Tune du Jour: “Hallelujah” – Leonard Cohen
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: K.D. Lang vs. Puddles Pity Party vs. John Cale
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog
The Original
Leonard Cohen’s masterpiece …
Leonard Cohen:
More Famous than the Original
Jeff Buckley:
Adam Sandler’s Clever Parody After Hurricane Sandy Ravaged NYC
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Had to pass up on Dylan’s so-so live rendition, Bono’s bizarre and annoying interpretation and well over 700 other cover versions before whittling down to these three …
K.D. Lang vs. Puddles Pity Party vs. John Cale
K.D. Lang:
Puddles Pity Party:
John Cale:
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 
k.d. lang…my favourite performances: Vancouver 2010 and the Australian morning show!
Jeff Buckley’s cover is widely, critically acclaimed as being the definitive version. But K.D. Lang’s version also received many kudos from the critics for the pure emotion that it delivers.
I kind of wonder if Geier’s version would have been better if he had lost the clown outfit but it does seem to work in a weird kind of way. At any rate, his vocals and mannerisms are brilliant. He couldn’t have delivered a finer performance.
Paul and I saw John Cale many years ago at an intimate venue in Atlanta. We were both tripping on L.S.D. at the time and the show could not have been more captivating. When Cale sang Hallelujah it was sublime. Don’t know what was up with the insects in the video though. Pretty unsettling.
As I said Buckley’s cover is widely thought of as the standard. Yet, personally, I like these three versions more. I was blown away by Mike Geier’s performance and thought I would vote for him but in the end I had to give it to K.D. Lang’s brilliant rendition. It is flawless.
Oh, and an honorable mention to Adam Sandler who really delivered a memorable parody at the fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy survivors.
That’s probably the first time I’ve listened to that song six times in a row.
All three contestants sang beautifully, flawlessly even.
I voted for Puddles on the strength of the video.
Probably?
Stunning how this song continues to rise in stature after being released to little fanfare originally. Does anyone wear a soul patch more convincingly, more authentically or justifiably than John Cale? The juxtaposition between the nature of this song and the attire of the deliverer was powerful in tge Puddles video. KD Lang was stellar. I voted for Anthony La Paglia. Didn’t see his name. Write in vote.
Oh the agony. The agony of choosing amongst three stellar renditions. Of all the versions presented today, Jeff Buckley’s was, is, and probably always will be my favorite version. I bought Grace when it came out, I heard it, and that was that.
I had never heard that Pity Party version, and am only now familiar with the guy because of a previous posting here a few weeks ago. Yes, he’s got a great voice, but I do dislike that clown makeup.
KD Lang’s version is truly sublime. Wow. Just amazing.
I’m very familiar with John Cale’s version. I’ve always loved it. I like his piano playing, and I love that Welsh accent, and ultimately I went with his version. He and KD were neck and neck, but I had to give it to Cale.
Sandler was hilarious, especially with his New York sports takes, Puddles… ehh… I’d much rather he stick to the Big Ass Vegas style revue with big brass horns and svelte horny dancers … KD probably the best overall performance as recognized by the extended ovation, but since I’ve heard that version so many times I had to give it to Cale, as I’d never heard his performance and it was quite moving and beautifully delivered