Added: 2 years ago
From: jackogreene
Views: 131,556
Sort by time | Sort by thread (beta)

Link to this comment:

Share to:

All Comments (132)

Sign In or Sign Up now to post a comment!
  • great rendition, i also like townes van zant and david brombergs versions.

  • Goddam.... Dave was so great....I used to see him at Kettle of Fish, Cafe Wha, and on and on....Always differing, BUT campaigned for then artists to get paid...Thank you Dave

  • Wonderful to hear this again. Today is the tenth anniversary of Dave Van Ronk's death... a real loss. Loved watching and listening to him perform in The Village. Sigh.

  • Jackson Browne covered it very nicely on his Running On Empty album. I was never a cokehead but love the song.

  • Believe it or not, I'm going to be in the film! Can't say too much about it except that it's entitled "Inside Llewyn Davis".

  • Oh man, that's the best one.

  • I hope if they ever make a movie about Ronk, (doubtful), Josh Brolin plays him.

  • @steveissteveable They are. In fact, the Coen brothers are writing the script, so the project's in great hands.

  • @Cwray27 Woah, thanks for the heads up I love Coen brothers movies, and they've been known to work with Brolin a time or two. Hmmm...how curious. My dream may come true! haha

  • The good stuff

  • The Coen Brothers are making a movie about him.

  • @TheWesternMafia1237 That sounds interesting.

  • Comment removed

  • This is real gut music. I love it even though it's been thirty years since I tried cocaine. I didn't get it. Why pay so much money for something that gives you a short rush and then goes away? Status and 'coolness'.

  • Jackson Browne did this back in the 70's

  • @tapgar318 Yeah. It was a cover. This song goes way back as a folk song. Browne and even this guy are doing "covers". Probably nobody remembers who wrote it in the first place.

  • "my mucous membrane is just a memory" lol! Hadn't heard that line though I've heard quite a few versions of this old classic -

  • Dave's doing what I call Reverse Travis Style picking here, his thumb alternations are reversed i.e. highest string 1st. instead of the conventional way: lowest to highest. I can do it each way and prefer low/hi alternations (thumb). His bending is so cool, an inspiration and teacher to me. Wish I coulda pounded down some booze w/ him in the Village but in '65 I was only 15 so I missed out on the drinkin' deal at The Kettle of Fish on MacDougal st.

  • Clapton didn't write 'Cocaine'--a highly talented Oklahoma boy by the name of J.J. Cale wrote it...as well as 'After Midnight' and 'Call Me the Breeze,' both of which went on to become popular hits by way of covers.

    ...Oh, and by the by: Ronk is something special to this world. Love his music.

  • @donchuke "Van Ronk" is dead. He WAS something special /try 'Cocaine Willie and Morphine Sue' It's pretty catchy.

  • @ssalty I typed 'is' intentionally. Nothing in this Universe can die. I mean this literally. Of course, for the sake of friendly conversation, this 'is' mere opinion. // Thanks for the recommendation.

  • @008devlin I don't think you can really compare the two- their styles of music are completely different. But I know I like Van Ronk better than Clapton :)

  • van ronk is great music-was nyc's finest folksingr

  • This is good, but I feel like the Clapton version is just a little bit better.

  • @mutantreveal Clapton never recorded this one, same name but different song

    

  • @MrFrehley2 Maybe he was comparing his blues interpretations to Clapton's. Commercially Clapton's blues wasn't as recognized. This is a shame and people should take some time to check out From The Cradle, but back to Van Ronk....

  • @mutantreveal Clapton never recorded this song. So you can't really compare two different songs that don't sound much alike. 

  • I'm so pleased that so many people recognize this great artist. My brother turned me on to "the Mayor" when I was 12 and he inspired me to take up the guitar. My friends never understood my fascination with him. I guess he was an aquired taste and I aquired it early in life. Dave Van Ronk is like a tatoo that you carry with you forever.

  • ronk means mastrubation in norwegian

  • would be interesting to see the coen brothers movie version of his life

  • @kiratsi umm, word is they are doing one. according to a LA times. so yay!

  • Everyone should read Dave's autobiography--it's great--Mayor of MacDougal Street. Captures a time and place, and also a timeless guy and talent.--x97

  • thanks for posting this

  • It's good for a live version, but the humor seems out of place - a rare example of Dave pandering to the audience? I prefer the stark, somber version - just Dave and his guitar - on "Dave Van Ronk, Folksinger".

  • ...not exactly the best version

  • @busessuck1  You must be kidding !!

  • @hogiesanKenobi I'm not - which verions are you comparing it to?

  • I worked in a place where von Ronk and other greats played. Besides being a great performer, he was a helluva storyteller. And the man could tell a joke like you wouldn't believe. RIP, Bear.

  • This is one of the songs that made me decide I've got to play all these great artists on the radio. I host "Bluesland" on KCSB 91.9 FM and I will play the original by The Reverend Gary Davis then this cover by Dave on Thursday night 8-10 PM (PST). Thanks Dave.

  • I was born to late... sadly. I wold love to see Van Ronk, Dylan, etc playing on the Greenwich Village, I wold like to play there too.

  • えっ、死んだん

    優れたパフォーマー

  • @gottoeekanji init

  • van ronk xD

  • Van Ronk was incredible! RIP.

  • Dave van Ronk is folk music injected with testosterone and black humor.

  • Didn't Hoyt Axton do this song?

  • I grew up with Dave, saw him at the Main Point, still play his songs. Saw him five years or so ago in Chicago. He spanned my life and I miss him.

  • DVR rocked

  • this is hard to play.. i mean i can play it. but singing it and playing it like this guy does is hard!

  • This brought back such great memories. we used to see Van Ronk every year at the Philly folk festival. Each time we heard him we'd just marvel at his wacky, honest interpretations of some great music. And man did he have some bawdy stuff that he would sing on Sunday at the Bawdy Song workshop at the folk fest. What a rich legacy he left us with! Thanks for posting this.

  • one of the first people i learned to listen too along time ago and still love it

  • Read Dylan's memoire, Vol. 1, and I searched out Van Ronk after. Wow. 

  • @kyrgyzstanification same lol than i found out that he was the guy that played teddy bear's picnic and mr. noah, at least the versions i heard as a kid to help me sleep

  • Jackson Browne made this song famous...Von Ronk, what kind of too cool name is that ?..love it..this reminds me of lonnie mack's oreo cookie blues...somesuch

  • Drank pitchers of guiness with him in Billy Wilson's ageing still in Norwich CT

  • Ahhhhhhhhhhh right man ...

  • Wow, he was one of my idols in the 60's!@@

  • whats he say when he says : reaching thru my pocket gonna grab my .. poke?

  • @TheThroney - it's a throwback to an old Pepsi commercial. At one time, the Pepsi commercials all said "Come Alive, You're in the Pepsi Generation!". So he's playing on that - he says "gonna grab my poke....note in my pocket says, "no more Coke", but "Come Alive"...."

    That version goes back to his record with the Hudson Dusters, as that commercial was the current one. I think the Hudson Dusters album was just about the best ever.

  • @rcav8or thanks man, appreciate the response

  • Wish i could have seen this great man play live, its a shame i wont ever get too but love his music and please someone put up his version of motherless children asap

  • I'm an "old fart"......used to go see Dave in Greenwich Village in the "60's

  • @BuffaloBob49 just started reading dylans chronicles, how bob met dave and asked how he could get work in the gaslight club.did you see him there??

  • @bradshawvincent haha i just did the same thiing

  • @windsorskatesesh what read bobs chronicles book?? its brilliant isnt it. gives a real insight into his mind and creative process.

  • @bradshawvincent Bob's Chronicles was the only thing I wanted and got for christmas. Coming from an 18 year old that has only ever read one other book for pleasure, I found it to be life changing. All I ever listen to now a days is Van Ronk, Dylan or any folk i hear from the early 60's era. So much actually that my friends don't see me as the same person anymore. They can't understand this sound but to me its taught me so much. To see life for how I should've seen it...

  • @soldierside66 have you checked out jackson c frank?? plenty to hear on you tube.tragic childhood and life,he was badly burned in a school fire when a boiler exploded.left physical and mental scars. also nick drake (also on here) his 3 albums. my favourite track is riverman.

  • @windsorskatesesh like I've learned to open my eyes for the first time. Makes me feel like I've destroyed my life just 1/3rd through it not caring about how I treated others. Not showing my manners. Getting in with crowds like that can keep you in the dark with no signs of vision. I used to live like I ment more than others, now I see myself as a spec of dust among the crowd. Just wish the folk revolution didn't fade out long ago. This generation could surely use it.

  • @BuffaloBob49 id switch with ya if i could

  • sounds like townes van zandts cocaine song

  • @MrFullmelt420 That's because it's the same song...

  • never seen him, never heard him before i was 16.

    now i love him.

    such a perfect storyteller and great guitarist

    i want to live in te '50s,'60s

  • Dave was the master. I saw him in person a number of times back in the day and always thought I could go on listening to him for hours on end.

  • I'm looking for a DVR Tune called 'As you make your bed, so you shall lie'

    thanks for posting.

  • to thelawsuitebook, Main Point Ardmore, went to all three shows, took 5 yr old daughter the next night for Teddy bear Picnic, she's 34 now and never forgot, we still sing it with my Uke playing background. Everybody thought he was just a broke down hippie folk/blues singer but he always had more money than we have today but chose to live in the village and live the Jack Carowacked life!

  • Dave and the Main Point what great memories of the 60's. After the Main Point, the Haverford Hotel....

  • Takes me soooo far back, all those memories of sweet free days and I had no idea what coaaaayne was but who cared, I loved the tune.

  • I listened to this in the 60's.

  • @tammturn lucky bastard! my ol man got me on to this chap only recently. his phrasing and his voice... amazing

  • @otumoetaipat

    Thanks for your interest in Dave Van Ronk. He was friends with Bob Dylan when Bob first arrived in Greenwich Village. So Dave is mentioned in the Dylan Chronicles, written by Bob himself. I think I still have one of Dave's albums from the 6o's but I can't locate any of those songs on You Tube. Are you from the UK or something?

  • @tammturn yeah my dad gave me the book, thats why i looked him up

  • Brilliant. Excellent.

  • I still remember seeing Dave at the Troubadour in L.A. in like 1969-70. They introduced him over a very loud mike saying: "And now ladies & gentlemen, the Troubadour is proud to present DAVE VAN RONK!" And it was so odd because everyone was quiet...no one clapped! I think we were all just so stunned that he was actually there! Anyway, he came bounding down the stairs with his guitar and yelled, "Yeah Baby!!" and everyone laughed & clapped. He had a way of bringing sunshine..a special way.

  • What year is this from?

  • I have an old old Dave Van Ronk album that my older brother bought in 1962. Has a green cover with a picture of Van Ronk. It has this song on it.

  • This is HIS CLASSIC. I also loved "Rompin' thru the Swamp". I used that song many a time to quiet down extremely loud neighbors. Just put it on and CRANK UP THE VOLUME, after about the 3rd time round it would get very quiet again! Worked every time! Worked very well for those pesky downstairs neighbors. I'd just lay my big ass speakers face down on the floor, crank the BASS way up and play it until they'd quit their fighting,noise making or loud Disco Crap!

  • I still remember the first time I heard this song. I'd never heard this style of guitar playing before. love at the first plunk........

  • We had the best of times with Dave at the Folklore Center in Denver. He played a "private concert of missed requests" after his set. We drank, ate cheese & Greek olives while telling stories.

    We miss you so much Dave! PEACE 2 U

  • good song, i have hort it before i think

  • I saw him play a Guild D 40 at a Town Hall performance in NYC. Front row center stage. He asked me to take my feet off the stage. Said it distracted him. Went out and bought a D40!

    Great song and great guitar work!

  • god damn, I didnt expect this version to be this brilliant

  • Does anyone know what kind of guitar Dave was using on this recording?

  • @vodka: Don't know for sure, but back then he generally played a Gibson J200. Sounds like it to me: a big sound but kind of plunky.

  • I've never heard this version before, but I love the alternate lyrics! Thank you!

  • @ythk21 They are NOT "alternate" lyrics, they are the ORIGINAL lyrics. *sigh*

    Dave Van Ronk - Cocaine

  • @Huntreess54 Not exactly, not even close. Original from around 1924 is very different.

  • this is great though I prefer heroin

  • wot a voice

  • @itabuttrose Totally....I couldn't BELIEVE when i stubbled across this....I saw him a million years ago at the The Silver Spoon Cafe in Duvall, WA. We drank herbal teas and bought homemade cookies from the peole who brought us this wonderful man of music.. There were granny dresses, tye dyes, and kids...Hippies. It was a healthy herbal group and Dave was on stage smoking a cigarette while he played...!!! I bought as many albums that I could find...

  • thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you for uploading this.

  • love the guitar sound!

  • Great !

  • "sometimes I think this cocaine is bad for me" :D wonderful man and song

  • Van Ronk is just sublime. My God, we are so much poorer in his passing.

  • Fantastic performer and partier as I found out from first hand experience after a Canal St gig in the early eighties in Dayton, Ohio...

  • @slubberde damn youre as cool as school

  • I saw him in Cincinnati in 67 or 68, great fun. Love this song.

  • now i´m loosing touch of reality, oh i love dave van concain

  • very soulfull

  • I was supposed to be mopping the floors but have spent hours watching Dave Van Ronk and Bob Dylan. Love them both.

  • seriously???

  • awesome..

    Will Grind For Gore..

  • @nightengale90603 I love them too. They are both so unique.

  • @sohooded Is this the Golden Bear Huntington Beach?

  • @ruhneb11 Sorry I don't know the answer.

  • Comment removed

  • @nightengale90603 what kina floors ya mop?

  • @nightengale90603 : I was waiting tables at the Gaslight in Greenwhich Village doing the same thing. Miss those days! And now Suze Rotolo is gone. So long ago but just like yesterday. Where did the days go?

  • @nightengale90603 I hope you were at work when you posted this comment, a year ago. I'm with you whether you are a dude or dudette. It doesn't matter, if you like Dave I like you.

  • @nightengale90603

    This is so worth the reaming from your boss, you would probably love townes van zandt.

  • Very good version, i first heard it by Keith Richards but this is also very very good

  • Oh, my!!! This is so fine! Have long loved this song, but never heard this version nor seen this picture of Dave. Van Ronk is just superb! The world is much poorer since he passed. Thanks for posting!

  • I first heard this Dave Van Ronk song on Youngstown, Ohio's WHOT Radio on their Friday night "Underground Music" show during the summer of 1969.

    Wonderful then and now!

  • Great schtuff!

  • Just say no, kids. Great tune.

Loading...
Alert icon
0 / 00Unsaved Playlist Return to active list
    1. Your queue is empty. Add videos to your queue using this button:
      or sign in to load a different list.
    Loading...Loading...Saving...
    • Clear all videos from this list
    • Learn more