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Tommy Emmanuel — Classical Gas
Album: Live One
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 727









Released: 2006
Length: 3:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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(Instrumental)
Comments (103)add comment
 dragon1952 wrote:
Yeah, while amazing what he does this sounds like the version you would play at a Monster Truck competition intermission or something.

 
Nice comment, true ...... {#Clap}
Posted 6 years ago by arserocket    [ Reply ]
{#Naughty} Nope, give me Mason Williams any time!
Posted 7 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
This is some amazing (technical) guitar playing, but when one listens to the Mason Williams's version you can hear and feel the heart of the music.
Posted 8 years ago by woolybear    [ Reply ]
Look at me, Look at me!

 (image deleted by admin)
Posted 8 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 gavinam wrote:
I'm a guitar nut/player and have seen Tommy Emmanuel 3 times. He's a wonderful guy and a brilliant player/showman, but i just cannot connect with what he is doing.To me its over the top and lacks soul. I'll take Michael Hedges any time - much more interesting composition.

 
Yes. Bravo, gavinam.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some Egberto Gismonti, as well. That's a freneticism I can get behind.
Posted 9 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
To see him perform live is a real treat. He is amazing.

{#Bananajam}


Posted 9 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Yeah, while amazing what he does this sounds like the version you would play at a Monster Truck competition intermission or something.
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
 ick wrote:
A little too frenetic.  This version wants to cause an anxiety attack.

  Agreed, I applaud new takes on the classics, but this one falls a little short

Posted 9 years ago by jchap5    [ Reply ]
Interesting interpretation on a (now) classic piece of Americana   The fact that my heads bobbing to it means....me like.  {#Bananajam}

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Posted 9 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
A little too frenetic.  This version wants to cause an anxiety attack.
Posted 9 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 gavinam wrote:
I'm a guitar nut/player and have seen Tommy Emmanuel 3 times. He's a wonderful guy and a brilliant player/showman, but i just cannot connect with what he is doing.To me its over the top and lacks soul. I'll take Michael Hedges any time - much more interesting composition.

 
I've seen him 3 times as well. Never failed to be absolutely amazing. Incredible talent. Not sure what all the haters are listening to, but to each his own. I'll admit, this is not the best track of his out there, but still he can play circles around most people.


Posted 9 years ago by musikluvr    [ Reply ]
All you hate-ahs out there, railing against the soul-less freneticism of TE's version of this song, need to keep the context in mind:  this is a gee-whiz, top-of-the-curve, barn-burner live version of this song meant to wow an audience.  You needn't look far into TE's discography to know that he is a very multi-dimensional player.  It just so happens that one of his dimensions is to be able to stand alone in front of an audience holding a piece of wood and a scorch their ears off.
Posted 9 years ago by jaydeman    [ Reply ]
A nice attrmpt at a very difficult piece .. the maestro sure and still is 'Mason Williams' just two diferent interpretations 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNl4l15x8Pc
Posted 9 years ago by Toke    [ Reply ]
I'm a guitar nut/player and have seen Tommy Emmanuel 3 times. He's a wonderful guy and a brilliant player/showman, but i just cannot connect with what he is doing.To me its over the top and lacks soul. I'll take Michael Hedges any time - much more interesting composition.
Posted 10 years ago by gavinam    [ Reply ]
This touches me on so few levels.
Posted 10 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
Great talent as a guitarist to be sure but this rendition of a classic just does not sound "right".
Posted 10 years ago by TimNH    [ Reply ]
 luv4music wrote:
Some of the comments posted here are mind bobbling.  I am amazed at how much music people do not like.  Makes me wonder.

Anyway, that "fast" thing that Tommy Emmanuel does is called incredible talent, in case that point was lost during your listen.

 
Yeah- whats up with all the hostility? He's pretty much a damn virtuoso and you seldom get to hear this fine tune played at all, let alone rendered in such dramatic fashion.
Posted 10 years ago by misterbearbaby    [ Reply ]
Some of the comments posted here are mind bobbling.  I am amazed at how much music people do not like.  Makes me wonder.

Anyway, that "fast" thing that Tommy Emmanuel does is called incredible talent, in case that point was lost during your listen.
Posted 10 years ago by luv4music    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
Sucks the soul out of everything he plays. Total one trick, ( Fast,) pony.

Original is SO much better. 

 

I have to agree. I love the original so much that this just sounds like showing off to me.
Emmanuel is a great guitarist. I play guitar myself so I appreciate what goes into it but the song is the master.
IMHO, he doesn't respect the song.
Posted 10 years ago by bronorb    [ Reply ]
 rcurrier wrote:
Maybe I should upload the Larry Fast/Synergy version.

 
Wow... that's sweet... there's little I love more on a forum than an obscure reference I can actually relate to!  

I used to listen to that album (and Cords) ad nauseum on a nasty old turntable in the back room of my local library in the 70's.  I still enjoy firing up the MP3 version of Synergy from time-to-time when I'm in a particularly analog mood.  Or when I'm feeling overly nostalgic.  Or drunk.  Or old. (sigh)




Posted 10 years ago by crogers    [ Reply ]
Great Australian Artist.
Posted 10 years ago by PLC    [ Reply ]
Sucks the soul out of everything he plays. Total one trick, ( Fast,) pony.

Original is SO much better. 
Posted 10 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
Maybe I should upload the Larry Fast/Synergy version.
Posted 10 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
I just  took this from 8 to 10 (IMHO).

 
Posted 10 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
If he was any less adept with his fingers I'd guess I was listening to a drunk kid play the guitar like it was a battering ram.  Might be useful if he was trying to bring down the walls of Jericho.  A bombastic presentation of the melody at best.  My 2 cents.
Posted 10 years ago by offroadbiker    [ Reply ]
 rcurrier wrote:
OK. Fine.

But can he play Stairway to Heaven? 

 

god I hope not, at least not here......{#Stop}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
Front row Belcort Theatre Nashville. Truely amazing artist. His fingerwork is awesome.
Posted 11 years ago by rmagg    [ Reply ]
 Blastcat900 wrote:
I wish he could do it a bit better... but I've heard he only has one finger and a thumb... so that's cool.

 
I'm pretty sure Tommy Emmanuel has ten fingers - you may be thinking of Django Reinhardt.
Posted 11 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Clearly this guy in incredible ... but it's too fast in places, there's small mistakes all over the place, fluffed strings, mishits, mis-timings. 

when he slows a little, it's incredible. 
Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt    [ Reply ]
 Ballzak wrote:
Anyone else here Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" in the middle of this?

 
Yep, brief interlude long enough to see if anyone's paying attention.
Posted 11 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
Amazing.
Posted 11 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
Very nice playing.

Still rather hear the original given the choice.
Posted 11 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 Stich wrote:

Yes, I thought I heard those chords there briefly as well, or at least a variation of.

  

 I thought it was Gloria, Gloria
Posted 11 years ago by blotto    [ Reply ]
Yeah i see him all the time.  He comes around to borrow my lawn tractor.  I show him a few riffs 'n stuff.  He's a good boy.
Posted 11 years ago by Rmike    [ Reply ]
oh.... sorry, I see that someone else is hearing things back in Nov. 11.  Funny.
Posted 11 years ago by Ballzak    [ Reply ]
Anyone else here Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" in the middle of this?
Posted 11 years ago by Ballzak    [ Reply ]
I'm gonna sacrifice my guitar on this guy's pyre.  Amazing.
Posted 11 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
Really? Someone covered this?! Gotta say, it's pretty peppy, but took some balls.
Posted 11 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
Parts of this sound like Joe Bonamassa's solos. 
Posted 12 years ago by Imkirok    [ Reply ]
Yay! It put my 6 week old baby to sleep so it's a great tune in my book! :)
Posted 12 years ago by Saire    [ Reply ]
Saw him earlier this year. He started the show with this tune. Right after the intermission he asked the audience if they had any requests and this guy who had come late to the show asked for Classical Gas :-) . Tommy, being the nice guy he is joked about it and then played it again! Trully magnificent show.
Posted 12 years ago by Toti    [ Reply ]
Scrolling through comments, saw this one below, posted near 3 year ago - RP dejavu.....?

Posted: Jul 30, 2009 - 19:37 ———————————————————————————————————————— Hadn't heard this version. Mason Williams' version was one of my 3 favorite songs when I was a kid, so I'm partial. Followed by Clapton's nice cover of his buddy's Beware of Darkness....then a little Dead. RP's sounding really really nice tonight. My kind of stuff.
Posted 12 years ago by cchatten    [ Reply ]
And hats off to the original....


Posted 12 years ago by Boy_Wonder    [ Reply ]
I wish he could do it a bit better... but I've heard he only has one finger and a thumb... so that's cool.
Posted 12 years ago by Blastcat900    [ Reply ]
Wow.  An instant 8 for me.  
Posted 12 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
Great guitar work!  You can really appreciate this one with headphones.
Posted 12 years ago by steventylersqa    [ Reply ]
 misterimpatient wrote:
I had to turn the volume up. 
 
This is what it is really all about.
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]
Guitar God !
Posted 12 years ago by fredoki    [ Reply ]
LOOK...

FINALLY!!!

a duet partner for

ESTEBAN!!!
Posted 12 years ago by MiracleDrug    [ Reply ]
 seabell wrote:
Saturday! Saturday!
(Saturday night's alright for fighting {#Dancingbanana_2} )
 
Yes, I thought I heard those chords there briefly as well, or at least a variation of.
Posted 12 years ago by Stich    [ Reply ]
He's way better than me.
Posted 12 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 oldslabsides wrote:
Saw Tommy a couple of years ago in a smallish hall.  AWESOME show, I've never seen anyone own a guitar the way he does.  The man is amazing.
 
I, too, saw Tommy in a local church a few years ago - intimate setting with fantastic acoustics.  What an entertaining musician.  He tore it up with tunes like this, and played some emotional beauties as well.  It was end to end amazing.

Posted 13 years ago by jeremyleo    [ Reply ]
I had to turn the volume up. 
Posted 13 years ago by misterimpatient    [ Reply ]
 BlueHeronDruid wrote:
Brilliance! Not finding the heart, though.
 
Not missing the heart so much, it's good programming music: structure, tempo, delivery, no lyrics.


Posted 13 years ago by catsoup    [ Reply ]
Brilliance! Not finding the heart, though.
Posted 13 years ago by BlueHeronDruid    [ Reply ]
 tphord wrote:
My brother sent me a link to this on You Tube recently, he was pretty impressed with it.
Personally it was the first time I'd ever heard of Tommy Emmanuel... evidently he's pretty highly regarded around the world.
He has an amazing set of fingers for sure, but... I am just not drawn to it.
There's a lack of soulfulness and truth in his music...  all flash but not much substance or personality.
It's like he's only focused on trying to impress you with how great he can execute licks and tricks.
I'd much rather listen to Mason Williams play the song he wrote - thanks.
 
I disagree. He will play songs like this and, say, "Guitar Boogie" to show off, but try "Those Who Wait" or "Angelina" (written for his daughter). I challenge you to find anything more substantial or with more personality.

Posted 13 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
Initially, I thought to rate this a 6, but the more I listen - the less I am enjoying it.  While technically impressive - I don't FEEL it.  6 to 2 from me now.
Posted 13 years ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
Saturday! Saturday!
(Saturday night's alright for fighting {#Dancingbanana_2} )


Posted 13 years ago by seabell    [ Reply ]
My brother sent me a link to this on You Tube recently, he was pretty impressed with it.
Personally it was the first time I'd ever heard of Tommy Emmanuel... evidently he's pretty highly regarded around the world.
He has an amazing set of fingers for sure, but... I am just not drawn to it.
There's a lack of soulfulness and truth in his music...  all flash but not much substance or personality.
It's like he's only focused on trying to impress you with how great he can execute licks and tricks.
I'd much rather listen to Mason Williams play the song he wrote - thanks.


Posted 13 years ago by tphord    [ Reply ]
Wow!  My guitar teacher, Tim King, who passed away last week often referred to this guy.  Amazing talent (both of them).
Posted 13 years ago by Seahunt    [ Reply ]
That was amazing.
Posted 13 years ago by coyote620    [ Reply ]
 jhorton wrote:
Way too fast.
 
I would have said not fast enough.

Posted 13 years ago by aelfheld    [ Reply ]
Im sorry. While technically proficient, I do not feel his vibe
Just dont
Posted 13 years ago by Wizzuvvoz    [ Reply ]
OK. Fine.

But can he play Stairway to Heaven? 
Posted 13 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
I saw Mason Williams perform this at a taping of the Merv Griffin Show in NYC, must have been in the late '60s. I've never tired of it and each new iteration brings new life to a real classic!
Posted 13 years ago by AZ_Bear    [ Reply ]
yes, I thought I heard Love the one you're with.  sportskid wrote:
Much talent, but he is rambling all over the place.
Guitar wankery run amok..........................
 


Posted 13 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
Much talent, but he is rambling all over the place.
Guitar wankery run amok..........................
Posted 13 years ago by sportskid    [ Reply ]
Somebody needs to upload his version of Guitar Boogie . Please .
Posted 14 years ago by btt    [ Reply ]
Wowwww! I thought it was Leo Kottke at first.
Posted 14 years ago by audiophelia    [ Reply ]
This sh*t wears me out.  Bleh.
Posted 14 years ago by Beez    [ Reply ]
I've been waiting for years to hear a new take on this classic song.   I like it but agree... too much of a good thing is sometimes annoying.. 

Rock On!

{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 14 years ago by RedTopFireBelow    [ Reply ]
I'm so used to hearing this done only by Mason Williams (which I quite like). This is a playful variation which is also quite fun.

Posted 14 years ago by ubuntourist    [ Reply ]
Nice guitar work!! Gonna have to buy this one!
 
Posted 14 years ago by throwback    [ Reply ]
F'ing FANTASTIC!  10

Posted 14 years ago by netstv    [ Reply ]
Saw Tommy a couple of years ago in a smallish hall.  AWESOME show, I've never seen anyone own a guitar the way he does.  The man is amazing.
Posted 14 years ago by Red_Dragon    [ Reply ]
Way too fast. Lot of skill, zero soul, IMO.
Posted 14 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
 hobiejoe wrote:
Trying too hard.
 

Yeah, I prefer the original= this is just too fast

Posted 14 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 14 years ago by Albert1967    [ Reply ]
 hobiejoe wrote:
Trying too hard.
 

Yes, à la Robert Michaels 
Posted 14 years ago by stephw    [ Reply ]
Trying too hard.
Posted 14 years ago by hobiejoe    [ Reply ]
The guy's a total god on guitar, it's mind boggling...

But after an half hour of being overwhelmed with thousands of chord progressions and millions of scales i really grow tired of this...

But the song and the way it's performed, definitely a 9!
Posted 14 years ago by Sjaaks    [ Reply ]
"Hey Ma! Look at me! I can play this here guitar!"

Argh
Posted 14 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]
What the .... Nice....

Posted 15 years ago by Jazbo    [ Reply ]
Talented, but I still have a greater preference for Mason Williams' version.
Posted 15 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
I much prefer the "unplugged" version of Williams off his "Hand Made" LP....
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]

Overplaying the guitar. William's is better.


Posted 15 years ago by actionbias    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:
I must be the only one on the planet who does not like "Classical Gas."

Altho I recognise the deep talent in this performance.
 
Agreed on both counts. Cool Elton John interlude...

Posted 15 years ago by crockydile    [ Reply ]


 "Classical Gas" Live


Posted 15 years ago by calypsus_1    [ Reply ]
Hadn't heard this version. Mason Williams' version was one of my 3 favorite songs when I was a kid, so I'm partial.
Followed by Clapton's nice cover of his buddy's Beware of Darkness....then a little Dead.
RP's sounding really really nice tonight. My kind of stuff.
Posted 15 years ago by jptl    [ Reply ]
Masterful, high energy cover. Love It!
Posted 15 years ago by tom-kenna    [ Reply ]
Yet again, I'm indebted to RP for introducing someone new to me, and yet again I'm indebted to Bill's wonderful web page layout, which links so much useful background info, specifically in this case the Wikipedia entry. Ars longa vita brevis.
Posted 15 years ago by lawman    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:
I must be the only one on the planet who does not like "Classical Gas."

Altho I recognise the deep talent in this performance.
 
You're not the only one; I was surprised by how many people really like it.  The talent displayed in this song is remarkable though.

Posted 15 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
classsical gas makes me fart
Posted 15 years ago by stescott100    [ Reply ]

Just an aussie supporting a great Aussie guitarist.

And Classical Gas is one of all time fav classical guitar tracks.



Posted 15 years ago by whitehawk    [ Reply ]
I must be the only one on the planet who does not like "Classical Gas."

Altho I recognise the deep talent in this performance.
Posted 15 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
very warm and charismatic guitar player {#Bananajam}
Posted 15 years ago by troyaner    [ Reply ]
Holy smokes, man.
Posted 15 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
i have always LOVED The Classical Gas versions, but this one is by far the most INtense!
Complete AudioGasm for my ears :)

Posted 15 years ago by SuzenJueL    [ Reply ]
WOW!
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
this guy is just amazing-check out some of his youtube vids. There is a fantastic album he does with chet atkins that is well worth a listen.
Posted 15 years ago by skyguy    [ Reply ]
TY once again RP this is one amazing guitar player that most people haven't heard about please more!!!!!
Posted 15 years ago by stkman    [ Reply ]
I prefer Lisa Simpson's cover of this....

Posted 15 years ago by tovarisch    [ Reply ]
Who?
Posted 15 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]