Long suffering readers may recall my previous compare and contrast series namely Dylan Covered, Springsteen Covered and Covered by Cash.
During my holidays I had some time on my hands to think of a couple of potential others .One that I came up with was covers of songs by the genius that was the late great Townes Van Zandt. I think this one will be a first to 5 as I'm not sure I have enough material for a first to 10. Indeed I hope I have enough for a first to 5!
Let's start with Flyin' Shoes In the red corner we have Townes with his versionfrom the album of the same name from 1989 on the Tomato label.
In the blue corner it is Rumer with her version from her covers album Boys Dont Cry from 2012 on Warner Brothers
I'm also throwing in a version by Lyle Lovett from his Step Inside This House album of Texan songs but he is not part of today's equation as he may feature later on in the series.
Townes v Rumer - Who is it to be? Two excellent and beautifully sung versions but for me Rumer's is perhaps a wee bit too polished.
It's Townes for me. Others, of course, may choose to differ
Townes Van Zandt - Flyin' Shoes
Townes. Expecting a 5-0 trouncing to be honest
ReplyDeleteI can think of two which may come close
DeleteDifficult for me as I'm a great fan of Rumer but the Townes version is purer, and sung from the heart, whereas Rumer's version is clearly a cover. Another vote for Townes.
ReplyDeleteThe Townes Tune Trounces t'others
ReplyDeleteI am also impressed with Mr Roberts' version.
ReplyDeleteVery much agree with yours and Alyson's comments re. these two. Both work well but it's TVZ for me too for those reasons.
ReplyDeleteTownes for me too.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to vote for Rumer, much as I like Townes. Her voice is just... it does things too me. She certainly knocks Cilla for six on her recent cover of Anyone Who Had A Heart.
ReplyDeleteI've also been listening to a lot of Lyle Lovett lately.
DeleteNot familiar beforehand with either version. Rumer works for me as I liked her voice
ReplyDelete