The votes are in and Round 2 of Original versus Cover ended in a deadlock. Lifted by Gwen Stefani's vocal work, the Brian Setzer Orchestra was able to hang in there with the King and Ann-Margret. This edition made me realize that the original will almost always have an advantage over the cover version ... just by virtue of being the original. It's the version we're familiar with so it leaves the covering artists scrambling to stack up.
Yes, that was Gwen Stefani's distinctive voice. You may know her better as the lead singer of No Doubt or more recently as a very successful solo artist. Or, for you Utah Jazz fans who still have no idea who I'm talking about, she sings the Sweet Escape (the woooo - hoooo song played during almost every time out). As Paige pointed out in a comment, I really like her voice (not necessarily all of her music). It's unique and has a very distinctive quality.
I didn't vote this week but I suppose I'm called on to break the tie. I like Elvis and A-M's sultry approach but I've got to come down on the side of the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
On to the Round III, this week's song is Summer Wine. Written by Lee Hazlewood in 1966, he originally performed with Suzi Jane Hokom. However, it wasn't until 1967 when Hazlewood was joined by Nancy Sinatra that the song became popular.
The challengers bring strong resumes to the game. Bono of U2 is joined by The Corrs, four Irish siblings. Of course, Bono himself is Irish. This is a strong performance by Andrea Corr, who has since ventured off from her sisters and brother on a solo career. I'm usually not a Bono fan but his styling seems near-perfect for this piece and the story it tells.
Let the voting begin.
4 comments:
The Hazelwood guy sounded just a little creepy to me. I usually have an aversion to Bono too, but in this he sounded good and I preferred that version.
Being a huge U2 fan, gotta side with Bono.....
Wow, huge blast from the past! Dad & I loved that song. Nancy & Lee can't be beat. Couldn't hear anyone else sing that song.
Obviously, those singers with real singing talent sounded much more polished and maybe even better, however, this came out at the beginning of the Hippie era and Lee fit the part of the song he wrote and sang, it was him! He had to find a name to sing with him to get it on a label, but He and Nancy sang a few together, at least enough for an album (which we have in the basement). They had 2 or 3 that climbed the chart to number 1. These Boots Were Made For Walking, was another. Great music, not so great voices. Pop
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