Natalie Merchant Live on Sessions at West 54th, 1998 (Hosted by David Byrne)

[@petera9374]

There is no singer in history that has that vibrato. It is legendary

[@petera9374]

My god she is so beautiful and thoughtful

[@michaeldavid9620]

I've seen many great, legendary, even iconic bands and musicians live but none have ever came close to Natalie. I've seen her live many times and her live performances are unlike anything I've ever experienced. There's just no comparison.

[@karenvanleuven1554]

Ebenezer Grinc

[@johndistaso6353]

Nicely said. Couldn’t agree more, I’ve also seen her live a couple dozen times. Never enough.

[@Edward1312]

She good but your assessment is over blown.

[@FourCorners257]

so envious! I have never seen her live, but listen to her all the time.

[@kimbergbi1]

My first concert ever was 10,000 Maniacs. It was Aug 89. I was 14, and it changed my life. I was lucky to score front row because my friend and I sat outside in line for 5 hours! I don’t think I’d be the musician I am today if not for that experience.

[@spharion7988]

Even after all these...still my Muse!

[@KimTebrok]

What a wonderful group of musicians supporting this amazing woman ❤️👌❤️

[@michaelfraser5723]

well spotted; no arrogance in their demeanor

[@Shackleton71]

She is in awe of Byrne and also so superior in her way. She’s compassionate and it shows!

[@rgbplumbinghilton]

Natalie is certainly special. She is as an amazing songwriter as she is singer. The Tiny desk session is amazing!!

[@klaussiegmund5036]

This trumpet is superb, soothing and groovy and healing…. Thank you for bringing beauty to this world

[@rgonz63ful]

On the trumpet is the one and only Mr. Chris Botti.

[@klaussiegmund5036]

Thank you, will Look out for more music with him…

[@FernandoGomez-zg4st]

@@rgonz63ful Suggestions on Mr. Botti: Night Sessions, Live in Boston, Chris Botti Live: With Orchestra and Special Guests; all the three in DVD/Blue Ray.

[@executivesteps]

I thought the trumpet was crap. ???

[@asmith8092]

a young Chris Botti on the trumpet.....Natalie is as beautiful as ever

[@newfoundlanderonthego]

I have no words to express my enjoyment of this amazing artist.

[@sartainja]

Amen.

[@billsgarage1964]

What can you say she is incomparable....and I love it that the incredible guitarist have played with Natalie for a long time....my hands down favorite artist..

[@judorican973]

A voice from heaven

[@leomerrifield1800]

For sure.

[@peterh8253]

Instantly recognisable without ever becoming tiresome or repetitive. Somehow she knows instinctively how and when to inject the perfect emotion into her singing, be that her own material or covering songs by other artists.

[@blackdawg7361]

Natalie Merchant is a breath of fresh air, always...and she'll make her way, she'll make her way...

[@russmcmeans4667]

Yes. She will be just fine. Our Natalie. She owns us as her thankful audience and we own her in our hearts.

[@terry47family]

lovely what a talent, a voice that made the 20th century enjoyable. I am 73 and dig this young talent.....I tell my adult children that if Natalie and other I dig come my way, I am going to put a dip in my hip and be on the scene. Awesome musicians.

[@moedbeacon2721]

Natalie sounds sooooooo sweeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@timconnollycgcs]

Gulf of Araby - just incredible.

[@BookClubDisaster]

Used to watch pretty much every episode of this show. Never was there a more socially awkward host than David Byrne.

[@pointgiven7857]

He seems more relaxed these days.

[@blackfootcheyenne860]

She is a what happens when gentle spirit clashes with a chaotic world

[@allencollins6031]

So well fuckin said 👏

[@tia2all501]

I Agree with you 💯percent! No One can come close to her Live Show! She’s Mesmerizing. I got to meet her after the show we chatted about Leonard Cowin she was lovely ❤️

[@guernica69]

*Cohen*

[@tw8454]

she plays beautiful piano

[@kjguitarman]

The Gulf of Araby and Golden Bells are beautiful!! Thank you, Natalie and Katell!! ❤️

[@shadmo8629]

Lovely to have found Natalie in my old age...

[@jesterstudiokj]

Natalie: Goddess.

[@darrenwarr3713]

So glad to be listening to her speak and sing, a quantum leap indeed she is a writer of profound ability.

[@richardthomas1566]

Best trumpet ever in a song

[@underock4]

Saw the Maniacs and Natalie at intimate venues, in Edinburgh, Scotland and they were awesome gigs!

[@francescomoretta656]

❤💞❤ When Music and Poetry meet!!! An Angel (with a Great Marvellous Voice! ) called Natalie! 💗

[@user-dn4rx8ev3j]

Gabes suble guitar on Gulf of Araby is Everything.

[@chrismoss1760]

Love this, have loved Natalie since 1987. Always love seeing Graham Maybe on bass as well seeing as I love Joe Jackson too.

[@outtathyme5679]

Wow that’s GM!

[@Caligari...]

Excellent !

[@FourCorners257]

Wow! Over 22 years ago I heard Natalie Merchant's first album Tiger Lilly! I have become a more intense fan of her's as time has gone on. So incredible to see this footage for the first time! Love it, thank you for posting!

[@salsaeightyone]

i have tiger lily and i feel like that was "modern" at the time and slightly sellout-ish. But she is TIMELESS!!!

[@stephanieinman1551]

Check out 10,000 Maniac's, her voice just can awaken my soul! And then some, In my tribe is Great!

[@stephanieinman1551]

Also Red Rain with Stipe &Peter Gabriel, Aammmaazing

[@portcullis5622]

@@salsaeightyone Not really a "sell out" at all, as she funded, wrote and produced it herself. She could have played safe and stayed with 10000 Maniacs as they had just become quite big (and the band name was better known than her own). She could have stayed with the same record company as a solo artist and written the kind of radio-friendly songs that they demanded, but instead she took a risk and did her own thing. Yes, it turned out well and sold 5 million copies, but there was absolutely no guarantee of that happening. She relied on the quality of her voice and her writing. Lyrics about real-life things such as depression, a disabled child and the potential for huge earthquakes in San Fransico could hardly be described as happy, throwaway, radio-friendly songs!

[@rosilenesousa361]

Thanks! It was perfect! Flawless heavenly voice! Timeless songs! David was great too!

[@eccm3132]

How I love that voice.....much love Natalie!

[@skontheroad]

Natalie singing Elvis Costello! Wow!! What a great find!! THANK YOU!!

[@outtathyme5679]

Nick Lowe

[@katielawrence5420]

I love Natalie Merchant.

[@steveparadiso6019]

Sessions at West 54th was an amazing offering of musical performances. Thanks so much for posting this.

[@petera9374]

I am so sad that I missed marrying my muse. She is what music is about. Uplifting, inspiring. ❤️

[@johndistaso6353]

Perfect performance by Natalie and this great band.

[@billryan9350]

In my Tribe was my first CD and still one of the best. A haunting voice.

[@carolmikofsky4976]

Gulf of Araby was included in Live in Central Park, issued on CD. May find video. Golden Bells is on a studio album.

[@leomerrifield1800]

This song is on real.

[@dementiabidenfallingontheb6712]

Such an amazing voice.

[@triciafellman1415]

Beautiful

[@rags707]

1:05 Break Your Heart 8:28 Peace, Love, and Understanding 13:00 Wonder 19:15 Gulf of Araby (w/ Susan McKeown) 26:32 When They Ring The Golden Bells (w/ Susan McKeown)

[@robertabrams8469]

Wonder

[@dk8226]

Heaven. 💛💛💛

[@markmarkofkane8167]

Thank you thank you thank you! I've been wanting to get this! My videotape messed up And I didn't have a good recording! I loved " when they ring the golden bells"!!! My version wasn't the best, and wished they'd release this on DVD. I'm glad I wasn't the only one that recorded it. Finally!! I really appreciate it!!

[@joedegroat7702]

Thanks so much for sharing this! Natalie and Susan McKeown, Wow!:)

[@sjparadiso]

Saw this when it first aired, and so thankful it exists because of your posting. Sessions was a groundbreaking series.

[@othellosmalley7901]

Finally someone posted this, I remember seeing it wen it originally aired this was a good show for bands, oh and yeah I recorded it off the tv at that time on vhs LOL

[@michaelfraser5723]

she's a dancer really

[@richardwilton722]

Natalie Merchant. Always a new side to her music.

[@MISTERFANCYPANTS1000]

She's going on tour, friends!

[@ras0906]

My first time viewing this video. Beautiful. Most interesting to me was her duets with Susan McKeown. Their voices matched beautifully. Susan sounded like second Natalie in the room.

[@th3_g0dz_of_Vict0ry]

poetry (and thanks for sharing).

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

Oh my! Natalie singing an Elvis Costello song!!! The world is better now.

[@robertjury5944]

Peace love and understanding written by Nick Lowe

[@russmcmeans4667]

I don’t think I can switch to Tori Amos now. Natalie has snagged my heart. I’m too emotional now. Plus an epidural in my spine makes for quite a day. No sedation. Just push the needle in. Pain bad but nothing like my bad pain days. Maybe a 6. 6.5 for 1 minute. I should lay down now. 3:48 am pacific time now. UTube concert addictions.

[@sartainja]

Hope you back pain improves. Have my fair share of it.

[@leomerrifield1800]

I know the feeling.

[@CupofCloud]

I feel you. I never was a cornflake girl

[@abun7555]

They are not exclusive. Yes, Anastasia can still be enjoyed.

[@shelleyberry188]

Thank you so much for sharing this gem from the past. Every time we come across it, it reaffirms how much of an awesome, caring human being both Natalie M and David Byrne are. 🌈💗🦄😎

[@gravyedwards9853]

Ophelia is my favorite album of hers by far. She’s been on my bucket list to see for years but I don’t remember her ever coming to Nashville. I’m planning to fly out to CA and catch her later this year. Very excited! Just love her! ❤️

[@pearlynx]

Just lovely! Thanks for posting.

[@russmcmeans4667]

Prettiest song by Natalie.

[@madamemeng884]

Natalie was such a beauty in those days. Oh to be young again!

[@rgonz63ful]

Thank you so very much for enlightening me. I appreciate your effort in my quest. 👍😊

[@constancemiller3753]

My son was reading Wonder in class when I told him it was sparked by a song. He can fall in love with her now.

[@sartainja]

Natalie needs credit for the book and the movie.

[@dionisioavile6441]

Natalie la mejor, te arrulla con su voz.

[@sartainja]

Superb performance.

[@grahamematthews3221]

Great voice Great band,,,,

[@waynealvarez6519]

Is she in the RnR hall of fame? She should be

[@outtathyme5679]

It’s in her

[@th3_g0dz_of_Vict0ry]

the really neat thing about this show is how Nat singularly focuses on who the central, collorating band member is; I mean, she laser focuses on the discourse like here with her lovely back up singer. But there is also a definite connection between her and one certain guitairist which I won't explore the backstory of (who cares? It's self evident) ... but Nat and this back up singer, the dialogue and focus they give one another is asonishing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGPInIBsgbuenKM

[@stevenantosofsky154]

How come Natalie Merchant doesn't get together for some performances with the 10,000 maniacs. Wouldn't that be an event ?

[@carolmikofsky4976]

No. She outgrew them. You can still play the old albums. (We have most of them.)

[@regularguy1140]

She over shadows them so much she could literally just hire a band and play those songs and know one would any difference

[@pablofr74]

She is out of this world...

[@outtathyme5679]

Natalie’s art is like her life depends on it

[@voxxclamantis9668]

These two are sooo effected, jeez the 90's were way too introspective, I fell into this shhitt too. But, now it's just so amped up, I wish I couldgo back to these oh soo self involved days, but there gone forever.

[@corneliakoller1914]

hug

[@berndueberschaer7766]

You lucky guy... I did found her music too late in my life, apparently no chance to experience her live...what a pity...

[@MISTERFANCYPANTS1000]

She's going on tour, my friend!

[@berndueberschaer7766]

@@MISTERFANCYPANTS1000 Thanks so far, but I guess she is touring in th eUS, I am living in Germany...unfortunately...

[@MISTERFANCYPANTS1000]

@@berndueberschaer7766 Das wäre eine starke Grund uns (New York) zu besuchen.

[@berndueberschaer7766]

@@MISTERFANCYPANTS1000 Thanks, I will think about it...actually one of my nices is living in New York with her husband, another reason to meet them..

[@wexwuthor1776]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@corneliakoller1914]

support local

[@skontheroad]

GREAT uploads!! Thanks so much!!! Do you happen to have anything from the Bearsville Theater, circa 1999?? I am desperately looking for 1, possibly 2, specific shows?? Thanks!!

[@amyhammer5830]

This bass line

[@dionisioavile6441]

Sería maravilloso la traducción al castellano.

[@salsaeightyone]

what the heck channel was this on?!

[@otmichelle619]

This originally aired on PBS. I was actually at the taping for this.

[@tubeyou89119]

And Chris Botti is in the background.

[@raulgonzalez3462]

Can anyone tell me the name of the first song in this video. It’s amazing. Thank you.

[@pointgiven7857]

Break your Heart from Ophelia album

[@BookClubDisaster]

Songs like Wonder just don't work as well without Jen Turner's fluid leads.

[@deaf19830]

Love Natalie but it’s not the same without Jennifer Turner playing her awesome lead guitar,