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Happy February!
That's probably not a salutation you encounter often. However, if you live in the northern half of the US and you're like me, then you're probably very sick of winter and cold and snow and yearning for warmer weather. Well, I may not be able to take the fact that we're out of January as a sign of imminent spring, but at least it means we're getting closer to it, and I'm finding that cause for joyous salutation!
You know, you might think that having to endure a long winter would inspire me to blog more, but it seems that my blogging activity has been much less over the past few months. The good news is that I have been busy actually doing the things I blog about (making music and actually writing), and if I have to choose, I'd rather be creative and not blog, than blog and not actually create. I just need more hours in the day to be able to do it all, I guess. :)
But I do want to keep this blog at least a little active, and the Battle of the Bands (BOTB) is one way to do that. Committing to posting on the 1st and 15th of each month means that you're guaranteed at least some new content on a semi-regular basis. Just in case you haven't seen my previous BOTB posts, let me explain that the BOTB is a blogging event started by Stephen T. McCarthy and FarAwayEyes back in August of 2013. This event occurs twice every month -- on the 1st and the 15th -- and each of the bloggers taking part offers readers a choice of two (or occasionally more) versions of the same song, performed by different recording artists. And the the readers get to vote for their favorite rendition.
Today, I'm going with a classic song that -- truthfully -- I'm surprised hasn't already been covered by one of the other BOTB bloggers: "All Along the Watchtower".
"All Along the Watchtower" was written by Robert Allen Zimmerman (aka 'Bob Dylan') in 1966 as one of many songs he wrote while recovering from a motorcycle accident. Dylan then recorded it in 1967 as part of his John Wesley Harding album. Here's Dylan's original 1967 version in a video that's sound only:
Jimi Hendrix was so impressed with the song that he recorded a version of it six months after John Wesley Harding was released, including it on the Electric Ladyland album in 1968. Here's that version:
The Hendrix version has a lot more production, definitely has some excellent guitar playing, and is probably the better-known version of the song, but is it really better than Dylan's original? What if there was a version of the song that combined stellar guitar playing with Dylan's original sparse arrangement? How about a solo acoustic rendition of the song? Well, here's a live version by acoustic guitar master Michael Hedges recorded at Wolf Trap in July, 1986:
A side note -- i you enjoy acoustic guitar and are unfamiliar with Michael Hedges, I encourage you to seek out some of his recordings. He was a phenomenal player who specialized in alternate-tunings, and who -- like Hendrix -- died at a much-too-young age. Hedges was 43 when he was killed in a car accident in 1997.
For this BOTB, I could post many, many more versions of "All Along the Watchtower" -- it's been covered in the studio and live by a myriad of musicians and there's even a very cool Indian-influenced version of it on the Battlestar Galactica soundtrack. Also, given it's catchy groove and three-chord simplicity, there are a gazillion self-made cover videos that have been uploaded to YouTube. You could spend days listening to versions of this song.
But what about Michael, Jimi, and the original composer, Bobby Z.? Who did it better? You get to decide in the comments below!
I invite you to listen to each and give them a chance. After listening, please vote in the comments as to which version you think is best, or which speaks to you the deepest. Feel free to also share as much as you would like about how any of the above recordings strike you, even if it's less than positive.
Then -- be sure to check out the other BOTB bloggers to vote on their battles:
- Far Away Series (FarAwayEyes)
- Ferret-Faced Fascist Friends (Stepehn T. McCarthy)
- Tossing it Out (Arlee Bird)
- Your Daily Dose (Robin)
- DiscConnected (DiscConnected)
And in the meantime -- keep thinking thoughts of spring!
This song was actually on my list (a pretty long list, though) and I think your battle is better since you included the Hedges version.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I like Bob Dylan, but I do. I can't pinpoint if it is the harmonica (which I like) or his voice which is wonderful/terrible. He has one of those voices that should be just awful (gravelly and not all that lyrical to the ear), but it works. I think maybe it has to do with the subject matter of his songs. Hmmm.
Jimi Hendrix was insanely popular at the height of his career (which was before my time). I listen to him and it always falls flat. The guitar work always feels a bit self-indulgent to me and his voice is just meh. I know that is NOT how the majority feels, though. I always think to myself that I would like him better if he'd gone the route of Eddie Van Halen and just played guitar with a better vocalist fronting the band. And then he could get his guitar solo in there somewhere, as opposed to what feels like constantly as is. So, that version is definitely NOT my favorite.
Michael Hedges was new to me. I tend to like acoustical arrangements and I did enjoy this one. He certainly has the nicest voice of the three and I am interested to hear some of his other work. After listening to it, I went back and listened to the Dylan version again... just to be sure.
I prefer the harmonica, guitar, and driving drum beat of the original. And Dylan's scraggly voice suits that song. So, I am voting for the original, Bob Dylan.
Enjoyable battle! Well done!!!
Like Robin, I guess I can scratch this song off MY list too.
ReplyDeletePeople still sleeping here, so I'll have to return when I can play the music. I already know the Dylan and Hendrix versions very well but am not familiar with the Michael Hedges take on it. So... I'll be bach.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Hedges' take on it was quite good. Think the Hendrix version edges it out though, both because it's an iconic version and I do like the crunchy guitar sound.
ReplyDeleteThis is off my list too.
ReplyDeleteThe first version I ever heard was Hendrix and I was blown away by it. I no longer care for Hendrix like I did back then. I do like the mellow sound of Hedges. But the originator wins out for me.
If you had included Dave Mason's version I would have voted that as my favorite as I'm partial to the clean sound of that version. But of these I vote for Dylan.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
OK, I'm bach.
ReplyDeleteChris, that was pretty clever to include the Michael Hedges version, which sort of bridges the divide that is the Dylan original vs. the Hendrix remake.
However... I am a Dylan fan, and I am NOT a Hendrix fan. (I totally agree with Robin's remark that Hendrix would have been better served had he hired a singer to sing his songs while he concentrated solely - and solo-ly - on his guitar.) Hendrix was definitely not a good singer. Dylan never had a good voice, but he was ALWAYS a better "singer" than Hendrix was.
And, as far as I know, I am the only person who has ever said this (and I've been saying it for decades)... oddly, Hendrix was not only the most influential guitarist in Rock history, but he was simultaneously one of the most overrated. (No, I'm not going to spend time explaining that right now.)
But here's my vote... The Hedges version sort of melds the two earlier versions together but in doing so loses the strength of them both.
There are only two or three Hendrix songs I REALLY like, and his cover of Dylan's '...WATCHTOWER' is #1 for me. It is truly POWERFUL!
Dylan was so impressed by Jimi's cover that he started changing the way he himself played it at concerts. Instead of the acoustic guitar, Dylan switched to the electric and began presenting it more as a "power piece" than a "ballad".
I attended a Dylan concert here in Phoenix, Airheadzona, in 2009, and he is still definitely performing '...WATCHTOWER' more like Jimi did than HE did on his 'John Wesley Harding' album. When a cover version is so good that it makes the original artist rethink his approach to his own song, well, the vote is obvious... Jimi Hendrix! (And this vote is coming from a huge Bob Dylan fan!)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
CHRIS ~
DeleteI got out my "FUTURE BOTBs' list to cross this one off, since you beat me to it. And at first I was perplexed by the fact that this match-up was NOT on my list, when I know for sure that I had considered it.
Then I remembered why I had refrained from listing it...
I figured that it would be "no contest", that Hendrix would run away with it. So I decided against possibly using this match-up in the future.
Looking through the voting results here on your blog bit, it seems my thinking about this was sound. Although Dylan hasn't gotten shut-out, unless things change drastically, it appears to be an easy win for Hendrix.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Jimi Hendrix gets my vote, although I dearly love Bob Dylan. The last version was more modern, but didn't have the drive of Hendrix's version.
ReplyDeleteWell, happy February to you, too! Though I must say that the way things are going, I'm not sure that spring is that much closer. Sometimes it feels like America forgot to pay the bill and now the heat is gone. =(
ReplyDeleteKeep warm!
OK, make it unanimous; it was on my list also (that only leaves Disconnected, but since he's a one man band, I doubt he considered 'Watchtower', unless of course, it was covered by Todd).
ReplyDeleteDylan's version is so pure and simple (his voice, those lyrics, the lonely sound of that harmonica, you just know 'the hour is getting late') it almost makes me weep (OK, I'm easy like that).
I was completely prepared to discount Michael Hedges, but found it quite nice, if not a little bit boring as compared to Dylan and Hendrix.
When it comes to Jimi, I must admit that I never was a very big fan, but Hendrix playing Dylan, quoting Dylan, who is taking license with Isiah (in a rather broad sense) and I'm done for.
My vote goes to Jimi Hendrix.
Unfortunately, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow...so looks like there will be 6 more weeks of winter. I haven't heard the Dylan version in a while, but the Hendrix version is still my favorite.
ReplyDeleteChris-
ReplyDeleteThis is one where I expected I'd come away voting Hendrix before I listened to them, and am voting Hendrix.
A rare occasion where I do not give Dylan the nod on his own song. While Hedges version is good (I like McCarthy's comment-it bridges the two), I'd give Dylan a close second.
Larry
I'm sure there are zillions of musicians who love Dylan, Hendrix, and Hedges (and the song), but I'm not one of them. Who can account for taste? For instance, I'm a Maynard Ferguson fan, but not a Miles Davis fan. Go figure. If I have to choose in your BOTB, I choose Hendrix.
ReplyDeleteYes, if you find more hours in the day and have enough to share, please send some my way. It's wonderful that you're writing and musicing while you're away.
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Hendrix. I'm not a guitar afficianado, but I just like that sound better. I don't suppose the Cure does a version, hm?
CHRIS! ~
ReplyDeleteWe other BOTB-ers are beginning to worry about you. Are you OK?
No word from you ANYWHERE for an entire week. Wha's up, Brother? Shall we send 'Lawyers, Guns And Money'?
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I *am* thinking of spring!
ReplyDeleteFor this BOTB, I'm gonna go with Michael Hedges. That was unexpected and very pleasant.
No fair. Dylan doesn't consider any of his songs *finished* so all these versions are worthy of winning. But if I were to be tortured into making a choice, I think I'd go with Hendrix. There's just something wonderfully dark and stormy about his guitar playing that fits the mood of the song.
ReplyDeleteChris-
ReplyDeleteI realized I'd forgotten to link to your blog yesterday (corrected today) and came over to see your post. I was a little concerned to see the last BOTB post is the most recent-I hope all is well with you.
Larry
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry I let this go unattended for so long. I came down with the flu, and then had a lot of other things pop up, and I regret that my blog kind of just got lost in the shuffle. I really regret any concern my sudden absence caused.
But my blogging going forward will be likely as erratic, and so I'm going to have to step aside from any I'm afraid future BOTB posts for a while.
It's clear that Jimi won this one, which truthfully is what I expected. But Bob Dylan certainly deserves some credit, and a few people learned about Michael Hedges, who was a talented artist who was taken much too early.
I apologize again for the delay in responding and for any worry I caused.
Sorry to hear about your ailment. I understand. I was down all of January with the flu and still feeling some lingering effects.
DeleteHope you're in complete recovery soon. Let us know when your back in the Battles so I can add you back on my list.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Thank you, Lee
DeleteI will still try to be a commenter, if not a poster.
And I really hope you feel completely well soon, also!