I grew up liking your song, "At 17," in the 70's. Now, I am 60, I still search and listen to your song, "At 17," once in a while ... with tears and a smile. I hope my comment finds you well and happy, Miss Ian.
MAGNIFICENT and TIMLESS....she wrote this in her teens with such an incredible tapestry of words to describe being young and not in the spotlight. Where have all the great musical poets gone? Thank you Janis Ian"
Hate to say, i've never heard of Mr. Bona, but after this; what a great bass player. He has sooooo much feeling for this kind of music! I enjoyed him as much as her. Bless you both!!!!! and thank you...
True Mr bona knows harmony and is good at listening he didn't ever hear the song before he played it he was asked to accompany her on the spot true virtuoso
For never playing or even rehearsing beforehand, this is glorious. He falls out of the pocket during the last halves of the choruses, but that is due to the tricky modulations that are very hard to anticipate. Notice Janis' facial approval of Richard's tasty playing at :49, 1:11, 2:15, 2:36, 2:49 and her totally blown away reaction to what she's been a part of at 3:36. This video is fantastic.
Janis still has it and even sounds better now more than ever. Richard Bona is also a great musician and adds his talents to this song ten fold. Years ago, I met Janis and she inspired and encouraged me to continue with my music. Thanks for posting this. God Bless. Ray
thanks for the gift. Janis is fine and her lyrics and music will remain for many centuries to come. I wish I could stay alive to see how children of 3000 would show their appreciation for this and other timeles songs. the 70s and the 80s, the golden years of music.
This video is musical magic. My understanding is not only was this the first time they ever played together, it was the first time he had ever heard the song. Brilliant. Very rarely does a solo artist ever turn to his/her accompanist, as she does at the end, and thank them before acknowledging the audience. She was fully aware of the magic they both just created.
They play beautifully together! Janis is just brilliant! Love her hair!!! And when she flashes that smile of hers, I feel it everywhere! Thanks for posting!
My God! Her voice is still there....so pure, plaintive and emotional.....now..THAT's a singer....and the song.....no one writes that stuff nowadays... Just proves you don't need a whole bunch of drums and instruments and backup dancers and back up singers.....She looks like she's really enjoying this session...and the bass player!!! So gifted..Thank you Janis Ian!
I first heard Janis Ian on The Smothers Bros. show when I was twelve. She was one of the songwriters that inspired me to be a songwriter. Thanks for the inspiration Janis.
OUTSTANDING performance!!!! Both Janis and Richard have been influential in shaping my path over the years - and this is one of the reasons. Spectacular!
Right Kevin Bosquez, exactly my thoughts. Bona is really looking after the chords, and Ian is calming him down all the way. Great and rare piece for all of us. 17 is timeless!
I found this video a number of years ago and was blown away. I am a fan of both of them. This was a perfect video of this beautiful interaction of musicians. This song reminds me of my mother….it touched my heart. And then this version….just moved me beyond that. Being a bass player, Mr.Bona is my top bass player also. Much love to you for sharing this gem . ❤❤❤
Bassist the heart of a song. Janis perfect just show her beautiful soul in her music. And her influence on fellow musicians.....excellent. Genius. Respect to Janis and Bassist Bono
Some people seem to only have eyes for superficial things and stupid prejudices. To not hear the beauty in janis voice and also see beauty in a mature woman is merely frightening. what kind of people? such disrespect. And certainly no feeling for real music at all. I can hear and see beauty. And it is very touching. Thank you Janis and Richard!
I bought all her LP's thru the 70's..this is truly an amazing performance of the song....think I'll go to the used shops and look for those old LP's on CD..thks for posting..
gets a 5 for me...just shows how to muscians can make something so beautiful from such simple playing and such a simple song...but yet its so beautiful and so amazeing...really enjoyed this thanks for shareing!
Han Reiziger, Dutch national treasure, sadly no longer with us. Had the ability to make some memorable television and this is one I remember. Story goes they asked Rich Bona saterdaynight in the hotelbar if he wanted to play with Janis the next day. He agreed and said there was no need to practice. Sundaymorning, just minutes before playing Bona was having a coffee at the bar and asked the producer: “this Janis, who is she?” Right at the moment Janis entered the bar. She greeted him, gave him a hug and the rest is history. Great television. ‘Reiziger in de muziek’ on Sunday mornings, sweet memories.
I really liked this song. Ian has been around since the 60s and sounds exactly the same. She seems clearly suprised and impressed with Bona's tasteful fills and harmonic flurishes. This reminds me a little of Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastories except Bona was much more restraint in his playing and stuck mostly to root notes. Bona's talent is in his african rythyms. He can place ghost notes so beautifully and gets a beautiful tone out of his bass.
This song is classic for all time. JanisIan is profound-amazing. Who even knows what chords she plays at that spot Richard keeps flubbing? i would have just made a break n listen to the spot & come back in. Its great to see REAL musicians play spontaneously 2gether, LIVE on air! i held my breath
This reminds of the wonderful programs at 11 o'clock every Sunday morning with Han Reiziger. I always enjoyed his program, the performings were so different in style, fabulous. A great feeling here to have the ability of looking back. Great performance with these two, as if they were always working together! Thank you ric2211! Roeleke
I don't know what actually happened in this recording but I would imagine that both of these artists were featured in the show and either a producer or someone asked (probably on commercial break) if they could do a song together. neither of which knew it would happen but I would guess that a song from Janis would be easier for Richard to learn rather than vice versa. hence the ad lib bass lines and confused sounding changes. Richard is a world class musician and as humble as he is, decided just to roll with it and I believe he did a good job. Great performance from both of these fine musicians.
I grew up liking your song, "At 17," in the 70's.
Now, I am 60, I still search and listen to your song, "At 17," once in a while ... with tears and a smile.
I hope my comment finds you well and happy, Miss Ian.
MAGNIFICENT and TIMLESS....she wrote this in her teens with such an incredible tapestry of words to describe being young and not in the spotlight. Where have all the great musical poets gone? Thank you Janis Ian"
Hate to say, i've never heard of Mr. Bona, but after this; what a great bass player. He has sooooo much feeling for this kind of music! I enjoyed him as much as her. Bless you both!!!!! and thank you...
Love her gentle sound ,an the bass player ,I've always enjoyed Janis Ian formany years
best version ever....the interaction between Richard and Janis is magic
Yess...discovered it just last night... magic....
True Mr bona knows harmony and is good at listening he didn't ever hear the song before he played it he was asked to accompany her on the spot true virtuoso
For never playing or even rehearsing beforehand, this is glorious. He falls out of the pocket during the last halves of the choruses, but that is due to the tricky modulations that are very hard to anticipate. Notice Janis' facial approval of Richard's tasty playing at :49, 1:11, 2:15, 2:36, 2:49 and her totally blown away reaction to what she's been a part of at 3:36. This video is fantastic.
Janis still has it and even sounds better now more than ever. Richard Bona is also a great musician and adds his talents to this song ten fold. Years ago, I met Janis and she inspired and encouraged me to continue with my music. Thanks for posting this. God Bless. Ray
thanks for the gift. Janis is fine and her lyrics and music will remain for many centuries to come. I wish I could stay alive to see how children of 3000 would show their appreciation for this and other timeles songs. the 70s and the 80s, the golden years of music.
This video is musical magic. My understanding is not only was this the first time they ever played together, it was the first time he had ever heard the song. Brilliant. Very rarely does a solo artist ever turn to his/her accompanist, as she does at the end, and thank them before acknowledging the audience. She was fully aware of the magic they both just created.
They play beautifully together! Janis is just brilliant! Love her hair!!! And when she flashes that smile of hers, I feel it everywhere!
Thanks for posting!
Best version of this I've ever heard/seen.
i totally agree with you
It is really amazing.
That was unbelievable. The joy on The face of Janis is wonderful. I heard the joy. I could listen to that song all day. Thank you !!!
And this youngsters is what you call REAL talent!!!!!
My God! Her voice is still there....so pure, plaintive and emotional.....now..THAT's a singer....and the song.....no one writes that stuff nowadays... Just proves you don't need a whole bunch of drums and instruments and backup dancers and back up singers.....She looks like she's really enjoying this session...and the bass player!!! So gifted..Thank you Janis Ian!
I first heard Janis Ian on The Smothers Bros. show when I was twelve. She was one of the songwriters that inspired me to be a songwriter. Thanks for the inspiration Janis.
Doesn’t matter what version I hear, it’s always wonderful, touching and brilliant. Many thanks Janis. I bet you looked wonderful at seventeen as well!
OUTSTANDING performance!!!! Both Janis and Richard have been influential in shaping my path over the years - and this is one of the reasons. Spectacular!
Hey man! It made Janis smile and surely that's the single most important thing about this wonderful performance.
This woman has gotten better, like a fine wine, with age. Rest in peace Phoebe Snow and we will let Janis finish the concert...
Janis is such a treasure. I saw her about a month ago in New Jersey and she was great and such a nice person to talk to. Love her. :)
Right Kevin Bosquez, exactly my thoughts. Bona is really looking after the chords, and Ian is calming him down all the way. Great and rare piece for all of us. 17 is timeless!
Janis' voice is so beautiful. still.
this bass player, Richard Bona, is so good. nice touch and pulls off nice harmonics. so good.
Janis Ian's "At Seventeen" has been around for a very long time, and it's still fresh and beautiful. Five stars.
Just plain AWESOME! Great lyrics , musically Janis is great but Richard Bona adds something that make this classic even better ,haunting beautiful
That was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! =)
My god her voice hasnt changed in 40 years! and Richard's funky bass is wonderfully original. i love it!
Love this song - she still sounds the same as she did when I saw her in concert in London!
Two fantastic musicians. And this is one of the songs that should go on and on and on...
You can see the joy they find in each others music ...makes this a joy to watch
Wonderful... beautiful...
Nothing was missed: This is a Live performance with all the elements that come in such a moment... improvisations and all.
This is just amazing! Richard Bona is a genius and Janis Ian sounds like my youth!
Truly amazing! Fabulous song, beautiful voice.
I wonder how many times she has sung this song? One of the very best, great lyrics.
What a coincidence….. this recording is from 17 years ago!
And I remember watching it live on tv like it was yesterday.
I found this video a number of years ago and was blown away. I am a fan of both of them. This was a perfect video of this beautiful interaction of musicians. This song reminds me of my mother….it touched my heart. And then this version….just moved me beyond that. Being a bass player, Mr.Bona is my top bass player also. Much love to you for sharing this gem . ❤❤❤
STILL SOUNDS AMAZING. What a song! Who can't relate to it? All-time classic!
Gracias por la musica.
Bassist the heart of a song. Janis perfect just show her beautiful soul in her music. And her influence on fellow musicians.....excellent. Genius. Respect to Janis and Bassist Bono
Oh my...this beauty is almost heart breaking...both superb
This is amazing! The dynamics are so powerful in this! The mix is just perfect. A work of art...
Some people seem to only have eyes for superficial things and stupid prejudices. To not hear the beauty in janis voice and also see beauty in a mature woman is merely frightening. what kind of people? such disrespect. And certainly no feeling for real music at all.
I can hear and see beauty. And it is very touching. Thank you Janis and Richard!
Wonderful redition of her classic song, great colaboration with Richard Bona
Absolutely amazing rapport between two very different musicians. Every time i watch it, new minute details surface.
Janis' voice has not changed over time. added bonus with Bona. thank you for posting.
Wow, Janis Ian.....very eloquently worded!! Great song, and blast from the past.
omg ... wz just going to comment i love the chemistry between them whn i saw the exact same comment !!
Two creative artists flashing eachother with musical looks, sounds ,forms , and what ifs i go heres!!
Richard Bona ...... GREAT AS USUAL ...... amazing bass player, thanks for sharing
Janis never ceases to be amazing and Richard is a killer, two great artists.
A truly beautiful rendition of what was always gorgeous song, Richards tasty weaving counter melodys take Janis to another level.Fantastic!
Brilliant !! the smile's. Looks of understanding. Great song, marvelous musicians. Nice hair.... Thanx for posting.
WOW!!! what a great duo!! a great song and a great bass player!!5*
Janis is such a treasure. Love her. :)
I think Bona has interpreted the song beautifully. He would have to be one of the finest and most versatile players around!
Truly wonderful. What a blast.
One of my favorite songs of all time: timeless lyrics of the truths of early youth
Almost forgot about this tune, but it all came back... This version is great! Wish I knew how to play an instrument!
Really great how Richard Bona can play back and add really wonderful accent notes.
That was absolute class,still very moving....!
Great musician, great bass player..............this is the music
Very much enjoyed !!!
I bought all her LP's thru the 70's..this is truly an amazing performance of the song....think I'll go to the used shops and look for those old LP's on CD..thks for posting..
Love them both.
It can"t get any better than this ..... can't
two beautiful artists! obviously, both brilliant.
this, to me, is the best rendition of the song among all other performances.
thank u for posting.
gets a 5 for me...just shows how to muscians can make something so beautiful from such simple playing and such a simple song...but yet its so beautiful and so amazeing...really enjoyed this thanks for shareing!
what a beauty how this song were put together great performance can't bet it.....
Han Reiziger, Dutch national treasure, sadly no longer with us. Had the ability to make some memorable television and this is one I remember. Story goes they asked Rich Bona saterdaynight in the hotelbar if he wanted to play with Janis the next day. He agreed and said there was no need to practice. Sundaymorning, just minutes before playing Bona was having a coffee at the bar and asked the producer: “this Janis, who is she?” Right at the moment Janis entered the bar. She greeted him, gave him a hug and the rest is history. Great television. ‘Reiziger in de muziek’ on Sunday mornings, sweet memories.
Simply beautiful song lovingly sung. What a great smile and chemistry between you both
Grate bass playing, 'love it!
so smooth and gentle... still one of my favs in its simplicity!
Beautiful all around.
so tender and charming... thank you!
Priceless . . .
Thanks for posting. I have seen Janis a few times in concert. She is brilliant. Lovely voice and meaningful lyrics.
La escucho y la vuelvo a oír, y no me aburre, hermosa melodía.
Really Love this song...first heard it when my mother brought home one of those "Midnight Special" dvds. Wow Richard Bona too? Awesome!
Wonderful, relaxed performance of a great song! Thank you for posting this. Five stars and saving to my favourites.
brings me back to my younger days!!
I really liked this song. Ian has been around since the 60s and sounds exactly the same. She seems clearly suprised and impressed with Bona's tasteful fills and harmonic flurishes. This reminds me a little of Joni Mitchell and Jaco Pastories except Bona was much more restraint in his playing and stuck mostly to root notes. Bona's talent is in his african rythyms. He can place ghost notes so beautifully and gets a beautiful tone out of his bass.
OHHHH!!!! Talent, Feelings, Beauty....such a song
everytime that richard plays a nice lick, janis smile to him... it should happen in every stage of the world between musicians...
Absolutely, unequivocally awesome!!!
the best version that I've listened
Wow nice to see janis smile. When payment due exceeds accounts received, luv it.
Wonderful moving performance. I believe Janis wrote this song at about the age of 17/18. She wrote Socity's Child at about 15. Amazing!
This song is classic for all time. JanisIan is profound-amazing. Who even knows what chords she plays at that spot Richard keeps flubbing? i would have just made a break n listen to the spot & come back in. Its great to see REAL musicians play spontaneously 2gether, LIVE on air! i held my breath
Oui, magique, juste magique. La musicalité se révèle toujours dans la simplicité. Merci pour ce moment de bonheur.
Janis smiles at 2:16 bona's riff..great performance!
This reminds of the wonderful programs at 11 o'clock every Sunday morning with Han Reiziger. I always enjoyed his program, the performings were so different in style, fabulous. A great feeling here to have the ability of looking back.
Great performance with these two, as if they were always working together!
Thank you ric2211!
Roeleke
Just beautiful. I feel like she wrote this song about me.
I'm glad Janis never retired her voice is still beautiful!
A very beautiful performance!
CLASSIC!!!!!!!!!!!
Great collaboration... congrats
Wow, her guitar plying is superb: she plays in pocket + beautiful tone. Love it :)
voilà une chanson magnifique !!
Just Class!
I don't know what actually happened in this recording but I would imagine that both of these artists were featured in the show and either a producer or someone asked (probably on commercial break) if they could do a song together. neither of which knew it would happen but I would guess that a song from Janis would be easier for Richard to learn rather than vice versa. hence the ad lib bass lines and confused sounding changes. Richard is a world class musician and as humble as he is, decided just to roll with it and I believe he did a good job. Great performance from both of these fine musicians.
Music is Magic. Look how Richard Bona holds his bass. Like it's a little child.
Great song; great lyrics; beautiful vibrato! Mr. Bona has the uncanny ability to pull Janice out of her serious song with his playful playing.
Fantastic! Thank you for the translation / explanation.