I hired David in the early 70's. While in High School I ran a small coffee house on the second floor of a North York (Toronto) newspaper building while going to school there. I was in awe of David and his music at the time, and this song "More often than not" inspired me to pick up the guitar. and learn that song. If you read this David, I send you blessings from Toronto.
Love this - and the beautiful resonance of David's voice. Met him at The Bunkhouse when my family were regular performers, there, back in the day. Then a group I was with opened for Three's a Crowd in a concert at SFU - and there he was, again. Love his writing and his singing . . . hope that - wherever he is - Life is being kind to him.
I heard David perform 1972 at Smale’s Pace - a little coffee house in London ON - along with WP Bennett - and I was swept away by the quality of his voice and “his Blues.” There’s a deep sadness in those songs - More Often Than Not, Coast to Coast Fever, Drivin’ Wheel et al but he delivers them with such quality in his voice. Compare that to what Bob Dylan sounded like around that era…. Like the difference between the Devil and the deep blue sea. I still listen and/or sing these songs to anyone who will listen. Hail to DW!
1977, Blue Room in Oshawa, what a voice, loved him then, even more now, cant' believe he's not more well known, but then none of the real ones are. God, there were so many great folkie back then, ie. David Essig, Original Sloth, Pied Pumkin, Perth County Conspiracy, Rick Mazeriek?, Willie P. Bennett, etc., love them all.. Thank you for posting.
"HOW MANY TIMES DO YA HAVE TO DIE NOW" - as many as it takes - I DIED ONCE, and the ANGEL who HELD MY HAND told me I HAD A CHOICE - I could GO ON TO HEAVEN or I COULD GO BACK TO THE EARTH and TAKE CARE of MY LOVED ONES. I chose EARTH and LIFE- And my LOVED ONES. DAVID FOREVER IS ONE OF MY LOVED ONES.
Here is the man that was one of my most important inspirations as a singer and a player and songwriter. I just love his take on this tune. I first heard him play at the Depression coffee house in Calgary, 1963. What a great artist he is.
Thanks for this wonderful gem, This is one of the most wonderful songs that I have the chance to listen in my life. David Wiffen has a tremendous talent and I am sure that it will be appreciate with the time like all the talented artist !
Great, beautiful song Mr Wiffen...And yes, I *would believe* that it happens more often than not. Jerry Jeff Walket and Ian + Sylvia Tyson brought me here. 🐎💨
Don: Thanks a million for uploading this video! This song is the reason I bought the album it was on back in the early 70's. David Wiffen is a great singer and songwriter. I have often wondered what happened to him. I'm glad to see he is still singing.
I used to see this guy at a place called L'hibou, in Ottawa. And I paid $1.25 to get in. He was so awesome and probably stlll is when he "comes down out of the moiuntains".
This is the first time listening to this. This is really good. My favorite is Ian Tyson's version to which I grew up to. But now, I love both of David Wiffen and Ian Tyson's version of More Often Than Not which is one of my favorite songs of all time.
This is fabulous. David Wiffen never got the fame he deserved. His appearance, style and even his band in this video is very similar to Jerry Jeff Walker....not Jerry Jeff, the bar singer, but Jerry Jeff the great songwriter and interpreter of great songs, including this one. David's Driving Wheel is also great. Covered by Ray Wylie Hubbard and more recently by David Bromberg.
My husband and I were blessed to be able to attend a tribute concert just over a year ago(hughsroom.com/event/a-celebration-of-david-wiffen/) here in Toronto The artists who performed did an absolutely wonderful job and he just sat at a table with the rest of the audience, basking in the respect of the artists and the attendees, along with the melodies soaring around us all. Both my husband and I spent part of our childhoods in Ottawa (where, I understand, DW still lives) and his music was certainly part of our lives for many years. No, he didn't perform - he doesn't these days - but his presence was nothing short of magical.
Saw Dave many time at the Bunkhouse in Vancouver in the 60's. Bought his album, and was pleased to see him perform with 3's A Crowd at the Retinal Circus. Hope he is well.
Can't even enumerate the major talents that I saw at Smales Pace. As an aside, my sister worked there as a musician/waitress, and always gave me more that my share of cream cheese on my bagels. Willie P. Bennett used to sleep behind/under the stage when he was just starting out. He eventually moved into a rooming house on Dufferin Ave (I think). I used to jam with him there. Memories of the "old days" are becoming a bit too painful.
Have I not been far enough? How many times do I have to die? Hey, how many sets has it been? Not another one, oh, no Would you believe that it happens more often than not? Here's to all the people that I'm not with tonight... wherever they are Well, I rode in late last night Would you believe I was like to die? There was my lady lyin' with a man Not another one, oh, no! Would you believe that it happens more often than not? Here's to all the ladies that fell for me tonight Whoever they were So, pass that bottle, ah, give it here There's so many reasons to drink it dry Ease my pain, Lord, it's like to kill me Here, have another, here it goes Then you'll believe that it happens more often than not Here's to all the bottles that I've drunk in my time Whatever they were Here's to all the people I'm not with tonight wherever they are
I have loved "More Often Than Not" for close to 50 years, and "Driving Wheel" about that long thinking Ian Tyson and Tom Rush respectively wrote them. Discovered almost by accident that David Wiffen wrote both masterpieces
Used to see Dave in Toronto in the early 70's while going to school there, inspired me to pick up the guitar. Thank you for posting, I find his version of this fine tune, the best I've ever heard, great to see and hear him again ! I live in Victoria, does he play out this way ?
@MsPlanet3 Are you a "John and Jim Smale" from the London area. If so, I'll bet we met many times at Smale's Pace. Is this important? Prolly not, but it keeps some of us in communication regarding an important socio-business event in London, Ont., and feels cool just to remember. If not - sorry you missed it.
ChrisAndTommy GoodTimeFolkRockShow I found a DW on Twitter, this one lives in Bolton and looks like St. Nick! I wasn't signed in and I'm not a tweeter. BTW looks like I forgot my, "please" and it was a bet that he would pay me back. Can't win them all!
