There are some performers that one might call a national treasure. But every once a while a talent comes along and you just shake your head and think: this one's a gift to all of humanity. God bless you, John Baptiste.
@@dr.jamesolack8504same name. Jon Batiste is a shortened form of the French Jean-Baptiste (John the Baptist). Batiste is the spelling variation you see in Louisiana and the Caribbean a lot. Doesn’t really need correction unless you’re just being difficult.
Now THIS is how you do a Beatles cover. Adapt the song to a different instrument, mess with the chord changes a little, take an impressionistic approach to the lyrics. And inject some pure emotion. Fabulous.
@@tbloopner Nope, the Beatles wrote the original. This is a cover. His *arrangement* is original, but not the song - which is why it's still classified as a cover. Tons of covers have original arrangements.
This man has no filter with his music. He simply trusts and releases what's deep in his heart. It's so beautiful to listen to. It's his very soul released through music.
Like this version much better than original!! (Lennon & McCartney were simply a place in time:. Talented, yes -- but neither as talented as they were full of themselves; never giving credit to how much of "their music" was plainly appropriation of American R&B!!!)
@@TD-np6ze Yeah. Tomorrow Never Knows, I Am The Walrus and A Day In The Life were total rip-offs. JFC. And the Beatles always gave credit to the music that inspired them.
@@TD-np6ze They were showmen, but suggesting they were more show than talent reveals more about you than them. They were completely open about their influences - all heard on vinyl as they never saw any of the acts until Little Richard came to Liverpool. Buddy Holly was a big one, Chuck Berry they played throughout- you can hear it on the Get Back movie, and on recordings from Hamburg, and they obviously covered him on albums. Both are regularly mentioned by McCartney in interviews, They also covered the Miracles, and covered songs in their live set by early US girl groups too. Lennon had little to do with this song, it was composed by McCartney and contrary to your musically illiterate generalization, like most of their later songs, it is stunningly original and oozes talent. If people as diverse as Jon Batiste and Beyonce are still covering it, when it is (nearly) 64, maybe you need to recalibrate?
When you realize this song was written about black folks struggle from slavery to freedom... Rising from bondage... Continuing to believe in a better world for their children... Learning to fly and take their rightful place as fellow human beings... Then, it becomes one of the most beautiful songs ever written. (Thank you Paul McCartney.)
@@Vejur9000 ... Thank you. Any song that can make a retired Marine tear up is a pretty darn good song for sure. I felt the pain of the past, and I felt the hope and joy for the future. One of my two best friends, growing up in Mississippi was (and still is) black. I am an old white fart now, but, those early days did present a few challenges for both he and I. After all we met in a middle school class in the early 70's. By the time we graduated, surprisingly, most locals had got all their outward racism out and acted pretty cool. Now, my children and grandchildren hardly see skin color at all. And that to me is a beautiful thing. Like MLK Jr. said... "Let us be judged by the content of our character..." It's about damn time.*
@@maxpower2542 And what is the struggle for civil rights, except the struggle against oppression, bondage, inequality, prejudice and hatred? A hope and yearning towards freedom and equality -- it's all tied together.
This has to be one of the most beautiful & excellent versions ever of a song that is beautiful in its original minimalist simplicity. Jon’s opening was flat out magical.
Thank you, John for this beautiful rendition of Blackbird. It was played at my brother’s funeral a few weeks ago... it was very appropriate, as I play piano and he loved music, especially The Beatles. We shared the love of listening to The Beatles growing up. But for him, who lived in shadows, in the dead of night, he was only waiting for the moment to arrive when he no longer was frustrated, when he no longer felt abandoned, when he was free to fly. He’s in heaven now, free from human tendencies. Thanking your God-given talent for inspiring me to see him off most appropriately. 🕊 RIP Tim.
So sorry for the loss of your brother. It's heartening for you to share his suffering and release in such a poetic and moving way. Much love for you and your family.
Your loss is our loss. Thank you so much for sharing your pain. I realize it's been quite some time but I just saw this tonight. February 7, 2021. I have a theory that when we share pain with others it cuts our own pain in half. Sounds good sometimes. But I know that your brother was loved. And that's what's more critical and more important than anything else. So I'm glad that this particular rendition also gave you some peace of mind and peace in your heart. Gail in Central Florida.
This has got to be one of the greatest moments of his life. You know he practiced and arranged this 1,000s of times starting the second he found out. He reminds me of Prince in the sense that he's more than a great musician, his entire being is music. Just breathtaking.
While I agree with you and that this rendition is stunningly beautiful I also think that each type or piece of music isn’t meant for everyone. How boring the world would be I’d we all - literally - liked exactly the same thing all of the time. Think of all the wonderful genres of music, the different flavors and types of cuisine and all the different types of programming one can watch, listen and participate in. This rendition of the classic Beatles song is indeed beautiful and moving.
@@dethdance4109 It's one thing to pass by something that doesn't move you; it's another to actively dislike a piece of beautiful instrumental music like this, and another thing yet to take the time to actively express said dislike.
The posture maybe, but Jon Batiste is probably mostly the result of New Orleans' and by that extent Louisiana's musical heritage and history. New Orleans is the birthplace of so many of the US' most important musical genres and innovations. Its black+Caribbean musical traditions are still alive and kicking in spite of hurricanes, poverty, government corruption and a long history of racist oppression. Check out some New Orleans stuff: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AMGewmEa0cA.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--oAU8MZ1Qk8.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q62qTlHfyWI.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wi0cLdJCgTA.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oSyTqg0GO14.html
Never commented before, but this is a go-to song for me when I want to feel a "haunting" rendition of "Blackbird". I think that Jon is a real "citizen of the world", while being a "favorite son" of Louisiana, and being nothing short of a brilliant musician! Love you, Jon!❤
I wondered why I hadn't seen this before, since I seldom miss an episode of Colbert. Then I saw the date. Four days before my husband passed away. He was in the hospital then ... He would have loved this every bit as much as I do.
There are so many little instances of Jon's brilliance on the show.... the way he introduces a guest... or the tiny samples he'll play during the monologue (seemingly a promptu).... It'll pass you by if you don't pay attention, but he is the best musical support any late-night show host could wish for. I'm sure Stephen is very aware of this.
I remember when the late show first started, everyone hated John’s interjections and piano parts, and I defended the shit out of that guy... Glad I did..
A pedal tone is a long low note like on an organ pedal, i. e. in the bass, that is held even when the harmony of the rest of the piece would require another note at some point. This here may be described as an "inverted pedal tone" or "internal pedal tone": not in the bass. A classic example for such a note with similar constant repetitions is Chopin's "Raindrop Prelude"; other famous one's are Ravel’s "Le Gibet" from "Gaspard de la Nuit" and Debussy’s "Voiles" . Another word for it is "drone", but usually this is rather used with a non-changing chord.
@@andreaspraefcke6638 Andreas, thanks. I really appreciate the in depth description. I've always loved repetitive drone music and there's something so powerful about the continuous, repetitive note played over a melody. It brings a whole different dimension to the piece. Your comment has influenced my next playlist The Pedal Tone. If you think of any more, please add them here.
Jon Batiste, you have honored the Beatles in the most wonderful way as you played, "Blackbird". It was brilliant and beautiful as well. Thank you for this moment.
@@MrExEssex This post wasn’t meant to offend anyone. I hope for good in this world. I know life is hard, you and I have lived through tough times. Difficult times when it seems like nothing will change. I have a hope and a trust in a God, a loving Father in Heaven. If you have doubts of a loving God just know that He knows you personally. If you seem alone in this crazy world God can help you, will help you, and is helping you now. You can pray to Him anytime He will answer your prayer.
John’s energy is pure light & love. His musical genius is beyond exceptional. We saw him last night at Bourbon & Beyond. My husband & I will continue to see his shows as we walk away on cloud 9!
Oh, what a sublime moment. The stunning and inexplicable beauty of the human soul. This video, I think, shall be my answer to the question of why we still need the arts in school the next time I am asked. My 7yo old has not left the piano since she heard it. She was stirred by this inspiration. Thank you, Jon Batiste.
Beautiful rendition of the classic. I might add this is what growing up and playing in New Orleans then going to Juilliard for a bachelor's and masters will do for you. Talent plus formal education takes it...
I wanna cry. I am crying. God bless you for playing this so well. So beautiful. My ancestors, my grandparents, their Great Migration to the north "...waiting for this moment to arise..." It took them sneaking out of Mississippi in the dead of night, to go north. To work hard. To get success from working hard. Something that would've been and had been denied to them in the South. Love this song!! My history
@@bobsmith6544 thank you for your view of music. Have a nice day. Please do me the honor of listening to any, or all music you have had recorded for sale.
I listened to this for the first time in my room while my roommate was sleeping. I tried to hard to suppress the sobs, but I think I still woke him up. When he comes in on the chords after that intro, it just puts a huge weight in the pit of my stomach, it's so good.
This song was a tribute to the Liitle Rock Nine. It was in celebration of their historic school desegregation in Arkansas ordered by President Eisenhower.
This rendition of Blackbird popped up when I least expected it to and left me with an ugly cry. My son loved this song and taught himself to play it on guitar. Tragically he passed away and his best friends' dad played it for us on guitar at his funeral. Now when I hear it, I choose to believe he is saying "Hello Mom!", but sometimes it's a gut punch as it was today.
Sublime....tears....of perfect musicality and deep meaningful emotional expression....for every single being of every kind to relish and fly.....to arise and fly free.
I only recently learned that Paul McCartney wrote this in honor of black American women (birds, in British slang) going through the Civil Rights era here. I was proud of him for being so foresiteful on that front. Congratulations Jon!!
How I needed to hear this moment of pure artistic perfection today! And oh, I remember how different the world felt in very early 2016--six calendar years and million a light years from 2022. Peace, friends. ❤
Incredible, lovely, beautiful. One of my favorite Beatles’ songs. And performed so exquisitely by Jon Batiste. I’m sure going to miss you on Colbert’s show.
Jon Batiste's performance is a phenomenal mix of classical, jazz, blues and spiritual. His music never fails to pull on my heartstrings. I have always loved this Beatles song, but Jon is a true story teller of human strife and rise to grace, evoking pure emotion.
This is beyond beautiful and so moving. I’ve heard it all my life. My soul heard this for the first time like this. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.
The lovely music that comes out of this man’s soul is mesmerizing. Wonderful interpretation of “Blackbird!” I always wanted to hear more of his artistry on “Late Night” but I’m sure the time was tight with monologue and guests. Jon was a special treat for the audience. Congratulations to him on his well-deserved Grammys, especially Album of the Year, and his marriage to such a beautiful, talented writer & artist as she fights for her health with leukemia and a bone marrow transplant. Such wise, loving young people.
He's just a phenomenal musician.... Lucky to get to hear him every night on colbert. Love hearing him slip charlie Parker melodies into Stephens monolog
