08-07-2006, 10:03 AM
Fair enough.
Jimi's version is certainly more impressive, both in terms of instrumental execution and vision, but it is essentially an adaptation that could one might consider to fit into a different genre (in terms of style) from that of the original (folk-acoustic rock to electric blues-rock). Often, when a solid song is covered so masterfully that it then becomes legendary, like Jimi did with "Watchtower", subsequent covers tend to work off that adaptation -- in other words, they "cover" the cover itself, becoming a sort of 2nd-generation cover.
DMB's version is less inventive, for sure, and less interpretive; though it seems to be intended to stay more true to Dylan's composition, injecting a little more passion and fervor to the original without straying so far from the conceptual and stylistic premise. I respect and admire that effort, and furthermore, I appreciate the improvement in the overall execution / performance of the work, as DMB, as a collective, is a more accomplished group of musicians (from an instrumental standpoint) than Dylan himself and those working with him on the original.
Just my 2¢
Jimi's version is certainly more impressive, both in terms of instrumental execution and vision, but it is essentially an adaptation that could one might consider to fit into a different genre (in terms of style) from that of the original (folk-acoustic rock to electric blues-rock). Often, when a solid song is covered so masterfully that it then becomes legendary, like Jimi did with "Watchtower", subsequent covers tend to work off that adaptation -- in other words, they "cover" the cover itself, becoming a sort of 2nd-generation cover.
DMB's version is less inventive, for sure, and less interpretive; though it seems to be intended to stay more true to Dylan's composition, injecting a little more passion and fervor to the original without straying so far from the conceptual and stylistic premise. I respect and admire that effort, and furthermore, I appreciate the improvement in the overall execution / performance of the work, as DMB, as a collective, is a more accomplished group of musicians (from an instrumental standpoint) than Dylan himself and those working with him on the original.
Just my 2¢
