While 99% of us have probably never heard of DW, I'm thrilled to death about this. I wasn't aware he was still alive. He is a Canadian Folk singer who I idolised in the late 70's & even got to party with a couple times! He's best know as the writer of Eric Anderson's More often That Not, & "Driving Wheel" which was covered by numerous acts including Roger McGuinn & Cowboy Junkies.



"English-born Canadian singer and guitarist David Wiffen is an acclaimed songwriter whose songs have been covered by many artists, including Eric Andersen, Tom Rush, Cowboy Junkies, Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, Anne Murray, the Jayhawks, Harry Belafonte, the Byrds, Ian & Sylvia, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and many others.

Songs From The Lost & Found features 12 previously unreleased songs from the mid–seventies to early eighties plus 5 alternative versions of songs previously released on South of Somewhere. Whether recorded solo or with a full band, it’s some of the finest material Wiffen has written."

1. California Song
2. Ballad Of Jacob Marlow
3. Cool Green River
4. Your Room
5. Sweet Angel (Take Me Home)
6. Fugitive
7. Crazy Me
8. Fire On The Water
9. Come Down To The River
10. Ballad Of The Inland Sailors
11. Any Other Rainy Day (AKA Distant Star)
12. No Desire For Texas
13. Bought & Paid-For Soul
14. No Expectations
15. Let Your Love Light Shine
16. Harlequin
17. Rocking Chair World

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q3OYUGC/?tag=imwan-20

Per Wiki, I find this more even more exciting, "Mousehole Music NLC is in the process of preparing the release of a 2 CD set of Wiffen's music, containing 15 previously unreleased songs, as well as alternate versions of older songs"

Looks very interesting Geff. I must have admit, I never heard of him but then again, we learn something everyday.

Rick A.

Start with Coast To Coast Fever which to my SHOCK is budget priced on Amazon right now (I have sold DW vinyl for $300+ in the past) it was produced by Bruce Cockburn. Wiffen's first group featured him, Cockburn & Mama Cass.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000549JY/?tag=imwan-20

I might even pick it up as my Italian (official) mini sleeve doesn't have very good sound.

Thanks Geff!

from Amazon link provided: "Thank you, your order has been placed."

Rick A.

I hope you enjoy it half as much as I have. Around my 18th year. that was a favorite album. My mother had a friend who used to advertise on the local rock station. She'd get PILES of unknown promos in return. 95% was garbage, but that was one of the gems.

He's much better known in Canada.

I bought his self titled album on Fantasy on the recommendation of a friend back in the mid-70's. Love it. This will be a must buy.

We all need to compare notes when we get this reissue.

Rick A.

If you like the self-titled debut (I do), you will LOVE Coast To Coast Fever!

I am fortunate to also have a soundboard duo that I mixed & a BBC transcription disc that his (& Cockburn's) manager gave me. South of Somewhere is pretty good also.

I used to have Live At The Bunkhouse (worth a fortune but dreadful early 60's folk) & the equally dreadful 3's a Crowd (David was the only leftover when Cockburn & Mama Cass quit).

Well, that kind of goes without saying and it also had a wider distribution. The first one, as you noted, is a difficult find and was my introduction through an older friend who saw him make the 'rounds' in those early days.

I was re-reading the track listing. I have heard Sweet Angel & Fire on The Water live (they're on my soundboard tape). Live they were awesome. I have no clue what the studio versions are like, but I am going to have to find the $14 just for those 2 songs.

I didn't know this until checking around for this release, but there is a 2014 version of his Fantasy album with 4 bonus trax. That's on my list also:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJO2U0K/?tag=imwan-20

I also looked at South Of Somewhere which is mostly alternate versions of some of his better songs. As I own it, I'm a huge fan & I'd 100% forgotten that; I suspect South may not be all that good. I'll have to pull it out & play it.

I am also pretty excited about the debut reissue; it's the Italian Akarma mini sleeve of the debut that has mediocre sound; NOT the Canadian Coast To Coast Fever (I have an awful memory)

It came in today Geff. This and Bruce are top of my playlist for the weekend!

Rick A.

Let me know what you think (Hope you like it as much as I do)! I still need to get Lost & Found.

Just finished playing it this morning, excellent! Is the first album available on CD?

Rick A.

Yes, there is a new bonus track version. It's good, but not as good due to poor production (David's words; & I agree with him). It has some GREAT songs, though.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KJO2U0K/?tag=imwan-20

Thanks Geff. If I find a used copy I'll go for it.

Rick A.

I'm still trying to find better pricing for both that & the new one that I started this thread with. No one is significantly discounting them that I can find.

Just bought the thread title cd from a 3rd party on Amazon ($12.99 shipped New/sealed). I hope it's good!

Ordered both cds based on your recommendations. Thanks for the heads up as I've always liked "Driving Wheel" but had no idea about the writer other than his name.

Wiffen is somewhat known in Canada (I believe C2C won some Canadian awards in the 70's), but is virtually unknown here.

I discovered him from a combination of the promo I mentioned earlier, falling in love with Eric Andersen's cover of More Often Then Not on Blue River, & being really into the Canadian singer-songwriter scene in my teens - my mid 30's.

He's also a really nice guy; when he let me record the soundboard I have, we spent a couple days together. i was only 18 & he treated me like an adult & even graciously sat through listening to me playing a song I wrote that was influenced by his music.

FYI: I pulled out South Of Somewhere the other night. It's god awful. Be warned; sounds like he's playing with a Mexican restaurant bar band (& that they did the arrangements). Not sure why I kept that one!

And the completist in me reads "Mexican restaurant bar band" and am overcome with the urge to grab that too