Nanci Griffith & James Hooker - Gulf Coast Highway - Live video free download

Cory Hultquist

Emmy and Willie do it better justice IMO, this version seems like to different songs when the guy starts in. Nanci is brilliant though.

rsobie

great song....definitive cover however belongs to ELH and Willie....

John Hawkins

A lovely song. I feel it was written for my late wife, Jackie. Of course it wasn't, but I like to think so. I love Nancy's recordings and James was one of the original Amazing Rhythm Aces who wrote some lovely stuff with Russell Smith. Songs like these make me a bit sad, but also keep me going, if that makes sense - John Hawkins (UK)

greenbeagle13

This is the BEST song ever written.... It reminds me of Gulfport, Mississippi and my beloved sister, Connie. I miss you, I love you....

Yancy Yates

wow she didn't credit the great Danny Flowers on the co-write

verbaud

I love you, Nanci.

Eric Grosch

Denny Bixby's part, in the key of D, has a top note of E, which he reaches well and without much effort. He thus exhibits the highest vocal range among Nanci Griffith's partners, Rucker, Hooker and Bixby.

Eric Grosch

It's interesting that Nanci Griffith's partners in the three versions on youtube sing variations on the main theme, which are probably harmony-parts, to get their baritone voices to the top of their vocal range, where the baritone voice lives and sounds most compelling, whereas Emmylou Harris's partners, Willie Nelson and Dave Matthews, sing the melody in the more comfortable mid-baritone range, the better part of an octave lower. It's an artistic choice and both choices sound fine.

Eric Grosch

On a practical level, the highest note of the part that James Hooker sings is a major second above the key note. In the key of C, that's D, which is easily negotiable for a baritone. In the key of D, it would be E, which may be on the verge of being uncomfortably high to sound good for the usual baritone voice as it might be a strain for a baritone voice to reach it. In Nanci Griffith's other versions, her baritone partners' parts are pitched lower, with respect to the key note, so D is OK.

Eric Grosch

This version is in C major. The usual key, as all other recordings on youtube show, is D major, a whole tone higher. The commonest reason for pitching a song low is to accommodate a lower voice. Since Nanci Griffith has sung it repeatedly in D major before, the controlling factor must be James Hooker's voice. As a co-composer of this song, he is entitled to perform it in any key he chooses, but he must prefer the deeper sonority. His vocal solo is quite satisfying, so he's chosen well.

themonaghans

I love Nanci's voice and she looks stunning.

Morgan Davis

Awesome! Great harmonies and key changes. Hooker's voice is fantastic.

korndogpa57

One of my all time favorite songs! She should come to Pennsylvania more often!! Love you Nanci!!!

David Bowman

great song

tucsonagent

One of her best, from a lady I've loved for a long long time. What a voice.

ToledoWingNut

Once of the finest lyric/melodies I've ever heard. So poignant. Here's to you, dear Nanci.

nel lo

she sings better later in life

fm1224

FINALLY! this is the one! the best!

corky246

@KarlDaggerfield thank god she lost her head over Dumbya--as all clear-thinkers did. She's one of our favorite lefties here in Austin.

CSC Digital Graphics

This is such a sweet song.....

Nancy Griffith with Emmylou Harris

Nancy Griffith with Emmylou Harris - Across The Great Divide

Nanci Griffith & the Pops Orchestra

Nanci Griffith & the Pops Orchestra - "Trouble in the Fields," 1996

Emmylou Harris & Dave Matthews

Emmylou Harris & Dave Matthews - Gulf Coast Highway.