This is definitely one the best live performances of his I've heard on here. Or live performances ever. Seriously wish I had had the chance to see him.
The Fuji Rock concert is much better. His back up band is a lot better as well as the recording. Anything by Elliott is good. Think he has the same bass player. ua-cam.com/video/T_um_VAmxXw/v-deo.html
Full disclosure, I'm a wee bit obsessed with Elliott's music. I've listened to pretty much every live recording of shows and other work he's done that I could possible scrounge off the internet. I imagine a lot of you who are here also have done the same. But for real, this is really one of the best sounding recordings from this time period by far that wasn't professionally done. Sound quality is super on point. Not to mention it's with Quasi backing. Too good.
mglenwright09 Even better- I was at that show, halfway between Elliott & the bass player. I keep wondering if I’m going to see myself in this video. What a show!
Cat's Cradle staff recorded all the shows back then and ran sound from the board. I drove about 20 miles to see this and had to be to work at 4:30am. Got a speeding ticket on the way home.
@Green Rocky Road oh yeah, janet's harmonies make some of these songs for sure, almost sort of seems that's how he intended them to be yaknow. they seem in their element here : )
I fucking adore this live. The band version of all these songs is.. stunning. And I didn't understand floors me. Instant favourite! Thanks elliott, wish I could have been there somehow
I've seen Quasi twice since '04 and they were both unforgettable shows..but who knows what I would trade top see them play backing up Smith. Talk about an f-ing dream team. It's such a sad thing that getup of friends can no longer all be together
The early shows with quasi have such a raw quality to them. Makes me wonder what the "Grand Mal" album would have been like before he turned it into XO.
happened to be in the mood to listen to a concert video and found this on September 29th!!!! Very lucky, and god those two voices work together so so nicely
Elliot is one of the most beautiful, meaningful, and influential muscians that those of us who have experienced his honesty and natural talent playing the music he shares makes every listen or watching of live shows become something new. it creates real emotion and inspiration. There really is noone like him...A legacy built w humilty but he's not the type to be labled.loved and missed forever. @sugarmagnoliajams/youtube
These downloads always show Elliott Smith as the damn rockstar he was. Although not as revealing or as intimate as his solo performances they are precious recordings. May Arttsts like Elliott Smith and Philliop Semour Hoffman rest in peace. I haven`t felt frustration about a loss of an actor since Heath Ledger. They should hunt down the morons selling the poision that killed Hoffman. Damn it all.
drummer's been watching ringo. so sweet to see elliott in a forum without a cam two inches from his face like they wanna taste the salt of his marketable tears.
Bled White just absolutely SLAPS with full backing band and young Elliott, still empowered by the potions and poultices; before the witches' magic inevitably turns on their consumer. In it, fast, tight, and loud; with such emotion. 🫦
Is Elliott being extra quiet, or is his mic not very hot/potted down at times? The chick on drums is coming thru LOUD and clear, meanwhile I can't hardly make out Elliott's voice. I mean, I get that he was quiet, but hey, soundboard guy; this is literally your job. So, ah, start leveling that nonsense out. Get the house acoustics and instrument variations to sound close as you can to a studio track. [Make them SOUND GOOD.] Sheesh.
Hi @toodeadfordreaming , about the conversation that u mentioned with Elliott's father. I assume he's not his stepfather, but i never heard about his real father, if they had any relation, etc. Was he that has this video? Thanks.
in my opinion, it's possible, but very highly unlikely when compared to the probability of the other scenario.. but everyone has their opinion. besides, arguing about it had become a faux pas lol.. cheers!
I mean, the tone doesn't really work for his songs. Don't get me wrong, it still sounds great, but it's unfitting. His closed shows where it's just him with his acoustic guitar and asking people for songs are still the best of his performances imo. I guess that in a way this is kind of dynamic, some songs did sound great here like Division Day, but songs like Between the Bars are supposed to be more intimate, almost lullabies.
Ah man I love these versions and think they work great. I love his solo acoustic performances too though, especially early on. But it's so great to hear these versions too. This is the only electric show I've seen where I feel like Elliott is really playing electric guitar with a lot of expression. And Quasi kills it backing and his singing is also really expressive. Also it just looks like he's having a lot of fun which is cool too.
I get what you're saying, but I have to disagree. I really appreciate hearing Elliot's music in this environment, working with other musicians, with a little drive behind it, and I'm not sure how all that would work with an acoustic ...all the solos? ..crescendos? (Bled White gave me chills!) ...I love the intimacy of the acoustic and I agree that many of the songs were written that way, but it's good to hear a well practiced, tight group interpret his work so articulately. The drummer is superlative! (..just realized that's Janet Weiss, perhaps the most underrated drummer ever, so... yeah) This group may be the best combination I've heard for Elliot. ...and his solo recordings exist, are beautiful, and can be appreciated at any time. More perspectives, more appreciation, more art.
With a backing band, this is actually one of his best performances. His voice sounds great and playing is ace. Drummer and Bass are playing so tight keeping within the song just top notch.
I get the impression you didn’t see him play live in person with his bands. Those shows in person were really powerful, loud rock shows. Trust me, in person at those shows I never once wished the band wasn’t there. Although I guess if you’re the kind of person who generally prefers solo acoustic performances I guess there’s no getting around that. I always thought it was important for Elliott to show off how well he could rock (after all, that’s what he did on his albums, where he played electric guitars and solos and all the other instruments, right?) The show I saw with the Figure 8 band on (or around) Halloween in Pittsburgh where they covered Don’t Fear the Reaper, and Elliott played it with the monk costume he was wearing that night turned around *backwards* for that song, with the hood covering his face? Oh my god. Just insane. And he played the whole song, solo included, absolutely perfect. Killer.
There were band shows where it worked and ones where it didn't. There were solo shows where it the purest thing and solo shows where he wasn't in the moment. The thing about Elliott playing live was that he when he was there he was completely there and when he wasn't you felt it. If you're looking at in retrospect, then I get it: you're making a judgment based upon a) what was recorded; b) what sounds good to you. If you were there at the time, you were kind of hoping he was in a good place when you saw him, and sometimes he wasn't. This is a good band gig. He had his friends around him.
![Elliott Smith Acoustic Live - Black Cat, Washington DC - 1998 [audio only]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/iTcaWpuoqqQ/mqdefault.jpg)
He was so full of magic and light in 1998.
This is a really nice thing to say.....
Bottle Up and Explode! has to be one of the most underrated songs in the history of music...
I was 18 and there. It was awesome.
So lucky!!
Lucky
This is definitely one the best live performances of his I've heard on here. Or live performances ever. Seriously wish I had had the chance to see him.
The Fuji Rock concert is much better. His back up band is a lot better as well as the recording. Anything by Elliott is good. Think he has the same bass player. ua-cam.com/video/T_um_VAmxXw/v-deo.html
@@rcdowdy actually i think this is better, not the video quality necessarily, but his performance
Every freaking song is a hit. Genius.
You know your a special talent when you can get an ENTIRE audience to shut up. Elliott Smith=Best songwriter ever.
This chick on the drums is amazing. Love how she compliments Elliott’s voice, really different sound than his usual.
Todd Ericson that's janet weiss, she also drums for sleater/kinney. was absolutely blown away by her playing when i saw s/k live a few years back.
@@piggsquigg983 Janet is basically the best drummer going. I mean, among all drummers currently drumming.
bro thats fucking JANET WEISS
@@piggsquigg983 also played with Stephen malkmus for a bit
@@jearpster ...and Bright Eyes (Cassadaga era)
Full disclosure, I'm a wee bit obsessed with Elliott's music. I've listened to pretty much every live recording of shows and other work he's done that I could possible scrounge off the internet. I imagine a lot of you who are here also have done the same. But for real, this is really one of the best sounding recordings from this time period by far that wasn't professionally done. Sound quality is super on point. Not to mention it's with Quasi backing. Too good.
mglenwright09 Even better- I was at that show, halfway between Elliott & the bass player. I keep wondering if I’m going to see myself in this video. What a show!
Cat's Cradle staff recorded all the shows back then and ran sound from the board. I drove about 20 miles to see this and had to be to work at 4:30am. Got a speeding ticket on the way home.
@Green Rocky Road oh yeah, janet's harmonies make some of these songs for sure, almost sort of seems that's how he intended them to be yaknow. they seem in their element here : )
Janet Weiss was such a great drummer/vocalist for Elliott in this period.
I fucking adore this live. The band version of all these songs is.. stunning. And I didn't understand floors me. Instant favourite! Thanks elliott, wish I could have been there somehow
It's so inspiring to hear these songs performed so well with these arrangements.
I've seen Quasi twice since '04 and they were both unforgettable shows..but who knows what I would trade top see them play backing up Smith. Talk about an f-ing dream team. It's such a sad thing that getup of friends can no longer all be together
I was at this show and was a big fan of Quasi AND Elliott Smith so this was a night to remember and can' believe the entire show is online.
The early shows with quasi have such a raw quality to them. Makes me wonder what the "Grand Mal" album would have been like before he turned it into XO.
goddamnit, pictures of me always gets me going. one of my favorites off either/or, easily
This version of Speed Trials is sublime. Great gig!
Really digging the girl on drums singing backing vocals, never heard before. Works well
happened to be in the mood to listen to a concert video and found this on September 29th!!!! Very lucky, and god those two voices work together so so nicely
All Elliott’s show are so different from one another. I love that!
This is the best live elliott show i've seen
hearing Elliott being backed by an entire band really adds a different flare to his sound. This is amazing
It's cool to hear a show like this
Elliot is one of the most beautiful, meaningful, and influential muscians that those of us who have experienced his honesty and natural talent playing the music he shares makes every listen or watching of live shows become something new. it creates real emotion and inspiration. There really is noone like him...A legacy built w humilty but he's not the type to be labled.loved and missed forever. @sugarmagnoliajams/youtube
These downloads always show Elliott Smith as the damn rockstar he was. Although not as revealing or as intimate as his solo performances they are precious recordings.
May Arttsts like Elliott Smith and Philliop Semour Hoffman rest in peace.
I haven`t felt frustration about a loss of an actor since Heath Ledger.
They should hunt down the morons selling the poision that killed Hoffman. Damn it all.
Lot of Gen X talent is sadly gone.
I was at this show! Thanks for posting! Magical.
I went to quite a few shows at Cat's Cradle back in the day!!!
monumental !!! thanks for uploading, such good audio quality
audio makes this xs, extra special
Thanks a lot for uploading this - what a gift
happiness vocals at the end are unbeatable and bring me to tears lol
it’s beautiful, Sam’s harmonies are so good
thank you so much for sharing this with us!
got goosebumps at 00.45 - when the drums come in...
drummer's been watching ringo. so sweet to see elliott in a forum without a cam two inches from his face like they wanna taste the salt of his marketable tears.
janet fucking went off on bled white. so kickass.
They sound so good!
How can they remember all the different parts and changes especially the drummer, not her songs
Because Janet is the best drummer of her generation.
Rehearsing
I was at this show.
Wow. Seems like an intimate show, even if it is Elliott with a backing band.
You lucky boy
u done good
I knew him after he dead. I really sad about it. You lucky.
Me too. I was caught in a sea of Chapel Hill high school students, front and center. Once the music started, it was all good.
Love this!
I just realized that this is 21 years to the very day ago. Cool.
David Dillehay Are you a time traveller?
can't believe i missed this show!! I was totally NOT into Smith back then but I was definitely hitt'n up Cats Cradle on the regular!!
Fantastic
Happiness sounds so good in this set what a rockin song
This is one of his best performances
quasi and Elliott is a recipe for excellence!
It's perfect!!!!
wow honesty is explosive!
2016 and I still can't overcome Elliott and Quasi playing together.
2024 and I can’t either
check out Heatmiser
Bled White just absolutely SLAPS with full backing band and young Elliott, still empowered by the potions and poultices; before the witches' magic inevitably turns on their consumer.
In it, fast, tight, and loud; with such emotion. 🫦
Is Elliott being extra quiet, or is his mic not very hot/potted down at times? The chick on drums is coming thru LOUD and clear, meanwhile I can't hardly make out Elliott's voice.
I mean, I get that he was quiet, but hey, soundboard guy; this is literally your job. So, ah, start leveling that nonsense out. Get the house acoustics and instrument variations to sound close as you can to a studio track. [Make them SOUND GOOD.]
Sheesh.
do you think he can hear you or..
Wait a second, is that a tattoo of elliott's self titled album ?(7:11) Can someone tell?
Good drumming in Waltz 2
Janet gonna Janet.
I really like between the bars on this set. Seems kinda aggressive with the electric
FYI the correct date is September 29, 1998.
Also you have the wrong date, this is actually September 29, 1998. On January 29 he was in between shows at Largo, in LA.
elliott on amps. he was doing well here
+george malko
you are just tellement vrai
in french
I love this notherfucker RIP gone way too soon
Best koncert i have seen with Elliott!!
Hi @toodeadfordreaming , about the conversation that u mentioned with Elliott's father. I assume he's not his stepfather, but i never heard about his real father, if they had any relation, etc. Was he that has this video? Thanks.
He has lived with his father during his high school years in Portland.
@@dithirambos but he's not "charlie", just another guy
@@brunosm.l2267 Charlie is his stepfather, his father is Gary Smith.
It's really weird to see that out of every Big Star he could have covered... he chose "Stroke It Noel" lol
Backing band, Quasi (Sam & Janet)
what a fucking set
i feel u
Vonnegut's novel ?
Which song?
becuase it's sad and probably true
in my opinion, it's possible, but very highly unlikely when compared to the probability of the other scenario.. but everyone has their opinion. besides, arguing about it had become a faux pas lol.. cheers!
why do u always bring that shit up?
female drummers are a great idea
yeah, females are a great idea.
JCBigCat I like pussy
oh, fuck you all
sam janet elliott classic shit
That would make a great shirt.
Damn i am fucking confused lol, tired.
2020
I mean, the tone doesn't really work for his songs. Don't get me wrong, it still sounds great, but it's unfitting. His closed shows where it's just him with his acoustic guitar and asking people for songs are still the best of his performances imo.
I guess that in a way this is kind of dynamic, some songs did sound great here like Division Day, but songs like Between the Bars are supposed to be more intimate, almost lullabies.
Ah man I love these versions and think they work great. I love his solo acoustic performances too though, especially early on. But it's so great to hear these versions too. This is the only electric show I've seen where I feel like Elliott is really playing electric guitar with a lot of expression. And Quasi kills it backing and his singing is also really expressive. Also it just looks like he's having a lot of fun which is cool too.
I get what you're saying, but I have to disagree. I really appreciate hearing Elliot's music in this environment, working with other musicians, with a little drive behind it, and I'm not sure how all that would work with an acoustic ...all the solos? ..crescendos? (Bled White gave me chills!) ...I love the intimacy of the acoustic and I agree that many of the songs were written that way, but it's good to hear a well practiced, tight group interpret his work so articulately. The drummer is superlative! (..just realized that's Janet Weiss, perhaps the most underrated drummer ever, so... yeah) This group may be the best combination I've heard for Elliot. ...and his solo recordings exist, are beautiful, and can be appreciated at any time. More perspectives, more appreciation, more art.
With a backing band, this is actually one of his best performances. His voice sounds great and playing is ace. Drummer and Bass are playing so tight keeping within the song just top notch.
I get the impression you didn’t see him play live in person with his bands. Those shows in person were really powerful, loud rock shows. Trust me, in person at those shows I never once wished the band wasn’t there. Although I guess if you’re the kind of person who generally prefers solo acoustic performances I guess there’s no getting around that. I always thought it was important for Elliott to show off how well he could rock (after all, that’s what he did on his albums, where he played electric guitars and solos and all the other instruments, right?) The show I saw with the Figure 8 band on (or around) Halloween in Pittsburgh where they covered Don’t Fear the Reaper, and Elliott played it with the monk costume he was wearing that night turned around *backwards* for that song, with the hood covering his face? Oh my god. Just insane. And he played the whole song, solo included, absolutely perfect. Killer.
There were band shows where it worked and ones where it didn't. There were solo shows where it the purest thing and solo shows where he wasn't in the moment. The thing about Elliott playing live was that he when he was there he was completely there and when he wasn't you felt it. If you're looking at in retrospect, then I get it: you're making a judgment based upon a) what was recorded; b) what sounds good to you. If you were there at the time, you were kind of hoping he was in a good place when you saw him, and sometimes he wasn't. This is a good band gig. He had his friends around him.
rude boyZ
It's hot in here
Who cares
Know what i mean?
No
❤
The backing band’s vocals are terrible and they don’t harmonize well but Elliot is great.
are your damn ears broken?