Double Take - Abraham, Martin, & John

Abraham, Martin, & John

Written By Richard Holler as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. It really put a perspective on the turbulent 1960's. When I think about how bad things are today (and they are bad).... I think back and realize that in many ways... the 60's were a lot worse. Lincoln's era was also bad. Not to mention the 1930's... that could be a blog discussion for another day.

Abraham, Martin & John - (original) by Dion 1968


Marvin Gaye's rendition - 1970


Verdict:

I don't really have a verdict on this one... since I like both of the recordings and neither can really be diminished. The artists took completely different approaches... so it would be an unfair comparison.

This double take is just about enjoying the song...

I believe Smokey Robinson and the Miracles also did a version of this one.

I believe Marvin Gaye did something slightly different with the lyrics... but i'm not 100% on that (i'm half asleep at the moment...so pardon me).

Belated Double Take of the Week - Inner City Blues

I meant to post this last week... but I have been swamped by nonsense of all kinds over the past few days.

This was a suggestion from blog contributor Liberal Arts Dude (Redante). I originally had a different idea for this tune... but Redante's suggestion was a little more interesting.... because it mixes genres.

Inner City Blues

written by Marvin Gaye & James Nyx, Jr. and featured on Marvin Gaye's classic "What's Going On" Album (1971).

Marvin Gaye - Original (1971)


Sevendust (2003)



Verdict:

It's all in the ear of the beholder IMO. Sevendust put their own stamp on this song, and didn't seem to want to clone the original sound at all. This kind of crossover shows the appeal of Gaye's music...and shows how universal music really is... and how most people can relate to the lyrics no matter where they are from or what genre they prefer.

They did justice to the lyrics, even though they incorporated their own sound. I like the guitar energy in the Sevendust rendition. But nothing tops the original for me. Gil Scott Heron's version is also good.... that one is close... but he didn't displace the original either... and I don't think he was trying to (Gil Scott changed it around quite a bit to add his own sound).

There is actually a long tradition of Rockers blending their sound with Classic Soul... (I will be doing a few of those double-takes eventually)... and that tradition goes all the way back to the 1950's and 60's.