Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful songs ever written. One of those songs that when I listen to it, I have a physiological reaction. I can literally feel my heart breaking.
I was introduced to Jonathan Edwards music in the early seventies. I have many Jonathan Edwards albums and have always appreciated his songwriting. I love Athens county growing up not far from there. He will forever be missed thank God for the musical memories that will last me a lifetime. May you rest in peace and keep singing and playing that beautiful guitar of yours❤❤.
This song never fails to melt me ... from the first time I heard Jonathan Edwards sing it back in the 70's, up to hearing/watching this video for the first time tonight ... and all the times I've heard him perform it, over the past four decades. Such an incredibly moving and beautiful song. Jonathan Edwards is one of the finest musicians of our times, and I'm so glad I've had the pleasure of knowing his music, and of seeing him perform live. Thanks for posting this, Steve!
A beautiful song for sure. Just hearing this version for the first time tonight and love it more than the original. The piano is breathtaking, as well. Still sounding Terrific, Mr. Edwards! Am also a '70s person.
Still as hauntingly beautiful as it was in 1971. I don't now how anyone could ever give this a thumbs down??? Thanks to Jonathan for the beautiful songs over the years.
Mr. Edwards, Mr. Snow, thank you for allowing me to fly into the universe for a moment to capture a small midnight breeze from my youth. Bless you both, please continue to share your talents with us. Kind regards, Sergio
I first heard this song about 30 years ago. It only grows truer with the passing of time as more and more people and places are gone forever. His voice is even better as he gets older.
what a great song by Jonathan and his live rendition here just a few years ago with more soul and feeling than ever. And thanks to his wonderful pianist Tom Snow. What a great team.
Love him. Spent lots of time with him (his music :)) during my college years as a fine arts artist when painting. Turned friends "on to his music" when I moved to Virginia Beach & we went to a very small venue called the Cave to hear him. I'm happy just thinking about it now. Thank you John Edwards
I know Jonathan Edwards. He played with my long time friend Kenny White who I grew up with in Fort Lee, NJ. I have been to his concerts a number of times and met Jonathan a number of times. I discovered his music before my friend started playing with him in the early 1970's when I was going to school in Boston at Boston University. Jonathan did not write this song but it touches the lives of many of us and is a beautiful rendition. I have to admit to all of you this song, so strikes home to my heart that it is as though this song was written for me. I too write songs and have played this song many times. It is exactly as I remember my love, Denise, who I met in Boston, in 1972 in Kenmore Square, and what happened to us long ago and far away. I have never seen her since and I hope, before I die, that we will meet again. Tears, tears and more tears! Until we meet again, Denise!
An old sound from the early 70’s…..gosh, so many good musicians back then. Had a personal attachment as his girl friend was across the street(I believe). We listened to great music all the time. RIP Lost John, btw…..JD Hutchison.
Just wonderful, this beautiful song always brings me to tears. Jonathan has my utmost respect. He has been the only song, singer, writer I’ve seen live 5 times over the past 40 years. First time I saw him was at Toads Place New Haven Ct. From that time I’ve learned to play Shanty on the harmonica, with my guitar and have played it live with many bands. Jonathan was a mentor to me by how he played with such pure honesty. When I was 18 years old I played my harmonica all over my high school. I was a shy introvert. But this song became the theme song of our high school graduation! Yes Shanty mama !!! All over my yearbook people commented on how I played harmonica , and it’s all because of one man. Yes he is one of the finest musicians that ever touched my heart. I owe Jonathan a big thank you!!! Your music saved me, and changed me forever!!! God Bless you my friend!!!! God Bless you!!!!!
For me, one of THE most beautiful songs ever written. Thanks for sharing. Real nice video. I only wish that Jonathan's vocals were about 10db higher in the audio mix. A stunning performance!
Interesting point about the audio. I'm not an audio guy and half my hearing is gone from younger rock days. I am focusing more on trying to put vocals where they need to be, so I appreciate the feedback. I debated whether the vocals in this series were too strong. In my video/audio production world, I would be more apt to reduce the instruments rather than increase the vocals to avoid clipping and not overdoing compression. But I'm no expert and just try to do the best I can when I have separate audio channels with which I can work, a luxury I don't always have. So thanks for your input on that.....Steve
Thanks, Steve. I appreciate you taking the comments in the right spirit. Since I work almost exclusively with songwriters like Jonathan, I'm use to putting the vocals right up front. Whether you reduce the instruments or boost the vocal, I find it's better to have the vocals take the lead. If you still have the audio tracks and are able to remix, you should; if for no other reason than to compare it with this one. Raise the vocal +5db to start, and move up from there. I think that you'll like the results. Thanks again for sharing this beautiful video.
My older brother brought Jonathan into our house when I was a kid. The album had Sunshine on it, but I got past the one great song and became a believer in Jonathan's whole style. Don't Cry Blue still rocks in my head. Shanty....another great song. I followed thru with about 4 more of his albums, but I could never understand why he was treated like a one hit wonder. Main stream music misses so many good artists. Jonathan's one of them. Saw him in Fredericton, new Brunswick, in the seventies. It was a dream come true for me. He still sounds great!
I was the concert chair at New Paltz College during the '70-'71 school year, and had the opportunity to book Jonathan twice during that time. The first time, before Sunshine charted, he did a free solo concert in Elting Gymnasium for 2000 people. The sound system was not working that night, so he took it in stride and played acoustic with no PA for over an hour.... The second time, he opened for BB King and The Allman Brothers, and did a great job... Beautiful voice, great guitar work, and he's a really nice guy !!!!
This song just popped into my head. I remembered two verses right off. Forgot the first. Thought I would see if I could find a video of it. And here I am!
thank you for sharing this beauty!! sooooooo wonderful . . . . listened to it a million times thru many years . . . it never gets old!! thanks again . . .. thanks
I replayed this song so many times, my album probably has deeper grooves in it! And somewhere out there is a wrangler that I wished and dreamed that I would see again. But that was almost 50 years ago now.... This song still gets me thinking about him though.
Jon has been a favorite of mine since I heard the first note of Sunshine. Been a long, long time but he's still amazing and I'm still singing with him.
Beautifully recorded sounds and visual. We heard Jonathan with Tom and a percussion/guitar player in Portland a few weeks ago, and it was a beautiful evening for my partner and our two adult sons home for winter break. They played this song so beautifully well.
My all-time favorite JE tune. Saw him in New Haven maybe 22 years ago. Asked him after the show, 'is 'Sometimes' in Open D tuning, capoed 3 frets?' - Jonathan was very gracious - with a kind smile he said, 'Yes, that'd be ... ... Open F?'. What a man.
Jonathan Edwards still sounds so great after all these years! I love you,Jonathan! I saw you in concert at The Chance in Poughkeepsie,N.Y. in 1981,with two women from my dorm in the fall,when i attended SUNY New Paltz!! Sincerely,BobbyK
Connecticut College(1971) My first encounter. I'd sit with friends and harmonize to that album. round the shanty...(you know)... the music's still inside me,
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful songs ever written. One of those songs that when I listen to it, I have a physiological reaction. I can literally feel my heart breaking.
Oh you said it so well, thank you…..I couldn’t find the words.
I hear that and you ❤
I so agree...everytime I hear it, it reminds me of my sister who died by suicide 11 years ago today...and my heart breaks all over again
It is beautiful. And for any guitarist wanting to learn finger picking this is a great song to start with
I was introduced to Jonathan Edwards music in the early seventies. I have many Jonathan Edwards albums and have always appreciated his songwriting. I love Athens county growing up not far from there. He will forever be missed thank God for the musical memories that will last me a lifetime. May you rest in peace and keep singing and playing that beautiful guitar of yours❤❤.
He's still alive.
This song never fails to melt me ... from the first time I heard Jonathan Edwards sing it back in the 70's, up to hearing/watching this video for the first time tonight ... and all the times I've heard him perform it, over the past four decades. Such an incredibly moving and beautiful song. Jonathan Edwards is one of the finest musicians of our times, and I'm so glad I've had the pleasure of knowing his music, and of seeing him perform live. Thanks for posting this, Steve!
A beautiful song for sure. Just hearing this version for the first time tonight and love it more than the original. The piano is breathtaking, as well. Still sounding Terrific, Mr. Edwards! Am also a '70s person.
Still as hauntingly beautiful as it was in 1971. I don't now how anyone could ever give this a thumbs down??? Thanks to Jonathan for the beautiful songs over the years.
Mr. Edwards, Mr. Snow, thank you for allowing me to fly into the universe for a moment to capture a small midnight breeze from my youth.
Bless you both, please continue to share your talents with us.
Kind regards, Sergio
One of the most underrated, talented voices ever. Little Hands also a favorite.
Amen to that!
Thank you Johnathan Edwards for so many absolutely beautiful songs.
I never missed a chance to see this guy. He sounded just as good in person, truth, no filler.
I first heard this song about 30 years ago. It only grows truer with the passing of time as more and more people and places are gone forever. His voice is even better as he gets older.
Love this version! You and this song have aged well, Mr. Edwards.
Still brings back memories of heartache these many years later. And still true.
Been a huge fan since 73. Never saw this live one. Amazing. Chills. Beautiful.
what a great song by Jonathan and his live rendition here just a few years ago with more soul and feeling than ever. And thanks to his wonderful pianist Tom Snow. What a great team.
What a golden performance of one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite singers.❤️
Jonathan Edwards is a great American folk singer. That first album ... OMG! Perfection.
Love him. Spent lots of time with him (his music :)) during my college years as a fine arts artist when painting. Turned friends "on to his music" when I moved to Virginia Beach & we went to a very small venue called the Cave to hear him. I'm happy just thinking about it now. Thank you John Edwards
Jonathan............your voice has only grown richer over the years..........I've been a fan since hearing you in 1972 in Cortland, NY.
I know Jonathan Edwards. He played with my long time friend Kenny White who I grew up with in Fort Lee, NJ. I have been to his concerts a number of times and met Jonathan a number of times. I discovered his music before my friend started playing with him in the early 1970's when I was going to school in Boston at Boston University. Jonathan did not write this song but it touches the lives of many of us and is a beautiful rendition. I have to admit to all of you this song, so strikes home to my heart that it is as though this song was written for me. I too write songs and have played this song many times. It is exactly as I remember my love, Denise, who I met in Boston, in 1972 in Kenmore Square, and what happened to us long ago and far away. I have never seen her since and I hope, before I die, that we will meet again. Tears, tears and more tears! Until we meet again, Denise!
An old sound from the early 70’s…..gosh, so many good musicians back then. Had a personal attachment as his girl friend was across the street(I believe). We listened to great music all the time. RIP Lost John, btw…..JD Hutchison.
So I'm 51 and in 2018 I discovered my favorite singer - Jonathan Edwards.
Deeper, richer now than when first recorded. one great song.
Just wonderful, this beautiful song always brings me to tears. Jonathan has my utmost respect. He has been the only song, singer, writer I’ve seen live 5 times over the past 40 years. First time I saw him was at Toads Place New Haven Ct. From that time I’ve learned to play Shanty on the harmonica, with my guitar and have played it live with many bands. Jonathan was a mentor to me by how he played with such pure honesty. When I was 18 years old I played my harmonica all over my high school. I was a shy introvert. But this song became the theme song of our high school graduation! Yes Shanty mama !!! All over my yearbook people commented on how I played harmonica , and it’s all because of one man. Yes he is one of the finest musicians that ever touched my heart. I owe Jonathan a big thank you!!! Your music saved me, and changed me forever!!! God Bless you my friend!!!! God Bless you!!!!!
Damn...he's SO good!
Sometimes people are God touched with talent, he is one of them.
yes xoxo
a song that was a part of my life years ago
For me, one of THE most beautiful songs ever written. Thanks for sharing. Real nice video. I only wish that Jonathan's vocals were about 10db higher in the audio mix. A stunning performance!
Interesting point about the audio. I'm not an audio guy and half my hearing is gone from younger rock days. I am focusing more on trying to put vocals where they need to be, so I appreciate the feedback. I debated whether the vocals in this series were too strong. In my video/audio production world, I would be more apt to reduce the instruments rather than increase the vocals to avoid clipping and not overdoing compression. But I'm no expert and just try to do the best I can when I have separate audio channels with which I can work, a luxury I don't always have. So thanks for your input on that.....Steve
Thanks, Steve. I appreciate you taking the comments in the right spirit. Since I work almost exclusively with songwriters like Jonathan, I'm use to putting the vocals right up front. Whether you reduce the instruments or boost the vocal, I find it's better to have the vocals take the lead. If you still have the audio tracks and are able to remix, you should; if for no other reason than to compare it with this one. Raise the vocal +5db to start, and move up from there. I think that you'll like the results. Thanks again for sharing this beautiful video.
@ Songpoets, agree 100%. One of the most beautiful and heartbreaking songs ever written.
I return to this video now and then to feel what depth in singing/playing/ and performing good music is like. So beautiful.
My older brother brought Jonathan into our house when I was a kid. The album had Sunshine on it, but I got past the one great song and became a believer in Jonathan's whole style. Don't Cry Blue still rocks in my head. Shanty....another great song. I followed thru with about 4 more of his albums, but I could never understand why he was treated like a one hit wonder. Main stream music misses so many good artists. Jonathan's one of them. Saw him in Fredericton, new Brunswick, in the seventies. It was a dream come true for me. He still sounds great!
I was the concert chair at New Paltz College during the '70-'71 school year, and had the opportunity to book Jonathan twice during that time.
The first time, before Sunshine charted, he did a free solo concert in Elting Gymnasium for 2000 people. The sound system was not working that night, so he took it in stride and played acoustic with no PA for over an hour.... The second time, he opened for BB King and The Allman Brothers, and did a great job...
Beautiful voice, great guitar work, and he's a really nice guy !!!!
This song just popped into my head. I remembered two verses right off. Forgot the first. Thought I would see if I could find a video of it.
And here I am!
thank you for sharing this beauty!! sooooooo wonderful . . . . listened to it a million times thru many years . . . it never gets old!! thanks again . . .. thanks
First heard Jonathan Edward’s at The Main Point in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Have followed him ever since. Magnificent Performer. Most beautiful SONG.
I saw him in Beverly,MA. and I was impressed by his talent and choice of songs.....May you have Sunshine all of you life Jonathan
What a beautiful and melancholy lyric sung so soulfully. Has moved me deeply today.
I love this wonderful folksinger since 1973, he's so great.
Thank you for one of the most beautiful songs ever.
Been a fan since the git go. Beauty of a tune and sung in a church to boot. Loverly!
Could listen to him for hours, days, my whole life ❤.....just about
I replayed this song so many times, my album probably has deeper grooves in it! And somewhere out there is a wrangler that I wished and dreamed that I would see again. But that was almost 50 years ago now.... This song still gets me thinking about him though.
A favorite of my life. A dream to see him sing this live, please come to North Florida. Vinyl Record Hall ? Saenger Theater?
Still beautiful! Gets me all misty.
A true Master at the craft of music. TY
Mighty pretty! Great song, great delivery, wonderful piano accompaniment, and I love that guitar!❤
Jon has been a favorite of mine since I heard the first note of Sunshine. Been a long, long time but he's still amazing and I'm still singing with him.
Man that takes me back. Saw Mr. Edwards and Sheryl Wheeler, live in Portland Maine in mid 80's. Thanks for sharing.
Just love this musician!! Remember listening to him in high school..love his voice❣🎶🎵🎸🎵🎸❣
Beautifully recorded sounds and visual. We heard Jonathan with Tom and a percussion/guitar player in Portland a few weeks ago, and it was a beautiful evening for my partner and our two adult sons home for winter break. They played this song so beautifully well.
Come on! Forget auto-tune and the rest. This mans voice, Transcends, all! The lyrics, he has written, aren't shabby, either!
Sad but beautiful!
literally choked up... luv him.
Me too. Choked up from memories and Jonathan's beautiful voice!
My all-time favorite JE tune. Saw him in New Haven maybe 22 years ago. Asked him after the show, 'is 'Sometimes' in Open D tuning, capoed 3 frets?' - Jonathan was very gracious - with a kind smile he said, 'Yes, that'd be ... ... Open F?'. What a man.
Love him. Love this.
Such a sweet reflection
and a lovely melody 🎼🎵
Jonathan Edwards still sounds so great after all these years! I love you,Jonathan! I saw you in concert at The Chance in Poughkeepsie,N.Y. in 1981,with two women from my dorm in the fall,when i attended SUNY New Paltz!! Sincerely,BobbyK
bobby7771117 I need to write that over in standard English,but I was so loving the song,I just wrote anything! :)
jon’s eponymous album is super great - i remember it well…
beautiful in its entirety…
go jon!
Connecticut College(1971) My first encounter. I'd sit with friends and harmonize to that album. round the shanty...(you know)... the music's still inside me,
Hadn't heard Jon since I put away my LPs--decades ago--thanks for sharing.
That's a coffee house? This song was my go to after the first 'love of my life' ditched me. 1974
One of the greats, this song is beautiful
Incredible. Crying.
Me, too.
Thank you singing a song that touched my heart, would love to see you play in Person someday!
So beautiful it really touches me l'll never forget this song thanx sir Edward ur also blessing GOD bless n more power
His voice is heavenly
warm, intimate, singing/songwriting. Thank you for posting.
Lyrics are brilliant!
I cant stop listening to this redition
Beautiful
Love this cat. Saw him a lot back in Athens Ohio. Think his girlfriend lived across our street on Moore Ave. a true artist! 2:18
Excellent musician.Thanks
My God!--what a soul baring song--did he write it for someone he lost?
beautiful song!!
I was there. Going to see him tonight.
It's as beautiful as it ever was.
Come back to Colorado….Please!
wow sunshine was so big we forget the rest this guy is so good
The song you are referring to I believe is a song by Willie
P. Bennett called "White Line". I had it on a Seldom Scene Album.
Wonderful.
An American Treasure .
Música muito tocada pelo amigo Nilson Hussar, nos anos 80, em Ceres Goiás Brasil
The BEST!!❤
My favorite song
lovely.
And again and again...:)O(:...
Best ever heart tugger.
My favorite
Ricki 12/67 to 4/012 I love you more than so much
Tears...
❤
May someone play the keyboard with memories in motion..
i think appropriate for whoJonathan is delightful ..
Remembering
For DP. xo, Always, M.
Whats the name of the church he's playing in? Him & george harrison bet on who the sun would listen to...
I want to hear The ballad of Casey deese
What’s his tuning, not standard
Carolina Caroline ❤️
My son it at war so shut up
Beautiful
Beautiful