"Wichita Lineman" - Who does the best remake?

MplsSteve

[MplsSteve]

Well, maybe it's a sign that I've got way too much spare time on my hands. But here are some re-makes of Glen Cambell's 1968 hit "Wichita Lineman".

No one can really do justice to this song. Here are some links to versions of the song done on YouTube. Tell me which one you like - or don't like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QutLsCCY2yw&feature=related - REM's version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwG9mypJhoU&feature=related - Johnny Cash's version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmex-3CGTv0&feature=related - Sammy Davis Jr's version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JoXKpHKgUg&feature=related James Taylor's version

By no means is this every re-make. They're just a few that I pulled off YouTube. if you know a better version (other than Glen campbell's), post it.

After watching all four versions, I like REM's best. Well, what's your opinion?

[driftless2]

Johnny Cash’s versions of “The Ballad of Ira Hayes” and “John Henry” are the best I’ve ever heard. Which makes me think we lost a great folksinger when Cash decided to go pop/country.

[brewcrew]

How about Glen with the Stone Temple Pilots:

Glen w/ STP

[Nachum]

any attempted remakes of original hits are insults to the original artists

I'm not sure I agree with that. There are a number of 'covers' of famous songs that are excellent (or at least that I like)

Some covers I thought were excellent:

Bobby Darin's version of 'Mack the Knife'
The Righteous Bro's version of 'Unchained Melody'
Van Halen's version of 'You Really Got Me" (no offense to the Kink's)
Louis Pima's version of "Just a Giggolo'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CodmlmxpZeQ&feature=related

[GSWarrior]

Nobody sings Jimmy Webb better than Glen Campbell.

[GSWarrior]

[ArrogantBustard]

You’re welcome to your opinions, but facts matter.

One fact is that the so-called “original artists” are frequently NOT the authors of “their” songs.

Another fact is that the idea of a song being the exclusive property of its author or “original artist” is entirely a XX Century innovation.

IMHO, the distinction between “original artist” and “cover version” is risible, and an artifact of the wide availability of electro-mechanical sound recording and playback apparatus.

IMHO, music is a performing art, and is truly experienced only by a live audience in the physical presence of a live artist. Anything else (recordings, transmissions, etc) is a poor substitute.

I would prefer to sit in a bar with a real, live musician singing eg. “Wichita Lineman”, than hear the recording of Glenn Campbell re-played and transmitted over radio.

[Hot Tabasco]

Bobby Darin's version of 'Mack the Knife'

I'm talking about chart topping hits......which Bobby Darin's was.

[Nachum]

I’m pretty sure that the Righteous Brothers and Van Halen covers were at or near the top of the charts at the time.

[Drumbo]

None better, YMMV.
Wichita Lineman - Jimmy Webb with Billy Joel & Jerry Douglas

[MplsSteve]

I agree with you. Cash’s version was not too good.

Before I watched the video, I was thinking “Yeah, this one’ll be good”.

It wasn’t.

I somehow missed Keith Urban’s version. I’ll check it out later.

BTW, what did you think of REM’s version?

[sand lake bar]

I like REM’s version. I think the Foo Fighters could also do a good job.

[TsonicTsunami08]

GLEN CAMPBELL WITH STONE TEMPLE PILOTS!

YOU COULD LIVE ONE HUNDRED YEARS AND NEVER HEAR A BETTER VERSION. YES, I AM YELLING! I LOVE THIS RECORDING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDPuK_tqG-Y

[samcot]

Of the four versions you posted, James Taylor is the best, but it’s a far cry from Glen Campbell’s. The thing about an intimate song like Wichita Lineman, it’s got to be personal and affecting without copping too much of an affected style. In other words, it’s got to sound genuine and heartfelt, and while the tune seems simple and easy enough, it needs a great voice to pull it off. For example, Tom Jones has a great voice, but he makes Wichita Lineman sound like Tom Jones, when Tom Jones should be trying to sound like Wichita Lineman, if you know what I mean. :-)

I’ll offer these two versions that I think are quite good, and maybe you can tell me what you think. No, I don’t think they’re as good as Glen, but I do think they are good:

Cassandra Wilson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWwDgYlGeZA&feature=related

Bruner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpuyEW2F6mU

[SunkenCiv]