Dave Van Ronk - Clouds (Both Sides Now) | Joni Mitchell cover
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- Опубліковано 11 лис 2013
- Live at Jabberwocky Club - Syracuse, NY - February 1969
"Joni Mitchell.. I may have been the first New Yorker to fall in love with her. She was still living in Detroit when we met. Clouds - Joni didn't like my tampering with her title for this one. She insisted (justifiably) that the original title (Both Sides Now) be included. Still, though, she did entitle her next album Clouds." - Dave Van Ronk
Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds * that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As ev'ry fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way
But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away
I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way
But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day
I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all
Every sentiment relevant, every metaphor apt, every chord evocative, every listen a trip into the heart of what life is - and what it was.
+Phil Fitzpatrick Right on sir.
I must have listened to DVR play this song 100 times. Joni Mitchell always said it was her favorite cover of any of her songs. Mr. Van Ronk truly had a gift on guitar. Beyond his gravely whiskey soaked and a pack of cigarettes voice, his syncopated guitar is something I've tried with little success to emulate. A true legend and an artist I return to again and again. R.I.P. David, you left us too soon.
What a photo brings out the grittiness in NYC during the 60’s.
It is interesting in that it includes the young Bob Dylan and his girlfriend Suze Rotolo (I don't know who the other young man and woman are).
@@michaelcoffey4953 That's Dave Van Ronk
@@harmoniabalanza Perhaps you noticed that there are 5 people in this photo.
Left to right-
Carla Rotolo, Suze Rotolo, Terri Thal Van Ronk, Zimmy, Dave Van Ronk. There are only two men in the photo.
@@martincouch3723 great photo, I wonder to took it?
joni mitchell Said that It was the Best Cover of Her Song and It is True. They were Close Friend.
Beautiful version by Dave on his 1967 album, "Dave Van Ronk and the Hudson Dusters.. First time I ever heard this song, and it's still my favorite.
This man's voice is more delicate than any billowy brume I can fathom...
Moves me so deeply every time I hear this version ... A man who had palpably looked at (and lived) life from many angles (even at that relatively young age) - beautiful.
thanks for posting - let's not forget Dave van Ronk - a legend of the 60's folk scene
I was lucky enough to have seen DVR in the late 60s and early 70s. a true heart
Nice photo, beautiful song
how could you thumbs down this? one of the most underrated folkies..RIP Dave Van Ronk
Only 25 squares voted thumbs down.
Bawling now. I can't handle it.
cant listen without a tear in my eye
One of the all time greats: DAVE VAN RONK.
Simply beautiful, Dave pulls the listener into a world that hadn't existed, even when I've known this song from Joni 40 odd years. A revelation.
what an incredible power in such whispers
His guitar is mind blowing!
This is just awesome......the emotion in his voice is just wonderful..
This is the first time I heard this song since the 60's, when I listened to the recording on WBAI. Despite the many years that have passed, I never forgot it. Van Rock perfectly captures the essence of this great song and I was delighted to read that Joni Mitchel considered it the best cover of this great song. Thanks so much for posting.
We caught much of this music on WBAI.(I discovered Incredible String Band and Sandy Denny and Fairport listening to Steve Post and Bob Fass on the midnight shows).. I saw DVR perform many times in the Village with the last time seeing him at Barnes in Wolf Trap.
Unlikely, brilliant, unmistakeable!
Some of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs were discovered listening to covers by other artists. This Dave Van Ronk one is a classic; I LOVE it! Another JM song I discovered, and one of my favorites, was "Urge for Going" by Tom Rush.
Wish I'd been at the Jab to hear him (Dave Van Ronk). Was there later that year + I saw some wonderful concerts, including Tom Rush, later and into '71. Send me an email if you're able to, please. Thanks.
this rendition of this song is completely amazing. and also heartbreaking.
Obviously such a limited and brittle voice only works on a limited number of songs. It's in the details that Van Ronk knows this and actually turns it into his unique place. This was a truly great song on arrival in 1967, but it might have been too perfect it it's original incarnation due to Mitchell' perfection in singing it with immaculate (i.e. perfect) acoustic production. It's the opposite here and it's not just a gut-wrenching emotional performance, but it's as if the song found it's center as to what it's really trying to convey. I can see folks turning up their noses at this, but that's really just those folks telling on themselves: they lack the heart and soul of Van Ronk's voice and vision.
You're so right. Mitchell's original is pristine, and clinical. Dave pours his heart and soul into it and makes it his. I wouldn't stop what I am doing when the original came on, but any version of Dave's I am at rapt attention, and end the song with a tear in my eye.
Fantastic comment. You conveyed exactly what i was feeling but would have laboured to find the words to say it. An outstanding performance from Dave Von Ronk.
You are right. The Mayor of McDougal Street nailed this one!
This goes to the heart of what "folk" music is! It's a distinction that is so misunderstood. Joni Mitchell herself preferred Dave's rendition over all others that stole the market!
...I dont know what to say. its beautiful. wow.
I'm sick of comments and posts from people who talk like they something i don't. Like they got everything figured out.
I think if they did they wouldn't feel the need to talk about.
Really love this version but for me nobody does it better than the great Joni Mitchell.
A month later nearly 10,000 views. Not so sad anymore.
You know that photo is old when you see an Esso gas station in the background.
This experience of Both Sides Now is just so present, it hurts and brings ecstatic beauty all in one moment. Amazing
It's just breathtaking and heartrending. I live it. Thanks Dave, thanks Bob.
Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Best version of this song.
WOW the discovery is enlightenment to my heart!
oh, that perfect first line
Truly Great
Love love love love love
It's so great to discover gems like this. Thank you!
What an amazing thing, when UA-cam just plays what I needed. I din't even have to "like" the first Dave Ronk song I came here for, He was a friend of mine. Thank you.
I heard him sing this live, in person, I don't recall how many times. NObody sang as expressively as he did -- and this song in particular. It's sad that he didn't leave a lot of good recordings behind. This recording is a good example of his singing at its best. To whoever recorded it, Thank You!!
An interesting thing about this song is that the poem Jaberwocky by Lewis Carol can be sung to it's tune.
again I say I love this guy D V R
Don't really know what to say...just...wow....
wonderful. thanks for posting
wow
Brilliance....
Both Dave and Joni were excellent guitar players and great song writers.
This is wonderful.
Sometimes genius isn't obvious to the masses...
Very true to an “inner dialogue” interpretation of this classic.
So, I presume, Joni was first disappointed with clouds (they are innocent in my opinion), then with love and finally with life itself. So she looks at it from both sides and realizes that she doesn't know life at all.
Life is three-dimensional, Joni. At least. But the emotion you expressed is familiar to everyone. And Dave and his wonderfully lingering guitar, they understood that.
That photo is worth a thousand words. And more.
Nice Dave
Fantastic pick too.
Tnis is superb!
in una metropoli distratta, reduce di tutte le guerre del passato, Bob cammina come un leader alla testa di una moltitudine. Dietro di lui sorridente Dave guarda la strada ...
In the movie 'Steve Jobs', Steve and his eldest daughter were discussing two versions of a Jonie Mitchell song, by two different artists. One I am sure is Judy Collins, and the other is Dave van Ronk. Even young Lisa Jobs knew this was the superior version
How could one not? No comparison. I was performing some Joni Mitchell at a farmer's market recently and one gentleman was very complimentary, and mentioned I was the best of Joni and Judy put together... I never cared for Judy. I graciously thanked him 😊 but yuck... not Judy.
nice interpretation
Have you noticed that in the picture Suze is wearing boots of Spanish leather?
I love this photo. That's his wife Terri striding alertly next to Suze Rotolo. If Dave was the Mayor of MacDougal St., Terri was his chief of staff.
i love this. but i also understand the "i dont see a lot of money here" line from Llewyn Davis after hearing it so many times.
I'm 67 and I still really don't know love at all.
For folks who like this, seek out his version of "That Song About The Midway", also written by Joni.
I love all her stuff, there are some very early gems, that's one.
Also 'I wish I had a river'. Can't find it , but i had it, ages ago.
@@gerrybukovinsky2185 found a clip on UA-cam - ua-cam.com/video/BhVdw1mzGDg/v-deo.html
Greenwich village was so much more authentic back then even with the garbage and tires on the sidewalk. Bring it back!
Thank Ed Koch for the gentrification.
Interesante cover, pero es que la interpretación de la princesa Joni es otro nivel...
He did a great cover of 'I wish I had a river' (I believe that it must have been him) but I can't find it anywhere, and it's been so long since I heard it.
Yes, it was him. Nobody, nobody sang like him.
Here it is: ua-cam.com/video/BhVdw1mzGDg/v-deo.html
We have the same last name
Van Ronk was a seminal figure in the NYC folk scene for years. His raggy picking informed giants such as Bob Dylan and ...uh....lesser folks like me.
Hmm, grt song
✌🏻
if this was released today it would be auto tuned and take everything that’s great about this song away
Sad only 386 views.
Hugh May Look how many now! (6/29/15)
@@meliashell7621 And now 11.12.2022 221K
Where was the photo taken? On the Lower East side?
somewhere on Hudson St in Greenwich Village
ITS BOWS AND FLOWS OF ANGELS HAIR..
4.55 does it for me
Dave Van Ronk on the far right walking with Dylan and and friends...
Dave was never on the 'far right'. ;)
@@petercrowley41 You will notice that he is to left of Bob Dylan, but he always has been. By the way, Michael Mescall, the young fairhaired woman towards the rear is Suze Rotolo.
Suze Rotolo, second from left...
Who are the other two women? Anyone?
i wonder aswell
Lost to history.
Bet they are friends of Suze. There are probably plenty of people who knows, including Dylan himself.
I believe the woman with dark jacket with white collar is Dave VanRonk's wife Terri Thal
Good Homage ,the film A Ballad of an ordinar man to David Van Rock a man who was fiiend of Patty Smith and Bob Dylan and his carrer never was successfull.Really
sad
Rosy Altamar How do you figure he did not have a successful career? Obviously he's not as well known as Bob Dylan, but anyone who can support themselves primarily as a musician has a successful career.
Baez, Dylan and and Von Rock in photo. Anybody know who else?
I was there in Dave's future
Larry Berger - must of been an inspiration to know him.
Suze Rottolo, the GF of Dylan at that time, the girl with the long hair
I've written a story of when we met, called Speedy and the Incredible Blue Dot. It's on my blogsite: sinksgrovepress.wordpress.com under Stories. Enjoy.
Larry Berger - thanks I will do that.
Louis and Clark Tommy Emmanuel
Dave Van Ronk's todays biographers skirt over the fact that in the 1960s he was a Trotskyist and founding member of the Workers League, predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party. Although Dave later drifted toward anarchism, he maintained warm relations with his Trotskyist comrades.
Put it to you this way: I really HATE this song, no offense to anyone. And yet... I LOVE Dave Van Ronk's version of it.
Hmmm...one wonders why Joni would especially like a rendition of her song that makes no attempt to capture the beautiful sophisticated harmonies she wrote into the accompaniment. It's a barebones, monotonous folk guitar version, and pretty dull. And van Ronk was 33 when he made this recording? He sounds 73. He's an interesting cat in music history but I guess you have to have a special taste for this kind of thing to listen to it very often.
you suck
Martin Brady just a typical no version is better critic ...this is wonderful
i think you missed the true essence of heartbreak that Dave tapped into here, you're talking about technical sophistication? of course there is no attempt to capture that, he's ALL HEART and ESSENCE. He captured something Joni couldn't have done and it has nothing to do with sophisticated harmony, but the essence of the lyric.
it's interesting what you say -it can be viewed that way too...but there's another way of a person too sensitive to live
Actually Martin, she on record as saying that this was her favourite version of the song
Sorry, Dave. This is terrible. I’ll stick to Joni’s version.