Tune du Jour: “O-o-h Child” – The 5 Stairsteps
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Richie Havens vs. Nina Simone vs. The Posies
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The Original
The 5 Stairsteps:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Richie Havens vs. Nina Simone vs. The Posies
Richie Havens:
Nina Simone:
The Posies:
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 
Never thought much of this song, one way or the other, until I heard The Posies bang it out on an old K-Tel tribute disc.
Respect for Richie and Nina but I’ve got to go with The Posies.
Close call today. Little distance between first place and third, and I could have easily chosen any of the contenders. All three covers stayed close to the original.
I went with Richie Havens and wondered who other reviewers would choose. All seven voters who preceded me chose The Posies.
Kerry, The Posies were impressed with my blog and were good enough to post a link to it on their Facebook private fan chat room. Probably explains at least some of their votes.
This seems like an odd choice for Richie Havens. An upbeat, happy ditty? I enjoyed listening to it but I kept picturing the producer rushing into the session demanding “put down that cowbell and get me a goddamn flute”! The Posies? How dare they! How dare they coo so sweet and smoothly with no apparent effort! It brings to mind my own cherubic voice blending with the dulcet tones of Mark and Greg at Blind Eye Studio.
I voted Nina Simone. Also unusually light for her but I thought it sounded just right. In another universe I was at a Gatsby-like party when a blindfolded Arnie was brought into a large ornate room and was told to find the portrait of Nina Simone. It took him 14 seconds.
I remember when this song first came out — I was a kid, and I always liked it. The Five Stairsteps were a one-hit wonder, and honestly, I never gave them or the song much thought after that. Fast forward about 20 years: I discovered Nina Simone, fell head over heels for her music, and when I heard her take on this song, I was blown away.
Richie Havens brings that gruff, soulful grit — it works beautifully. The Posies turn in a surprisingly strong version too. But for me, it’s Nina, Nina, Nina. That rich, resonant voice, the piano, the orchestration… pure heaven.
(Greetings from Amsterdam, by the way)