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).
Showing posts with label Double Take Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Double Take Series. Show all posts
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Double Take - Love Won't Let Me Wait
Love Won't Let Me Wait
Written By
Bobby Eli & Vinnie Barret
Original recording performed by Major Harris (1975)
Covered by Luther Vandross (1988)
Verdict:
This is probably the only time when Luther didn't completely outdo an original. Sorry Luther. But I have to give this one to Major Harris. I've always preferred the Harris version. But this by no means suggests that Luther's cover version is lacking in any way. Both recordings are great. But Harris still owns this one... although Luther made it much more famous...(and perhaps Harris thanks Luther for the notoriety).
Luther's cover is noticeably slower... which is his style...and the smooth voice makes for easy listening. But Harris' voice is more prominent.... it just slices right through you...it draws the listener in.
Written By
Bobby Eli & Vinnie Barret
Original recording performed by Major Harris (1975)
Covered by Luther Vandross (1988)
Verdict:
This is probably the only time when Luther didn't completely outdo an original. Sorry Luther. But I have to give this one to Major Harris. I've always preferred the Harris version. But this by no means suggests that Luther's cover version is lacking in any way. Both recordings are great. But Harris still owns this one... although Luther made it much more famous...(and perhaps Harris thanks Luther for the notoriety).
Luther's cover is noticeably slower... which is his style...and the smooth voice makes for easy listening. But Harris' voice is more prominent.... it just slices right through you...it draws the listener in.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Double Take - Oye Como Va
Late again this week (I won't be doing these for long...but there are a few interesting tunes I want to post over the next few months).
Oye Como Va
Written by the one and only Tito Puente
Tito Puente - Original (1963)
Santana (1970)
Verdict:
As much as I like Tito Puente... Santana took this tune to a whole new level. The original version has more texture...more layers... since it's more of a Latin Jazz/Salsa tune, and Puente typically had larger bands.
But Santana introduced a faster tempo...and much more energy with the electric guitar. I'm biased towards guitar in this case. The Santana version went on to become the more popular of the two recordings...so much so that Santana is often credited (mistakenly) for writing and recording the original.
Oye Como Va
Written by the one and only Tito Puente
Tito Puente - Original (1963)
Santana (1970)
Verdict:
As much as I like Tito Puente... Santana took this tune to a whole new level. The original version has more texture...more layers... since it's more of a Latin Jazz/Salsa tune, and Puente typically had larger bands.
But Santana introduced a faster tempo...and much more energy with the electric guitar. I'm biased towards guitar in this case. The Santana version went on to become the more popular of the two recordings...so much so that Santana is often credited (mistakenly) for writing and recording the original.
Monday, February 16, 2009
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.
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.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Double-Take of the Week: Ain't No Sunshine
Ain't No Sunshine (When She's Gone)
Written by: Bill Withers
Original Recording - Bill Withers (1971)
One of the best covers - The Jackson 5 (1972)
Verdict:
This is a tough one to call... I would have to say it's a tie. MJ did justice to the original. He took a song that didn't seem meant for a little voice (considering Wither's deep sound)...and still somehow managed to make it sound great.
Written by: Bill Withers
Original Recording - Bill Withers (1971)
One of the best covers - The Jackson 5 (1972)
Verdict:
This is a tough one to call... I would have to say it's a tie. MJ did justice to the original. He took a song that didn't seem meant for a little voice (considering Wither's deep sound)...and still somehow managed to make it sound great.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Double-Take of the Week: All I Do Is Think Of You
All I Do Is Think Of You
Written By Michael Lovesmith (A St. Louisan by the way) and Brian Holland
The Jacksons - Original Performance (1975)
Troop - (1989)
Verdict: I prefer the version done by the Jacksons... Troop, although they did it well... tried too hard.
This is one of those remakes that could go either way....
The Jackson's version also seems slower... Troop's version seemed to be geared more towards the New Jack Swing R&B of the time (which I never cared for). That was about the time (20 years ago) when I really started to delve into other music besides the Rap and the Commercial stuff of the moment... like Jazz, 60's and 70's material, Rock, Fusion, etc. The commercial stuff started to sound the same to me.
There is a reason why the 60's & 70's was the greatest period for American music... Soul and Rock in particular.
Written By Michael Lovesmith (A St. Louisan by the way) and Brian Holland
The Jacksons - Original Performance (1975)
Troop - (1989)
Verdict: I prefer the version done by the Jacksons... Troop, although they did it well... tried too hard.
This is one of those remakes that could go either way....
The Jackson's version also seems slower... Troop's version seemed to be geared more towards the New Jack Swing R&B of the time (which I never cared for). That was about the time (20 years ago) when I really started to delve into other music besides the Rap and the Commercial stuff of the moment... like Jazz, 60's and 70's material, Rock, Fusion, etc. The commercial stuff started to sound the same to me.
There is a reason why the 60's & 70's was the greatest period for American music... Soul and Rock in particular.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Double Take of the Week - A House Is Not A Home
"A House is Not a Home"
Written by Burt Bacharach
Original performance by Dionne Warwick (1964)
Cover by Luther Vandross (1981)
Verdict:
This is one of the rare cases where the cover artist establishes the new standard. Vandross killed this one. Not taking anything away from Warwick, who was probably Luther Vandross’ main musical inspiration. He retouched several of Warwick’s recordings. But he really remade this song and made it his own.
These double takes are something new that I will try to post once a week…. I will try to find tube videos of original tracks to compare them with prominent remakes…. I was bored at work one day this week… and came up with about 40 songs for my list. I will probably only be able to find 2 videos (including an original) for only half that many. So suggestions are welcomed. I’d particularly like more suggestions from the Blues, Pop and Rock genres.
Written by Burt Bacharach
Original performance by Dionne Warwick (1964)
Cover by Luther Vandross (1981)
Verdict:
This is one of the rare cases where the cover artist establishes the new standard. Vandross killed this one. Not taking anything away from Warwick, who was probably Luther Vandross’ main musical inspiration. He retouched several of Warwick’s recordings. But he really remade this song and made it his own.
These double takes are something new that I will try to post once a week…. I will try to find tube videos of original tracks to compare them with prominent remakes…. I was bored at work one day this week… and came up with about 40 songs for my list. I will probably only be able to find 2 videos (including an original) for only half that many. So suggestions are welcomed. I’d particularly like more suggestions from the Blues, Pop and Rock genres.
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