Jimmy LaFave's Final Song

[@JKI108]

God bless you Gretchen for this beautiful remembrance of Jimmy and you, Otis, for posting it! This is as accurate and heartfelt as it gets! I played guitar for him for years and was in the band for both of the gigs described here. Whenever anyone asks me about Jimmy I never quite know what to say because he was so unique and real and his ending and the way he chose to go was so courageous and tragic that I'm always afraid I'll start to choke up the way I am now, having just watched this. Gretchen is telling the unvarnished truth here as hard as it must have been for her. He was a big hearted but complicated guy and you had to be ready for that to work for him, but he was the best band leader I have ever worked with in my 50+ years as a soloist. It was like a jazz gig - he would change the keys and the tempos and feels nearly every night. It was definitely heads up ball the whole time - you had to pay attention and give his music 120%. If he liked what you were doing, he let you keep going. If he didn't, he'd shut you down. Total honesty! There was never one rehearsal - everything was on the fly. In my mind it was the perfect gig. Man... Anyway, I'm rambling here. Thanks, Gretchen for bringing it all back so beautifully and to you Otis for presenting it!

[@otisgibbs]

It's good to see you here, John! We met a long ass time ago when I opened for y'all at The Cactus. I stayed up late that night listening to Griff tell Townes stories. It seems like a lifetime ago. Hopefully we'll cross paths again when I'm back in Austin. : )

[@artemisXsidecross]

jk inmon I would like to hear about who else played on Jimmy Lafave albums. Your work is excellent and thank you. Edit: You may have edited after my first comment made here, but let me again praise you al well as all the others who made his live performances and recordings welcome pasture to roam.

[@JKI108]

@@otisgibbs I remember! I was way nervous that night. You’re doing a good thing with this channel, Otis! I try to catch every one. Hope our paths cross again down the road. Peace…

[@JKI108]

@@artemisXsidecross Thanks, Artemis! Means a lot!! The list is long, needless to say. He was kind of like Dylan in that he liked to change up his band members every so often to keep things fresh. A savvy way to do things in my opinion. As far as I know, he always credited the players on the albums…

[@artemisXsidecross]

@@JKI108 Thank you. yes, albums in those days before CD's and now streaming had written material and listed who produced and played on them If people who played on the music we enjoy could ever share that information a wealth could then be better shared and noted. You as well as others deserve it.

[@texasplumr]

I'm not ashamed to admit that I cry any time I hear his angelic voice. If I believed in angels then I'd believe they sound just like Jimmy. Thanks Otis and Gretchen!

[@otisgibbs]

Much love to ya! : )

[@jimmylafaveofficial]

Thank you, Otis for including Jimmy LaFave in your brilliant storytelling. It is an honor.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you for the kind words and much love to y'all. : )

[@Claytone-Records]

I used to see the old Night Tribe band regularly here at La Zona Rosa, Chicago House, Cactus Cafe and all the others here in Austin. I would watch Larry Wilson finger picking his Strat and basically got free lessons watching and chatting occasionally with him. What great guys and Jimmy… well if you are reading this and don’t know the name Jimmy LaFave then this is why you are watching Otis Gibbs and breezing through comments and the message is this: Get yourself a gift of hmmm… ‘Austin Skyline’ is where I started and it is from the timeframe I saw him perform the most here. It is excellent. Jimmy was an excellent Dylan interpreter and there’s several Bob tunes here done in JLF’s inimitable way and the band is Hot! His rendition of Leopard Skin Pill Box hat is to die for. Thank you Otis and Gretchen for this wonderful telling. Clayton Kusaj Austin, Tejas

[@offaxisdude]

Jimmy such a great talent..i met him in early 80's in oklahoma,i was playing a gig and he asked if this guy could set in...one problem ,he was underage!!! so i talked to the bartender,the longhair kid gets on stage,i said "what cha wanna sing"? he did rock candy by montrose,love hurts by nazareth and a few other tunes..and he nailed em !!! .,i asked what his name was so i could tell the audience ,he said"Garth.....Garth Brooks" when he came to dallas on tour in the 90's he sent a courier to bring me 10 front row tickets! i became a huge fan of Jimmys over the years,we crossed musical paths several times.....he was one of the best interpreters of any song i ever heard...rip brother...raff

[@thomasmurtha3323]

I am lucky enough to have a recording of this concert. I am a massive fan of Jimmy LaFave everything Gretchen describes what i saw in a recording of the concert. I heard Jimmy singing On the Bus to St Cloud before i knew about Gretchen. RIP Jimmy

[@LastMoonboy]

One of the biggest regrets of my life is not seeing Jimmy play live before he passed. His music continues to be the anthem of so many of my days and nights. A truly remarkable singer songwriter, not to mention a few of his covers that he does are better than the actual composers themselves. What a Legend he is

[@rustyreid]

Such a great talent. Thanks for the story.

[@plumme216]

Getchen someone said "Jimmy's here" and I thought this is Jimmy you knew somehow that he would be there.. But when he took the guitar and he sang "good Night Irene" it was, is and will always be a memory that still brings emotions so deep they will live in my memory heart forever.... I often think if and smile ~there is a stage in heaven he is on it. Missed loved so very much. Thank you what a beautul memory done so well.

[@31446963048]

You sent me down a rabbit hole. Gretchen is so right in that you can hear the different influences (I heard Bruce Hornsby, 70s/80s pop rock, Dylan, 60s soul, wailing James Brown not funk) and its distinctively his own. Gretchen's telling of his final song sets up the depth you will experience in the simplicity of his final moment (its on youtube) and the beauty in the sadness of his final moment. Im tearing up in just wanting to tell you thanks, Gretchen. Thank you.

[@willysunday]

Thanks again Otis. Thanks so much to Gretchen and the folks below. Chris Buhalis sang "Worn out American Dream" to end his performance at our little venue a few years back. The song just knocked me out. Had to ask Chris where it came from. Next day I bought a couple of Jimmy's CDs and obviously need to get more. Chris told me, as other friends who knew his music how much Jimmy's life and personality affected theirs. Much as Gretchen described here. Blessings

[@libbyperry1265]

Thanks for introducing Jimmy LaFave to me. Just watched 1996 Austin City Limits concert. Wow! True angel😇

[@LastMoonboy]

I drive a truck for work but play and listen to Jimmy LaFave songs for a living. Listening to this interview this morning in my truck as the sun was coming up to the east, I felt completely surrounded by the right things and all around better about life knowing what Jimmy left behind for us. Thank you for this Otis and Gretchen.

[@scottkidwellmusic9175]

Thank you, Otis and Gretchen, for the beautiful story and tribute to Jimmy LaFave. 🙏 Be good to you 🤍💛

[@joeurbanowski321]

I’m at a loss for words.. RIP Jimmy..❤️

[@artesiansquare5768]

Thank you Gretchen and Otis for posting this. We were there, sitting upstairs in the theater. It was a memorable and poignant evening because of Jimmy’s fragility. Everyone was spellbound by his shear determination. The musicians and music were top-notch. Thank you for the memories. Jimmy’s music lives on.

[@nyegreg]

Thank you for this. I saw Jimmy perhaps 20 times through the years, mostly in Austin. I miss him so.

[@stevenbutler5142]

A great story of remembrance by Gretchen.

[@jamesblair5971]

I wish I’d have discovered his music earlier but what a true artist.

[@philtron1969]

I was honored to play guitar for Jimmy for a few years. He was one in a million and is sorely missed. Thanks for this!

[@mojo6778]

Unfortunately by the time I discovered Jimmy LaFave, he had just passed, I would have loved to have seen him live. I have quite a collection of his music and picking a favorite is tough as they are all great. Jimmy's voice is so soothing, and very unique. On a Bus to St.Cloud is definitely one of my favorites, and I think the first song I heard by him, but other favs are: Only OneAngel, Never Is a Moment, Woody Guthrie, Walk Away Renee, Not Dark Yet, and Oklahoma Hills.Thank you for spot lighting Jimmy as more people need to hear his music, it is medicine for the soul!

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Mojo!

[@Texasbluestunes]

Jimmy had such a big following, he could have just played central Texas the rest of his life. I used to see him at Gruene Hall at the bar, in the 90s. Cool guy. Gone too young. RIP Lafave

[@msinks]

A wonderful human being, one of my finest memories will always be when Jimmy came and did a show for us in Pampa, Tx supporting the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center. Betty Soo and Michael Fracasso joined him doing 'a Walking Woody's Road' show. It was incredible!

[@celeryzevil]

Thanks SO much for posting and sharing this.💕💕

[@williamperkins7318]

I shed a tear to this story. I see I am not alone. Laugh and cry every day, it lets me know I'm alive. Thank you.

[@DocJJohnson]

Thank you...

[@hypnocracy6102]

Never saw Jimmy and can't say I would know his music...But, after listening to Gretchen talk about his last gig...that is going to change.

[@cherokeefiddler]

I'm a big fan of Jimmy LeFave's music. Among my favorites are "What a sweetheart like you....." and his take on "Walk Away Rene". Thanks, Gretchen for the stories and thanks Otis for capturing and posting them up here.

[@stevenbutler5142]

Jimmy was the master if vocal melancholy.

[@scottscott8230]

His last appearance is on KZbin if you search for it you will hear him sing Goodnight Irene for the last time it is a tearjerker

[@mitchmatthews6713]

One of the best house concerts I ever saw was Jimmy. Those were the days. Thanks, Otis!

[@MrEst1953]

Beautiful people and beautiful memories, God bless you all.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

Ivebeen listening to Gretchen since I saw her on here, really nice to "discover" her talent. She mentioned Tom Russell, I played with him at a party once, that brought back a memory. Well, that was the way to go out, hope I can perform up until my time.

[@Ybor-ld6uq]

Great job Otis and Gretchen. Checked out Jimmy’s version of Bus to St. Cloud. Stunning. What a song 🎵 and Jimmy’s voice just knocks me out. Thanks for making the world a more beautiful place..

[@brianmobley1720]

That was freaking Beautiful, made me cry over my lunch but it was a Good cry thank you Gretchen and Otis ✌️😎

[@thesongwritersdropin2565]

That's an incredibly touching story. it shows you the power of music and the human spirit. Beautiful.

[@gregmattox]

Damn, Otis. Another video, another rabbit hole. Great story.

[@jswjanjan]

So beautiful. 💔 Thank you Gretchen💖

[@donny_doyle]

So much love it's almost unbearable...

[@regunter6599]

Stonehoney, Jimmy LaFave and Red Molly did the Bob Dylan song "I Shall Be Released". I really think it is the greatest cover of that song possible. Of course I love Gretchen Peters and Jimmy LaFave but that song the three of them did blew me away.

[@c.p.vaughn5329]

I was fortunate enough to video his entire last show a few weeks earlier at Threadgill's South in Austin. Jimmy was in good form and had many fine musicians for a final tribute. It was very emotional. I used a professional Sony camera with XLR sound.

[@jimmylafaveofficial]

C.P. - what is a good contact for you?

[@justin.8777]

Thanks for putting me on, I've never heard of him! I'll look up his records. So glad that you mentioned Mickey Newbury, he's another one that people just don't talk about anymore and it's a damn shame. Otis, if you have any friends with Newbury stories I would absolutely love to listen. As always, take care.

[@otisgibbs]

I recorded Gretchen talking about Newbury and I'm hoping to publish it in the next week or so. : )

[@justin.8777]

@@otisgibbs No way!! You're the best, Otis. Looking forward to it!

[@joswestenberg]

Luckily I saw Jimmy many times perform here in the Netherlands, since 1994 when I saw him first. Every tour I tried to go see him and his band as often as I could. Beautiful original songs, great performer of other artist's songs and heartfelt performances. My favorite song: 'Worn Out American Dream' from his Buffalo Return to the Plains album.

[@artemisXsidecross]

'Worn Out American Dream' could have been written today; Jimmy Lafave had his hand on the pulse of American values.

[@dougthompson9596]

Love Gretchen and her songs…she’s right about Jimmy, he was the greatest interpreter of Dylan I ever heard. Thanks for another home run interview,Otis!

[@megatuanis]

He was better than Dylan

[@BST501]

❤❤❤

[@otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Jimmy LaFave song? Did you ever get to see him live or meet him? If you did, I'd love to hear about it.

[@AndySalinger33]

Good morning, brother Otis. This was a very sweet installment. My favorite JL song is “Never Is A Moment”. 🕊

[@jadent33]

I was fortunate enough to meet him as well as see him perform several times a year. He came to Houston on a regular basis. He was such a genuine sweet spirit. So hard to pick a favorite…Only One Angel is pretty high on the list❤

[@johnrosier1686]

I have seen some of the video from this show. Hearing the story from a friend of Jimmy’s and someone who was there in person really leaves a lump in my throat. The Drive-By Truckers had a song- “The Living Bubba” from one of their early albums about a musician who was dying but still went out and performed with whatever he could muster up. This story about Jimmy reminded me of that song.

[@tomdevlin9274]

A sadness that is real. A lovely tribute. Thanks.

[@artemisXsidecross]

Jimmie LaFave's is a favorite song and lyric interpreter as is Tom Russell that was mentioned too. Jimmie LaFave had roots to Oklahoma as well. Jimmie LaFave albums had some of the best musicians to be heard. I had seen video of his last performance as described by Gretchen Peters and what a strong performer is Jimmie LaFave. His legend lives on.

[@otisgibbs]

Much love to ya, Artemis! : )

[@frankoshields6643]

Thank you Otis & Gretchen, I had never heard of Jimmy so I knew I had to look him up. Oh man why has it taken me so long to find this great voice. I but I have now. The both of you gave Jimmy a new fan for life. I already got a Playlist, so fare Going Home is at the top for me. I do so dig your channel Otis, you are one of my fav's on YT. Thanks again gotta get the head phones on a dig on more of Jimmy.

[@glennjustice2760]

Don’t know this guy but am about to listen to him. What a great story! Thanks Otis and your guest.

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Glenn! : )

[@ToadMeister313]

Loved this story .. Deeply. 🌵

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Kyle!

[@edwinbrashear7729]

Excuse me Otis...got nothing I can say...Thanks Gretchen for sharing...How about this...I think I'll just go cry...PLH-ELB

[@otisgibbs]

:🤎

[@GuyEmusic]

I never got to see Jimmie but I've almost worn out my ears listening to him...

[@oddshot60]

This is the WILDEST coincidence. Right up front ... I never heard of Jimmy LaFave, I'm sorry, but it's just the truth. I've been digging around lately for Rock/Pop tunes that I loved back in the day, to try to do covers of in kind of a old C&W or folk style. This morning the tune "Just Walk Away Rene" came to my mind. Well I did a search, listened to the orig ... and then the Soul Music version ... and I watched/listened to a couple other covers ... and then I came across Jimmy LaFave. I don't have to tell you that doing a cover and not making it sound like a cheap copy of the orig is HARD. Doing a cover ... and making it "different" is REAL HARD ... and doing a cover and making it TRULY YOUR OWN is freakin' near impossible, and only a few really can do it. Dwight, Johnnie Cash and a couple more come to mind. Jimmy LaFave's cover of Just Walk Away Rene had me crying this morning. The orig is such a powerful and beautifully performed tune ... but Mr. LaFave turned it into his own. Yeah, I know who he is now ... and will be listening to more of his stuff.

[@megatuanis]

Well said! He was an absolute treasure. Another amazing cover of his is "Sweetheart Like You" ... Better than all the other covers AND the original. His covers are better than the freaking originals!

[@g2guns562]

Hello Otis Gibbs ,wish you well fellow Hoosier hello to Amy and animals ❤ As well, have a great save week friend

[@ronwarnick5248]

I know of what she speaks with Jimmy's voice. I was at the Woody Guthrie tribute concert in Tulsa, and he performed "Deportees," with Rosanne Cash on backing vocals. That voice of his brought more heartbreak than any performance I could think of from that night.

[@volpe109]

Thank you so much for this. I'd never heard of Jimmy LaFave before this. I did a little searching and found "River Road." It literally stole my heart. The voice, the tenderness, the commitment to that song as he sang left me in tears. I'll be finding as many more of his songs that I can. God bless and continue to do what you're doing Otis. My heart breaks for the loss of this man. Love always.

[@darrell3368]

Ottis thanks for sharing it was a great story

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Darrell!

[@geeman9999999]

Such a great interview and memories, Gretchen. You and Jimmy LaFave are two of the best ever. Thanks for these memories :)

[@drumsleuth]

Just like the last time I saw Ginger Baker walk him to his drums and he played like a monster.Does not matter what you play if you are a musician you can play until you die.Sick or broke and dying we play to the end of our time.

[@raymondfulton3972]

What a story. I remember this night. There were lots of facebook posts around Austin from that evening. Here is a video of the event. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIvUk4hvitmKodU Jimmy is missed.