't rest till I'd found them again .They got me into playing guitar at age 50 .

[@wobble1984]

Corey, you have no idea what it means to me to have this back. Thank you thank you thank you! And I don't mean I have some sentimental attachment to it - I just think it's one of the greatest sets of music I've ever heard. Found it, fell in love, and then it disappeared. Gonna stop writing now and watch it before it disappears again! (if it does, repost it!)

[@coreyj72]

Conor Tiernan You're welcome! The set is how I first discovered Gillian and Dave. Have now bought every release and got to see them live early this year. If I could buy this episode of Sessions on DVD, I wouldn't hesitate.

[@debrabeck9630]

This is the best recorded version I’ve heard yet of Caleb Meyer. Dave plays with an intensive fury, as he should as the partner of Gillian. It’s SO good. One of those really “dark and pitiful” numbers that Gillian says they usually play only after sunset.

[@coreyj72]

This broadcast in 97 was my first introduction to Dave and Gillian and Caleb Myer was what really blew my mind. Dave's playing is sublime.

[@debrabeck9630]

No kidding. Gillian sings of that assault by Caleb with anguish and her pure power of dispatching to the afterlife. Dave plays with a fury that says he’d kill Caleb again if he could.

[@debrabeck9630]

And, Corey. Thank you for sharing this. I listen to the whole thing pretty often!

[@coreyj72]

@@debrabeck9630 You’re so welcome. It isn’t my content, but it was taken down on someone else and I thought it should be out in the world for all to enjoy.

[@josephregan9321]

What we r watching 1 of the greatest live performance that 2day we r being ripped-off as 'Live'.

[@l214laus]

Terrific video, thanks.

[@Mouldytone]

Yay! I had this episode on vhs tape many years ago and accidentally taped over it! Thanks so much for putting it up on YT.

[@coreyj72]

You're welcome! I just wish it had the interviews between. I miss that TV show!

[@mbsnyderc]

i remember hearing about her on some news show then i heard Caleb Meyer i thought the was three guitars playing on the track then i say this and realize how important David was to the sound of this music a true team.

[@soloverneon]

Great, thanks so much for putting it back! I thought it gone. Big thanks!

[@dreamwell2020]

Right out of the gate, these two were astonishingly accomplished and beautifully attuned to each other - though, as noted below, at this stage the single voice they make together had not yet fully melded.

[@melvoid]

I can't stand that they edited out the guitar at the beginning of "Acony Bell." That's what caught my attention in the first place.

[@longgrayline8055]

This is just too good. Dave’s playing really accentuates their live performances. I prefer to watch them play live.

[@Hannah-fh9sm]

Yup- Berklee School of Music grads. Always on or near the cutting edge. Kudos to one of DR’s Berklee guitar teachers Lauren Passarelli...

[@flyinmanatee118]

Never thought I would hear that phrase regarding these two. But I'd say you have a pristine understanding of what "the cutting edge" means.

[@meleecritical]

Couple of youngsters. Look at em. Dave and his goddamn Epiphone. Thing is ancient. Need a Rosetta Stone to decipher its serial number.

[@tonymora4242]

Welsh and Rawlings, enough said.

[@andrewdressler6173]

They look like babies way back when. Still tearing it up though!

[@anthonyfarkas9286]

gillian looks like the most beautiful 200 year old woman you never saw

[@ThomasSheehan-j1r]

Bam!

[@Qwoap]

David epiphone sounds so different hear !

[@mortimerschultz]

Grat Set, great Performance - but the cutting is awful.

[@ThomasSheehan-j1r]

She's an operator in my local parlance....

[@beeslide]

Need songs name

[@ThomasSheehan-j1r]

cool seeing that dude shakin his guitar,seeing what was left init.

[@ThomasSheehan-j1r]

lived in hog holler south Tennessee, north Bama get 12? Years,run bro laws med practice,peace,casey

[@rodneycaupp5962]

Dave and Gill are 'Spirit Land level'..., They sing to God and other influences.

[@jellojoe00]

Well I'm here. 30 years late but I made it.