Ron Ballad (@balladdude)
Jul 1st 2026, 1:02 pm
76 Listens

My apologies to those who prefer one of the more iconic versions of this song! I recorded this years ago just for sh*ts and giggles... mostly because I absolutely love the guitar solo at the end.

Back then, one of my dearest karaoke friends affectionately said, "Ron, I absolutely adore you, but you murdered this song!" So... it promptly went into the "to revisit" folder, only to be revived tonight!

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying your summer. Meanwhile, here in Australia, our days are getting shorter and colder as winter settles in. Enjoy!

Joyce Dorrance: @balladdude Hi Ron. Honeslty, I think your voice fit superbly to this arrangement. I have been been binge watching a multi season drama from Australia made several years ago called A Place to Come Home To. Are you familiar with the show? Again, this was a most relaxing listen..in music and voice
Jul 1st 2026, 2:41 pm Report
Mark Foote: @balladdude Hi Ron.. What a crystal clear recording!!! Love the up front sound of your voice, placed front and center. The melody calls for a glass of wine and total relaxation. Stunning results Ron. Tippin my hat from upstate NY.
Jul 1st 2026, 3:09 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @markstunes Thanks so much, Mark! I really appreciate your kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it. And yes… bringing the vocal right up front does come at the expense of exposing every little flaw! But somehow this song called for that intimate, front-and-centre approach, so I decided to let it stand on its own! Cheers from Australia, and thanks again for tipping your hat all the way from upstate New York!
Jul 1st 2026, 3:30 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @joyced Thank you so much, Joyce. The key was comfortable, but capturing Clapton's unique storytelling style is another story! I'm so happy you're enjoying A Place to Come Home To. It's one of Australia's best loved period dramas, and I'm glad Aussie dramas are getting some exposure in the US. Thanks again for your lovely comments. I'm so pleased you found it a relaxing listen.
Jul 1st 2026, 3:54 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @joyced By the way, I think you meant A Place to Call Home?
Jul 1st 2026, 3:58 pm Report
Jerry: @balladdude A very beautiful and warm rendition of this wonderful classic. You seem to sing from your Hart ....excellent!
Jul 1st 2026, 4:34 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @jerry Thanks, Jerry. I usually pick songs that resonate with me lyrically, so I do tend to feel what I’m singing. Perhaps that’s my way of compensating for my technical imperfections!
Jul 1st 2026, 5:41 pm Report
Cash: @balladdude We all post songs from the past, great singing Ron beautifully done, awesome
Jul 1st 2026, 9:05 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @cash I can hardly believe that some of us have been in this hobby for over 20 years. Naturally, we’ve accumulated quite a bit of material over that time. In my case, I often revisit older recordings that I’ve put aside and spend time refining the mix, as that’s been my main interest. Thanks for taking the time to listen, Cash. I really appreciate it.
Jul 1st 2026, 11:59 pm Report
Don DelRay: @balladdude Hi Ron, great classic and great version my friend!
Jul 2nd 2026, 2:58 am Report
Cash: @balladdude Well Ron I'm 82yrs er ah uh i mean 29yrs :) ,,, my voice is gone, i try a song once in a while ,, but not to often ,, ya karaoke-den.com/#sing um super , enjoyed my listen
Jul 2nd 2026, 5:20 am Report
Jay Dotson: @balladdude Love the song Ron and really enjoyed hearing you sing it a beautiful performance
Jul 2nd 2026, 9:32 am Report
Joyce Dorrance: @balladdude Yes that's the one.. The US has lots of Aussie shows I have yet to explore and I didn't know Clapton ever covered Autumn leaves
Jul 2nd 2026, 11:41 am Report
Ron Ballad: @jay455 Thanks Jay, I’m glad that you liked this version. Take care
Jul 3rd 2026, 12:43 am Report
Ron Ballad: @joyced Hi Joyce, I was also surprised when I first came across this version. As for our dramas, I’m glad they’re giving you a better glimpse of life in Australia.
Jul 3rd 2026, 10:16 am Report
Ron Ballad: @dondelray Thanks mate, good to hear from you.
Jul 3rd 2026, 10:19 am Report
AlanR: A side to your voice I haven't heard before Ron, but this song really suits you singing in this way, I really loved my listen, it reminded me a little of Leonard Cohen, a really great performance buddy. :-)
Jul 3rd 2026, 6:22 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @alanr Thanks so much, Allan. I really appreciate your kind comments. I think I’ve been a bit shy about stepping out of the box over the years, so it’s encouraging to hear that this different approach worked. I hope you and Lea-Anne are enjoying your trip to the US. Thanks again for taking the time to listen and for your thoughtful feedback, buddy
Jul 4th 2026, 4:29 am Report
Scarlett: @balladdude * Excellent* cover of this song Ron. Enjoyed my listen.
Jul 4th 2026, 10:16 am Report
Aragorn: @balladdude Lovely song. Really a wonderful cover of this. Well enjoyed!
Jul 6th 2026, 5:50 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @love I appreciate your visit and support. Take care.
Jul 9th 2026, 11:08 am Report
Ron Ballad: @aragorn Haooy to have your stamp of approval on this mate. God you enjoyed your listen. Cheers from Australia
Jul 9th 2026, 11:10 am Report
KarenJara: @balladdude Another lovely song, Ron..very warm and tender performance that was sooooo relaxing to hear..loved my listen! :)
Jul 10th 2026, 8:13 pm Report
Ron Ballad: @karenjara Hi Karen, this is the Eric Clapton version, and quite different to the iconic version/s. A bit unusual for me, but I enjoyed the change! Thanks as always.
Jul 11th 2026, 4:09 am Report