Main Forums => Artists => Topic started by: Queequeg on June 27, 2026, 01:16:18 PM

Title: Karla Bonoff "The Water Is Wide" with Livingston Taylor & Sean McCue
Post by: Queequeg on June 27, 2026, 01:16:18 PM
I always liked this old Scottish folk song. It's been recorded by so many people over the years.
This one caught me by surprise. I hadn't heard anything Karla Bonoff for decades.
Sean McCue plays a sweet little solo beginning at 1:54.
https://youtu.be/BnPUhQyajJ8
Title: Re: Karla Bonoff "The Water Is Wide" with Livingston Taylor & Sean McCue
Post by: jpmist on June 27, 2026, 02:54:08 PM
I recalled hearing a version of that from KB from her album long ago and really enjoyed it.

While scanning my hard drive for it, I stumbled on Eva Cassidy's version which I'll offer. She takes a few more liberties with the melody but with such a sweet pure voice I don't mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNUX1GpKvpw

Title: Re: Karla Bonoff "The Water Is Wide" with Livingston Taylor & Sean McCue
Post by: Queequeg on June 28, 2026, 12:59:33 PM
Quote from: jpmist on June 27, 2026, 02:54:08 PMI recalled hearing a version of that from KB from her album long ago and really enjoyed it.

While scanning my hard drive for it, I stumbled on Eva Cassidy's version which I'll offer. She takes a few more liberties with the melody but with such a sweet pure voice I don't mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNUX1GpKvpw

Thank you for posting this, jpmist.
Soprano Eva Cassidy sang like an angel and played so well as she accompanied herself on guitar.
Tragically lost her battle with cancer at age 33.
Fame came really only after she died.

Title: Re: Karla Bonoff "The Water Is Wide" with Livingston Taylor & Sean McCue
Post by: jpmist on June 28, 2026, 06:42:10 PM
Soprano Eva Cassidy sang like an angel and played so well as she accompanied herself on guitar.Tragically lost her battle with cancer at age 33.Fame came really only after she died.

Yep, I went thru a phase maybe 10 years ago when I first discovered her and plowed thru much of her discography. I made myself learn a few of her songs, notably "Kathy's Song". Thanks in part to that song I practiced myself into trigger finger on my right middle picking hand <grin> After the cortisone shot, it cleared up, but I had to swear off picking 16th notes for 4 minutes at a time to save my hands.

At the time I viewed as many of her live videos at the time and that's where I came to learn to loath piezo pickups and their nasty sharp brittle tone. I can't unhear it now on her live tracks. I can't fault her, as that's the best that was available to plug in acoustics in the 80's - 90's I suppose. I also noted her extreme shyness and apparent stage-fright onstage which I share. Sad to have had such a talent burn so brightly for so little time.
Title: Re: Karla Bonoff "The Water Is Wide" with Livingston Taylor & Sean McCue
Post by: Queequeg on June 29, 2026, 08:35:37 AM
Quote from: jpmist on June 28, 2026, 06:42:10 PMYep, I went thru a phase maybe 10 years ago when I first discovered her and plowed thru much of her discography. I made myself learn a few of her songs, notably "Kathy's Song". Thanks in part to that song I practiced myself into trigger finger on my right middle picking hand <grin> After the cortisone shot, it cleared up, but I had to swear off picking 16th notes for 4 minutes at a time to save my hands.

At the time I viewed as many of her live videos at the time and that's where I came to learn to loath piezo pickups and their nasty sharp brittle tone. I can't unhear it now on her live tracks. I can't fault her, as that's the best that was available to plug in acoustics in the 80's - 90's I suppose. I also noted her extreme shyness and apparent stage-fright onstage which I share. Sad to have had such a talent burn so brightly for so little time.
This is Eva Cassidy (Over the Rainbow) live at Blues Alley. She knew she was dying. And I believe her audience knew she was dying. It's a gut-wrenching performance.
Title: Re: Karla Bonoff "The Water Is Wide" with Livingston Taylor & Sean McCue
Post by: jpmist on June 29, 2026, 01:53:50 PM
Thanks, that track is embedded in my memory. Wasn't aware of the backstory, though <sigh>
Title: Re: Karla Bonoff "The Water Is Wide" with Livingston Taylor & Sean McCue
Post by: DaveyO on August 06, 2026, 04:11:29 PM
I saw that on YouTube recently
I really liked Livingston Taylor. He's a cool guy.
He doesn't get enough credit