Tune du Jour: “Shiver Me Timbers” – Tom Waits
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Southside Johnny with LaBamba’s Big Band vs. Rena Strober vs. Ole Friis
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Just another Tom Waits’ masterpiece. Ho-Hum …
The Original
Tom Waits:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Southside Johnny with LaBamba’s Big Band vs. Rena Strober vs. Ole Friis
Southside Johnny with LaBamba’s Big Band:
Rena Strober:
Ole Friis:
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 
Simply terrific lyrics. The imagery is spectacular.
No one can comparably capture Waits’ voice, sentiment and delivery. It’s unfair to expect others to duplicate it and, frankly, others should not even try to cover this classic.
Love Southside but did not like the opening harmonica and overall was not impressed with this effort.
It was nice and different to hear a female take on the task but, alas, Rena’s effort is mediocre.
Ole Friis attempts a straightforward interpretation trying to sound as much like Tom as he is possibly can. He gets my vote by default. Plus, it didn’t hurt that he has a cool moniker.
An early somewhat overlooked song from Mr. Waits. Rich chose a version that was likely a piano demo probably not intended for release. It was in his second album with added instruments and production. Great lyrics. Rena Strober sounded good but I can’t buy that voice convincing me that she’s leaving it all behind for a solitary life at sea. Ole Friis has the right vocal sound and was capably attended but sticking so close to the original often means high floor, low ceiling. Today was Southside Johnny’s to win. I liked the horns, bass and accordion maybe not the strings but they weren’t emphasized overly. Well sung.
There are some artists that I know are geniuses, based on nearly universal agreement, by people whose opinions I admire and respect, and yet, they’ve never resonated with me. Zappa is one, Van Morrison is another, and well, Tom Waits is a third. I had no feelings for this song one way or another, and none of the cover versions left any mark on me at all, so… I’m simply not going to vote.
I’ve tried to get into Tom Waits over the years because he’s a darling of the critics, and he’s revered by many whose opinions I respect. There are a few offerings by him that I kinda like, but I’m not a fan.
Images of sailing…If this is a “masterpiece” it sails over my head.
In my youth I put to sea many times on a small vessel crewed by a colorful lot. This piece of poetry definitely resonates with how I felt leaving the break water and heading out. An escape from the shore and all its attachments and demands was very cathartic. The joy in the crew was palpable that first day out. The rush from potential adventure was addictive. Not all are called by the sea. Perhaps the imagery in this song is nostalgia on my part. Regardless, I love it.
I have to give the nod to Ole Friis and his true to the original version. The sea has it’s traditions.
Hey Kerry, ever grateful for your continual contributions to the blog!
As far as Tom Waits goes, I revere the guy. I look at him as a national treasure. While I could understand that his later, somewhat maniacal, work is not for everyone, his early work is chock full of brilliant lyrics, wit, mood and delivery. If you want to further explore his work, given your musical proclivities, I would suggest delving into the following releases:
And two of my personal favorites, which also happen to be his first two releases:
Well love ya, peace man!
I agree with Pete, and went with Johnny for the same reasons.