I found this video on the internet years ago. I didn't make this and don't know who to credit for it. It's probably not even legit to post it, but it's one of my favorite videos of Sufjan.
We recorded this song with Sufjan in march 2004 on a farm in Texas. He was performing at SXSW in Austin Texas. We asked him to join us to the farm to film and record his song For the Widows in Paradise. It has been recorded in very basic circomstances but that did not matter. Sufjan was performing like he really is. Directed by Cris Kijne, Camera by Erik Zyuderhoff, Sound Recording by Bert van den Dungen and Production by Nicole Cremers for VPRO in The Netherlands. Cool that almost two million people have seen this clip ;))
Lol it's the tune!! I feel like I could be at the end of the earth and this tune would make it all better. Love from Glasgow, can I come to the ranch? 🤣💙
I first heard of Sufjan in 2008 and his music has had a huge impact on my life. He changed how I look at music, the process behind it's creation. He changed how I look at humanity and life. His compassion shines through in every song, beauty persisting in a flawed world. I have so many memories attached to his music, lost lovers and old friends, trips to the coast, hiking in the mountains. Sufjan's music got me through some dark times as well, addiction and incarceration, death of family. No other artists work explores the entire spectrum of human experience as well as Sufjan's does and I am forever grateful that he exists.
I have a hard time finding anything of old folk or bluegrass that doesnt have some fucking melancholy or mourning to it. Even if ironically hopeful. I think of the scots irish who brought that sound over to the appalachians on their bare backs.
Mikal Salaam the banjo has always reminded me in tone of many slavic, turkic and middle eastern strings. Very many mournful songs. Maybe thats why its inherently mournful or intense for me?
This is the second video I ever saw on youtube. I didn't really understand what youtube was then there were a lot of sites sort of doing a somewhat similar though ultimately less successful thing. I was a sophomore in high school. thank you soo much for posting. The first video i ever saw was an ad for Xbox 360 with people pointing finger guns at each other. My friend linked it from his AIM profile. The third was like a parody of Tom Cruise jumping on Oprah's couch. Both those things were so quintessentially 2006. It is so cool that a lot of the comments are saying the same thing. "This is one of the first videos I saw on youtube." I felt like in 2007 after a year of youtbe being in my life, I posted on this video saying something like this same message haha
2, 3, 4 I have called you children, I have called you son What is there to answer if I'm the only one? Morning comes in Paradise, morning comes in light Still I must obey, still I must invite If there's anything to say, if there's anything to do If there's any other way, I'll do anything for you I was dressed embarrassment I was dressed in wine If you had a part of me, will you take your time? Even if I come back, even if I die Is there some idea to replace my life? Like a father to impress Like a mother's mourning dress If you ever make a mess, I'll do anything for you I have called you preacher, I have called you son If you have a father or if you haven't one I'll do anything for you, I'll do
this is the second video i ever saw on youtube. (the first was like a commercial of someone using their hands as pretend guns and getting into a huge stand off) But this was like the first video I ever really watched on here, and wow, It's nice to come back to it.
Been coming back to watch this video every year since it was first posted- 17 years ago! A lifetime ago it seems. Sufjan is timeless and this song still hits me so deep. ❤
Yes this is from SXSW 2004; he did two shows and I was able to catch both of them. The first one he came literally from the plane, with luggage in tow to the venue, and did a short but perfect set. Later that night (or it might've been the next day) he got us all to be a "human chorus" for the song 'Sister' from Seven Swans. Great shows both.
Watziterinhetcadeautje I believe that he is asking for forgiveness to god. Sufjan is a very religious man. He says repeatedly that "I did everything for you" and "I'd do anything for you" and there's something else in the song that supports this. But I think that's what this song is about.
"I was dressed embarrassment, I was dressed in white. If you had a part of me, will you take your time." Gets me errtime. This will always be a funeral song thanks to The OC.
I finally figured it out! He plays neither clawhammer nor three finger! I've been so confused until now. It looks like hes basically playing it like a guitar.
Its 2021, and 14 years ago I sent this video to a boy to try and get him to stay, because I knew he would love the song as much as I did, and it said what I couldn't. He didnt like our shithole town or me as much as he liked the song though. I don't wish he stayed anymore, it's been 14 years after all, but this goddamn song is so goddamn good, I can still remember exactly what it felt like when i listen to it now.
Wow I have never heard someone play the banjo so beautifully in my life, and never in a non-country way, I love it so much. This song is so simple (not talent-wise, I mean it's not over-busy) and elegant, and it strikes a chord somewhere in me, it's just one of those very few songs you immediately get attached to. It has soul, which is hard to find in the music industry these days. Sufjan, if you read these, thank you so much for your beautiful song.
I've uploaded an improved version of this performance here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-q5wmJPfvQQs.html Same 240p source (not a YT rip but from elsewhere), but the video has been upscaled with AI and the audio has had the clicks / static removed.
you know what I love most about this video is that Sufjan is at one with his music and feelings, and not playing for an audience or worried about whoever is filming moving around and zooming in etc. one of my favourite songs.
The banjo he plays is a Framus, late 1960s model, made in Germany. The 5th string tuner is near the 5th fret sticking out from the neck, visible at 2:09. He strums it like a guitar and doesn't use any typical 5 string banjo techniques. Five string banjo players are not likely to be impressed. Sounds pretty cool nevertheless.
I have such a need for accuracy. The video was made a little less than 2 years prior to it being posted here. Look at Sufjan's wrist band. SXSW 2004. That's about March, 2004.
SO FUCKING UNDERRATED. I heard this for the first time from the program THE OC. I was 14 and the words and riff just spoke to me in a way that at 32 It still hits me in a place I can’t describe.
I miss that show too. I was in high school when that show was running, and despite all the drama I wish I had some of those romances we saw in the show. They had such a good selection of songs for that show and it made every serious moment between the couples really beautiful.
I literally just discovered this artist today, and am checking out some of his music here. Are there any videos anyone could suggest where he 'lets loose' a bit more vocally? He seems to be very restrained, yet lyrically quite explosive, if that makes any sense. To each their own, and certainly everyone has their own style. It's not an insult, just an observation; and I'm curious to see more, and perhaps a different level of vocal intensity from Sufjan.
He's pretty reserved vocally throughout his albums. Age of Adz is probably his most "experimental" work, which you may enjoy more than this. His Illinois album is probably his most celebrated, so I'd check out a couple tracks from that. His new album "Carrie & Lowell" sort of brings back his folk sound from "Seven Swans" and "Michigan" so it may not be for you. Overall he's a very diverse artist who has dabbled in folk, rock, electronic, hip-hop, orchestral, etc... So there is probably something for you in one album or another.
I don't like how everyone just keeps associating sufjan with sadness alone, as if his songs aren't him trying to find meaning and hope and beauty through them, his own form of worship and connecting with the world
THINGS I LOVE ABOUT SUFJAN STEVENS: 1) He seems like a chill guy 2) His voice is flippin amazing 3) His eyes are sooo gorgeous 4) his music is phenomenal and doesn't need anything innapropriate like other artists do:/ 5) This man can wear t-shirts 6) He seems really sweet 7) there's just no way you can't love him(:
I just found out the girl I’m in love with has been in a relationship for a month and lied to me that she wasn’t. God I need this video . I know how it feels sufjan. I did everything for her too :(
Who would find themselves here and say they don't like this? Like, think, "I don't like this so much I will click don't like"? Weirdos. Weordos, that's who...
I totally understand but sometimes songs like this can stir up emotions that a person might not want to experience. Maybe it can bring up some sad memories...
Wish the original video was still up.... I remember seeing this about 5 years ago. Anyone know if the original is still up? The quality in the audio of this one has a static to it..
Discovered this song when I was in HS over a decade ago. Driving around as a teenager, finally finding an indie/folk station on the radio that was run by a bunch of local college students. Honestly they changed my life when it comes to music. Thanks to them I not only found this song all those years ago but it shaped my personality and my love for music moving forward. Now I'm that person who you hand the aux to and plays indie gems and absolutely nobody appreciates them.
"I have called you children, I have called you son. What is there to answer if I'am the only one? Morning comes in paradise - morning comes in light. Still I must obey, still I must invite.."
