Ducatista47
09-11-2008, 09:07 PM
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 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Driscoll) covered the song in 1967 along with Brian Auger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Auger) on their album "Open"
Sam Gopal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Gopal) covered the song on their album Escalator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalator_%28album%29).
The acid rock band Vanilla Fudge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_Fudge) achieved mild success with a cover of "Season of the Witch" in the late 1960s.
South-African psychedelic band Suck (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Suck_%28band%29&action=edit&redlink=1) recorded a version of the song on their album "Time to Suck" in 1970.
Hole (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_%28band%29) covered "Season of the Witch" during their MTV Unplugged (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV_Unplugged) session.
The alternative rock band Luna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_%28band%29) released it as a single (1996).
Another cover version was done on the Mike Bloomfield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bloomfield), Al Kooper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Kooper), Stephen Stills (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Stills) Super Session (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Session) album.
The phony 'supergroup' The Masked Marauders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Masked_Marauders) performed the song on their lone LP, with vocals by Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger impersonators.
Covered By Dr. John (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._John) On the Blues Brothers 2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_Brothers_2000) Soundtrack Album
Lou Rawls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Rawls) recorded the song for his 1999 album "Brotherman!: Lou Rawls Sings the Hits"
Covered by the darkwave (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkwave) band Babylonian Tiles.
Covered by Joan Jett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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
Here is a rundown of some possibilities, in addition to Donovan's original, from Wikipedia. I see several truly memorable renditions here:
Julie Driscoll (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Driscoll) covered the song in 1967 along with Brian Auger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Auger) on their album "Open"
Sam Gopal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Gopal) covered the song on their album Escalator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalator_%28album%29).
The acid rock band Vanilla Fudge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanilla_Fudge) achieved mild success with a cover of "Season of the Witch" in the late 1960s.
South-African psychedelic band Suck (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Suck_%28band%29&action=edit&redlink=1) recorded a version of the song on their album "Time to Suck" in 1970.
Hole (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_%28band%29) covered "Season of the Witch" during their MTV Unplugged (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV_Unplugged) session.
The alternative rock band Luna (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_%28band%29) released it as a single (1996).
Another cover version was done on the Mike Bloomfield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bloomfield), Al Kooper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Kooper), Stephen Stills (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Stills) Super Session (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Session) album.
The phony 'supergroup' The Masked Marauders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Masked_Marauders) performed the song on their lone LP, with vocals by Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger impersonators.
Covered By Dr. John (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._John) On the Blues Brothers 2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_Brothers_2000) Soundtrack Album
Lou Rawls (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Rawls) recorded the song for his 1999 album "Brotherman!: Lou Rawls Sings the Hits"
Covered by the darkwave (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkwave) band Babylonian Tiles.
Covered by Joan Jett (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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