The bloggers below are co-sponsoring a blog event on the first and fifteenth of each month.
Robin (Your Daily Dose)
Chris Fries
I kind of crashed their party until I ran out of covers of Todd Rundgren songs, which I have as of today's post.
So, for the last time, let's compare a Todd original to a cover, this time to The Lovemongers (essentially Heart unplugged).
TODD RUNDGREN-Chris Fries
I kind of crashed their party until I ran out of covers of Todd Rundgren songs, which I have as of today's post.
So, for the last time, let's compare a Todd original to a cover, this time to The Lovemongers (essentially Heart unplugged).
LOVE OF THE COMMON MAN
THE LOVEMONGERS (HEART)-
LOVE OF THE COMMON MAN
So one last time-tell me what you think!
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I tend to really like acoustic versions. And you are right... The Lovemongers were just like Heart unplugged. As an 80s girl, I admit that I really liked Heart!
ReplyDeleteThat said, this is not my favorite Todd Rundgren song that you've posted. Usually, I find his version to be much better than the covers. I didn't really like his version, though. (I always hate to say that when I know how much YOU love him.) When he jumps into the falsetto voice... eeks. Each time I sat bolt upright in my chair.
I could understand the words better in the Heart (I mean The Lovemongers) version and I like music with harmony. So, this was actually an easy victory for Heart (I mean, The Lovemongers).
Now.... please don't quit on BOTB. As a music lover, surely you are ready to start pitting non-Todd bands against each other. Do I need to play the Violent Femmes' Please Do Not Go? Alright... if you insist...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQpfHX-lEHE.
Robin-
DeleteBecause TR has such a small following, I know I am in the minority, so while I sometimes feign hurt feelings over a critique, it is just for levity.
This is a cover I like very much, although I am so used to the tempo of the original that it feels slow to me.
As for BOTB, Chris had the idea of me going the other way (Todd covers others), which has given me fodder for a couple more months.
LC
Chris says Todd...Laurie gives Heart lite a slight edge though she didn't really care for either. She said Todd's sounded too slowed down for the voice.. Heart lite was better voice but seemed even slower.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comment Laurie makes on the TR version, although after a few decades of listening I don't hear it. I played the clip to see if there was something wrong with it, but it sounds fine to me.
DeleteDifferent strokes and all....
I don't ever recall having heard this song before, but I wouldn't count it as one of my favorites in the Rundgren catalog. Not thrilled with either version here, but I'll go with the Lovemonger version just because I felt Todd hacked through his.
ReplyDeleteNo more Todd songs? I'm sure they're out there. When I was on my vacation trip I thought of you one morning when I tuned into a Sirius radio station and they were doing an entire show of different groups doing Todd Rundgren covers. I'd never heard of any of the artists so maybe they aren't on regular recordings. But they were all very good. The one that I remember was a cover of "Range War". I don't know if there is a way to find that show or not, but I'm sure you would have enjoyed it.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
It's funny that this song is not wowing anyone, as it is a concert staple. I guess the pace (time signature?) is a bit unusual, and the vocal range is a stretch for Todd.
DeleteI wonder if you mean Patterson Hood's (of Drive By Truckers) cover of "Range War."
I have to go back and look-did I forget to post that in BOTB?
Hey You!
ReplyDeleteSo, is this really it for you and BOTB?
I almost hate to cast this vote, but for the first time (I think) I'm going with someone other than Todd. I thought The Lovemongers did a more interesting version, so I'm gonna give 'em my vote.
See my above comment-I liked Chris' idea and am going with that for a while.
DeleteEventually though, I know McCarthy is going to make a dramatic exit, and just once I have to beat him to it.
Heart did a nice take on the song. Still have to give it to Todd for the original though.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments as well, Alex-but this is one of my favorite Todd covers...
DeleteOoh! LC, yer gonna hate me, but please don't ban me from yer blog...
ReplyDeleteI'd never even heard of The Lovemongers before, and the two versions aren't really all that much different but... I liked the blend of voices in the cover version. Also, it seemed to me I could make out the lyrics better in The Lovemongers' version, so...
...sorry, my Friend. I gotta vote against yer boy this time (but bear in mind that I only did it twice in all these Battles, if I recall correctly).
I'm banned, huh?
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I will never speak to you again
DeleteI kid....this is what makes horse races, and in this case in particular, it's a close call for ME!
Delete