Rainer Ptacek - Life Is Fine - on Jools Holland in 1993

[@hollywoodjack17]

His riffs still echo in the dusty desert streets of Tucson,and we really miss him around here.....

[@HoopaZero]

I was a penniless student in Leeds when this was on TV. I was kinda transfixed, as I never saw a resonator played like this before. Paul Jones featured the album 'Worried Spirits' on his show the same week, which I kept on cassette until I found his CD, and it felt like some cosmic magnet was trying to tell me something As I walked across Hyde Park in the following weeks to my lectures, I saw a tiny poster saying he was to appear at the Duchess pub. I presumed I wouldn't be able to get in/afford tickets, but when I got there no more than about 20 people were in the bar Rainer was pottering about on stage. I presumed he was an assistant, but then he sat down and played what is still the most destroying performance I ever witnessed. Thinking about it puts the hair up on the back of my neck. The little room may as well have had lightning strike everyone This was the first professional musician I ever saw gig, and I am pretty sure nothing is ever going to top it, unless I am sat in a small room with Dan Auerbach or Beck performing I always kept my eye out for another album to add to Worried Spirits in any store I went in, but this kind of music was pretty rare back then. Only when I got the internet did I find out how soon cancer took the guy Massive loss

[@lindabryant3135]

I wish I could have seen him. Great post. Thanks for sharing.

[@sedali3]

there is more emotion in 4 minutes of this song, than has come out of music industry in the last decade

[@ChrisLawton66]

Great music is ALWAYS being released. You've had 8 years, hopefully you've opened your ears by now.

[@twattyshed]

@@ChrisLawton66 ....Of course and I agree....there is one exception.......

[@twattyshed]

@@ChrisLawton66 you are a complete and utter wanker.....have you opened yours.....i doubt it?....

[@beckjuly100]

KXCI, community radio here in Tucson used to have 'all Rainer' weekends. I'd just turn the radio on and leave it on. Even slept while he played. It was the best thing EVER.

[@larry573]

cool.....tried listening without the vid .....works

[@DrDeath26]

I had the opportunity to meet Rainer and spend some time w/ him shortly before his death, and even though he knew he was sick and his time was short, he was the nicest and most genuine person you could ever hope to meet. It's such a shame that such an immense talent AND such a sweet, caring person is taken from us so prematurely. If you are just discovering Rainer, check out his album Worried Spirits. It is a masterpiece. Know you are missed very much Rainer...

[@sgtmac62]

This guy, what a loss. Thx Billy G. for bringing this guy to us. RIP Rainer.

[@Warstub]

It's like a gift that only he could have given and most of the world is yet to discover. This performance is absolutely heart-wrenching. Rainer was a unique human being who gave us so much in the short amount of time he was here.

[@aashutoshdangal7581]

anyone listening this masterpiece in 2021?

[@2spee]

More than ever 🤍🤍🤍

[@NicklasIngels]

No, it's 2024 now and hopefully mankind will never forget Rainer and music like this

[@zimmy81]

Touches me everytime I come back for another listen.

[@lindabryant3135]

This song is my favorite so far. I search for more. What a amazing mind to write so profound thoughts of life. Just beautiful. Yes, life is fine. Even at it's worst. RIP. We lost you way too soon...

[@snieni]

Rainer was so great. I miss him.Thank you from Germany.

[@davidbluesthomas]

enfin une bonne version de ce passage de rainer chez holland merci mille fois

[@hammer123ize]

Had never heard of Ptacek before today. Just listened to the 1997 album, The Inner Flame, [a Tribute to Rainer Ptacek]. What a beautiful work of art that includes reworks by fellow artists like Plant/Page to Emmylou Harris, with a few tasty cuts with Rainer & his superb guitar included. Highly recommended, but can't say enough about the brilliant light that originals like this shine.

[@ExaggeratedGrip]

I met him in Belfast in 94. Shook his hand and had a lovely chat. He was very humble. Anyone who heard or saw him play never forgot him and knew how special he was.

[@JoeyTheGreatest1]

I live in Tucson and recently just heard of this guy upon moving back. This is crazy. So much talent

[@Giselle62]

I just discovered this and share it on Facebook a lot. I'm in love with this song...

[@subtoxin]

I stumbled on this by accident...so glad I did!!!

[@alansquash2003]

What a performance this is - a class act, full of power and emotion. Fabulous.

[@TheBillwilliam]

the best ,,,

[@milanza78]

huh, this is so real, thank you rainer ptacek ...

[@ursafan40]

I love ya Jools , but it's pronounced "Pith sik" Had a chance to meet the man, share a joint, and watch him play 2 nights in a row. He let me record the 2nd nights short performance. Which I found out later was a very rare thing for him to let someone do. Why me? I don't know. We just met him the night before, though we got along jolly good. Great guy. Very down to earth and sociable. Mesmerizing player. One of the best I've ever seen and heard. He is missed by all those graced by his passing through our lives.

[@subtoxin]

A very emotionally moving performance...

[@royyates6865]

The electric version from his compilation album (previously unreleased? and released posthumously) is also incredibly powerful but has an intensity which is unmatched.

[@smaaaas]

@zimmy81 i never heard about Rainer Ptacek till now! there is so much beautiful music out there and we just don`t know it exist. i`m happy now to find out something like this!

[@DrDeath26]

Absolute brilliant musician! Many thanks for this video!

[@lauraeva57]

Death of Wilko Johnson brought me here ... memories of artists performing in the North London / Islington pub the Weavers Arms in 1980s and early 90s. Rainer hijacked a lazy midweek gig by cajun "Companions of the Rosy Hours" (I had friends in the band), completely unannounced, no press and pre-internet days, with a fan base of well over a hundred who packed the small venue. Although not our favourite kind of music we knew we were listening to something special ! This would have been early 1993, maybe co-incident with this broadcast, just after his "Worried Spirits" album which I was inspired to buy ... I've lived long enough to have outlived most of my musical heroes !

[@cheechforprez]

I'll always join in, it's difficult to say anything about Rainer other than what's been said, his musical genius speaks for itself

[@peterhodes6708]

Thiswasthe 1st time i saw Rainer, bought his stuff thereafter. So sad he passed away much too soon.😟

[@Wanderer-l9h]

Stunning performance. It does reflect his health status I think. Play it like it your last go!

[@royyates6865]

one man crusade, on his live album chokes me everytime.....he will never be superseded....

[@Staunts]

In researching the lyrics to this song I found they are those of a Langston Hughes poem of the same title. Adds another layer of mystery and history to this powerful piece.

[@tonyspoetry]

Great guitar work

[@x139883]

Thanks!!!!!

[@larrylarrivee1979]

Magnificent.

[@latexcancionesargentinas85]

Excelent!!

[@Cocrteau3]

PURE MAGIC! Rainer must be the Vini Reilly of the Wild West! I believe that he already knew that he was going to die when this was recorded...and maybe Jools knew as well judging from his reaction!

[@123must]

God bless him!

[@GoodbyePanama]

@RickWhatisee It is I think a national Duolian, 1928. I played it once for a few minutes, although not even in the same world as Rainer played. I knew him slightly thru mutual friends in bands. He was the sweetest guy, and it may sound funny, but there was something wise about him. His technique was incredible, yet he had so much more than that. You don't meet many people like him in your life.

[@zimmy81]

@Warstub A truer comment never been wrote, but your "Dullfish Angler" is also a hidden gem and I loved it.

[@zimmy81]

yes im with you on that, he was special.

[@Earwitness75]

🖤

[@thebigbluesnook]

Nice adaptation of a Langston Hughes poem

[@reverandleroy]

wow.

[@RickTrimmer]

@WhiteNoiseBlack I'm not sure...maybe a National? I do think he got it at the music shop where he used to repair instruments

[@naughtynasse]

Wow! That was great, much better video quality than the clip already on youtube. Got any more Rainer material?

[@zimmy81]

4months have gone by since my last visit here and noone has heard this in that time so just for that im goin to tesco in Manchester, England ,Earth ,for vodka and doughnuts, anyone care to join me?

[@Peacemaker6757]

So rad :D What tuning is he in??

[@cheechforprez]

@zimmy81 not sure about the doughnuts :) but rainers on in my car a few days of every week

[@piptaylor99]

@Dartos53 Not sure about this version. The tuning for Dont know why is Open E EBEG#BE or he used Open D capo'd 2nd fret DADF#AD Sad loss to loose Rainer and Chris Whitley. FYI Scrapyard LB is C#G#C#G#C#D# Best, Pip

[@123must]

Too young he died ! R.I.P.

[@vitoponzio2234]

sold

[@randwan]

Who can teach me to play guitar like this?

[@fdfsdfsvsfgsg4888]

I think there's a crossroads you can find...

[@randwan]

What's crossroads?

[@BlackHoleBrew42]

Go to the intersection of Highways 1 and 8 in Rosedale, Mississippi.

[@royyates6865]

My cat knows a few licks......

[@ClueVios]

Gum in stereosss!!!

[@thecountcount]

@zimmy81 i care! much.

[@vleb]

IMHO, open G tuning. Lot's of fretting behind the slide stuff !!

[@guitarded71]

Duolian, post-1934, pre-1936.

[@TadhgcDoran]

Amazing performance. He had a brain tumor here.