Willi Carlisle | "Tulsa's Last Magician" | Western AF

[@WesternAF]

Willi's new record "Peculiar, Missouri" releases July 15th on all streaming platforms and of course hard copies purchasing is highly encouraged. You can pre-order the vinyl and physical copies at: lnk.to/peculiarmissouri Support the artists and buy their music if you have the means.

[@triggereddaffyduckgettingr4965]

I hope you end up on the grand ole opry one day willi

[@davidrosenzweig1380]

is he from the great state of Missouri?

[@Willi-Carlisle]

@@davidrosenzweig1380 naw, but I'm there a lot! Just the rekkid name. :)

[@Tastyfeet74]

Waiting on that Vinyl. Hi Willi!!! Love you buddy 🖤🏴‍☠️🎶

[@Willi-Carlisle]

@@Tastyfeet74 It's comin! Release is July 15.

[@Willi-Carlisle]

Thanks to the WAF team and all y'all...When I wrote this, I thought it was garbage-- there's a part of all this where you never know what you're doing, just certain you have to do it. The release matters, the joy changes everything, especially when we sing together. Thanks for listening, friends. You're the magic! It's you. Always has been.

[@walker1812]

It's beautiful. Also loved the addition of the cellobass. Can’t wait for your LP this summer. Already pre-ordered.

[@TheGuitarsquatch]

It's so far from garbage. This may be your magnum opus, or career defining at the very least. It's been a while since I felt a song like I felt this one.

[@corylandmark6752]

You are a blessing to this world, Willi. Your work matters.

[@paulsnell2581]

You sir, are a legend. Thank you.

[@johnnyk6460]

Brilliant song and fabulous voice.

[@GemsOnVHS]

This might be my favorite Carlisle song. Can't lie.

[@justinklink1588]

Definitely my favorite

[@wheninroamful]

It's on repeat for me; he talks of a magician while performing his song with his own Magic, no doubt!

[@dakotasilva6697]

Same, Tony.

[@Guitargate]

It's HOT

[@thedumbestgenius69]

It can't compete with Cheap Cocaine in my mind.

[@brendanlindhorst6680]

Ive been to Notre-Dame in Paris. Ive walked the catacombs of Benedictine. Ive heard the monks chant prayer at Conception Abby. Ive seen Willi Carlisle in concert and his music was the most relgious event I've ever experienced. Ive never felt closer to a higher being than the night in Lawrence Kansas when i got to witness Willi. He brings the best out of anyone that listens to him.

[@michaelkennedy8270]

That tear must contain every emotion known to humanity.

[@xaviernorman4947]

Being a magician from a small town in Indiana and coming to Florida to seek treatment from drug addiction and to chase my dream of becoming a professional magician this song hits home in a way I really can't explain but greatly appreciate. Thank you so much.

[@Willi-Carlisle]

Jeezus! Well, it's rare to find a song someone is so perfect for. I'll be at the Orlando Fringe in May if you're in that part of FL. Would gladly introduce you to magic folks there.

[@xaviernorman4947]

@@Willi-Carlisle It would be an honor Willi thank you. I'll clear my calendar.

[@thatONEmachine]

Sure he didn't write it for you?

[@davidgreenwood6029]

Sir, if this song was all you'd done with your life, I'd say you'd have repaid the debt of whatever resources you've consumed and perhaps even whoever's hearts you've broken along the way. godspeed friend.

[@notoriousmasc]

listening to this while you're making a playlist to distract yourself for a shift at a job you don't care about hits DIFFERENT

[@fm-9129]

This song is about feeling like a pariah only to find out that life doesn’t care, so you end up playing the game of life all the way to the stone. It’s a song about modern life. It’s very relatable.

[@retriever19golden55]

If you ever get the chance to see this amazing storyteller live, don't miss it!

[@nlong4028]

A national treasure. We must protect this man...from major record labels.

[@CraigBaldwinmusic]

This song is incredible. I’m a better person for hearing it. So very well done, sir.

[@MFJoneser]

Whoops best song ive heard in approx 20 years

[@joshduncan9720]

Willi Carlisle, the modern day poet to the world. The lyrics, my lord the lyrics. Tugs on your heartstrings and every emotion you never thought you had. He is a true treasure.

[@AllAroundArsenault]

This may be the most amazing song ever written. Goose fucking bumps.

[@zachwhite9957]

Best song of 2022 and one of the best songs ever cut, so so darn good

[@deadair801]

Gets me every time. I'm not a cobbler or mechanic or magician even but this song speaks to something deep inside me, I don't even understand why but it brings me to tears evey time

[@TheWaltm]

What a great comment! almost sounds like a song lyric.

[@Myrzghe]

"someone's true religion always someone else's joke" is the best line I've heard in a while. Song hits hard

[@LewdMobster]

yes yes yes, This is still one of my favourites. Possibly top 3, such passionate story telling. I'll listen to this with my eyes closed, the images pop up in my head and I'll let a tear fall down. Goosebumps.

[@jacobbell5805]

I just want to say thank you I'm crying every time I listen to this as a Young old man

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

This man was singing from his soul. The tear rolling down his cheek proved that.❤️

[@seamuslyden5326]

Heck, that tear is what set me off a'leaking!

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

@@seamuslyden5326 ❤️ me too

[@donhughes7339]

How anyone could write this song and not cry singing it is beyond me. Probably one of my favorite songs. Reminds me of one of my best friends

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

@@donhughes7339 it’s everyone’s fear. That it will have all been for nothing in the end.🙁❤️🐝

[@donnope4414]

Hey Willi, I don’t know you’ll even see this, but I just want to state how incredibly important and essential your music is to my life. To find artists like you, Nick and Benjamin Todd during my lifetime is literally equivalent to discovering Shakespeare living at the same time as me. Artists like you are quite literally the only reason I choose to carry on. Even if you were to never make another penny off of what you do, you should know that you are the true definition of an artist. I hold you in the same ranks that I hold Whitman and Bukowski and Hemingway. I genuinely thank you for what you do.

[@TheWolfElder]

This song hurts so much. New level of pain.

[@jackolantern6172]

Moved to tears. A brilliant and thoughtful song from the heart. This guy knows some things

[@zachwhite9957]

This is the 2nd best song ever recorded. we ain’t even Kin x Benjamin Tod is 1, but the night I saw them both at the Burl is a core memory

[@marcdaniels9043]

I’m late to the party, but Jesus, I’m here now. I bought all of Willi’s albums this morning. The music is overwhelming, but this song stands out for sure.

[@Ilikedagames-rf2fx]

holy whiskers! i am shocked! this music is so jammin 2023!!!

[@ThePowerPlay1]

I saw him in Newport this year (2023). His set was really beautiful and embodied the ethos of what folk music should be, sincere and soulful songwriting. If you can, see him live.

[@charlie_deadOG]

Oh Willi, MAN your a DIAMOND.... Let it shine

[@thumper1334]

After seeing Willi at a festival in Arkansas with my 6yo and 4yo, this is the song they request me to play most often on car rides. Move over Frozen and Hamilton, Willi is taken the wheel.

[@PhilipBowenMusic]

I have listened to this a million times and it ain't enough

[@2dollarsaday]

Many of the greatest songwriters do this - use specific stories to illustrate universal truths. Wonderful song.

[@Weareroses]

Do you know how hard it is to cry and sing at the same time?? I do and this man is magic

[@WasteManagem3nt]

Willi is one of the best story tellers in the business. Thanks Western AF for introducing him as well as Sierra Ferrel and Nick Shoulders to me!

[@damiancaesar1686]

Totally agree, thanks for the introductions.

[@Jody_the_real_cool_cat]

Wow goosebumps! The power in his lyrics and himself, one of the last real singer storytellers out there!

[@ethanmathern722]

As a Fort Collins resident, I approve 100% of Mr. Carlisle and his work

[@rayrayray4116]

Ya know the more I listen to this great tune, I’d also like to tip my hat to the bass player. Just perfect balanced playing and vocals. Bravo!!!!

[@kamarkamakerworks2039]

Crying my eyes out over here. We are so lucky to be able to hear these beautiful words strung together like that. The world needs more poets like Willi.

[@TouchDirt]

Willi does nothing but get better and help make the world a more beautiful place.

[@jasonrumsey5299]

We need more real storytellers like u ! They r to far n in between now a days when we need them most !

[@patriotwelder6521]

I once went to the funeral of a long forgotten about! They had a magician at the service. I remember seeing the magician hiding a coin before his performance. I don’t know why but that has always stuck with me.

[@travisschaffer9752]

This is a 10 out of 10 performance. Unreal.

[@SuperBollus]

I am a MASSIVE John Prine fan.....these lyrics are as good as JP's. Holy shit. SItting here in Australia, tears just flowing down my face. Love ya Willi!

[@onomatopoeiautopia9878]

It's a true poet whose words make "pain" and "beauty" the same thing. Many thanks for this amazing offering!

[@Jayisafunkydude]

Willi Carlisle is the best thing to happen to folk music since steel strings.

[@cedarriver]

This one cuts deep and hits me in a special time in my life. Just what I needed. Thanks so much for your music Willi, helps me to keep my head up. Chords and lyrics below for everyone interested folks! Head over to Ultimate Guitar for exact timing Standard tuning, no Capo 99% of it is the same as the studio version Don't let the chords frighten you. The A-Asus4-A5-switch just needs long fingers and Dmaj7sus4 is basically a G 2 frets up If that's too hard for you, just play a simple A and D instead, works fine as well He plays a lot of Dsus2 (x00230) and Dsus4 (x00233) which I didn't note for reasons of simplicity Asus4 x02230 A5 x02250 Dmaj7sus4 x40xx5 Intro D A G D Verses D G D / D A Asus4 A5 / Bm A D G / Dmaj7sus4 G D (additional A after the last G in Verse 1 & 5) Chorus G D G D / G D A Asus4 A5 / Bm A D G / Dmaj7sus4 G D Interlude D A G D Outro D A G A Asus4 A D [Intro] [Verse 1] Well Tulsa’s last magician got his start at four Pulled a quarter from his own ear and spun it on the floor Since there’s no good tricks but old ones and lyin’ ain’t that hard He saved up all his quarters and bought a deck of cards [Verse 2] And he learned ragtime piano, though his teacher thought him slow Got a black belt in karate from a pawn shop video And he’d practice all his worst mistakes in a dirty bathroom mirror And when his mother drank, he learned to disappear [Chorus] And his classmates thought him funny and good at sleight of hand But he had this grand finale they just couldn't understand It’s hard to tell the whole truth of a family sawed in half And that’s why Tulsa’s last magician left his home so fast [Interlude] [Verse 3] Well down and out in Reno, broke in Santa Fe Turnin’ tricks on Los Sueñeros out in Californ-i-ay They pushed him up against a wall, said "buddy get a grip" So he learned to set himself on fire on the Las Vegas strip [Verse 4] Then he wandered down to Tampa, blew everybody’s mind ‘Cause the crowd was cheap and easy there, on beer and blow and wine They said I wonder where my dollar went, how’d the flower bloom so fast He said "I can’t reveal my secret, though they rarely failed to ask" [Chorus] And the crowd all thought him funny, and good at sleight of hand But he had this grand finale they refused to understand They demanded explanation when the card pulled was their own And that’s why Tulsa’s last magician lost his faith and headed home [Interlude] [Verse 5] Well he said he’d learn computers, like his second foster dad And free-range all the rabbits that were livin’ in his hat His investments all went swimmingly, he had the cash on hidden strings His promotions were a certainty, he could make the numbers sing [Verse 6] Now time and space is easy for magic to control Still it was forty years of workin’ ‘fore he noticed he was old And now his great escaping act is just untying both his shoes And most days he’s in the easy chair, yellin’ at the news [Chorus] And the weatherman is funny and talkin’ with his hands But black clouds are comin’ in, and no one understands That somebody’s true religion’s always someone else’s joke And that’s how Tulsa’s last magician pretty much went up in smoke [Verse 7] So friend if you’re the kind that thinks no one quite gets quite what you are Like you’re cobbler or mechanic in this age of flying cars If you think that you see right behind what’s right before our eyes You might be a small town’s last magician in disguise [Chorus] And we need you to be funny, please be good at sleight of hand ‘Cause there’s a grand finale we can’t hope to understand And there’s a 1 in 52 chance it’s real magic and it’s true So won’t you please help us believe in you? [Outro]

[@TheCunningLinguist]

You're an angel, thank you!

[@imasavage504]

I think I love you.

[@tyllerlongden]

You are a godsend friend, I was already trying to pick this out myself last night. It cuts real deep...

[@artiene87]

🙏 love that you took the time to break this down!

[@Hagb3rd]

Was just about to go ahunting. Yer a gem!

[@MrWizzleKhalifa]

To me this kind of song writing is truly magical. It's simple and timeless and so human that it hurts

[@NathanErtznerMusic]

Willie, I don't think you'll ever see this, but thank you. I relate to this song more than anyone I'm close to will ever know. It's one that clings to my mind just about everyday. It really is hard to tell the whole truth of a family sawed in half, there's a side you can't ever share so you just laugh it off. I find quite a bit of your work relatable. I often think of the song angels more than I should. It's funny I also know a girl from Illinois, but more from up north. I know she'll never be mine but she really sticks to my mind.

[@drummerboy2007]

The higher the guitar the closer to the heart ! Love the song .

[@OzExpeditions]

Amazing! Can’t believe I just found this.

[@wastedempire5116]

One of my favorite Songs ever. Cheers from Germany. Thanks

[@WesternAF]

Thanks for listening

[@vinnyt42allday]

Willi you have to be one of the best songwriters ever

[@nasanoir310]

The upright bass is incredible

[@glennstrangemagic]

As a professional magician and a lover of storytelling songs, this performance hits home from many directions. So, honest, genuine, and relatable. I love everything about this song-a BIG WELL DONE to all those involved in creating this beautiful piece of art.

[@smitty_863]

" It Just feels nice." Yes, it does Mr. Carlisle.

[@robertwalker4680]

tulsa sure is running out of magicians but there’s some magic left. it’s on the outskirts and scattered in town. god bless the new days with old ways

[@grizzlyrick2437]

Artist like this man are the reason I keep going. There the reason I’m learning the Banjo now. Thank you so much Willi Charlie.

[@Willi-Carlisle]

Bless ya, sir! Hope the picking brings you a lot of joy.

[@brandonwinter3089]

These words are incredible. I’ve been a fan of Willi’s for a while now and this might be his best piece to date IMO. The word play is moving and beautiful. Outstanding.

[@bok3669]

Got me shedding tears at my desk... lol love this mans story telling. Beautiful

[@thomasswanson2135]

Just want to watch ol Willi sing and play

[@shawnporter3563]

And the awesome bass player / backing vocals are none other than.._____________ . Tulsa's last magicians best friend.. by any other name.

[@Willi-Carlisle]

It's Grant D'Aubin, the best in the biz.

[@shawnporter3563]

@@Willi-Carlisle It's obviously your video.. but imho, Grants name should be in the credits.. not just the comments.

[@Willi-Carlisle]

@@shawnporter3563 He's absolutely credited in the description!

[@shawnporter3563]

@@Willi-Carlisle Ha! You and this great song are obviously the main feature.. but behind (or under) every great song is a great bass player. I'm sure he appreciates the shout out.. as do the many listeners who will enjoy your collaboration and walk away knowing who (else) is in the band! Ty!

[@mirandag.3277]

another willi carlisle making me cry on a friday afternoon. im not surprised

[@nesterperiwinkle]

Got to see Willi open for Lost Dog and Boy Howdy! What a huge voice, and huge amount of meaning crammed into a few verses. Amazing talent!!!!!!

[@tfs94gt]

WOW. Left me speechless. This dude is absolutely one of a kind

[@jakek5593]

this one deserves 55 million views

[@j3rmz0r]

Did this make anyone else cry

[@ericguillot6402]

I find something new in this song every time I listen to it. Which is pretty much daily.

[@RoryLynott]

Maestro, a trobadour

[@jpgiii85]

This song is just incredible.

[@iancapozzoli5895]

Thank you so much for this song. It means more to many than you’ll ever know.

[@tyharding984]

Western a f gives me the best artists

[@axle1717]

As someone who has a job that is losing people in it who appreciate craftsmanship and nice work. This is such an amazing song.

[@jacobyergert5903]

Ben Tod AND Willi in a week? I'm not ready for this

[@jeremylachambre6134]

Man you give all that you have hearth and soul, what a masterpiece !!!! Bring tears to eyes, don’t let the system take you that….

[@918kickinwing]

I love anything with Tulsa in the title. Peoria Street.

[@jacobhamm_co]

High on Tulsa heat. Goat.

[@LyricalLeavell91]

Just passed back through on my way home to sapulpa, livin on Tulsa time

[@dfinch7804]

That’s one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard.

[@lavenderlounge]

Wow. Outstanding, Willie. Thank you. "But black clouds are coming in and no one understands." Heartbreakingly perfect.

[@heavyzipperz]

Willie Carlisle's music follows my friends and I to the mountains everytime we go hiking

[@DropDeadLegs]

This song is so beautiful and sung so full of heart that every single time I listen to it I end up with wet eyes

[@christiaankern201]

Listen to this almost every day, still cry and the lyrics fit so will with my friend (bartender and magician) thanks Willi Carlisle.

[@josephgravelle8287]

Oh boy! That’s a raw one, I love it!

[@tleek]

I’m so happy I found this channel. Pretty much everything I listen to are artists I found or have otherwise appeared on western AF.

[@deadair801]

This song is real magic

[@starxdpimp1]

Mike McClure sent me here and I am glad that he did. Nice song and story.

[@ammp1619]

This hit home.

[@masonrobinette3875]

Got to see Willi for the first time this past weekend, and all I can say is, wow, what a show.. I haven’t laughed, yelled and almost cry, all in the same hour, of watching a set. And in the end, you could genuinely feel and tell how much it meant to him. Willi, don’t be a stranger and cmon back to the Burl. You’ve got one big family here🖤

[@aintnoprophet]

I absolutely love how Willi puts every last drop of emotion into his music.

[@WJWeber-un7ir]

Chills the whole time. Such relatable lyrics with beautiful and haunting imagery. Willi writes like a poet.

[@anthonybielobockie4991]

Damn bro. Way to live this beautiful song. 100% the finest Amercana song of this year.

[@sethberg2065]

There isn’t another musician or songwriter in the world who can make me feel things deep down in soul like Willi does.

[@GooseBreh]

Song never fails to make me cry every time.

[@iantbailey]

The magic of this song didn’t hit me until second listen; now I’m in tears 🥲

[@tabathaaargh]

You made me cry, I hope you're pleased with yourself.

[@johnhughes1216]

Sometimes a song arrives when most needed. A true artist here, able to capture the bittersweet reality of human experience

[@Irish-eyes-793]

Bass player is killing it with harmony!

[@akiahernandez511]

When i first started listening to this song it started to draw me in and by the middle i was in tears. This is an amazing song and even more so its beautiful music.

[@mumuspain2086]

I don't even know what to say after this. It's just so real. He's talking about people who have been forgotten. Yep, he's earned a fan

[@jamesmcdaniel3308]

I ain't had a song give my heart this feeling since I listened to "roses for momma" for the first time and now I can't stop listening to this song I'm truly a fan of your masterpiece

[@joshuamccloud4062]

Stunning.

[@jameswade1814]

As poetic a song as I’ve ever heard, and as heartfelt a performance as I’ve ever seen. Uncle Willi continues to attach a melody to the human experience.