Johnny was comprehensively routed last week by Roberta Flack with her definitive version of First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
From a seemingly unassailable position The Man in Black's lead has been severely clawed back after three straight defeats in a row to make the score now Cash 7 The Rest 6.
Can he stop the rot this week?
This week we have Solitary Man the title track to American III up against the original from Neil Diamond another veteran artist who had his career resurrected by Rick Rubin. Just received the sad news that Neil has reluctantly retired having being diagnosed with Parkinsons.My mum had that and it is not pleasant.
I think that the rot may have well and truly been stopped this week. It's Johnny for me by a distance. He gives the song some gravitas.
Others, of course, may choose to disagree but they would be wrong there
Johnny Cash -Solitary Man
Neil Diamond - Solitary Man
I can't believe it: Neil Diamond
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it either!
DeleteI've listened again to the Neil Diamond and he still gets my vote
DeleteI nearly voted without revisiting the recordings, but I'm glad I didn't. Neil Diamond.
ReplyDeleteHard to believe but Neil Diamond
ReplyDelete"Others, of course, may choose to disagree but they would be wrong there". - Oops, I must be wrong too then as it's Neil for me too!
ReplyDeleteJC for me.
ReplyDeleteDon't like either of them but if pushed I'd say Neil Diamond.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore this song and there's also a fab version by HIM if you don't already know it - but there is no doubt in my mind that Neil's is the definitive. Sorry Johnny!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that HIM cover is pretty good.
DeleteNeil for me too. If Johnny had done it 30 years earlier when his voice still carried its full heft, I'm pretty sure the answer would have been different, but this version lacks the necessary oomph for me, I'm afraid.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. +1 for Neil
DeleteNeil.
ReplyDeleteBut Johnny's version is excellent too.
Have you all gone mad? OK, me too. Neil. My 11-year-old is into him right now. I bought him a Diamond album for Christmas.
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ReplyDeleteThat too is a fine fine record, even better than the one CC posted. Thanks for that.
DeleteAs George says Marie.
ReplyDeleteI posted the single version.
The original would probably have led to Johnny getting an even bigger whooping!
Thanks for forwarding .
George and CC,
ReplyDeleteGlad you two were interested in dropping over to hear the original. Thought I was giving up on this blogging lark for good, but I seem to be powerfully addicted to it and can't let go! ;-)
Sheeesh this is a difficult one. Mmmm. Love 'em both but..... and against my own expectations I'm going Johnny if only for the very shallow reason that I love the still of him on his YT vid - it suggests an introspection that ND lacks on his. On lesser things these days they call for the VAR!
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