Blogcritics: Comments on How To Tell A Great Song?

Comment by DJRadiohead

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 19:33:13 EDT

And then there are some songs that were so positively done 'right' the first time that any attempt (no matter how well intentioned) is just not going to measure up to the original.

Comment by HW Saxton

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 18:23:25 EDT

A skilled Afro-Cuban band can also take a great song and make it better. Such as Mongo Santamaria's remake of Cold Sweat by James Brown. Mongo takes that one all the way back to it's African roots and easily makes it three times funkier than JB's original version.

Comment by godoggo

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 17:25:21 EDT

I just wanted to add one more observation: a skilled Afro-Cuban jazz ensemble can spin gold out of any song, good or bad.

Comment by Temple Stark

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 03:53:55 EDT

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Comment by Tom Johnson

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 12:17:04 EDT

Aside from a couple tracks ("Teen Spirit," "Blackhole Sun,") Anka's reworkings actually work quite well. I think you could easily play this for someone not familiar with the originals and they'd think Anka was doing new music. The Nirvana and Soundgarden tracks just don't have the kinds of melodies, nor lyrics, that stand up to the kind of exposure that big-band arrangements typically feature, but many of the rest are actually quite enjoyable.

Comment by godoggo

Fri, 10 Jun 2005 01:24:01 EDT

"Good lyrics and a strong melody will stand up to just about any arrangement.," No, I don't agree. Certain kinds of melodies, chord changes and lyrics work well only in certain styles and grooves. People have been trying for decades to do jazz versions of Beatles songs, and the results are generally pretty weak. Doesn't mean they're bad songs, it just means they don't bend that way.

Comment by Dave

Thu, 9 Jun 2005 23:20:51 EDT

He was on Letterman last night and did the Nirvana "Teen Spirit" song, and in the interview they were talking about the albums as thought it was something nobody ever thought to do before -- swing/lounge versions of rock music. (Uhh.. Pat Boone?)

Comment by Aaron, Duke De Mondo

Thu, 9 Jun 2005 22:36:55 EDT

interesting John, and i must thank you. i was watching Nip / Tuck last night and they played Eyes Without A Face. I've since been goin mad trying to remember who it was. It was of course everyones favourite comedy punk.

Comment by Tan Hoang

Thu, 9 Jun 2005 21:19:35 EDT

I agree with you on "Shameless" by Garth Brooks... terrific arrangement.