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Had enough of sappy Valentine's Day? Let get our feet back on the ground while keeping our heads in the clouds as we celebrate another Battle of the Bands, the popular event where music loving bloggers offer up two different versions of one song and you the readers decide which version you love the best. The Battle of the Bands blog event was founded by Stephen T McCarthy and Faraway Eyes. After you vote on my pairing, please visit their posts and vote on theirs. More possible participants will be listed at the end of this post.
Slip Inside This House
There are some who might declare that "Slip Inside This House", the tour de force song penned by 13th Floor Elevators' Roky Erickson and Tommy Hall for their 1967 album Easter Everywhere, is one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. It's certainly one of the strangest most mystical songs. Clocking in at eight minutes, the song has infiltrated the psyches of musicians ever since.
Many people are unfamiliar with the song not to mention the group 13th Floor Elevators. However the rock music community has an awareness of both as they have attained a cult status with a story that is the stuff of pop culture legendry. The song "Slip Inside This House" has been recorded numerous times in a swirling array of stylistic approaches.
I agonized over which two versions to choose since I didn't want to do another three way battle. I finally opted to go with two in a more techno-alternative style. Before listening to my choices you might want to check out the original if you are curious to hear what it sounded like, but please don't include that one in the voting options. To hear that version click Slip Inside This House.
And now on to the contest:
The Shamen "Slip Inside This House" (1992)
This techno-electronica version pays a special tribute to the unique electric jug sound used by the Elevators. Also the lyrics are very easy to hear in this version unlike many of the other versions including the original. I get a special kick out of the Sprechgesang rap style interlude. Go ahead and get up to dance for this one.
Primal Scream "Slip Inside This House" (2010)
Of all of the versions of "Slip Inside This House" the one by Primal Scream is probably the most well known and perhaps even more familiar with modern day listeners than the original recording done by the Elevators. Primal Scream first recorded this song in 1990 for the Roky Erickson tribute album Where the Pyramid Meets the Eye. The song appeared again the following year on Primal Scream's Screamadelica album. There are numerous versions of this song by Primal Scream on YouTube but this live version recorded in 2010 is most interesting to me. It's very similar to their original cover except it's live which is pretty cool. Hope you enjoy this one:
Time to Vote!
Which do you prefer? I'm not revealing my pick until I announce the tally of votes on this coming Friday February 20th. It's up to you to determine the winner. Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the one you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
‘FAR AWAY SERIES’
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
DC Relief Battle of the Bands
The results of my Battle will be announced on this coming Friday February 20th. No post this Monday since I've posted this and want to give this post more of a chance to allow for voting. I will be here on Wednesday Don't know what I'll talk about then, but I'm sure I'll come up with something.
Personally I liked The Sharmen. Great post Lee, have a good day.
ReplyDeletethe Shamen starts of the voting!
DeleteLee
Lee, these are some of the most unusual yet prophetic lyrics I've ever heard.Then again, they are timeless, in a very real sense. The original song is new to me but not so much the various elements of composition. I understand why you wrote that Roky Erickson & group had influenced so many groups. While listening to that version, there must have been 5-7 bands that came to my mind.
ReplyDeleteThe Shaman version was quite clear, verbally. Definitely a era of techno sound and composing... but worth getting past to hear the song's message. Their version also evoked thoughts of Modonna's tune, "Vogue," and Rick Astley's, "Never Gonna Give You Up." (Those kinds of songs). Normally this is my least favorite music. (smile)
Primal Scream - I enjoyed their musical take on the song but could barely figure out what he was saying, if at all. Ergo, 'primal.' At least I think I got it.
In the end the original would have gotten my vote, had it been on the board! I realized hearing those lyrics, and how the musicians showcased them, was going to be the deciding factor in my vote.
Excellent battle and very interesting song choice... Thank you.
I vote for The Shaman.
P.S. I would like to explore more from 13th Elevator, thanks.
The Shamen and Primal Scream both have that 90's techno sound for sure. I too prefer the original by the Elevators.
DeleteLee
I like the second one a little better. Difficult since the versions are so different.
ReplyDeleteHaving the actual band performance does make some difference in the voting but yes, though both versions are from the same era, each band put a very different spin on what they did.
DeleteLee
I've never heard of these. Can't listen since I'm at work on my I-Phone.
ReplyDeleteBROTHER BOIDMAN ~
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting BOTB in that it used two equally "techno"-sounding versions of a rather obscure song by a fairly obscure band that was somewhat "techno"-sounding back in 1967.
Yes, I was already aware of Roky Erickson and The 13th Floor Elevators, but I'll guess that most voters probably will not have had any knowledge of them, and so in this case you probably COULD have used the original recording against one of the two covers and it would not have given the original the usual "familiarity" edge in voting.
Many years ago I saw a documentary about Roky Erickson. What a strange, sad story. I can't recall many of the details now, but I think he had some sort of mental breakdown (possibly drug-induced) and wound up as basically a young invalid and (if I recall correctly) living with his mother in his 30's or 40's.
I like the band's name - 13TH FLOOR ELEVATORS - since there really aren't many 13th floors in buildings due to weird superstitions on the part of builders. In fact, where I work - a place founded by a Christian minister and his Christian followers - there aren't even any homes or apartments that include the number 13 (e.g., the home address that follows 1012 is 1014; the apartment that follows 312 is 314). It's pretty strange when even self-professed Christians fear a powerless number.
As for the song... I don't care for the sitar (or sitar-sounding instrument) in the original, but I might have voted for it over the cover by THE SHAMEN, if it had been eligible to receive my vote.
As it is, the coughing that the lead singer was doing in the Primal Scream version made it unlistenable to me. Yeah, he would probably call it "laughing" rather than "coughing" (Ha!...Ha!, Ha!...Ha!...) Either way, it just annoyed me to the point I had to turn it off.
This next part of my comment you won't like but... you know me.
Songs like this (and there were many of them in the late 1960s) don't usually get much respect from me. In 1965, Bob Dylan released the albums 'Bringing It All Back Home' and 'Highway 61 Revisited', which included lyrically complex, vaguely cloaked songs like 'Subterranean Homesick Blues', 'Love Minus Zero/No Limit', 'Mr. Tambourine Man', 'It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)', 'Like A Rolling Stone', 'Ballad Of A Thin Man', and on and on.
These songs almost overnight revolutionized the art of song lyrics, and before you knew it, almost everyone was trying to emulate Dylan. The Beatles were suddenly writing about "toejam football" and everyone (including the 13th Floor Elevators) were writing cryptic lyrics - most of which probably only contained a few strands of real meaning.
The difference with Dylan was unique talent, an incredible imagination and ability to stretch out creatively in songwriting. One can really analyze Dylan's 1965 lyrics and decipher a great deal of them. With songs like 'A Day In The Life', 'Come Together', and 'Slip Inside This House', it is my sincere belief that we're mostly just dealing with nonsense - much of it probably inspired by LSD and other "mental stimulants".
In other words, while a few sentences here or there one might be able to wring some sense out of, I find much of the lyrics from the late 1960s Rock bands to be rather pretentious and overly "arty" - cheap Dylan imitators.
Anyway, it was still an... unusual... BOTB selection. I'll be curious to see if there's a clear winner between these two covers.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
You probably missed my posts preceding this current one where I delve into a bit of the history of Roky and the Elevators. Yes, there is no doubt of the influence of the psychotropic drugs combined with a quest by the band members for some kind of spiritual meaning no matter how misguided it may have been. I don't think any of this takes away from a talent that obviously existed in this group and primarily Erickson. I'm not the only one saying this as there is much concurring opinion regarding this.
DeleteThe influence of Roky and the Elevators is also very well documented. Since they came on the scene there has been much speculation and interest in the group. In my opinion they wrote some great songs.
The documentary You're Gonna Miss Me is an outstanding accounting of a schizophrenic as well as an inspiring tale of overcoming the debilitating effects of the malady. I've watched this a few times and find it very interesting.
I'm not sure if you voted for anything. The Shamen? If you stopped at the "ha ha" on the Primal Scream version maybe you should have fast forwarded as I think the song has some interesting aspects to it, but then again I guess I tend to be a bit more musically adventurous in my tastes if that's the proper way for me to put it.
So I don't see a clear vote here therefore I'll record none unless you give me a clear vote. Otherwise I will take this as a non-vote because you don't like a style of music that I appreciate along with millions of others.
Lee
>>... "I don't care for the sitar (or sitar-sounding instrument) in the original, but I might have voted for it over the cover by THE SHAMEN, if it had been eligible to receive my vote."
DeleteYes, LEE, I was voting for THE SHAMEN (I put their name in bold), because I couldn't even make it through the Primal Scream version, and I wasn't allowed to vote for Roky and his 13th Floor Elevators.
And you're correct that I didn't see any of the Roky Erickson and The Elevators posts because I was outta state with no computer service. When I got home I had to jump right back into these graveyard shi(f)ts and have missed many of my friends' recent blog bits.
You're also correct though that this is simply another case of where our tastes differ and you are more musically adventurous than I am. Back in the day, I loved THE DOORS, even 'When The Music's Over' and 'The End' - their most musically adventurous stuffs.
But as I got older and my music tastes changed, I found I didn't care for a lot of that same stuffs anymore and didn't like nearly as much Doors music as I previously did.
'When The Music's Over', 'The End', and 'Slip Inside This House' are the sorts of recordings that I now find too discordant; and lyrically I find Roky even more inscrutable than Dylan's most opaque writing (e.g., 'Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again', and 'Visions Of Johanna').
As always, it just comes down to a matter of personal tastes, eh?
~ D-FensDogg
Okay, clarified. Thank you and I'll record that vote as stated. So you don't like sitar music either (or sitar sounding as this probably is)? Does that mean you don't like Indian raga music like Ravi Shankar?
DeleteAlso to properly credit the lyrics on the more obscure mystical Elevators music my understanding is that they were mostly written by Tommy Hall. Roky's later songs were more straight-forward with sci-fi and horror themes.
Lee
OK I will listen to the original after this write-up but these 2 versions are so different but I have to say, despite the laughing in Primal Scream which disrupted my listening pleasure, I have to go for Primal Scream. I enjoyed the use of the musical instruments better and it seems more original. In fact, I had forgotten how the first one was (knowing it was techno but that was it) and had to replay it for a bit to remember.
ReplyDeleteThe sounds in the Primal Scream version were for some kind of effect. I think it works pretty good myself especially after listening to the studio versions of the same song by Primal Scream.
DeleteI will record your vote for that group.
Lee
I wanted to listen to the original last so it would not interfere with my voting. I truly enjoyed it! It is very innovative and so many bands owe their style to this band that I never heard of. Often people with Schizophrenia are extremely talented artistically. I had watched a documentary about this once. Some didn't want to take their medicine because it interfered with their creativity which was true. Richard Dadd is a famous artist from the 19th century who killed his father and spent most of his years in an asylum. He was schizophrenic and his Fairy art is so detailed and amazing
ReplyDeleteIt's true that many creative geniuses have suffered from some kind of mental condition. It would be interesting to know what the connection is.
DeleteLee
I have tried to go to Mike's Ramblings last month and today and I can't get onto his blog for some reason. It always states there is an error
ReplyDeleteI usually have a bit of a problem with Mike's blog too but I've always gotten in eventually. I'm thinking he has something in his sidebar that requires a Java plugin that could be outdated or something.
DeleteLee
I'm going to defer... I don't care for electronica and thus I would tend to vote for the other without respect to the song. Rather than skew the vote, I'll let this one slide.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of surprised considering your musical interest, but then you are somewhat stuck in the time machine of the past I suppose. Electronica music isn't that bad to your senses is it? Have you given it a chance? I don't count myself as the genre's biggest fan but I can usually find some enjoyment in it--more so than genres such as rap.
DeleteIf you change your mind you can always come back to cast a vote.
Lee
Since I read your blog bit over on Wrote by Rote, I am well aware that the original of this song is close to your heart. That said, trying to comment here feels a bit like trying to walk on ice chips without your feet touching pavement. You know, because if you do you might "break your mother's back" or something equally horrendous. To the point, I fear hurting your feelings.
ReplyDeleteChoking on said ice chip, I have to say that I'm not a fan of this style of music. Electronic music. (I like synth music a la Depeche Mode, but not this). It just sounds like *noise* in my brain. I can't decipher the musicality of it. Or maybe there is musicality, but it's like listening to a foreign language and my brain can't interpret it. Or appreciate the nuance. Whatever.
So, I liked the first one better than the second one. But, I didn't actually like it. I didn't listen to the 13th Floor Elevators, so I might have loved them. Look at me trying to create an ice sculpture out of an ice chip. I hope you appreciate the effort.
No feelings hurt here since these are remakes of something I really liked a lot--my first choice would be the Elevators, but I wanted to go with more modern covers--but I didn't write or perform the songs so no personal attachment.
DeleteI feel you didn't really give any of the versions of the song a chance. I'm surprised that you're saying you don't like this style of music and let me first clarify. This is not "electronic music" though it uses some of the components of that style. The Shamen is electronica dance music and Primal Scream is essentially alt rock with some elements of electronica. You say you like Depeche Mode and both these groups that I've presented are in sub-genres related to Depeche Mode except a bit more happy, upbeat, and less dark.
I do understand the difficulty in being able to appreciate music that is very alien to what you've been accustomed to hearing in the past. I've done that with a number of artists of which my appreciation for them had to grow as I understood more about what they were doing and became more acclimated to the music. It similar to the way many people react to classical or country music.
The versions I've present of this song will never appeal to me as much as the original by the Elevators, but I think all 3 have special merit which endear me to them and help my appreciate them.
Maybe you might want to listen a bit more closely to each version or maybe not. All of these groups have fan bases that would concur with my opinion, but I don't think those listeners would like everything you like or I like. I think I'm a bit different than most listeners of music in that I have a very wide range of eclectic tastes. Even as much as I dislike a lot of rap there have been a number of rap songs that I enjoy quite a lot. It's eclecticism like I proudly tout on this blog--tossing as many things out to readers as I can think of and see who likes what.
And, by the way, I think I have very good taste in the arts and the only thing that ever offends me to some extent is when others are critical of my tastes and think theirs are superior to mine. As I always try to proclaim-- not better, but just different.
Lee
I found this the hardest on the ones I've voted on, techno-electronic- noise is probably one of my least favourite genre's. After listening to the 2 choices I went and listened to the original! At a push I would choose Primal Scream, but tbh, wasn't over struck on either :( x
ReplyDeleteWow, for my older age I sure must be kind of hip. I had no idea that techno-electronica-dance music was so unpopular with my readers. Maybe it's because I live in L.A.? An aversion to gangsta rap or speed metal I might have understood.
DeleteOkay, a reluctant vote for Primal Scream is better than no vote at all since this is about preferring one over the other.
Lee
You're killing me here Mr. Bird.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading everything you have previously posted about the 13th Floor Elevators, I was really looking forward to giving a listen here. Now, I admit that I didn't finish listening to the 13thFE, all the way through, in a effort to save some time, and since they are not a part of the voting, BUT what I did hear would have definitely captured my vote over these other two.
If you read my comments at some of the other BOTBs you'll note that I publicly stated I'm trying to be more positive and kind in 2015. That said, I really can't comment further (or should that be farther, my brain is so rattled and agitated after that Shammen version, I'm not sure).
I would gladly give my vote to the 13th Floor Elevators in this BATTLE if that were a choice, and I might add I will explore their music a little more at YouTube, mainly because of your high praise and my not knowing them AT ALL, but of the two that we are to choose from, I'm struggling coming up with a vote. Both are very annoying to me.
I guess I'll go with Primal Scream. The beginning with that siren sounding for a full minute was about to drive me over the edge, but at least it ended, while the Shammen version kept up that horrible techno buzz throughout. Obviously, not my cup of GIN, but I think I do need a real one now.
What's going on here? Everyone must have had a really bad Valentine's Day or something. Or maybe I'm going through my 2nd or 3rd adolescence (or maybe never left it!).
DeleteHere I'm thinking that these versions are so fun and a very different but interesting updated twist on 60's psychedelia and I guess I'm the only one bopping to the beat. Hope I don't have a heart attack or something.
Maybe I shouldn't even have skewed opinions by giving the music any labels like techno or electronica.
This is one Battle day when I think everyone should evaluate the originality and freshness of each post presented and honestly assess who fit that bill best. I'm thinking I did though I still have to see what you put up FAE. I'm on my way now.
Lee
I'd have to go with the Shamen! :)
ReplyDeleteNice and direct. Thank you!
DeleteLee
Unlike some of the others here, I love electronica. It's probably one of my favorite genres... but not like this. The first one is way too simplistic... it's that early 90s style of techno that I don't care for. Because of that, Primal Scream takes my vote pretty easily.
ReplyDeleteI'm no expect in the genre because typically I don't listen to it except on rare occasions if I'm listening to the local University station and they're playing it and I don't keep up with the music either. So I'll take your word of judgement on this.
DeletePrimal Scream for you.
Lee
Primal Scream gets my vote, at least there was some actual enjoyable sounds from the instruments. Not crazy about the beginning but it did improve. I can't tolerate techno electronic sounds.
ReplyDeleteOkay got it!
DeleteLee
If the original was a choice, I'd vote for it (in fact, in honor of your post I am playing Roky's solo album Don't Slander Me as I type this.
ReplyDeleteOf the two, I liked the production of the studio version from Shamen, but prefer the arrangement on the Primal Scream version.
Another vote for Primal Scream.
If nothing else in the defense of both versions they created covers that were totally unique from the original.
DeleteLee
Guess I would pick Primal Scream but that is definitely a 'change the station' kind of music for me. I can enjoy most music but not that.
ReplyDeleteYou need to acclimate yourself to the styles a bit more perhaps. It's really not that bad. But I guess it's kind of like I used to feel about opera until I learned to appreciate it.
DeleteLee
Sheboyganboy VI, here.
ReplyDeleteArlee, I think you get a bad rap. (In fact, RAP is the only sort of music I might dis you for posting!) I think this is a really intriguing and fun contest. Maybe you and I are BOTH in 2nd or 3rd adolescences. I really like ALL THREE versions.
Electronica is certainly not my favorite but some of it is really good. I've paid good money, well spent, to attend an M83 concert in the last couple of years, and they are electronica. But the electroncia-flavored Shamans don't get my vote, though I liked their version.
The original by the elevator dudes is excellent, but voting for them is not allowed.
So obviously Primal Scream gets the nod. Though the lyrics are not as clearly audible, I liked the sound quite a bit.
In regard to StMcC's comments re:Dylan and his superior lyricist talents: of course! But I personally don't listen to songs just for the lyrics. In fact, usually I am listening (as I think we discussed on your blog a couple of years ago) to either support or create a mood or emotion. I cannot listen to Dylan 24-7, and do not think too poorly of those who were unable to match his genius with words. Hell, I even like Yes... whose lyrics are the most ridiculous bits of nonsense ever slammed together. Dylan creates one mood, and Primal Scream creates another. When I want to contemplate my navel, I choose Dylan, when I want to punch someone in the face, I choose The Who, and when I want... I want... well, I am not sure what I feel like when I want to hear Primal Scream, but I liked it so sometimes that is what I'll want.
Thank you for once again stepping in with a voice of rational musical intellect. I like to explore the realms of musical possibilities and appreciate the talents of good musicianship. And such as you have indicated "there is a time for every purpose" when it comes to listening. I hardly every pay attention to lyrics unless I'm watching a musical. For me music is primarily the aural experience with words just filling the background.
DeleteDylan-scmillan! I won't deny him his creative artistry but to say he's better than Roky Erickson, Neil Young, or Bruce Cockburn is based on opinion, preference, and Ecclesiastes. I like Dylan a lot, but that doesn't take away my appreciation for other artists that I like or other people like. And Dylan really is just a continuation of the music and poetry that came before him.
And in my contest The Shamen is a group I was previously unaware of until I put this together. I don't know what their other material sounds like and I would have labeled them as pure electronica, but derivative of several styles--at least based on this song. But I thought it was well produced and very clever--especially the DJ commentary and the rap break.
Primal Scream's version I've been familiar with since it appeared on the Roky tribute album. I liked it then and I like this live version. I don't know anything else about this group and have no emotional stake in them.
In fact there were so many versions of this song on YouTube that were very different from the original that it was difficult to chose just 2 so I opted stay thematic adhering to style---and unfortunately a style that if it is mentioned a good many people will say "I don't like it" without even getting educated about it.
It's happened with my forays into opera, classical, and whatever style Lisa DalBello fits into. I think it's more to do with musical narrow-mindedness and lack of music experience than my tastes.
Maybe I should explore Rap and try that. I probably won't go that far, but just saying.
Thanks for providing more great insight from one who's a bit more daring when it comes to learning about music. I always enjoy it when you stop by to add to the discussion.
Lee
>>... Does that mean you don't like Indian raga music like Ravi Shankar?
ReplyDeleteYou got it.
And George Harrison and The Beatles can shove their sitar where the Sun don't shine, too. Wherever bagpipes go after they die, that's where you'll also find the sitar spending eternity. It's a hot place with lots of maniacal laughter.
~ 2-Headed D-FensDogg In The Kremlin
paragraph 4
The road to true musical appreciation is a narrow one I guess. Maybe you should take some course in music appreciation and ethnomusicology. Bagpipes! Annoying a good part of the time I agree, but they can add some pretty neat effects to music and a good bagpipe pan is kind of fun to listen to as they pass in a parade. The tradition of classical Indian music is fairly respected among many and I do find it interesting to listen to. I also think the Indian sitar sound has added interesting dimensions to many rock recordings. It's pretty darn cool when rock music steps beyond the traditional guitar, bass, drums format with maybe a keyboard or sax in there somewhere.
DeleteI suppose next you'll be saying there's no musical merit to indigenous American tribal music.
Lee
>>... Maybe you should take some course in music appreciation and ethnomusicology.
DeleteMaybe I should look through my Compact Disc collection first...
Louis Armstrong... Dave Brubeck... Bossa Nova... Charles Mingus... Eddie Cochran... Columbia Country Classics... Disney Classics... Ibrahim Ferrer... Traffic... Van Halen... Pink Floyd... David Lindley... Glenn Miller... Ben Webster... Howlin' Wolf... Israeli Worship Music... Mahalia Jackson... Toshi Hinata's Japanese Concept Album... Michael Franks... Nat King Cole...
Nope, I think I'm good.
I think maybe after 55 years of being exposed to tons of different kinds of music, I've figured out what appeals to my ears and what doesn't. I have expansive taste in music, but it's also discerning according to my own standard of what constitutes good music and what doesn't.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
Sorry I missed the BOTB yesterday -- just getting to the voting now.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I do like psychedelic music. I've been a fan of the Grateful Dead since the 70's, love Quicksilver, enjoy a lot of the old Airplane, and can generally appreciate a lot of the old 60's experimental music.
And I do appreciate 13th Floor Elevators, although they are nowhere near my favorite, and this song clearly indicates why: Over 8 minutes long and it's 90% monotonous vocals of jibber-jabber lyrics. Musically, there's really not much going on other than a stereotypical 60's drone beat and some pedestrian guitar fills. The reason I like the 60's bands I do is mainly the music -- for me, the awesomeness of say, the Dead's "Dark Star" is not Robert Hunter's trippy lyrics ("Glass hand dissolving to ice, petals revolving"??? What the Hell does that mean?). It's the captivating changes in mood and dynamics and the interplay between the talented musicians. There is virtually none of that in "Slip Inside This House." A lot of drug-induced acid gibberish? Yeah, lots of that...
But be that as it may -- it's just my opinion based on my personal taste. Entirely subjective.
The two covers you offer are interesting updates, but again, the long-winded vocals continue -- but the 60's jub-band acid drone is now replaced with techno drones or rap-influenced beats. I found them interesting, but not going to seek out either one to add to my iTunes.
But between the two, I do think Primal Scream had a more interesting and compelling take -- the live presentation of the music definitely added to it.
But again -- this is just my personal taste. It's not "better" than anyone else's, and I can appreciate you liking 13th Floor
And I DO like the sitar and raga music. Mahavishnu was one of my favorite bands. NO signing or lyrics at all!!!! ;)
Was the music of Mahavishnu really all that influenced by Indian music? I thought they were mostly fusion ethereal rock but now I don't recall to well. I need to go back and listen to them.
DeleteThank you for using the word "appreciate" and expressing the reasons behind your preferences. Music serves a purpose that can be different according to time, place, and listener.
As to the long vocals and sameness and all I think it's part of the purpose of inducing a mood. It may be for tripping, trance, dance, or whatever--making the song long allows a listener to get into the groove better than the typical top 40 radio hit allows. Long songs with sameness? That's the way many of Dylan's song strike me as well as a good many other artists. When I used to buy albums I would specifically look for albums with long songs. There were times when I bought records on the basis of song length and not having heard the music at all. Now that's some daring record buying--I lost a few times, but mostly I felt rewarded because I like different music.
But so true that it comes down to taste.
Lee
Whoops -- sorry. I meant Shakti. Mahavishnu had some Indian influences, but when McLaughlin was doing the Shakti stuff it was much more traditional Indian type music.
DeleteThanks for the clarification. Although I still need to refresh my Mahavishnu memory. It's one of those groups that nabbed my attention with a sound that I like, but not such a sound that it's easy for me to remember it. In others words they don't do songs that are easy to hum later on.
DeleteI'm not familiar with Shakti, but I've never followed McLaughlin with any great intensity.
Lee
Check out this:
Deletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-eDBAzskNg
The whole album's pretty awesome -- and all the songs are long. :)
I listened to the entire album. Outstanding. Great fusion of styles with a lot of different musical genres displayed. These guys are amazing musicians. Even the Indian drumming--wow!
DeleteLee
I have to vote for the first version. And, yes, I was tapping my foot. The second became a bore very quickly.
ReplyDeleteI agree that The Shamen version has a very catching beat.
DeleteLee
I didn't like the sound of the first one, so the second gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteGot it!
DeleteLee
It took a while to get started, but I tolerated Primal Scream more in the end.
ReplyDeleteJulie
You deserve a place in the music section of the Museum of Tolerance. Oh, maybe they don't have that section there.
DeleteLee
I'm with Lee. I got bored with the Primal Scream version very quickly. The Shamen is more my style, so I go with that.
ReplyDeleteThis vote is really going back and forth in a most unenthusiastic manner.
DeleteLee
The Shamen, definitely. Their version has an 80's vibe.
ReplyDelete80's, 90's--that era for sure. I've not done much clubbing but it's the kind of music I'd expect in a dance club.
DeleteLee
I didn't care for the tin-sound of the first one, so I was going to say the second until I listened to it. The beginning of that one has that annoying repetitive sound. I'd say neither, but that's a cop-out. So, I'll go with this first one, since I was able to listen to most of it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your speakers are bad? Do you ever go to dance clubs? Okay by default The Shamen will receive another reluctant vote.
DeleteLee
Primal Scream did more with the song, and not just the vocals. I would vote for them.
ReplyDeleteAnd in the clip they were doing it live in concert.
DeleteLee
Hmm The first was a bit too off for me if that is the right word for it. #2 gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteOkay another for Primal Scream
DeleteLee
I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who wasn't familiar with this song. I liked the first version okay, but when the second one started I thought I'd be voting for THAT one. Until the guy opened his mouth and ruined the music by trying to sing.
ReplyDeleteSo #1 it is!
I said from the outset that this would probably not be known by many and I was proven correct.
DeleteLee
I'm not wild about either, but the first one isn't bad - in fact, it's fairly good - for techno-anything. I vote for the Shamen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Arlee. It's much appreciated.
And thank you for stopping back to vote!
DeleteLee
I've never heard of this song--but even worse, I've never heard of either of these bands! I'm not very up on my music, am I?! I do pretty well at SongPop, though, but only if it's music from the 80s. SOME 90s, but not much...
ReplyDeleteThese were from the 90's. I'd never heard of The Shamen until I put this Battle together.
DeleteLee
The second is far superior to the first. And you have to appreciate it's done live. I'm going to bookmark this live video on YouTube. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the fact that it's live makes it even better. They essentially recreated the sound of the studio version and added musical value to it. Glad you were among the few who appreciated this.
DeleteLee
I'm voting for Primal Scream. Screamadelica is a favourite album. The Shamen not really to my taste. I always found Ebenezer Goode rather annoying. I did like the 13th Floor Elevators original version.
ReplyDeleteAt last someone who knows about the groups. Thank you for coming along to add some credibility to my pairing. Very refreshing.
DeleteLee
Well, I haven't heard this song before or either of these groups. I think I live in a cave sometimes. Anyhow, of these two covers I like Primal Scream over-all the best. Interesting battle pick!
ReplyDeleteCathy-- I aim to provide a music education in my Battles. Believe me though, when it comes to pop culture I'm in a cave as well.
ReplyDeleteLee
I like Primal Scream's version best. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, other than it seemed "dancier" than the other, and it is the version I'm more familiar with.
ReplyDeleteSorry for just now getting by - it's been a busy, stressful week!
It looks like the people in the audience are dancing a lot so they must be feeling the music.
ReplyDeleteLee
I was unsure they were renditions of the same song at first - they sounded so different to each other. Neither is really my kind of music so I feel uncomfortable about casting a vote. Also have never heard of either. Shamen's was too tinny, so I'll go with Primal Scream.
ReplyDeleteI chose these versions because they were so different. A lot of the YouTube selections were basically recreations of the original as well as being longer.
DeleteLee
Of course I prefer Rokys version. The Shamans version reminds me of Danielle Daxs' Tomorrow Never Knows. Slip Inside This House and Louie Louie are the two greatest rock songs.
ReplyDeleteRoky, interesting name--any connection to the Roky of Elevators fame? I don't know that anyone could outdo the original version of this song as to me it is definitive, but it's a good indicator when covers are made of a tune. No way that I'd place "Louie Louie" in the same neighborhood as "Slip Inside this House", but only based on the music maybe.
DeleteThanks for dropping by to comment on an older post as it is nice to know that they still get read.
Lee