Cover songs are rarely as good as the originals. Check this out. This is Disturbed singing the Simon & Garfunkle classic "Sounds of Silence" on Conan. The lead singer is David Draiman. It knocked me out. What do you think?
I can see where you might find the performance compelling. I thought it was way over the top for the material. And I couldn't stop wondering if random Cowboys use the singer's chin hardware when they need someplace to secure their horses.
Before I clicked I thought, "you don't mess with perfection", but I have to admit he's really good, and the ending blew me away. Still, you can't do Simon & Garfunkel better than Simon & Garfunkel, you just can't. (Andy Williams joining them for Scarborough Fair comes close, though - I don't know how to link but it's on YouTube.)
Thank Columbia producer Tom Wilson for making Simon & Garfunkel stars. "Sounds of Silence" initially was released as an acoustic track on the 1964 album "Wednesday Morning 3 A.M.," and neither it nor the album went anywhere. By 1965, Paul and Art had broken up. But Wilson, noting the success of the electrified Bob Dylan, persuaded the label to add a rockish backing track. The result? A #1 single as 1965 turned into 1966. (The acoustic original remains available on the album.)
Fantastic...I'm actually a huge fan of good covers, when someone can truly make a song their own. My absolute favorite is Stevie Wonders WE CAN WORK IT OUT. I love The Beatles, but Stevie's version is so so great.
Thanks for sharing that -- very strong. I wasn't thrilled when the singing gave way, temporarily, to raspy screaming near the end, but overall, it's probably the best cover of that song I've heard.
The problem, at least for me, is that it's impossible to listen to it without comparing it to the original. I'm curious what people who heard the Disturbed version first, then S&G (the Tom Wilson version, as VP81955 notes above), would think.
As you'll know, the sixties saw rock added to all genres including folk. So Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath were performing original acoustic numbers in the early seventies. Judas Priest adopted Diamonds & Rust in '75. Even Motörhead produced the excellent Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me and Whorehouse Blues.
Friday (or any day) Question: I found a two-act play that I had written approximately 13 years ago, when I was a grad student and still believing I would become a professional writer someday. Should I reread the f**ker in order to refresh my memory...or should I just put it away in another drawer and forget all about it (again)? Thanks in advance!
I recently watched the first 2 episodes of “The Ranch” on Netflix, mostly because it popped up in my queue. Based on its cast (Debra Winger, Sam Elliott mostly) I assumed it would be a drama. Turns out it is really a pretty standard sitcom – but with swearing.
Here’s what really gets me…I’m not sure if I like it or not, and whether I should keep watching. I feel like I should like it based on actor pedigree. Can’t remember when I’ve felt this noncommittal about a show before…usually I love or hate something. Am just not sure what I think about this show.
The review on Vanity Fair sums it up pretty fairly I think. http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/04/the-ranch-netflix-ashton-kutcher-review.
Would love to read your thoughts about this show…how would you change it up/improve it/leave it as is?
Like Benny and David said, I thought he went a little over the top in the "neon god" verse. But I found it preferable to listening to Simon and Garfunkel mumble-whisper their way through the original.
These were the first lyrics I ever bothered to memorize when I was a kid so you could say I'm a fan. I would never have expected to like ANYONE messing with the original, but this was great!
This song hit my Amazon playlist a while back. Some people will never accept a re-make of a masterpiece. However, these guys took this song and made it their own. They took a masterpiece and repainted it for today's generation. What better could you do?
Don't know this guy, but his voice reminds me a bit of David Clayton Thomas from Blood Sweat & Tears. He may be a little sweatier, though. Interesting take, although my favorite cover of a rock song will always be Devo's version of "Satisfaction."
Odd thing I've noticed about this song is that everyone tends to get really loud on the last verse. We used to have to sing it in my junior high music class with the teacher playing piano. My friend Mike and I would crack up laughing at how the volume of the classroom full of kids it singing would suddenly surge on "AND THE PEOPLE BOWED AND PRAYED!!!"
After hearing that a few times, I decided that silence was actually a good sound.
It's OK, I guess. Best thing would be if it got young people unfamiliar with the song to go back to the original. But, for me, my first thought while listening to it was wondering: Whatever happened to the band "Crash Test Dummies"?
The official video is great too, Ken. I had low expectations going in and was knocked out. Fyi, Paul Simon just complimented them on his Facebook page.
It's really good, and I really like it. As stated before, seeing artists make a cover their own is pretty neat. Loved the Devo - Satisfaction as well, or you could look at Johnny Cash covering NiN's Hurt.....and I think one of my favorite originals that has 2 great covers is Prince's Kiss, covered by Tom Jones / Art of Noise and by a group called Age of Chance. One song sounding 3 different ways....all amazing.
Regardless of whether I'd download it as a single or not, I thought that was a really powerful performance. I bet being on the audience, hearing it live, was absolutely incredible.
This is the best rendition of SOS since its release in 1964. A powerful and moving melody and lyrics performed by a first class band. Disturbed and David Draiman performed exceptionally with a tremendous feeling that captivates the audience. The song played at Conan just added to the creativity, mistiness and professionalism of Disturbed.
Keep on climbing the charts worldwide - close to 100 million hits on youtube and 22 million on Conan. YJ Draiman
This is the best rendition of SOS since its release in 1964. A powerful and moving melody and lyrics performed by a first class band. Disturbed and David Draiman performed exceptionally with a tremendous feeling that captivates the audience. The song played at Conan just added to the creativity, mistiness and professionalism of Disturbed.
Keep on climbing the charts worldwide - over 137 million hits on youtube and over 34 million on Conan. YJ Draiman
NOTE: Even though leaving a comment anonymously is an option here, we really discourage that. Please use a name using the Name/URL option. Invent one if you must. Be creative. Anonymous comments are subject to deletion. Thanks.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.
What a remarkably versatile voice.
ReplyDeleteI can see where you might find the performance compelling. I thought it was way over the top for the material. And I couldn't stop wondering if random Cowboys use the singer's chin hardware when they need someplace to secure their horses.
ReplyDeleteBefore I clicked I thought, "you don't mess with perfection", but I have to admit he's really good, and the ending blew me away. Still, you can't do Simon & Garfunkel better than Simon & Garfunkel, you just can't. (Andy Williams joining them for Scarborough Fair comes close, though - I don't know how to link but it's on YouTube.)
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy when heavy metal singers bother to actually sing. Most of ’em do more screaming than singing. Disturbed included.
ReplyDeleteThank Columbia producer Tom Wilson for making Simon & Garfunkel stars. "Sounds of Silence" initially was released as an acoustic track on the 1964 album "Wednesday Morning 3 A.M.," and neither it nor the album went anywhere. By 1965, Paul and Art had broken up. But Wilson, noting the success of the electrified Bob Dylan, persuaded the label to add a rockish backing track. The result? A #1 single as 1965 turned into 1966. (The acoustic original remains available on the album.)
ReplyDeleteI first started listening to Disturbed when I heard their cover of Shout. (Tears for Fears song covered in 2000)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite cover of a Simon and Garfunkel song is still Hazy Shade of Winter by The Bangles for the movie Less than Zero. (1987)
Paul Simon posted on Facebook urging people to look/listen to the clip, so I took that as an endorsement from the writer.
ReplyDeleteYou're dead on. Powerful! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFantastic...I'm actually a huge fan of good covers, when someone can truly make a song their own. My absolute favorite is Stevie Wonders WE CAN WORK IT OUT. I love The Beatles, but Stevie's version is so so great.
ReplyDeleteGreat voice! Not what I was expecting.
ReplyDeleteThat Stevie Wonder version of WE CAN WORK IT OUT is great, too.
Thanks for sharing that -- very strong. I wasn't thrilled when the singing gave way, temporarily, to raspy screaming near the end, but overall, it's probably the best cover of that song I've heard.
ReplyDeleteThe problem, at least for me, is that it's impossible to listen to it without comparing it to the original. I'm curious what people who heard the Disturbed version first, then S&G (the Tom Wilson version, as VP81955 notes above), would think.
Wow, that's all. Just... Wow!
ReplyDeleteI like it
ReplyDeleteI think Mike Myers cornered the market on Bond villain songs.
ReplyDeleteNot bad, but I prefer the S&G version.
ReplyDeleteMeh, weak sauce. You need programmes like the BBC's Later... where half-a-dozen bands play in the round and string sections get dragged in to augment.
ReplyDeleteHere's a Mongolian throat-singer covering Motörhead. Lemmy was always meticulous warming his throat before a gig, with forty Marlborough and a few bottles of Jack Daniels.
As you'll know, the sixties saw rock added to all genres including folk. So Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath were performing original acoustic numbers in the early seventies. Judas Priest adopted Diamonds & Rust in '75. Even Motörhead produced the excellent Don't Let Daddy Kiss Me and Whorehouse Blues.
Friday (or any day) Question: I found a two-act play that I had written approximately 13 years ago, when I was a grad student and still believing I would become a professional writer someday. Should I reread the f**ker in order to refresh my memory...or should I just put it away in another drawer and forget all about it (again)? Thanks in advance!
ReplyDeletePossible Friday question?
ReplyDeleteI recently watched the first 2 episodes of “The Ranch” on Netflix, mostly because it popped up in my queue. Based on its cast (Debra Winger, Sam Elliott mostly) I assumed it would be a drama. Turns out it is really a pretty standard sitcom – but with swearing.
Here’s what really gets me…I’m not sure if I like it or not, and whether I should keep watching. I feel like I should like it based on actor pedigree. Can’t remember when I’ve felt this noncommittal about a show before…usually I love or hate something. Am just not sure what I think about this show.
The review on Vanity Fair sums it up pretty fairly I think. http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/04/the-ranch-netflix-ashton-kutcher-review.
Would love to read your thoughts about this show…how would you change it up/improve it/leave it as is?
Like Benny and David said, I thought he went a little over the top in the "neon god" verse. But I found it preferable to listening to Simon and Garfunkel mumble-whisper their way through the original.
ReplyDeleteThese were the first lyrics I ever bothered to memorize when I was a kid so you could say I'm a fan. I would never have expected to like ANYONE messing with the original, but this was great!
ReplyDeleteI like the studio version better, but it's a great cover.
ReplyDeleteThis song hit my Amazon playlist a while back. Some people will never accept a re-make of a masterpiece. However, these guys took this song and made it their own. They took a masterpiece and repainted it for today's generation. What better could you do?
ReplyDeleteDon't know this guy, but his voice reminds me a bit of David Clayton Thomas from Blood Sweat & Tears. He may be a little sweatier, though. Interesting take, although my favorite cover of a rock song will always be Devo's version of "Satisfaction."
ReplyDeleteOdd thing I've noticed about this song is that everyone tends to get really loud on the last verse. We used to have to sing it in my junior high music class with the teacher playing piano. My friend Mike and I would crack up laughing at how the volume of the classroom full of kids it singing would suddenly surge on "AND THE PEOPLE BOWED AND PRAYED!!!"
After hearing that a few times, I decided that silence was actually a good sound.
It's OK, I guess. Best thing would be if it got young people unfamiliar with the song to go back to the original. But, for me, my first thought while listening to it was wondering: Whatever happened to the band "Crash Test Dummies"?
ReplyDeleteBetter. Sounds like he has a message.
ReplyDeleteSimon is great, but, too often, he sounds the same. Range IS important.
The official video is great too, Ken. I had low expectations going in and was knocked out. Fyi, Paul Simon just complimented them on his Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteHope you don't mind one more comment Ken. You might find this interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703521304576279043905290796
Fantastic voice control, range, and phrasing. And yes, he has a message. A Barry Bonds home run.
ReplyDeleteIt's really good, and I really like it. As stated before, seeing artists make a cover their own is pretty neat. Loved the Devo - Satisfaction as well, or you could look at Johnny Cash covering NiN's Hurt.....and I think one of my favorite originals that has 2 great covers is Prince's Kiss, covered by Tom Jones / Art of Noise and by a group called Age of Chance. One song sounding 3 different ways....all amazing.
ReplyDeleteVery well done. I didn't peg you as a Disturbed fan, Ken
ReplyDeleteMust be all that millennial writing you've been doing...
I have goose bumps.
ReplyDeleteThink how much better it would have sounded if he didn't have 2 antenna's hampering the movement of his bottom lip.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of whether I'd download it as a single or not, I thought that was a really powerful performance. I bet being on the audience, hearing it live, was absolutely incredible.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best rendition of SOS since its release in 1964. A powerful and moving melody and lyrics performed by a first class band. Disturbed and David Draiman performed exceptionally with a tremendous feeling that captivates the audience. The song played at Conan just added to the creativity, mistiness and professionalism of Disturbed.
ReplyDeleteKeep on climbing the charts worldwide - close to 100 million hits on youtube and 22 million on Conan.
YJ Draiman
This is the best rendition of SOS since its release in 1964. A powerful and moving melody and lyrics performed by a first class band. Disturbed and David Draiman performed exceptionally with a tremendous feeling that captivates the audience. The song played at Conan just added to the creativity, mistiness and professionalism of Disturbed.
ReplyDeleteKeep on climbing the charts worldwide - over 137 million hits on youtube and over 34 million on Conan.
YJ Draiman