You take a song like “Rock And Roll Love Letters” and it becomes something different in the hands of different artists.
The songwriter, in this case, Tim Moore, gets first shot at establishing his vision. What comes after that depends who cuts the song next and the audience they are trying to appeal to. The Bay City version has a “bubbly” vibe with sweet harmonies.
The Records version looked appeal to very different listenership.
Same song, different vibe. I loved listening to each. I guess my favorite version was Moore’s. I tend to go with the songwriter’s original almost all the time. Except in rare occasions like Hendrix vs Dylan on “All Along The Watch Tower”…Jimi wins that one.
have bought moore lps & never kept any of them orchestration wasnt dynamic on lay down a line cto me he had songs recorded by simon may & clifford t ward who are exceptionnal singer*songwriters closest dream to heaven & reckless among others gems https://gloubiboulblog-stephorchestra.blogspot.com/
I'll be honest — I completely love both the Rollers and Records versions, but was not aware at all of Tim Moore's original recording until this piece. In my head, I somehow thought that some guys from the Records had written it for the Rollers, and then "took it back" by recording their own version.
I love this "Inside Tracks" story! As someone who considers himself a music nerd, I am pleasantly humbled in your presence!:) I had only heard the Bay City Rollers version of this prior to reading/listening to your piece (if I could figure out how to ad a photo to comments I'd post a photo of me proudly displaying that mentioned BCR album), so learning all about Tim Moore and his intriguing history as well as The Records take on the song was an eye and ear opener. On a purely aesthetic level I feel like the song was improved upon each time, though I do appreciate the original. I love my pop songs tight, and Moore's felt a bit long at 4 and a half minutes. That said, I'm hearing them not in chronological order. That does play a role. Regardless, The Records version is so good! It's what cover songs are all about for me.
Regarding "All Along The Watchtower," I will admit my preference for XTC's version off their 1978 White Music album. But I also prefer DEVO's "Satisfaction," and "Working in a Coal Mine," so take my opinion with a grain of sand.
I love “Inside Tracks” for this very reason…
You take a song like “Rock And Roll Love Letters” and it becomes something different in the hands of different artists.
The songwriter, in this case, Tim Moore, gets first shot at establishing his vision. What comes after that depends who cuts the song next and the audience they are trying to appeal to. The Bay City version has a “bubbly” vibe with sweet harmonies.
The Records version looked appeal to very different listenership.
Same song, different vibe. I loved listening to each. I guess my favorite version was Moore’s. I tend to go with the songwriter’s original almost all the time. Except in rare occasions like Hendrix vs Dylan on “All Along The Watch Tower”…Jimi wins that one.
have bought moore lps & never kept any of them orchestration wasnt dynamic on lay down a line cto me he had songs recorded by simon may & clifford t ward who are exceptionnal singer*songwriters closest dream to heaven & reckless among others gems https://gloubiboulblog-stephorchestra.blogspot.com/
I'll be honest — I completely love both the Rollers and Records versions, but was not aware at all of Tim Moore's original recording until this piece. In my head, I somehow thought that some guys from the Records had written it for the Rollers, and then "took it back" by recording their own version.
I love this "Inside Tracks" story! As someone who considers himself a music nerd, I am pleasantly humbled in your presence!:) I had only heard the Bay City Rollers version of this prior to reading/listening to your piece (if I could figure out how to ad a photo to comments I'd post a photo of me proudly displaying that mentioned BCR album), so learning all about Tim Moore and his intriguing history as well as The Records take on the song was an eye and ear opener. On a purely aesthetic level I feel like the song was improved upon each time, though I do appreciate the original. I love my pop songs tight, and Moore's felt a bit long at 4 and a half minutes. That said, I'm hearing them not in chronological order. That does play a role. Regardless, The Records version is so good! It's what cover songs are all about for me.
Regarding "All Along The Watchtower," I will admit my preference for XTC's version off their 1978 White Music album. But I also prefer DEVO's "Satisfaction," and "Working in a Coal Mine," so take my opinion with a grain of sand.