Leaving On A Jet Plane: Jim Moran With Dave Batti

Jim Moran of The Chilly Winds folk group performs his own arrangement of the John Denver classic "Leaving On A Jet Plane" at the Mountain Music Festival in Manitou Springs, Colorado, accompanied by Dave Batti on bass.

Denver was casting about for some traction in the world of professional popular music in 1966 when he wrote this song, titling it at the time "Oh Babe, I Hate To Go." He was a replacement member in the soon-to-be-defunct Mitchell Trio, as the boom in acoustic pop folk music was waning at the time.

But it wasn't quite finished as a popular art form. Milt Okun, a former folksinger himself and legendary manager of the Mitchell Trio and (among others) folk royalty Peter, Paul, and Mary, had taken a special interest in the young singer/songwriter, seeing a potential in his extraordinary onstage warmth as a performer as well as his considerable if still-developing abilities as a singer, guitarist - and composer.

Okun suggested Denver rename the song to something less clichéd, suggesting "Leaving, On A Jet Plane" complete with the comma that is usually now omitted from the title. More importantly, Okun brought the song to Peter, Paul and Mary, who were so enamored of it that they recorded it almost immediately, included it on their 1967 Album 1700, and released it as a single. It shot to #1 on the Billboard charts, the only single by PP&M ever to reach that lofty position, and was one of the best selling 45 rpm records of that year.

The song also established John Denver's reputation as a writer, enabling Okun to leverage Denver into a recording contract with RCA, paving the way for Denver's extraordinary success in recording and performance in the 70s.

Jim Moran's arrangement, played in an open D tuning on guitar, slows down Denver's original somewhat, emphasizing the wistful melancholy of the lovers' parting.

In any version, however, it stands as the foundation of Denver's musical legacy and will likely still be sung in another century, whether there are jet planes or not.


The Chilly Winds debut CD Live In Colorado,including enhanced digital audio of many of the videos on this channel, is available by mail order from

thechillywinds@sbcglobal.net

for $15.00 including S&H.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John
• Denver
• LeavingOnAJet
• Plane
• cover
• folk

[afrost59]

Definitely one of the best renditions of this song on youtube. Very Well done!

[sensei48]

Thanks! - And we're proud to have Andy Frost's excellent rendition in open G tuning as a video response above!

[beaverjamesrivera]

Bravo, Mr. Moran! You brought back many good memories from Cantwell with your performance! What a great tool for learning in the classroom, not that your lectures didn't have us on the edge of our seats! You've had a positive impact on me. You've influenced my work in college and beyond! I try to be less low key, but I do struggle speaking up. I've always been a good listener, though. I admire your strength and courage in living your life the way you desire!

Steven James Medina Class of '82

[ilyu2xD]

mr batti is my music teacher. 

[devizer30]

thats my music teacher at my school!

mr batti!!!!!!!

he teaches my school in music

[wahyu7659]

good....good....

[IKICKBALLSS]

ITS MY MUSIC TEACHER TOO :D

[JokeForDeath]

my music teacher =D

[kigoura]

OMG!!!

thats my music teacher!!!!

go Mr.Batti!

[bbhdrtuvjg]

batti is my music teacher

[Blinkymyt]

Shades of John Denver and Peter, Paul and Mary! Great solo, Jim.