Initiation (Live from Center Stage) | Tommy Emmanuel 

there's no need for copyright, literally noone else can play like this

I've loved T.E's music for years but only just come across this now, stuck the headphones on and my three braincells were bouncing all over the place, the bass was lifting my jaw upwards and my eyebals were popping out, this has to be one of the greatest performances of all time.

Years ago I saw him on stage at Steenwijk The Netherlands. There was no word to find for this, it was great.

this song is still one of the single greatest pieces of guitar EVER WRITTEN.

That is beyond genre; that is unique.

I met Tommy when he was playing years ago with my friend Robben Ford at The Bottom Line in NYC. I was blown away with this Song. (& Tommy who couldn't have been a nicer Human Being!). I truly couldn't get enough of this Song & ran downtown the next few nights just to hear him play this. Aboriginal, Innovative - definitely felt Initiated! Was beyond excited finding it here and it feels just as amazing as it did all those years ago. Grateful to whomever recorded it !

I’ve had the good fortune to see ‘Tony Enamel’ play live 15 times. And will again in April. Best living acoustic guitarist, hands down.

Can't understand why this video didnt get more than 100 million views, this silly world

You’ve just heard every known sound a guitar can make

I’ll never forget hearing this live, there’s nothing like it. Gave me chills. Like a powerful thunderstorm in the arena. Pure emotion and mesmerizing.

There are certain iconic performances that not only define an artist, but cross all boundaries to reach directly into The souls of all who experience them. This, I believe, is one of those performances. Tommy not only plays his instrument, but inhabits it, inviting us all inside with him each time he plays so that we can experience it’s joys and mysteries right along with him. You could not ask for a better player, or more congenial host, than Tommy Emmanuel.

We recorded several versions of this song over three days, in front of different audiences. THIS was the one where the feedback and guitar interaction came out just perfectly.

I had never heard of Tommy Emmanuel when I bought his album "The Journey." It was a mindblowing experience. I don't think I've seen him perform anything from it until now. If you think he's an amazing acoustic player, you should hear him play electric. He can do it all, acoustic or electric. When he plays, Chet Atkins looks down and smiles...

Tommy walks into guitar store. Manager: No trying out guitars please sir.

Interesting thing about Tommy Emmanuel: He's just as wonderful at being a friend and decent human being as he is at playing the guitar.

Since I was a young boy in Australia Tommy Emmanuel has never failed to inspire me....THANK YOU Uncle Tommy 🎸🎸👍👍❤️❤️🙇🏻🙇🏻 This song is pure passion and genius ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

1992 sir, I was a fresh faced 12 year old boy and I was lost for words after your concert in Wodonga Victoria. I nervously went up to you after the show when you were signing autographs and you signed my program. It was a present for my 12th birthday. I will always remember that concert and you as one of the most influencial musicians as I was learning guitar. Thank you for the memories.

Words alone can not describe the emotions that flow through this man.

The man is on fire! What a performance.

In 2008 i saw him playing this song in the most beautiful concert hall in Budapest... It sounded gigantic... It was honestly the most powerful and exciting musical live experience i have ever had. You're really dont know whats coming next and its just takes you to another place, time, and dimension.... Really unique experience. I wont forget that night thats for sure. I dont know how many years he played this, after the year of 2008 but as he told recently this version was the final, and best.

I love all of your music Tommy! I pray you and your family are safe and our hearts are breaking for Australia 😢

Hats off to the guys who made this recording. It's a pretty good recording and it's the first time I've heard it done with a vocal. But seeing it live is a different animal. Seeing it live brings me to tears. Every. Single. Time. It's that powerful, live. Thank you, Tommy!

Determination was the 1st Tommy album I bought......this is my origin song. Tommy is the reason❤️

It feels australian roots, rythms, earth, ocean, breath...,superbe voyage ! Merci Tommy🙏

Tommy is the greatest guitar player of all time.

Fantastic! Incredible sounds and that all simply with one guitar. Now more than ever: Tommy is the greatest!

He is still evolving at this age. the genuine musician in all of genuine musicians. この年齢でまだまだ進化してる。本物の中のホンモノ！！

Orang tua ni memang gila!!serius dia ni genius.. tu je mampu aku katakan,salute tomm

At the first Internationa Guitar Festival held in Kirkmichael Tommy played this and it was the first time I heard this and when he finished the place erupted with applause.

only an Australian could make sounds like that! It's sad but it made me think of all the animals in the bush reacting to the fires.

I was at this very show. Thank you to Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico for bringing this man into my musical life.

Дякую Томмі, за цей «чудовий міжгалактичний круіз, з м'яким приземленням». Натхнення Вам!

A new invention, a new style to play a guitar, unbelievable. Not things like a “one man band” oder beats together with playing the guitar. No. That’s life. That’s from the origin of music, very deep sounds, a combination of very old and deep music/sounds combined with modern thinking and technology. That’s a beautiful symbiosis. What amount of creativity you must have to create such action not only with your guitar skills but within in your head, incredible. That’s what we need. A deep music that reminds us who we are, where we came from and of the very beginning. Everything in the universe has a rhythm, everything dances. ~ Maya Angelou

4:56. That is unbelievable. That's arguably the most understated thing about this entire performance. How did he do that so perfectly?

With Tommy, just learning to use the delay and percussive effects at this level is like learning a completely new instrument. And I believe he’s stated that he was trying to capture the feel of aboriginal music. More amazing, he always changes it up. We’re witnessing a once in a generation talent.

I saw him do this live in the 90s in Sydney. It's still the most breathtaking musical performance I've ever seen. It almost feels criminal this video has less views than Classical Gas.

You hail from out of this universe...my heart almost forgot to beat..... 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

the version that made me fall in love with your music! what a timeless masterpiece!

that is simply extraterrestrial, what an outstanding genius...Had goosebumps during the whole nine minutes! You are the greatest guitar virtuoso on earth Tommy!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

one man encapsulates the emotion a whole orchestra would convey

Holy freaking amazeballs! I'm at a loss, there just isn't enough words to do this man justice. Far out.

I'm just watching this with shear amazement and wonder, how are those sounds possible with just a guitar. If there were an effects pedal I would understand but this is incredible!

Never thought guitar can sounds like that. It is very impressive!

As always amazing, creative usage of whole instrument and delay effect.

Montgomery, AL 7 or 8 years ago maybe longer was the first time I experienced Tommy "live". His genius continues to amaze me. God gave us a true gift when we got Tommy.

Dude's an alien. No human could play the guitar like that...

The absolute MASTERPIECE!

I first heard this on Determination nearly 30 years ago. Its still awesome. Love ya Tommy.

Tommy is the Only genius that god hasn’t taken away from us

That was AWESOME Tommy !

Nice to see this on the tube again... this is the masterpiece that introduced me to the genius of Tommy Emmanuel years ago.

This is insanely innovative and cool

Seriously Tommy, THIS SONG has to be one of my All Time faves! - That concert you did in Salt Lake City with the masters class I attended was AMAZING! - But it was your performance back then 2007 of Initiation... It was TRULY SPIRITUAL!! ABSOLUTE MAGIC!!!

If there was ever a demonstration of what a guitar can do without all the techy gadgetry this is it. Amazing!!!

Tommy you are a legend, can't wait to see you back in Melbourne 😊 One of my favourite songs is this one. 👍👍

This man is an inspiration to all who listen.

Out of the world.... who's this superhuman?!

i am so awestruck. holy fking shit. tommy tell me what you CANT do. i love this!!!

Tommy are you human? Incredible!

Long term Tommy fan here - I adore this version

Ahhh my favorite piece from Tommy, the ambience of this is just perfect 😱

Wow.

Wow, Tommy! Great performance!

I seen you in concert at Mount Gambier, still love your work!! I played this song many times while busking and people loved it, ofcourse it wasn't as magical and hypnotizing as you! I have trouble playing guitar these days as I had a TBI and can't get into the zone anymore and my mind goes blank. 😢 Thankyou for sharing Thommy!! You are the only guitarist at such a level.

sounds like a horror/thriller and action roll into one movie😮mind blown

Haha. That guitar is scratched up everywhere except on the pickguard! Love ya Tommy!

He really is a percussionist who happens to be a guitar virtuoso. I remember when he was the drummer in Richard Smiths band.

Thank you very much. Your music introduced me to Chet Atkins. Your "Classical Gas/Walk don't run" and "Hurt" are incredible.

I've travelled to wild lands to become a warrior or a hunter, under Ayahuasca or something like that, just closed my eyes and listened. Magnificent. Thanks a lot, mr. Guitar!)

If you weren’t watching it, you would think that this was a entire band playing.

Saw him play this at I think it was the first Kirkmichael Guitar Festivals ran by Martin Taylor and for those that went all had a right good time

That guitar tunings on the fly...

Can't help but say this, "You're a true entertainer"...love from India💖

Hey Tommy! Not sure if you remember me but I talked to you a few times back in September, (and of course I remember your incredible dad jokes about sleeping like a log and waking up in the fireplace), but I just wanted to tell you how much you've inspired my playing. I've been watching all of your videos and taking notes on every little nuance of your playing, and it's started to completely transform the way I play the guitar. I really cherished every conversation we had and I just wanted to tell you how much you impacted me both with your musical ability and your heartwarming kindness.

Ele é. incrível. Esses sons que ele tirou agora poderia ser usado como música tema de filme. Ele é um gênio. O cara viaja no violão, se entrega, interage com o instrumento, e a música, parabéns

I went to one of his first performances of the Determination album tour. It was just phenomenal!

Terrific performer! My all time favourite performer!

Mesmerizing, Great Performance 👏👏👏

Watching Initiation live is totally a different feel. And I miss that guitar that Tommy used to tour with.

That guitar was brand new at the start of the concert.

MIND BLOWING!!! WOW!!!

He is the king of guitar in my mind.

Play this song for someone, and ask them how many musicians and what instruments were they playing? Then show them the video.

Always the best, greetings from Spain

This kind of music might just bring the rain!

The artistry of Genious is just that, ... Genious!!!

Incredible

Too Good!!!👍

Brilliant guitarist and musician

THIS - WAS - AWESOME - !

Wow! As always, the master, innovating, exploring, and entertaining. Thank you sir.

Wow just wow!

Mind blowing performance... !

สุดยอดครับ

A little different this time and it adds a whole new dimension to Tommy's playing.

🙋🏻‍♂️ saludos tommy desde URUGUAY 🇺🇾 !!!!! grande como siempre !!!!

WUNDERBAR ANDERS! ... wonderful different!

Genius!

I got a goosebumps what a mastery 😍love from india 😍❤️

🔥👍