Tune du Jour: “Blowin’ In The Wind” – Bob Dylan
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Abyesinians vs. Ted Hawkins vs. Neil Young & Crazy Horse
VOTE, COMMENT, then TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE
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The Original
Bob Dylan:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
The Abyesinians vs. Ted Hawkins vs. Neil Young & Crazy Horse
The Abyesinians:
Ted Hawkins:
Neil Young & Crazy Horse:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
This is a song that, although I’ve heard it 300,000 times, still elicits a sense of awe. Such a beautifully written social statement.
I like The Abyesinians’s take. This song works well in a reggae format and The Abyesinians deliver it well.
This song should have been right up Ted Hawkins’ alley. Yet he seems to miss the mark somehow. I don’t view it as one of Ted’s best efforts.
Similarly, Neil’s electric version is not his best. I like his effort to electrify the song and it certainly is not bad, I just feel it could have been better.
Still in all, Neil got my vote for delivering an interesting reinvention of this timeless classic.
I like all three options today. Would Kerry find Neil guilty of gimmickry for the war sounds setting the stage? Would Arnie say that The Abyssinians sounded like Blowin’ In The Wind put to reggae via AI? Ted sped it up, Neil slowed it down. Such a simple song. The Abyssinians take was a simple plea from the soul torch carriers. Classy and classic. Righteous dudes sporting some headgear that makes me jealous. I picked Hawkins in a close one. He can sing anything. It’s not just the gravel in his voice or his tone which fits folk, country, blues or soul so well but he puts himself into the song in a way that is so convincing.
The Abyssinians’ take was good. They start slowly, then launch into the percussion in earnest, accompanied by good, soulful vocals. I admit I don’t know much about them, but it seems like a name I’ve seen over the years. I have a bunch of reggae compilations, so I’ll assume I have a few of their numbers speckled across my collection.
I’m a huge fan of Neil, whether Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, or his solo work. But, having said that, he’s been so incredibly prolific for well over half a century, there are a number of his solo albums I never bought, and haven’t even heard. Weld is one such record, and I hadn’t heard his version of this song until now. Great stuff, and an interesting take.
I voted Ted Hawkins today. He pulled it off the best amid some tough competitors.
Another tough call. All three have their merits. The Abyssinians have been around for decades and are a real roots reggae band. I gave it to them, for their low key reggae take. Reggae singers really seem to have the greatest voices.
Ted Hawkins did a pretty nice version as well.
Electrifying this song wasn’t going to be easy, but I figure Neil could pull it off pretty well. But I thought his version was a tad lackluster.
testing 1 2 3
Three good versions; all very enjoyable. I never imagoned this as a reggae song. So I’m going with The Abyesinians for the very pleasant surprise.
By the way, that’s the city of Jerusalem in the distance behind the band members. From the angle it looks like they are standing on the Mount of Olives.