Before we jump into the action, I want to take a moment and apologize for being so darn absent from your blogs. I know that I am not keeping up with blogging very well. (Yes, that means everything else in my life is going like gangbusters, and I'm having trouble balancing it all out.) My plan is to visit all of you ASAP!
Some of you know that I spend a bit more time than I should on YouTube. In the course of my meanderings, I discovered several songs recently that were covers (and I didn't know it). Imagine my surprise and delight! It looked a little bit like this:
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| Christmas 2010 |
That was also your gentle reminder to get out and buy your Christmas gifts. Dec. 25 will be here before you know it!
Now, on to the battle. This is the last battle of non-Christmas music. The next two battles will be a Christmas concoction, so bring the eggnog for those, preferably spiked!
The song for this battle is When It Comes To You. It is one of the aforementioned songs that I had NO IDEA was a cover. I first heard it in the early 90s. Stephen T. McCarthy described a scene of himself first hearing the song If Ever I Would Leave You on his last battle in the comments. (Even though the voting is closed, it is worth your time to read that bit. Fabulous!) He heard it on the radio (as I heard this one) and sat there hoping and praying the DJ would indicate who and what this song was. That is precisely how I felt about this song. Who is singing this song? You must tell me!!! I didn't race immediately to the store to buy it, but buy it I did!!!
Recently, I found out that this song was a COVER. I had no idea. Hence, the surprised look (as seen above). This song was written by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits. I think it must have been a B-side on their On Every Street album, as it didn't ever get radio play.
Let's listen as I heard them, shall we?
First up, John Anderson:
Now, Dire Straits:
For more Battle of the Bands fun, check out the other BOTB bloggers to vote on their battles:
- Far Away Series
- Stephen T. McCarthy's Battle of the Bands Blog
- Tossing it Out
- DiscConnected
- The Creative Outlet of Strat Player
- Mike's Ramblings
- Curious as a Cathy
- Book Lover
- The Sound of One Hand Typing
- Alex J. Cavanaugh (sometimes)
Now, is the critical moment. It is time to vote for your favorite version of this song. I even encourage you to leave me long comment explaining all the ins and outs of why you voted as you did!
Not participating today, but I will on December 1!
ReplyDeleteDecisions like this are difficult for me, as that song is in my least favorite genre. So I have to go with the least amount of twang, which would be Dire Straits.
Never heard this song that I can recall. It's a close one as the arrangements are rather similar. In fact it almost sounds like Knopfler playing guitar on both of them.
ReplyDeleteIn the end I'm giving this to John Anderson for a few reasons: it's shorter, tighter, more compact, and less rambling than Straits. I like Anderson's vocal better--seems to have a bit more passion though it's a laid back song whereas the Straits vocal seemed lazy and dull in comparison to Anderson's.
Both versions are very good though and it's almost a toss-up for me. But John Anderson's version is my preference.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Dire Straits gets my vote! Love the guitar and it just appeals to me more. I'm a long time Dire Straits fan.
ReplyDeleteThe first version has a country feel to it, not my first choice usually, unless it's Willie, Johnny or a few others.
G.W. ~
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorites of your BOTB installments.
But before I get into the details... I wanna say thank you for the nice compliment about my little story behind the discovery of the song 'If Ever I Should Leave You'. So... "THANK YOU!" That compliment was "Fabulous!" (By the way, I've always seemed to have good luck when it comes to getting the song title and artist from a DJ after they've played something that really captivated me the first time I ever heard it. That's how I got 'If Ever I Would Leave You', 'Bumpin' On Sunset', and 'The Promise' - three songs I love!)
Not really familiar with JOHN ANDERSON although I've seen photos of him and have heard a couple songs before, but not this one.
I liked his cover really well. He's definitely got a good, very masculine singing voice. (Not like that wimp, Ryan Adams.) Lee's right that the guitar playing on his cover did catch some of the sound and flavor of Mark Knopfler's guitar style. [Wow! Just paused to look it up and in fact Knopfler DID play the guitar on Anderson's cover.] I liked the singing better on the cover.
I loved (and still own) the first two DIRE STRAITS albums. (I remember where I was the first time I heard 'Sultans Of Swing' and I thought maybe it was Bob Dylan.) But DS went in a different direction after that. Although I've always really liked 'MONEY FOR NUTTIN' (AND YOUR CHICKS FOR FREE)' and have often quoted that line and reworked it, playing with it to suit my needs at the time, I did not at all like their other hits - 'Walk Of Life' and 'So Far Away'. But I think MARK KNOPFLER is one of the most interesting guitarists in Rock history. He had an original style and great dexterity in his playing.
So, although I prefer Anderson's vocals, I prefer Knopfler's playing on his own recording. Wish I could meld the two and get the best of both worlds. But since I can't...
I'm gonna give my vote to...
John Anderson.
I agree with Lee, that the Dire Straits version kind of meandered a little, so I prefer the tighter recording with the better vocals. Good stuffs, Robin!
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
POSTSCRIPT: Hey, whaddaya know?! We're voting alike for once.
Alex & DG ~ Yours were the ONLY two votes that I knew (with a 99.9% degree of certainty) would be for Dire Straits. Thank you for not disappointing me.
ReplyDeleteArlee ~ Well, thank you for making that clear. Hahahaha. Sometimes it goes like that... neither version is bad, and it makes the choice tougher.
Stephen ~ Ah well, thank you for the info on MK playing the guitar on John Anderson's version. I think that means he was solidly behind the cover and likes it "pretty good." I really like Dire Straits through all of their phases. I even like Walk of Life pretty well, unlike you. But then I am a child of the 80s... and that is when you started turning off, while I got all turned on. (What is it with the sexual innuendo today????)
I think we must be one step closer to the end of days... you and Arlee voted alike. Oh boy!
Oh-oh. Should I change my vote? No way, if anyone has to change then it'll have to be McCarthy, but then he'd be wrong and I know how he hates to be wrong.
DeleteLee
Tossing It Out
No one's changing their vote. It has been cast!!!!
DeleteOkay this is my genre - and both have that flavor called, "Country." Today's top 10 plays Dire Straits' guitar rifts like it's a every day play- except today it's called "Country Rock."
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I heard John Anderson sing this song - way back. I was in an "getting over you - melancholy mood," he fit the bill. Bought the whole damn album! I loved it then, I love it today. The lonesome singularity of voice still gives me chills. He's a questioning man - "Baby - what'd I do??" He's heartbroken! Must have played it a million times. I got happy. So there's my vote, but lemme tell about Dire Straits.
I love their music - never knew this was one of their tunes. I read above in another comment that Knopfler did the guitar on Anderson's cover. Funny, as I played the Dire Strait's version the question came to my mind as well. DS has that harmony going on, lots more fancy fretting, and instrumentation is tight and sweet. I'm almost persuaded, almost. They kick the attitude up a notch and it comes out sounding happier. So maybe the guys are further down the road on heartache - but our JA is still reeling with the feeling!! And he gets my vote!!
Great battle!
I have to go with Dire Straights. I want to be better prepped for Christmas this year and enjoy it a little more than I have in the last few years.
ReplyDeleteDixie ~ I know just what you're saying. I loved that cassette tape (Seminole Wind). Yes, I bought it on cassette tape. Your comment has me thinking I really should get this CD, since I can't play cassettes anymore.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth ~ Good enough. You and me both!
I go for Dire Straits because they put a blues vibe into it (I thought). The first one is more country and it is not my major thing even though I thought it was OK but I am not for any "twang" and I heard a little of it.
ReplyDeleteI have to go with Alex and Birgit about the "twang" in John Anderson's version. My vote is for Dire Straits. Glad the Christmas battles don't start until December. I liked it better when the decorations weren't up until after Thanksgiving. Cute photo!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Birgit and Julie ~ Thanks for voting. Got you both down for Dire Straits. Even so, this is still anyone's battle... I like it!!!!
ReplyDeleteI knew John Anderson's version right off the start. I've always liked John (except for Swingin'). I didn't know this was a Knoffler tune (or if I did, I forgot), and I've always loved Dire Straits as well. Had I never heard either one, the choice might be different... but I'll take John.
ReplyDeleteThis comes down to a choice between Anderson's voice and Knopfler's guitar. Is there a version where Anderson sings and Knopfler plays? Because that's the one I want. If not, I'm going with Dire Straits. Anderson's version is excellent, but, geez, Mark Knopfler...
ReplyDeleteMark Knopfler is playing the guitar on John's version...
DeleteGreat, now I'm completely confused. Well, more completely confused than usual. I'll stick with Dire Straits, but now they're practically tied.
DeleteI always feel out of place voting on a country battle, since country isn't really my thing. But I actually liked both of these. John's voice fits this better, I feel, so I'm gonna vote for his version.
ReplyDeleteThis is kind of a tough BATTLE for me. I really like country and I REALLY like Jon Anderson. The Dire Straits version has a more Country Rock feel to it and I can't really put my finger on exactly why I like it better but I do. Shocks the hell out of me, but give my vote to dire Straits on this one.
ReplyDeleteI actually liked them both...but I have to give it to Dire Straits, because they always transport me back to a special time in my life, and that's always the sign of good music.
ReplyDeleteCW, ABFTS, FAE, Liza ~ Thank you for coming by and voting. If you've been following the votes, this is a close one. Still too close to call, I think...
ReplyDeleteYay, Dire Straits. Thanks for taking me back to my youth ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a big Dire Straits fan, but had never heard the version by John Anderson. When I listened, I thought -- wow! That guitarist is sure covering Mark Knopfler really well! No one else can sound like him!?!? I Googled and sure enough -- That IS Mark Knopfler playing!!! He's on the Jon Anderson recording. No wonder I like it. ;) And I'm commenting before reading the other comments, so this may have already come out...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, like I said -- I am a HUGE Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits fan, so while I really like the cover version, the original Dire Straits version wins easily for me.
But I bet you had already guessed I'd vote for them. ;)
I missed the "h" in John Anderson's name, so that version was not quite what I was expecting (fans of Yes will get my meaning).
ReplyDeleteThat said, both have the twang factor that grates on my ears, but I like Knopfler's playing and singing, and sticking to the theme of "if the cover does not improve on the original," while it is not my favorite Dire Straits' song, Dire Straits gets my vote.
I think I have to go Dire Straits if for no other reason than I like them more than country, and John's just has that sound.
ReplyDeleteI'm jumping in to vote on BOTB today! I figure it'll go with the other unexpected stuff I'm about to do...
ReplyDeleteMy vote goes to Anderson, simply because he brings back a good memory of my sister- and that's hard to do. My news is on its way and likely to hit the blog tomorrow or the next day. You'll get it before that via text!
Gotta go with Dire Straits on this one!
ReplyDeleteDire Straits gets my vote.Anderson does do the song justice though.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that was a remake. I'm going with John Anderson though, I like it better. :)
ReplyDeleteAnderson's cover was just a bit too country sounding to suit my taste. Dire Strait gets my vote!
ReplyDeleteThis one if tough, but I gotta go with Dire Straits.
ReplyDeleteOnly 36 more days til Christmas!!!
Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to vote! I am trying to get around to all of you. Have patience with me, please!
ReplyDeleteOh this is tough. I think I'm gonna need more time. :D
ReplyDeleteFunny, I usually like the original best in most things, but the Anderson cover was great!
ReplyDeleteThat's a tough one! I guess I'm going to have to go with Anderson. His country twang works a little better, I think.
ReplyDeleteJohn Anderson!
ReplyDeleteThis is easy. Dire Straits. I wore out my record and now my cd is looking like it needs replacement. Christmas? My niece has her tree up already. I once put my mum's christmas tree up Dec. 5th and she was slightly perplexed. LOL.
ReplyDelete