Original or Cover? - TTLG Forums

Scots Taffer on 20/4/2009 at 06:09

This can spin off into a discussion of covers versus originals if you like, that might give the topic more longevity, but I just want to sort this shit out.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1SudSWNUvU) Original
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzIuUW9VUr0)
Cover

Do the vote.

Jason Moyer on 20/4/2009 at 06:33

Would be more interesting if you had used Rod Stewart's shitty cover of Downtown Train instead.

Edit: Also, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1SudSWNUvU) this is closer to the original version (with uh, the totally random reverb swells added) rather than some random live version.

henke on 20/4/2009 at 06:48

Heh. I do love Waits but I'm kinda torn on this one actually. The Blind Boys cover was my introduction to their music and their splendid "Spirit of the Century" album (where they also do a cover of Waits' Jesus gonna be here).

Ok, I thought about it. Best versions of Way Down in the Hole:
1. Waits
2. Blind Boys of Alabama
3. Domaje
4. Neville Brothers / Steve Earle (tie)

SubJeff on 20/4/2009 at 06:50

Well due to hearing it on the Wire so much I prefer the cover. Covers can be superior to originals, certainly. Rarely, but yeah it happens.

june gloom on 20/4/2009 at 07:55

Fuck me but that cover sounds so goddamned generic. I like Tom Waits precisely because his voice isn't typical.

Scots Taffer on 20/4/2009 at 08:43

yeah, well I like things before they were cool also

rachel on 20/4/2009 at 09:39

I vote for cover. Particularly for the harmonica. Just love it.

Also, I suppose I'm not alone in this, since the cover was my first contact, to me it's the original, it's the other one that is a cover ;)

Jason Moyer on 20/4/2009 at 10:13

Quote Posted by Scots Taffer

yeah, well I like things before they were cool also

Liking Tom Waits before he was cool would mean you were aware of him in like, 1972. FWIW.

Scots Taffer on 20/4/2009 at 10:24

My comment was intended as a ridicule of dethtoll's rather risible opinion that the cover is generic because it lacks whatever it is that people seem to be ascribing the Waits version (I honestly can't tell because seriously it sounds to me like an illiterate drunk's death rattle - or let me guess, is that what makes it good?).

hopper on 20/4/2009 at 11:14

Quote Posted by dethtoll

Fuck me but that cover sounds so goddamned generic. I like Tom Waits precisely because his voice isn't typical.

This. And it's not just about his voice, it's the musical arrangements too. The Blind Boys sound formulaic to me, while Tom Waits has a very recognisable personal style that I like (albeit strictly in small doses).

In case it matters, I've never heard the song before, in either version. And I've never even heard about the Blind Boys before.