OH his voice haunting. How many of my brothers in arms are trapped in a bed watching the shadows move along the walls while they wait to die. Please God give them peace that you can give.
I have always admired Mel Tillis, great singer and songwriter, fine actor, and very comical guy, but I just want to say that this acoustic performance on Porter Wagoner show was absolutely stunning and just plain badass!
I agree the acoustic performance was spot on and made for a great live performance. But after listening several times, I keep thinking I hear a second guitarist off camera (maybe playing a 12 string?). That, plus I think I hear Porter say, "Jimmy! " right before saying "How are you today?" as he steps in to shake hands with Mel. Perhaps Porter was acknowledging the accompaniast.
Mel was a great writer. He wrote RUBY, and as you see, sang it so well. RIP Mel. Where have all the greats in country music gone? Thank God we can still see them here on RU-vid.
In my humble opinion, I think Ruby is one of the greatest songs in country music history, and it doesn't get mentioned like it should. Mel did such a wonderful job on it.
@@brianmcnellis5512 Why you going all out on Jesse? Mel Tillis stuttered. He talked extensively about it. He joked about it. He was very popular, and he laughed along with everyone else. But when he sang, that stutter disappeared. And he was a beautiful singer. And everybody loved him. And he loved everybody.
When I deployed to Iraq in 2007, I had my daughter send me an iPod with all the songs of my junior high days....just in case. Spent many a Blackhawk flight with this great classic! As timeless as it was in 1969. Substitute SW Asia for SE Asia,,,,,,,,,,,We NEVER learn.
Fun to hear the writer of the song do his own composition. Inspiring to hear Kenny Rogers version too. Just a powerful heartbreak song. RIP to you both!
This is an amazing version of an iconic country tune, and the lack of instrumentation (an intimate moment between the songwriter and the song) makes the message even stronger. I love it...!
Mel Tillis - great song. When he talked he stuttered but, when he sang he did not stutter! A line in the song about a "crazy Asian war" and the time of the song's release led to the assumption that the song was about a veteran of the Vietnam War, though this was never stated in the lyrics. However, Tillis stated that the song was about a veteran of World War II
I am quickly developing immense appreciation for Mel Tillis, having realized that my gg-grandmother was a Tillis from the same county, probably one of his aunts or cousins. That sparked my interest in his work and personality. Have always loved traditional Country music. So thrilled now to learn that he wrote this great song, and truly enjoy hearing him sing it. Handsome with wonderful eyes, manners, and voice -- he really has won my heart!
Also Bobby Womack has his version of the song and it was a hit for the African American community. But his version was about a son who didnt respect his mom for treating his dad this way. If you havent heard it check it out.
I just saw the will The circle be unbroken documentary and learned this about Mel Tillis. It was one of the best programs I've ever seen in my whole life I'm so glad I stayed up till 11:00 at night to watch it I am so informed
I heard him tell the story of how he wrote this song…he was driving back from Tennessee and heard Johnny Cash on the radio playing singing “Dont take your guns to town” and he came up with “Ruby, dont take your love to town”…Ruby was the wife of a American GI who was injured in the war and later lived behind him and his mom when he was growing up in Florida and he used to hear them fighting constantly and some years later hearing that Johnny Cash song made him come up with the lyrics to this song lol kind of cool actually
I kinda thought a story was behind Mel writing this song it’s so unfortunate that a young fella went through this kind of tragedy maybe because of the war or something Rest in peace mel.
Really great song..I grew up hearing Kenny Rogers version, but my mother had told me that Mel Tillis had written it. I never had heard Mel Tillis sing it until now -- he had such a nice voice!
I posted some where that I had watched Mel Tillis sing "Ruby" on The Tonight Show many yrs. ago. He gave some back ground story about the song. It was based on a WW2 vet .who had married a German girl. The Vietnam war was going on and that is why "crazy Asian war" was used. He then sang the song. Just him and his guitar. Sounded so good just like in this video. R.I.P. Mel Tillis.
I believe he was referring to the Korean War. At the time he wrote it the Vietnam War was more-or-less just ramping up and certainly wasn't "old" yet, and he was writing from the perspective of the vet who was a neighbor of his in Florida, but changed the song's timeline from the forties to the early fifties when he was there. I'd like to see that Tonight Show performance. Doesn't seem to be on RU-vid.
@@thomasmartin8202 Thank you for your input. Like I said it was many years ago. Maybe some one who owns a dvd set might have a copy of this particular show and post it. Just an aside; Walter Brennon also recorded his version of this song. I think Kenny Rogers version was the most popular of all the covers out there. Thanks again.
@@manuelgonzales2944 You bet. I really like the Kenny Rogers and the First Edition version but I keep coming back to this one...in some ways it seems even more heartfelt and real. Because of the timing of release, everyone thinks it's about Vietnam or is an anti-Vietnam War song but it seems not to have been, originally, from my readings on it.
mell came to palatka fl back in the late 60's and did a short show for a friend a the east palatka red barn a local weekend country music event. i was fortunate to meet and talk to him...he was a great intertainer and a true country gentleman..and the groupe i sang with did the opening...i might also mention he was almost at the peak of his popularity..and took time for such a small venue says volumes about his characture.
Great antiwar song sung by the songwriter. He was a unique talent. Glad I got to see him perform a few years ago in Annapolis MD at Ram's Head Inn. He was still full of energy. Got to meet him too - very nice gentleman. Safe journey, Mr. Tillis.
@@ottogrendel I wouldn't say that. He's right. Protagonist says he was proud to serve. There wouldn't be any real difference if his legs were damaged in a car accident. But it's a bigger impact to have that done to a wounded veteran.
Always felt Mel does "Ruby" better than anyone! A faster version by Mel can be found on RU-vid 1980 - ACL Live - Mel Tillis Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town - Orange Blossom Special (which Mel's Band the Statesiders does a super job of!)
Just got the urge to sing this last week. Great song and easy to remember the words, since I heard it as a child. Sang it slow last week, but this week I'll do it as Mel does it here, with the bass run down added from later versions.
This is simply great. It's got the same naked honesty and yeah, the sound of a man's heart breaking, as Danny Whitten's (Crazy Horse, original recording) of I Don't Wanna Talk About It. The covers are better known, but the writers did em best.
Thanks for posting. (Much better solo than with a full band..) I'm partial to Roger Miller's cover version I guess (and The First Edition, I grew up with...), but this is great as well -- and straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. ~ ;-)
MEL TILLIS Wrote This Great Song BUT It REALLY Came to Prominence When KENNY ROGERS Recorded it 3 Years After MEL Wrote it. Deep Song, True Story and KENNY OWNED IT. 🎵 🎶 👍.
wow, so this is the original? The phrasing and harmonies are quite different from the more famous versions. My favorite cover so far: Gary Holton and Casino Steele.
What a fantastic song!!! The best version in my opinion. Although Roger Millers version does come close. The guitar sounded great as well. I’d like to learn this song on the guitar. It has some different chords in it. Again a great song sung very well.
