[Vote] Originals vs. Covers - which do you prefer? (Current Vote: Songs 191 and 192)

[Bela_theDo]

I love Metallica but...

 

Original

[Corki]

Another vote for original.

[Corki]

An easy 6-1 win for the Original.

 

Since DM went down last week and didn't allow me to post the 76th "Original vs. Cover" on Thursday, there will be a double dose tonight.

 

 

[Corki]

Song 76: America

 

Song 76 sees us hit a well known musical that turned into a film. It first appeared on Broadway in 1957, before jumping to the big screen in 1961. It is an all time classic, with some really well known songs. I am talking about West Side Story, and I have chosen America, with the cover performed by the Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass.

 

ORIGINAL: West Side Story cast (Anita, Rosalia, Shark Girls, and Sharks)

Leonard Bernstein composed the music for America, and Stephen Sondheim wrote the song's lyrics. The stage version of the song arguably provides an unfavorable caricature of Puerto Rico (sung by Maria), while only highlighting positive qualities of the United States (sung by Roaslia). Whereas, in the film, Maria still sings about the positives of America, while Bernardo responds with corresponding criticisms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QS7wWzwak4

 

vs.

 

 

COVER: Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass

Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass the brainchild of Herb Alpert. Inspiration came from a visit to Tijuana, Mexico, and listening to a mariachi band. Alpert adapted the trumpet style to a tune, mixed in crowd cheers and other noises to create ambiance. He expanded to include other instruments as well. The cover of America was done at some stage during the 1960s.

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 29th April 2010 at 10pm (BST)

[Corki]

Song 77: Can You Feel the Love Tonight

 

And for the second song tonight, we are hitting Disney and the 1994 animated film, The Lion King. The song I have picked is Can You Feel The Love Tonight, with Sir Elton John on vocals for the original, and a dance remix by Harajuku with vocals by Stephanie O’Hara.

 

ORIGINAL: Sir Elton John

The song was composed by Sir Elton John with lyrics by Tim Rice. The song in the film was song by those playing the characters, but Sir Elton the end title version. It won the 1994 Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. It also earned Elton John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. It charted well, peaking at #14 on the UK Singles Chart, and #4 in the US.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkGDrV_2ehI

 

vs.

 

 

COVER: Harajuku

Harajuku are Tony O’Melley and Peter O. Scott, and their idea was to create dance versions of commonly known songs from Disney films. They covered the song in 1995 with a techno version. The vocals are sung by Stephanie O’Hara.

 

Voting ends Thursday 29th April 2010 at 10pm (BST)

[Samuraiflip05]

O_o......I don't even know how to comment on either of those. 

 

Original on both......

[Talya]

Original on both too

[Corki]

2 more votes for Originals, but I didn't mind the cover by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass.

[Samuraiflip05]

Herb is the shizznit...lol

[Krakalakachkn]

76. Cover

77. Original

[Amavia]

Original for both!!!

[Jeannaisais]

Original for both!!!

[Moghedian]

76. Cover

77. Original

[Bela_theDo]

Original for both.

[Corki]

In contest #76, Originals came out the winner, with a 6-2 victory.

 

And in contest #77, Originals wiped the floor, claiming a 8-0 victory.

 

The next, and final film based song, is on the way before we hit Classical Music in May.

[Corki]

Song 78: Mrs. Robinson

 

So song 78 is the final instalment of "Original vs. Cover" that focuses on soundtracks and film music, the Band's theme for April. And our last song only featured partially in The Graduate, while a full version was released later on. And that song is Mrs. Robinson by Simon & Garfunkel, and it goes up against an alternative rock version by The Lemonheads. 

 

ORIGINAL: Simon & Garfunkel

Paul Simon wrote the song, and it went to number 1 when it was released as a single in 1968. This was after a shorter version appeared in the 1967 film, The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman as the student who has an affair with an older woman (Anne Bancroft). The song earned Simon & Garfunkel a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1969.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_jmDscGi7E

 

vs.

 

 

COVER: The Lemonheads

The Lemonheads released their alternative rock cover version in 1992, and achieved good chart success, being a top 20 hit in Australia and the UK. They were formed in 1986 by singer/guitarist Evan Dando, who has remained the group's only constant member. They broke up in 1997, but reformed in 2005, and have since released 2 new albums.

 

 

Voting ends Monday 3rd May 2010 at 10pm (BST)

[Samuraiflip05]

Most definitely theoriginal.

 

[Talya]

Original

[Jeannaisais]

Original

[Krakalakachkn]

I didn't even have to hear any lyrics; as soon as I heard the heavy guitar rifts, I knew it had to be Original!

[Corki]

I liked both, but I am going to give my vote to the cover.

 

The next "Original vs. Cover" will be on the way shortly.

[Corki]

So that was an easy 4-1 for originals!

 

Time now for the first of our Classical Music based "Originals vs. Covers" for May. Exciting!  ;D

[Corki]

Song 79: In the Hall of the Mountain King

 

We now move into May, which means we are heading into our Classical Music month. And for as much of this month as possible, I will pick pieces of Classical Music that have been covered in some form or another. First up is Edvard Greig's famous piece, In the Hall of the Mountain King from his Peer Gynt suite, and a cover by the Electric Light Orchestra.

 

 

ORIGINAL: Edvard Greig

In the Hall of the Mountain King was a piece composed by Greig for Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt. A fantasy play written in verse, Peer Gynt tells of the adventures of the Peer, with the piece of music depicting Peer sneaking into the Mountain King's castle and then his attempt to escape from the King and his trolls. Its easily recognizable theme has helped it attain iconic status in popular culture.

 

vs.

 

 

COVER: Electric Light Orchestra

The Electric Light Orchestra, or more commonly known as the ELO, were a British symphonic rock group founded in the early 1970s. As part of their 1973 album, On the Third Day, they covered Greig's In the Hall of the Mountain King. The group mixed the classical elements of the composition with contemporary rock instrumentation and it quickly became one of their live features.

 

 

Voting ends Thursday 6th May 2010 at 10pm (BST)

[Krakalakachkn]

Original

 

It's so hard to cover classical music and make it better than the original.  Most bands shouldn't try, although I do love ELO.

[Samuraiflip05]

I like it.  ELO, Cover.