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comment by dublinben
I think that Rufus Wainwright's take on Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah is superb.

The original version of Tainted Love by Gloria Jones isn't nearly as interesting as the covers by Soft Cell or Marylin Manson.

Bob Dylan himself even preferred Jimi Hendrix's cover of All along the watchtower.





thenewgreen  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
I think it's hard to argue with Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah check out this live version. Just a guy and a guitar but it sounds so big and emotive you'd think there was so much more. I'd actually pick Buckley's version as perhaps my favorite cover or all time. -right now. This may change by the hour as I think on this.

Bob's right on the money regarding Jimi.

Lu  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
I agree, Buckley's version is really compelling, that is what came to my mind first for a best cover. It's pretty hard to mess that song up though, Cohen already impregnated it with so much.
ecib  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Ok, I'm gonna have to go with Leonard's original in a cage match, but I am so with you on Soft Cell's tainted love.
dublinben  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Nobody really liked the song until it was covered by others. Cohen has adopted the style of Buckley and Wainwright in his recent performances, which should tell you all you need to know.
ecib  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
I saw Cohen live about two years ago and he played it extremely close to his original...
cgod  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
I saw him when he was in Portland, guy left it all on the stage, don't think I ever saw a singer work that hard, and at his age, damn.
ecib  ·  4604 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Yeah, I was blown away. When you see somebody that old, you've got to have it in the back of your head that you might not be in for the best performance...he delivered in spades.
b_b  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Fox theater? May have been the best concert of my life.
ecib  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Yes :)

It was probably mine too. I flip flop between that show and seeing Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. I think I have to give it to Leonard though. It was just electric. His guitarist was a master of his craft as well...

thenewgreen  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
He's adopted the style of Wainwright and Buckley? How so? Not suggesting otherwise because I've not seen him live, I just can't imagine it.
dublinben  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
Judging by the video I found of a recent performance, it sounds just like the younger singers. I don't know the original well enough to make a proper comparison though.
thenewgreen  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
for anyone that would like to take the Hallelujah challenge:

Rufus: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMrZ7lChK-g

Buckley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIw0ewEsNHs

Cohen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q&ob=av2e

Three different and distinct interpretations of a wonderful song.

I'm a fan of all three musicians but I'm not a fan of Rufus' version. He is great though and this has inspired me to post a song by him.

ecib  ·  4605 days ago  ·  link  ·  
This comment has been deleted.