You know what that means... New month, new Battle of The Bands. Nothing instrumental this time, just straight-up rock, good times, and a social statement. Pretty timely for me, seeing as... Well, I'll write a separate post for that. In the meantime, I give you:
Hey, pssst... Speaking of NYC. If you're in town next month, I'm launching my book, THE MIRACLE OF SMALL THINGS, at La Casa Azul bookstore on Wed Sept 2nd. You're invited :)
Who's the favorite? It's up to you. Vote in the comments, say why a particular version did it (or didn't) for you, and come back next Friday (Aug 7th) to check out the final tally -- including my own vote. In the meantime, have a fabulous start to Month #8! And take a hop over to the other Battle participants; awesome blogs, fantastic people, and the most eclectic group of music lovers ever.
(If I've missed anyone, let me know in the comments and I'll add you ;) )
I remember Joni's original so well, from the good old days. This cover version was new to me and I did give it a fair chance, but the original wins out. Please put me down for Joni Mitchell.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your book, Guilie. You must be so excited!
Thank you, Debbie... Yes, I'm over the moon, haha. Part of me can't really believe it yet, another part is taking it surprisingly in stride, and there's a part hidden all the way under everything that's getting ready for a total meltdown half an hour before the launch party starts :D
DeleteFirst vote for Joni! I'm glad you enjoyed this cover too, and thanks for giving it a chance; it's hard to do that with songs we know (so, so well) in their original "shapes", so kudos to you :) And yes, Joni is a hard one to beat. Thanks for the visit, Debbie!
I was surprised by the Counting Crows version, and determined to vote Joni but I watched the entire video and changed my mind. I liked it better. My vote is for the newer version by Counting Crows.
ReplyDeleteAnd ditto the the Congratulations! Enjoy your NY launch!
So glad I was able to surprise you, Yolanda! I was afraid this might be a blow-out (if not a straight-out shut-out), but it's looking pretty even so far. Happy weekend!
DeleteCounting Crows were better than I expected, but to my ears, this song remains Joni's. Obviously, she gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to separate a song from the artist we associate it with, isn't it? Thanks for the visit, FAE, and for giving the Crows a fair chance :) Second vote for Joni!
DeleteJoni does well with her version however there has always been something about her vocal inflection in this song that has bugged me. Counting Crows takes the song to a more interesting level and I prefer their vocal.
ReplyDeleteI vote for Counting Crows.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Cool, Lee! You've brought the battle to a tie :) And I get what you mean about the vocals in Joni's version... There's something quirky in there. Some like it, I suppose. And some don't ;) Thanks for the visit and the vote!
DeleteGUILIE ~
ReplyDeleteI was first turned onto this song in my 12th grade 'Rock Poetry' class. I like a handful of Joni Mitchell's songs (including this one) but she's never been a big favorite of mine because, I think her voice is so distinctive (and she often seems to sing in a similar kind of cadence) that a lot of her recordings sound too similar to me.
I don't know much about Counting Crows (have heard a few songs here and there) and they did an admirable job covering this one, but I don't feel they did all that much different from the original, which as I said, I do like.
So... nothing radically different by Counting Crows which could steal my vote from JONI.
(Do you know Joni's hit song 'HELP ME'? I really, really love that one! Easily my favorite song by her, hands down. I wonder if anyone's ever covered it. It would probably be a BOTB blowout though if any cover were used in a Battle which included Joni's original.)
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I agree, Stephen. Joni has a beautiful voice, but I have trouble telling her songs apart (which is certainly not a bad thing if you love them all ;) ). And yes, I do know Help Me -- great, great song! I haven't heard it covered, but there should be one somewhere. I'll look forward to that battle, if you find another contender (yep, Joni vs. anyone would be unfair).
DeleteThanks for the vote!
That's one of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs. I must vote for Joni because no one else can come close to her.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh-oh, you've doubled Joni's votes vs. the Crows', Janie :) Thanks for the visit!
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ReplyDeleteI vote for Joni.
ReplyDeleteI like Long December and 'Round Here. But this seems like a bad fit for the Crows. Too peppy or something (the music, not the lyrics).
Hey, thanks for chipping in! Yeah, doesn't really seem to fit the "regular" Crows sound, does it? Got you down for Joni :)
DeleteI love Joni Mitchell but she always sounded a bit hyped on when I hear this song sung by her. I especially can't stand that laugh at the end. I know The Counting Crows version quite well and I prefer theirs. They sing it more laid back and I prefer the instrumental style better also
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for the Crows! Thanks, Birgit :)
DeleteI like the Counting Crows version, but I have to vote for the original Joni Mitchell! Awesome battle!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the Crows one, Mike. I understand, though. Some songs just belong to certain people, don't they? Thanks for the vote!
DeleteI've never heard of Counting Crows and Joni has always had a special place in my heart. This is a tough one - Counting Crows has the visuals and it's pretty good; but Joni gets my vote probably more out of loyalty than anything else! Great song by both. Thanks Guilie and terrific congrats re: the launch! Wish I could be there!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan -- both for the congrats and the vote :) I'm glad you liked the Crows version, especially since you didn't know them before this. They have some pretty cool music; check them out. (And they're good people, too ;) ) Got you down for Joni!
DeleteHave you heard the version of this song by Amy Grant? If not, it's worth taking a moment to listen to on YouTube.
ReplyDeleteI like both versions here. I think The Counting Crows did a good job with it. However, I'm partial to the Joni Mitchell original, so she gets my vote.
I have not listened to the Amy Grant version, Robin, but someone else mentioned it, too, so I'm going to check it out :) Glad you enjoyed the Crows' version, too -- but yeah, I know all about being partial to originals ;) Thanks for the vote! One more for Joni :)
DeleteHi Guilie! I haven't visited you for BotB before, but I love your choices today. I'd go with Joni as she is a hot favourite of mine. Love that song. So poignant. Be interested in seeing the final tally.
ReplyDeleteBTW, thanks for signing up for the WEP blogfest. Will be a blast!
I've followed you now so I don't miss any of your awesomeness!
Denise :-)
Denise, thanks so much for the visit! And the follow! AND the vote! Working on that final tally now... The Crows are lagging behind, you'll be glad to hear :) Got you down for Joni!
DeleteThis is a great match. Joni Mitchell is one of my favorites and I love so many of her songs. Truth be told, I love a lot of Counting Crows, too. So, so tough.
ReplyDeleteFor this one day...Counting Crows win! Fortunately, they don't sing "Help Me" or "Free Man in Paris." They'd have to take second on those, even with their "A" game.
Thanks, Guilie!
Glad you enjoyed this one, Cherdo :) And I'm honored the match-up got you voting against a favorite of yours -- that's high praise indeed. One more vote for the Crows!
DeleteI really enjoyed this battle of the bands. I like both versions. And like you, I didn't discover the Joni Mitchell version till quite recently. I was looking for another song from Joni Mitchell and picked up one of her albums that this song was on as well. It was a pleasant surprise because I have always enjoyed this song.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a nice discovery for me, that you can give my vote to Joni Mitchell please.
This is a new take on voting for Joni, Jeff. Most Joni voters knew the song as originally hers and have, well, attachments. Understandable. In your case you knew the song but not the original, but still her version won you over. I love it! Thanks for that alternative :) Another vote for Joni!
DeleteMy actual favorite version of this was done in 1968 or 1969 by a band called The Neigborhood. It's my favorite because they came from my neighborhood and I knew their guitar player. But I'll go with the original by Joni Mitchell here. Really did not like Counting Crows.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of The Neighborhood, John; will check them out. Thanks for the vote -- another one for Joni :)
DeleteWell, it's a tough call. I'm a huge Joni Mitchell fan and one of my faves is music from the 60's and 70's, and decades earlier, as well, but though I do love her, I have to go with Counting Crows. The vocals mix in great harmony and the video is a nice touch, as well. They also have a version without Vanessa, though I prefer with. Amy Grant also has a version on this song. I wonder if anyone else does? It's a great one. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, Carol! Another Joni fan that gets swung over to the dark side! (Dark. Crows. Get it? :D ) I'm so happy for them! They're losing this battle badly, so these little victories count mucho. (Ha. If only "they" knew.) You're the second person to mention the Amy Grant version; will definitely look it up. Thanks!
DeleteCounting Crows brought this song back from the past to a new generation and I have to admit I totally forgot that Joni it first. I knew that tune sounded familiar for a reason. Anyhoo...I think I'm going to give my vote to Counting Crows because I prefer male vocals generally.
ReplyDelete#BOTB Double post with dual between stars
Another vote for the Crows! Thanks, Cathy :) (And you're not alone... I also didn't remember this was Joni's song.)
DeleteI was surprised at how good the Counting Crows did that song! I really liked it. But I have to go with Joni Mitchell's version. Tried and true. My vote goes to Joni. Great battle!
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
So glad you enjoyed the Crows' version, Michele -- and I got your vote down for Joni :) Let's see how far out of the park she shoots them ;)
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