David Wiffen

Last updated

David Wiffen
Born (1942-03-11) 11 March 1942 (age 82)
Redhill, Surrey, England
Genres Folk
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s) Vocals, guitar
Years active1958–1980s; 1993–1999
LabelsUniversal International
Fantasy
United Artists
True North

David Wiffen (born 11 March 1942) is an English-Canadian folk singer-songwriter. Two of his songs, "Driving Wheel" and "More Often Than Not", have become cover standards.

Contents

Early life

Wiffen was born in Redhill, Surrey, England. [1] He spent his early childhood with his mother, living on an aunt's farm in Chipstead, while his father, an engineer, contributed to the war effort. Following the war, Wiffen's family relocated to London and, in 1954, to Claygate, Surrey, where Wiffen attended Hinchley Wood School. Wiffen came to Canada at the age of sixteen. [1]

Career

Wiffen first sang with the Kingston upon Thames-based Black Cat Skiffle group. Wiffen moved with his family to Canada at age 16, and became part of the burgeoning folk music scene, initially in Toronto. In 1964, Wiffen hitchhiked to Edmonton and later managed The Depression folk club in Calgary. [2]

In 1965, having moved to Vancouver, Wiffen was invited to perform at The Bunkhouse club on a live ensemble album. It became Wiffen's first solo album, David Wiffen at the Bunkhouse Coffeehouse, Vancouver BC, on the Universal International label, when the other invited musicians failed to show up.

Wiffen was subsequently in several bands, including The Pacers, based in Prince George, British Columbia, where he was the lead vocalist, and The Children, based in Ottawa. Members of The Children included William Hawkins, Bruce Cockburn, Sneezy Waters and Richard Patterson. He subsequently joined 3's a Crowd, whose initial members included Brent Titcomb, Donna Warner, Trevor Veitch and Richard Patterson.[ citation needed ] Wiffen also cohosted a television variety series on Ottawa station CJOH with Ann Mortifee, which was produced for a period by William Hawkins. [3]

Wiffen subsequently signed to Fantasy Records as a solo artist. [4] [5] In 1971, he released David Wiffen , and had hit singles with "One Step" and "More Often Than Not". [6] The album also contained his most widely covered song, "Driving Wheel". By this time a number of his songs had been recorded by other musicians, including Harry Belafonte, Anne Murray and Tom Rush. [4]

Wiffen's second solo studio album, Coast to Coast Fever (United Artists, 1973), was produced by Bruce Cockburn, and Wiffen's musical career appeared to be quite promising. [4] He continued to perform regularly in the 1970s, [7] though found his success diminishing and a consequent source of frustration and depression, [8] compared to the success of contemporaries Bruce Cockburn and Murray McLauchlan. Alcohol abuse compounded the difficulties he was experiencing in his musical career. [8] He eventually ceased performing, choosing to become a limousine driver and later a publicly funded driver for handicapped persons in Ottawa. [8] Wiffen suffered a serious back injury on the job while moving a wheelchair, which required corrective surgery [8] and impeded any return to performing.

Wiffen's third album, South of Somewhere, was released in 1999, twenty-six years after Coast to Coast Fever. At that time, Wiffen had been sober for ten years and had spent six years in preparation and development for the album's production. [8] The album contained a mix of reworkings of some of his older material, such as "Driving Wheel", plus some new songs. During this period, he returned briefly to performing, principally as a weekly performer and performance host at Irene's Pub Archived 17 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine in Ottawa, Ontario, but then stopped performing publicly. (As of 2008 and through much of 2009, Wiffen was on EMI's list of "missing royaltors"). [9]

In 2015, Songs From the Lost and Found, was released, containing material written and recorded between 1973 and the early 1980s, in the years after the release of Wiffen's Coast to Coast Fever album. The master tapes were thought lost for many years, but surfaced among the effects of former bandmate Richard Patterson, who died in 2011. [10]

Discography

Covers

"Driving Wheel (Lost My Driving Wheel)" was covered by Tom Rush on his 1970 self-titled album, Roger McGuinn in 1973 on his self-titled first solo album. It was also recorded by Greg Harris (1982). The Cowboy Junkies released several versions. Matt Minglewood (Drivin' Wheel 1999), The Jayhawks (Live From The Women's Club, Vol. 1 2002), Ray Wylie Hubbard (Rounder/Philo, 2005), Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes ( Brothers of a Feather: Live at the Roxy 2007), the Chris Robinson Brotherhood during live performances throughout 2011 & 2012, and by British singer-songwriter Rumer, who recorded it for a BBC live session in 2011.

"More Often Than Not" has been covered by Jerry Jeff Walker in 1970 on his Bein' Free album, Ian & Sylvia (1971), [11] and Eric Andersen on his 1972 Blue River album. [12]

"Mr. Wiffen (Is Incommunicado Today)" has been covered by Harry Belafonte on his 1973 album Play Me .

"Skybound Station", from Coast to Coast Fever , has been covered by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings on their Kings of Love album (1999). [8]

"Lucifer's Blues", from Coast to Coast Fever, has been covered by members of the Skydiggers and the Cowboy Junkies in their side project band, Lee Harvey Osmond, developed by Tom Wilson of Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and Junkhouse. [13] [14]

"I Don't Want To Drive You Away" was covered by Anne Murray, as "David's Song". [15]

"Smoke Rings" was covered by Hiss Golden Messenger on a Parallelogram LP also featuring Michael Chapman (singer) by Three Lobed Recordings released in December 2015.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Cockburn</span> Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist

Bruce Douglas Cockburn is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist. His song styles range from folk to folk- and jazz-influenced rock to soundscapes accompanying spoken stories. His lyrics reflect interests in spirituality, human rights, environmental issues, and relationships, and describe his experiences in Central America and Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blackie and the Rodeo Kings</span> Canadian folk rock/alternative country band

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are a Canadian folk rock–alternative country band with blues and country influences. The band was formed in 1996, in Hamilton, Ontario, by Tom Wilson, Stephen Fearing, and Colin Linden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie P. Bennett</span> Musical artist

William Patrick "Willie P." Bennett was a Canadian folk-music singer-songwriter, harmonica player, and mandolinist. Bennett was part of the 1970s folk music scene in Canada, and wrote and recorded many original songs. As well as performing as a solo artist, he was part of several well-known Ontario bands.

Ian Tamblyn is a Canadian folk music singer-songwriter and record producer, adventurer and playwright.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mule Skinner Blues</span> 1930 classic country song written by Jimmie Rodgers

"Blue Yodel no. 8, Mule Skinner Blues" is a classic country song written by Jimmie Rodgers. The song was first recorded by Rodgers in 1930 and has been recorded by many artists since then, acquiring the de facto title "Mule Skinner Blues" after Rodgers named it "Blue Yodel #8".

Simon Caine was a short-lived Toronto funk/soul band, which recorded a solitary album in 1970. Most of the musicians went on to become top session players on the Canadian music scene throughout the 1970s and 1980s working with the likes of Bruce Cockburn, David Wiffen and Murray McLauchlan.

Colleen Susan Peterson was a Canadian country and folk singer, who performed both as a solo artist and as a member of the band Quartette.

<i>David Wiffen</i> (album) 1971 studio album by David Wiffen

David Wiffen is the first studio album and second solo album by Canadian singer-songwriter David Wiffen. The standout tracks are "I've Got My Ticket", "Driving Wheel" and "More Often Than Not". As one reviewer recently commented, "Its complex arrangements sneak around behind seemingly simple songs which gives the whole thing an incredible depth. Stealing the show throughout is Wiffen's incredible baritone. It's smooth but fractured. It's the kind of voice you wish you had. ...As you'll never own his talent, buy the record and get lost in the wonder and heartbreak..." "I've Got My Ticket" was inspired by Jerry Jeff Walker.

<i>Coast to Coast Fever</i> US folk rock music recording album

Coast to Coast Fever is the third solo album by Canadian singer-songwriter David Wiffen. He is assisted on the album by fellow Canadian folkie Bruce Cockburn, who plays guitar, bass and celeste, and also produced the album. The best-known tracks are "Skybound Station", "Coast to Coast Fever", "Smoke Rings", "We Have Had Some Good Times" and "Lucifer's Blues". Seven of the ten songs were written by Wiffen.

<i>Brothers of a Feather: Live at the Roxy</i> 2007 live album by Chris and Rich Robinson

Brothers Of A Feather: Live At The Roxy is a live album by Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes. It was released on July 10, 2007, and was later followed by a DVD release with extra tracks in September, 2007. The album featured two new songs, some old Black Crowes songs and some covers. The album is a compilation from several shows at the Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles, California recorded during the 2006 Brothers of a Feather tour. Most songs feature only one or two guitars and vocals, with occasional accompaniment from Mona Lisa Young and Charity White, the Black Crowes' backing-vocals duo, as well as a guest appearance by Tenor Saxophonist Dave Ellis of The Left Coast Horns.

3's a Crowd was a folk rock band from Vancouver who existed from 1964 to 1969, spending most of that time in Toronto and Ottawa. The group had some Canadian chart success, but is particularly notable for the caliber of Canadian musicians who passed through its ranks and would later establish successful careers of their own, including Bruce Cockburn, Colleen Peterson, David Wiffen, Trevor Veitch, and Brent Titcomb. 3's a Crowd is also remembered for its association with Cass Elliott, who co-produced the group's only album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Hawkins (songwriter and poet)</span>

William Alfred Hawkins was a Canadian songwriter, poet, musician and journalist, most notable for his contributions in the 1960s to Canadian folk rock music and to Canadian poetry. His best known song is "Gnostic Serenade", originally recorded by 3's a Crowd.

Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins is a 2008 tribute album, released by True North Records. On the record, a number of Canadian artists pay tribute to the songs of William Hawkins, an influential Canadian songwriter and poet.

<i>Play Me</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Harry Belafonte

Play Me is an album by Harry Belafonte, released in 1973. It would be his final studio album for RCA Records and his last studio album until 1977's Turn the World Around released by Columbia Records.

Harvey Glatt is a Canadian music promoter, manager, broadcaster, record and instrument retailer, and record label owner.

"Old Blue" is an old folk song, believed to have originated from the minstrel shows of the late 19th century. A 1928 version by Jim Jackson, entitled "Old Dog Blue", appears on the Anthology of American Folk Music album. Since this early recording, a number of covers and variations of this song have been recorded. In his 1985 play, Fences, August Wilson uses Jim Jackson's version as a leitmotif, and the play's central character says his father originated the song.

The Bunkhouse Coffeehouse, downstairs at 612 Davie Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, was a venue for folk music and poetry readings in the 1960s.

Neville Wells is a Canadian country music performer.

"Driving Wheel", sometimes recorded as "Lost My Driving Wheel", is a song written by British-born Canadian folk singer David Wiffen. The song was popularized by Tom Rush, and has been performed and recorded by many well-known musicians.

Robbie MacNeill is a guitarist and singer-songwriter who was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He attended Queen Elizabeth High School and studied engineering at Dalhousie University for two years, before moving to Toronto to work as a surveyor in 1964. In the late sixties and early 70's he arranged, conducted and performed with The Privateers, billed as 'Eastern Canada's Only Professional Fork Chorus'. He went on to work with a number of other artists, and released his own album 'Pieces' in 1984.

References

  1. 1 2 "David Wiffen – Coast to Coast Fever (1973): Forgotten Series". Something Else Reviews, 13 January 2016 by Kasper Nijsen
  2. Peter Warren, Like...Don't Ring. Calgary Herald , October 1963. Profile of The Depression folk club. As reproduced in www.jonimitchell.com/Library. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  3. Greg Quill, "William Hawkins, Lost and Found". Songwriters Magazine, Fall, 2008. page 15
  4. 1 2 3 "From the Music Capitals of the World". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 17 November 1973. p. 51. ISSN   0006-2510.
  5. Jason Schneider (15 December 2010). Whispering Pines: The Northern Roots of American Music... from Hank Snow to the Band. ECW Press. p. 1. ISBN   978-1-55490-552-2.
  6. "From Fantasy to Reality". The Ottawa Journal, Ottawa, Canada, 7 May 1971. Page 30
  7. Including being an inaugural performer at the Vancouver Folk Music Festival in 1978; see 1978 Artist Profile; www.thefestival.bc.ca.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "David Wiffen: Finding his Driving Wheel". No Depression. Vol. Issues 22–24. No Depression. 1999. p. 28.{{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help)
  9. General Notice to Royaltors Archived 25 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine ; retrieved 24 November 2009.
  10. Lynn Saxberg, "Thanks for the memories: David Wiffen delivers a new CD of old songs from his heyday". Ottawa Citizen, 30 January 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  11. John Einarson (6 September 2011). Four Strong Winds: Ian and Sylvia. McClelland & Stewart. p. 253. ISBN   978-0-7710-3040-6.
  12. "David Wiffen “Coast to Coast Fever”". Rising Storm Reviews, 23 August 2012.
  13. On their Quiet Evil album (2009).
  14. Dennis O'Toole, Lee Harvey Osmond music impresses, The Peterborough Examiner, May 2009.
  15. On her What About Me album (1968).