I took an hour or so and listened to what I think are the best personal interpretations of randomly selected popular tunes.

What stands out is the power that can be created by a great version of a great piece of music by a "master".


I started with Robb Thomas, of Matchbox 20 fame, and listened to his performance on Daryl's House of the Hall and Oats song "Your Kiss is on my List". He lowered the key, slowed it down and really dug in. My previous favorite of his was the work done with Santana.


Then, I listened to a country dude, Jimmy Wayne, singing a Hall and Oates song, "Sarah Smile" and his own song, "Do You Believe Me Now?".

Next, I listened to Luther Vandross singing "Superstar","A House is not a Home" and "Love Won't Let Me Wait" from a 1996 London concert. I met him in 1983 and found him to be obnoxious as hell, but, man what an interpreter of "message tunes"!

Johny Mathis was next: a live performance of "How do you Keep the music Playing?", followed by my new/old interest, Les McCann, playing "Compared to What?", and singing "With These Hands".

Powerful, introspective material from a wide variety of performers. These tunes were performed over a 30 year period.

The lesson is, whether it's an instrumental or vocal...a ballad or a blues number...a love song or a protest song, we can each put our own stamp on the material we perform...make it our own.

That's when awesome, extremely personal,"tear creating" things can happen.

The power of music is really heart stopping, sometimes.


Russ

Russ I learned a long time ago playing music & singing is an extension of the soul,......when it's right, it's magical for all who hear it, feel it, and understand it.




You can see what I mean in this performance by
Carrie Underwood & Vince Gil....one of my all time favorites...
she controlls the slow groove & the feeling just builds and builds till the end and brings the Audience to a standing frenzy !!
I get the chills every time I watch it!!

People often cry when they hear me sing.
Seriously, Russ what you say is absolutely true. Listen to Johnny Cash sing Hurt by NIN, or listen to Joe Cocker do A Little Help From My Friends.

(added to your list, Russ)

....along with:
Ain't no way - Aretha Franklin
I'm a fool for you/Drown in my own tears - Ray Charles
What are you doing the rest of my life - Dusty Springfield
A Man's world - James Brown
Autumn Leaves - Miles (piano solo by Hank Jones)
Always on my mind - Willie Nelson
I'll always love you - Whitney Houston
My Way - Sinatra
'round midnight - Oscar Peterson
I'm glad there is you - Gloria Lynne
Cristo Redentor - Donald Byrd
The Thrill is gone - BB King

--and - almost anything by
Tony Bennett, Jimmy Smith, Charley Parker - oh hell, Russ, don't get me started.

chas

Do I Ever Cross Your Mind -Ray Charles always does it for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rd8VktT8xY

It's been mentioned before but this to me is a fantastic interpertation of a song that everyone's heard a million times. A friend of mine told me he wants this played at his funeral. Now that's a dedication !

Nice topic Captain. As live performers making it our own is what puts us above DJs and Kareoke acts.

Donny, while personal tastes and convictions make me not completely bowled over by Carrie, I AM completely bowled over, and always am by Vince.

And I had, sadly, forgotten about Eva.

Chas is right about Cash's tune. Again, I wasn't a big fan of his work, but that tune, done that way at that stage of his life made me a fan and personal admirer.

Thanks so much for the input...all well thought out, sincere observations from people I respect and listen to.

(even Mason LOL)!


Russ

Watching the audiences faces while Carrie & Vince perform this song is the "Magic" Russ...

You're right, Donnie. Carrie's just not one of my favorites. Seems like a fine person, though.


Vince is "da man"!


R.

Russ as you know there are millions of songs & millions of interpretations as we as artists are all different in our delivery of a song as dictated by our souls. Favorites or not I always try to absorb something good from each one in some way that I can adapt to.

Russ, I forgot about Eva Cassidy as well. One of my favorites by her is her soulful rendition of the so-called Negro spiritual "Wade in the water". The tragic end of her life would bring most people to tears. Also, listen to her 'Ain't no Sunshine when she's gone', almost prophetic.

chas

"Chas is right about Cash's tune. " That was my post. Chas would like it though.

Googled it, played it, and you're right, I liked it. Very emotional tune. Now you have to reciprocate and google and play Cristo Redentor by Donald Byrd (jazz trumpet great) - never mind, it's here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISZZsPYkmjE
You're an old trumpet player, tell me what you think.

chas

Outstanding Chas! I like anything with a trumpet lead in the first place. Byrd has amazing tone and range, but the feel is what is best.
Doesn't that mean literally "Statue of Christ"?
Thanks for showing me this!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_the_Redeemer_%28statue%29

You should ALL love this! Best rendition of Whiter Shade you'll ever hear.
https://www.facebook.com/roberto.zavalasalinas/videos/653369014766491/

I'm trying to find it on youtube for those without FB

Never rode the Carrie bandwagon ... especially after she murdered The Sound Of Music. I just don't see why so many love her so much. She's so very ordinary to me. To each, their own, but add her to the list of Broadway wannabe's like Russel Crowe and Pierce Brosnan who should NEVER attempt to do what a trained stage actor/singer can do live.
I know many will disagree with me on this, but I just had to vent.

I was only talking about the one song posted by Carrie & Vince regarding interpretation...... That said my doo wop, Sinatra, Englebert, Tom Jones, Celine, Bocelli, Little Big Town, Jennifer Nettles and AC/DC do it for me.

Chas, thanks so much for reminding me of the real "Donald"! Music is so personal that everyone can make a statement about what they believe, what's important to them, what's wrong with the world, who they love, who they don't...the list is all-inclusive.

The great ones should be treasured.


Russ

UD ... I totally agree on the "Sound Of Music" ... Carrie is able to carry emotion through a 3 minute song, but in a 2 hour Broadway type production? ... sorry, Carrie, I love you, BUT ... now that was a LIVE tv production which just shows how many times they must go through scenes and edit, edit edit, when a show is presented on tape ...

I think Carrie does a great job with Country, plus she probably has the best legs in C/W music ...