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Steven ..... Thanks for the Waylon version of Last Letter. I will download it for my Waylon compilation. I used to be a huge fan of Marty Robbins as well (well I still am but dont listen to him very much now) who is a great songwriter right up there with Hank Williams in that genre IMHO.

Diane - the song is a subversive - its not what it appears to be.

I did not know Jimmy Webb had written Galveston - the Glen Campbell version is just perfect to my ears.

Hi Kush,

You are welcome. In the interim of posting the Waylon link and seeing your reply, I deleted the link.
Thought that I may have heard a lyric change in Waylon's cover from the lyrics as recorded by
Rex Griffin. If there is a change, it is in reference to the first person character leaving the world
soon (that may have been omitted in the cover). Didn't have time to listen closely as I've work to do,
but the "purist" side of me wanted to err on the side of keeping the links "true" to the original. Not
saying that there is a change, only that I'm not sure of what I heard. I like Waylon's take on the song,
regardless. His recording of the song gives the lyrics a currency I can relate to. Here's the Waylon link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z-dA1bb-h8.

Hi Steven,

I downloaded Last Letter from itunes. I am biased towards Waylon Jennings singing voice so its a subjective preference, like all of my preferences .

Kush, I share your subjective preference for Waylon Jennings' singing voice.

Here's another sad song by Mickey Newbury: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux6JLQQ0 ... ature=plcp. The singing and the song are touching and beautiful.

Am inclined to not post any more links in this thread. Think the sadness cup is filling over with some of these
songs. Don't let me spoil the party, though. Carry on if you like.

Charlie Rich - the demo version of Feel Like Going Home may be about as sad as it gets:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZIZ6gmE_mo

The "produced" album version ended up sounding a bit less despondent thanks to the choir:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1DO7SnZy34

...also, in another thread,

Junk wrote:I think Tom Russell is one of the (other) great songwriters.
Here's another of his:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO5XU2MRiDA

This is heartbreaking to watch. Vesti La Giubba by Pavarotti


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0PMq4XGtZ4

Hi Eskimo,

Thanks for reminding me of the Charlie Rich's music (Silver Fox). I have listened to a few of his most famous songs (e.g. Behind Closed Doors, The most Beautiful Girl in the world) but never had an album of his. Always thought he had a unique vocal style based with piano driven arrangements. I have now downloaded Pictures and Paintings which is an atypical album of his. May get a better known album or compilation album of his later on. Pictures and Paintings is a terrific album but more jazz and blues styled than his other albums.

Great topic!

This one always kills me by Nina Simone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2R65iRVy7U

Hi Joney! Good to see you back around here. Great that you posted some Nina Simone. She sings with exceptional emotion doesn't she?

in another thread,

Junk wrote:I think Tom Russell is one of the (other) great songwriters.
Here's another of his:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO5XU2MRiDA

The trains used to run all across Mexico
Down through the Yucatan, wherever in hell, ya know?
It was down in San Cristobal that I first heard the sound
Nina's voice on the jukebox
Spinning darkly around
And I was so lost down there
Out of love and walking alone
But walking beside me was Nina Simone

Tonight in my dressing room, the teakettle rattles
Water pipes dripping down on a plate of Spanish apples
Outside in the freight yards, trains they rattle and moan
It's just Hank Williams talking to Nina Simone
Yeah we've all been to hell and back
Where love cut us right down to the bone
But walking beside us was Nina Simone

I've driven your highways and back roads
I rode your Grey Dog
Through the snow and sleet and hail
Through the sunlight and fog
Heard the ravens call morning up
With their little raw saxophones
But the darkest of ravens was Nina Simone