If you’re a pop music fan, you’ve probably heard Karla Bonoff‘s songs—but may not know that she wrote them, for the most famous ones were popularized by others. Her two best, in my view, were covered by Linda Ronstadt (“Someone to Lay Down Beside Me“) and Lynn Anderson (“Isn’t it Always Love“). Yet Bonoff recorded both of these songs herself, and her versions—save for Ronstadt’s, which is a classic—are at least as good as the covers.
Bonoff does tour, but it’s hard to find good live videos of her performances. I’ll show a couple. She’s now 73 but apparently is still drawing appreciative fans to her concert.
Here’s her best song performed live, and clearly done some time ago. The quality of the recording is poor, but gives an idea of her talent.
“Isn’t it Always Love”, played not that long ago:
“The Water is Wide” wasn’t written by Bonoff, but rather is derived from British folk songs that go back to the seventeenth century, and its beauty makes it one of my very favorite folk songs. Bonoff sings it frequently, and her versions, I think, are the best ones. Here’s a recent live performance with Nina Gerber playing accompaniment on the electric guitar (see Gerber’s great solo at 2:01, which sounds in places like a violin).
Curious how certain people become famous while others go largely unknown.
I really like this version by Scottish singer Barbara Dickson. She has a rich voice and takes the song from gentle to powerful.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6yUHHeOEVUk
Lovely
The Water is Wide, beautiful. Also one of my favorites. I noted that she is playing in drop D, and I will definitely give that a try.
I had the original vinyl self-titled album, and loved to play Isn’t It Always Love, not only for the beauty of the song and her voice, but for what I thought was the excellent production, wherein, with a good amp and speakers, you could hear every detail of all the accompanying percussion, voices, etc.
Thanks for this somewhat random post! Loved Karla Bonoff long and hard and saw her twice. Know two albums by heart! 🙂
The last. Nina Gurber’s use of the whammy bar is a little reminiscent of Jeff Becks technique. Nice clip, enjoyed that.
Indeed. Great (and subtle) use of the whammy. Very nice solo and fills. She’s excellent.
Karla is such a wonderful songwriter and performer. I’m happy that I was alive in late 70s/early 80s to hear them both perform Karla’s songs live, including my favorite, Lose Again. Karla’s version is beautiful. Linda’s is transcendent and her vocal gifts are sublime.
https://youtu.be/ji-Pe-svrXU?si=YSUruAjNPoSheOl7
https://youtu.be/hgNkBpVeUOk?si=gdRCZ5bN1yGLezhx
That rendition of The Water Is Wide is brilliant in every way. Thanks for sharing that. (Now I’ve got to get the sheet music and learn it and sing it …)