The Making of ELLIOTT SMITH (Self-Titled) - featuring Larry Crane, JJ Gonson, Tony Lash, and more

[@UncleSubBass]

"Portland in the 90s was one of those towns you stay in or you go to if you had no plans for the future." Truer words have never been spoken. It's hard to overstate how 'out there' and isolated from the real world Portland was before the internet. That had a good side and a very dark side, but a very real dark side, as opposed to the superficial dark side it (and other such towns) has now. What a great documentary.

[@phonoauraband]

Elliott may be the only artist to release 4 perfect records in succession. No one else is capable of creating work so consistent. He's a musicians musician to the core and will be remembered for generations.

[@everythingunderthesun2370]

Whoa, are you saying Figure 8 isn't perfect?? Imo XO is his weakest

[@jimtroeltsch5998]

@@everythingunderthesun2370 Figure 8 is indeed perfect. Xo maybe his weakest, but it's still lethally beautifully and profound.

[@nobody-gh2yf]

Roman candle?

[@edenbeats.8569]

roman candle, self titled, mic city sons and either or are my holy grail of music

[@Em-gj2sg]

Tool

[@MrPotatoMind]

I think I've watched this 17 times now, as an amateur recording artist and a huge Elliott fan, this is indeed dust of gold.

[@logoutandrew4569]

This is the best album I've ever heard, and after listening to it, I start playing guitar and writing music

[@redvine1105]

Dear person who created this video: you have done something really great and worthwhile here. Thank you.

[@catface101]

Needle in the Hay 3:48 Christian Brothers 16:35 Clementine 27:38 Southern Belle 32:47 Single File 38:16 Coming Up Roses 41:01 Satellite 44:38 Alphabet Town 50:31 St. Ides Heaven 1:01:50 Good to Go 1:09:26 The White Lady Loves You More 1:12:22 The Biggest Lie 1:16:57

[@inshambles2]

Legend

[@zappafan3473]

I'm just going to cry my way through this if that's alright with everyone.

[@FACEGRINDproductions]

Thank you for this! I'm surprised that this doesn't have more views. A lot of people seem more interested in him being some "depressive icon" instead of recognizing his songwriting abilities, humor, and intelligence.

[@Phil_f8andbethere]

I bought Either Or on original vinyl as my first album and was totally blown away by it. He reminds me a lot of Jimmy Campbell - another great artist. I'm now in the process of discovering his other albums.

[@ktmtxt]

This is beautiful. Thank you for making this for the world to admire. He'll never be forgotten, he is just too good. Love you all ❤

[@ShaiUI]

for me the self-titled was his best album. although arguably his best songs are angeles, between the bars (from either/or) and miss misery from the good will hunting soundtrack. but there's something about the self-titled album that can never be matched. I feel he did best with minimalism. I didn't really like how in later albums they added the hifi sound and many instruments like drums, piano, etc. to me, his essence is best captured just with his yamaha fg-180 and an sm57 and doubling up his vocals, just like it was done in self-titled. he didn't need more than 8 tracks. these days we have much better equipment but few artists can match his raw talent.

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

They’re all so good. XO prob my all time favorite but even New Moon is up there. Angel in the snow, talking to Mary, going nowhere, go by, Georgia Georgia, whatever (folk in c), new disaster, see you later… all A+ songs.

[@robmaddison8645]

Self-titled is his best album for me too. It was the one I gotten a hold of last too. I think it's the beauty of the song structures throughout, low key bare bone instrumentation and just him exposing himself on record with no fancy production. Songs like Clementine, Satellite and The White Lady Loves You More hit so hard whilst he sings them with a whisper. Amazing really.

[@phillafco1039]

All his phases were great. I think if he had finished Basement as the double album it would had been unbelievably good. Even the posthumous release he left unfinished is up there as a favorite for me.

[@akeithing1841]

They have all been my favorite but self titled and xo are probably my most listened to cuz yowzerz.

[@DrewStilesMusic]

I agree that Either/Or and this album, with less orchestration, are his best, and some of the best albums ever, though I prefer Either/Or

[@rezlogan4787]

Every song on this record really feels alive. These interviews underscore the social context I always missed. It gives a new perspective on his creative process and helps me better understand what he was trying to get across. He didn’t always succeed on this record, but it was a one of a kind effort. I can hardly believe how cool it is that the preamps used were designed by Greg Sage!

[@seanmcaloon131]

How does this only have 14 likes?! Awesome insight into Elliott and his recording process and background on arguably his best album. Good stuff!

[@EnzoFerenczyo]

You're right I'm an asshole, I totally spaced the first time 😆, but Elliott makes you come back again.

[@knuckle12356]

Because these savage casuals who somehow _STILL_ don't know what's good for them only ever search for query strings along the lines of "elliott smith good will hunting song," MEANWHILE, diamonds such as this run the risk of remaining mostly buried. Oh well, at least we'll never be fighting for a spot in the shade when we meet a fellow fan traveling the KZbin desert; hunting for these oases.

[@mz-hv2vh]

Omg, This best algorithm recomendation ever

[@jala1081]

13:30 100% agree, with elliott you get both, great guitar/music and great lyrics

[@placeholder23]

Larry Crane is a hero to me.

[@JunkBondTrader]

Woww thanks for the upload! Insanely interesting. This album was perfect. I love music produced around the age Elliott was when he made this. You can hear that youthful, surging creative energy, but also you can hear an artist still discovering themselves. Sort of naive songwriting and sound compared to his later work, in a good way. Just sounded as far from contrived as possible. I guess, organic would be that word... The darkness, and mixing style make it so iconic sounding.

[@LifeoftheRecord]

I agree, this album was always my favorite Elliott record since it sounded like he was discovering something new. The technical limitations helped make it so interesting and mysterious. To me, it sounds like he was the most focused on this one and was able to capture the feeling he was going for. Thanks for listening!

[@JunkBondTrader]

@unpopular streamer an obsessed Elliott Smith fan :p well I wouldn't be the first.

[@levelanchorage]

it was crazy finding out he made music solo and hearing this album after being a heatmiser fan in middle school. The same year I got Elliott Smith was the same year I got the 1st Frusciante solo album and it was the same year I started smoking weed and tried mushrooms, all at 14. No wonder I am so fucked up lol

[@exquisitelyuseless9109]

Loved, appreciated and never forgotten. Rest in peace, beloved soul-

[@dylonbangss2804]

Played this in my headphones at work today. Found a lot of inspiration in this. Thank you.

[@kinnklem8534]

About Larry's concern about the bullshit writings around Elliott. I just want to say, from the clips I have seen of Elliott is that he had a great, great sense of humor. Like the time an interviewer used the word kerfuffle, he quitetly had a laugh for himself. His amazing laughs. It stands in such contrast to his music, and it has made an impact on me. Anybody appreciating his music would not easily fall trap to bullshit articles as they're bound to encounter this side of him, which also is present in some of his songs as pointed out in this podcast. (also... the mailman thinks me dumb!???) Just my pov on the case.

[@aguscg7897]

I think the people who really appreciate Elliott's music see him a beautiful person and don't see him as a gloomy uni-dimensional caricature. He in fact endorsed multiple meanings and complexity in both his lyrics and music.

[@levelanchorage]

the times i saw him live he was cracking jokes.

[@caleb9352]

please do one for either/or I loved this video

[@benjamin-neal-warner]

This is insanely inspirational, thanks so much for putting it together. I've listened to it dozens of times.

[@riffraffrichard]

That was great to hear! So lovely to hear how simple and pure the recording was, those are the qualities that make true creativity happen

[@billdauphine951]

That's what I was thinking....a snare a a cymbal on a 8 track....

[@danielwetzel7777]

Nice surprise. I wanna hear every records story

[@oldaccount5217]

I often wonder why Antonio Carlos Jobim is such an underrated heatmiser song as well as an underrated bossa nova guitarist

[@ray2958]

wow absolutely amazing, particularly leslie's commentary. loved hearing insights on the equipment, the fact it was recording mostly in the morning (this has always just captured the dead of night so perfectly to me), and all the little behind the scenes subtleties personal favs for me: clementine satellite st ides heaven

[@justinroconnell]

Thank you, Dan.

[@TheMisterMonkeyman]

Great doc. Cool people with interesting insights. Larry Crane especially is a sharp guy and he hits many nails right on the head in this. The whole thing is enjoyable. Thanks for sharing it with us. Peace.

[@a_marjalizo]

very in love with the piece, thank you for the hard work

[@Royster931]

Brillant, thank you all

[@stefandrechsel8727]

Just wanted to thank you for putting this up, this is so amazing. This brings to life everything around this time and the production, the pathway he was on, what was captured during that time. It is like putting a lens on his music back then and now you see even more details and beauty in music. This is just great, thank you.

[@BobbyKakouris]

What a treat this was to listen to. Thank you!

[@raindaresmusic]

this was amazing. could listen to this stuff all day, thx!

[@jamesheath7601]

Elliott would’ve been 52 today August 6, 2021

[@phillafco1039]

Does anyone know if a similar interview podcast was made for the Either/Or 25th anniversary expanded edition?

[@spacealienjesus709]

This is a gem.. So glad i came across this. Thank you..

[@DrewStilesMusic]

Thanks for creating this!!!!! I had no clue and have loved this album for years

[@alexanderm8476]

Amazing. Thank you. Elliott Smith is my hero.

[@DeannaFaye]

This is such a cool find

[@nononoitaintme]

Luv this, thx!

[@weemps.]

Thanks for this

[@robmaddison8645]

One of my favourite albums of all time. My only issue is that some of the lyrics are too dependent upon themes of human weakness fallen into degeneracy. I say this as someone who's tastes have changed as I have got older. I suppose the question is, would these songs have come to fruition without these lyrics? Either way, if this album proves one thing it is that one man and a guitar can create as much beauty as a symphony orchestra.

[@christiangasior4244]

Everybody is taking about his genius chord choices. Amazing stuff all around.

[@strangeclimate411]

somehow elliott's speaking voice sounds deeper than usual. it sounds like him but not exactly. maybe its the audio quality

[@freeecountryy]

It's the recording. Elliott's voice is higher than it comes across in this video's audio.

[@mrcarlincool]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

[@prexents]

this is so special, thanks

[@segnoggin]

I need one of these for figure 8

[@TheMillieSmalls]

Damn, this is so fucking good. Thank you so much.

[@wagnerrr23]

July 1994. I was 12 years old going to Burnside everyday an skating under the bridge.

[@DrChaunceyBlevins]

This was great.

[@sspipes8739]

Thanks for these interviews. Such a gift to hear the stories behind such a beautiful album.

[@danielwetzel7777]

In comparison to basement on a hill. These self titled "drug" songs do sound much more outside looking in story telling. But something like strung out again or kings crossing is definitely getting personal

[@8ulls3y3]

Fantastic content.

[@logwind]

Thank you for this.

[@chrissteiger4199]

Once when I was on one I was looking at the artwork, the cover and it appeared to be white lines of drugs in there. Like along side the windows. Now I'm not so sure it's on there or was intentionally ever there.

[@lastjedi6239]

Love love love this guys!!

[@niceonesmithy]

very nice ❤️

[@osullivanscott]

This is so great, thank you!

[@bramhalfschepel]

great stuff. First hand info on his studio time. thanks

[@secretowl3561]

Awesome video n.n

[@fjjfjdskosirghoi1369]

Is this Elliott playing at 1:21?

[@LifeoftheRecord]

That is music by North Home (northhome.bandcamp.com)

[@garrettramirez428]

Saying there were no indie/post-punk acoustic guys before Elliott is a bit much. It goes back at least to Daniel Johnston, if not Jonathan Richman.

[@jimmorone1631]

This was so good! Learned a ton!

[@dingodundee1212]

Brilliant!

[@eljimberinoq5518]

hi - where is the rest of the interview at 33:00?

[@derekcampbell4209]

What’s this from?! Amazing!

[@chrissteiger4199]

Clementine ❤

[@marcelinomedina3232]

❤️

[@knuckle12356]

51:26 oh Elliott. You know how I know you know your way around heroin/hard drug addiction? Never heard a non opiate user refer to "dope" when referencing heroin etc. This tract of interview always struck me as an artist on the cusp of becoming widely known with an album release to promote, and the DJ is saying he was a gay abuse --victim-- survivor junkie who looked strung out and in withdrawal last time he stopped by...which was just enough street cred to have written songs this dark. And Elliott isn't trying to give a record label any excuse to gain leverage or influence over the direction of his music and career. So maybe just stfu about me looking sick and being a junkie, and we talk about this album instead, godDAMNIT. At least here he says it was music he wrote at a time when he was in a different place, and this was more his truth once upon a time rather than anything at present. Whereas I've heard other interviews from similar early years where he straight denies having anything to do with drugs, and that these stories were non autobiographical, and were supposed to be him walking a mile in the shoes of someone he saw at a bus station, or on the streets in Portland. Which again sounds like someone wanting half a chance at success before the machine starts ripping them apart. I understand why he shoved his denial at interviewers so boldly, but it's a shame, since it makes me suspicious of other answers he might be sculpting to present as favorably as possible.

[@antonlestevo8273]

He was definitely using Heroin when he wrote "Needle I'm the Hay" you don't write a song like that with such insight and clarity around drug use, scoring drugs, being strung and isolating, without having first hand experience, he probably kept in under wraps for the first few years, but id put money on it that he was in early stages of Heroin addiction when he recorded the first two albums.

[@stides-cx6mm]

I mean I very much get your point but based on the fact that his close friends have somewhat debunked that claim (see Heaven Adores You doc) I think it really boils down to Elliott’s pure talent in storytelling. He knew how to observe, how to put himself in someone else’s shoes, and deliver a compelling, thoughtful narrative in often less than 3 minutes. It’s hard to really say what the truth is but I don’t doubt that this could just be a manifestation of that skill 🤷 Fantastic song either way

[@antonlestevo8273]

@@stides-cx6mm it's like someone writing a song about a country they've never been to, or trying to describe an animal they've never seen before, it wouldn't make sense, it's way to close to reality of addiction and how it feels, you know when you first start using you can keep it from your friends for a while, the honeymoon period doesn't last long though and eventually everything is out in the open . Even some heatmiser songs I've noticed the references to scoring, " always there when all else fails, over by the west side rails" ? Just my opinion I would put my money on him using or at least dabbling a long time before he declared his addiction, he basically declared that in his lyrics first though..... anyway....❤️🙏

[@stides-cx6mm]

@@antonlestevo8273 Many good points. It certainly wouldn't be unthinkable for him to have had that experience at that point in time and kept it under covers. At any rate, I am grateful that he was able to take a life of struggle and use those experiences to comfort millions. He's created a space for people to relate with such depth and emotion-- almost as if he's saying "I know how it feels."

[@nicholasderienzo7364]

He was an addict at the time. Not necessarily to Heroin. But, to alcohol and amphetamines. So, he had the mindset. Heroin was a popular drug in the early 90s especially in the northwest. Plus everyone has seen a junkie/drug movie. I agree with the comment that mentions his amazing storytelling ability. I think he said the song was more about “dependence” in general. Or he could of been chipping and hiding it from everyone like you say. Ha. I wasn’t there. All speculation. But, what isn’t speculation is that the song/album is great!

[@wagnerrr23]

“Falling out on 6th and Powell a dead sweat in my teeth.” There is no 6th and Powell, but there is a Motel 6 where 6th would link with Powell if it went thru to Powell. 4 “more blocks plus the one in my head, down, down stairs to the man, he gonna make it ok.” 10th and Powell on the east side is right off the bridge and there’s huge old Victorian style houses there that have been renovated into apartments. It’s been this way for many decades. The motel 6 has always been a spot to score and I used to score in those Victorian homes myself. There’s also a lyric about the west side rails that I can’t remember which song it is. But that was another known spot back in the day. It was before the max went out to Hillsboro so pre 1997. The west side rails was the end of the line. “Now on the bus nearly touching this dirty retreat.” That nails the anticipation of being dope sick and waiting on the f’n bus to get you there. I’m not sure how in the world you guys think he wasn’t an addict but he most definitely was… Alphabet town is NW Portland. Alder, Burnside, Couch etc…. I don’t think this was about New York City at all. There’s many stories that he lived in NW for a while. My conclusion to this is as follows. I’ve struggled with these same addictions my entire life. There’s many periods of my life that I was totally sober and clean and I would do great things in these periods, I would make great choices and meet really great friends. When I would allow myself to destruct I didn’t go around those people, you’re living and thinking about one thing and that is the drug itself. The more times you fall off the harder and harder it gets to come back to reality so to speak. My guess would be with all the physch medications mixed with all the other drugs it’s going to really skew your reality and finally you’re done, you’re not gonna go through that torture of getting clean again. That’s why I don’t fall anymore, I know that I might not be able to make it back one more time. This is just the thought of a guy who grew up in Portland and ran some of the same routes he did. I maybe totally wrong all together. But I don’t think so.

[@josephedwards4325]

Southern Belle is so powerful.

[@williamkelley1783]

it's quite funny and a bit sad to hear these old friends and collaborators stumble over themselves trying to make a case that Needle n the Hay isn't about using heroin and doesn't reflect first-hand experience -please--you people are just being silly. Needle in the Hay is about heroin--and certainly people are free to use the song as an allegory of some kind--but the meaning of the lyrics is clear, and song meanings are not entirely subjective. That fact --that Needle in the hay is about heroin---doesn''t make it any less of a brilliant piece of songwriting--in fact I'd argue that it's most effective when you don't obscure the lyrics with a bunch of convoluted second guessing; please don't try to water down or 'sanitize' song lyrics.

[@riffraffrichard]

The slightly wonky cello really works

[@KoreTake78]

What, the white suit was given to him to wear at the Grammys - new to me.

[@prohibitedbeatz]

58:10 pretty sure portland is more of a dumpster fire than ever lol

[@wagnerrr23]

I’ve lived here for 40 years! Dumpster fire sounds nice compared to the reality…

[@EnzoFerenczyo]

I love all of this but am I the only one that finds the upspeak and vocal fry of her(the one that's so proud of needle in hay recording) really annoying?

[@agcummings11]

Yup

[@TheMonolake]

His voice always sounds harsh when recorded in studio. His live recordings like at amoeba sound way better

[@galetinm]

Lol, no.

[@riffraffrichard]

Sometimes the double tracked vocals takes away from the beauty of his voice

[@KingPhoey]

❤️