Season Of The Witch

[Ducatista47]

This could have been a poll, but I would rather hear what you think about the versions and why. Many of us, I suspect, have been struck with some performance or other of this song. It seems to lend itself to powerful, heartfelt interpretations by talented musicians and singers, kind of a high water mark of well known songs that actually have balls in addition to whatever makes a song popular. I like a few versions for sure, but my fave is Dr. John on the Blues Brothers 2000 soundtrack. (Incidentally one heck of a system test.)

Here is a rundown of some possibilities, in addition to Donovan's original, from Wikipedia. I see several truly memorable renditions here:

• Julie Driscoll covered the song in 1967 along with Brian Auger on their album "Open"
• Sam Gopal covered the song on their album Escalator.
• The acid rock band Vanilla Fudge achieved mild success with a cover of "Season of the Witch" in the late 1960s.
• South-African psychedelic band Suck recorded a version of the song on their album "Time to Suck" in 1970.
• Hole covered "Season of the Witch" during their MTV Unplugged session.
• The alternative rock band Luna released it as a single (1996).
• Another cover version was done on the Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Stephen Stills Super Session album.
• The phony 'supergroup' The Masked Marauders performed the song on their lone LP, with vocals by Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger impersonators.
• Covered By Dr. John On the Blues Brothers 2000 Soundtrack Album
• Lou Rawls recorded the song for his 1999 album "Brotherman!: Lou Rawls Sings the Hits"
• Covered by the darkwave band Babylonian Tiles.
• Covered by Joan Jett on her released in Japan album Naked

I understand Richard Thompson did it for Crossing Jordan, but I have not heard it yet.

If this seems like a good idea for a thread, feel free to give the treatment to All Along The Watchtower and Little Wing. I'm sure you all can think of some other likely candidates.

Clark

[alotawatts]

Stills using the wah wah pedal with Kooper on Super Session was the sh*t back in the day.
Kooper's Hammond with Leslie solo is amazing also !
My $.02

[bigyank]

I have to say his version is the only one I have ever listened to.

Now I have to track the others down!

Yank

[SEAWOLF97]

This has been an old fav of mine too and have collected various versions. the Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper, Stephen Stills
version is one I listen to the most , as far as Julie Driscoll goes , her "Light My Fire" vocal is really special ...there is a long sexy vocal sustain at the end that is super.

[Ducatista47]

I just unearthed some weirdness. I grabbed an mp3 of Robert Plant doing Season live in Sweden. Apparently he he has performed it more than once over the years. It is also on a - I think - bootleg, Sheffield 1999.

I am getting the feeling there is a lot more out there than I thought. Anyone aware of other obscure performances?

Dr John still gets the nod from me. Slashing, slicing, haunting and subtle all at the same time. And since he is the most talented guy around , he would be the most talented musician to take it on that I am aware of. Well, Stills is a god of talent too. Either of them could have their own category on this music forum!

Clark

[BMWCCA]

Stills is a god of talent too.

Which brings up an unrelated question: I have most everything Stills recorded with the exception of a rare and out-of-print 1991 CD "Stills Alone". Crazy people are asking often well-over $100 for this item. About the cheapest I've found it is around $50. Without having heard it, I'm reluctant to spend that much for what may amount to one or two must-have cuts and since the label (Vision) apparently doesn't have any intention of re-issuing it, I'd really love to get a copy of it from someone with either a copy or an original. I believe the version of "Treetop Flyer" on this CD was released recently on Stills' "Just Roll Tape", which I own, but I don't know for sure. A good tune I could stand owning in any other version, too. Yeah I know there are several on Ebay but they always finish over $50 and we've already established that I am a bottom-feeder!.

If you own this CD, would you consider sending me burned copy?

Thanks!

[SEAWOLF97]

I have most everything Stills recorded !

yes, but do you have his Monkees audition tape ?

"Stills did session work and went to various auditions (including an unsuccessful one for The Monkees"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Stills

I can just picture him cavorting and doing slapstick ..

[BMWCCA]

I can just picture him cavorting and doing slapstick ..

Well, at one time he did have sort of a Micky Dolenz/Peter Tork mop-top 'do.

[loach71]

I saw Julie Driscoll when I was stationed in the UK in the late '60's --- whata gal! Great singer too...

[Ducatista47]

I have just heard a Richard Thompson version, 9:18 long. For what it is worth, I like it quite a lot. With his level of talent, I expected to.

Clark