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Easy Star All-Stars — Let Down (feat. Toots & The Maytals)
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dogpound
(the island on which I belong)
Posted: Jan 02, 2011 - 07:45
 
this is so unfortunate.

scrubbrush
Posted: Dec 17, 2010 - 12:58
 
 choderama wrote:

Ahhhh.. no. Radiohead's is better.

That is almost never true, where the cover is better.

Technically it should never be true... because even on very rare occasions where the cover is 'better' (improves) on the original... it is still a cover, and the orignal artist(s) still did the hardest job of writing the song - even though your, or my, personal opinion is that you like the song more.

 
depends on your definition of 'better', right?

i'd argue that 'better' generally translates to 'more popular' and there are hundreds of covers that are clearly more popular than the original.

off the top of my head:
the most obvious is Louie Louie - written and first recorded by Richard Berry & The Pharohs - popularized by the Kingsmen. The Kingsman version is (or was in years past) consistently named as one of 'the greatest rock songs of all times'. i doubt the Richard Berry version would even be mentioned in footnotes had it not been for the Kingsmen.
Red Red Wine - written written and first recorded by Neil Diamond is - UB40 version is far more popular
One of my favorites is Sister Morphine - written and first recorded by whatsername (Marianne Faithful? - i think i've heard it here on RP?) - made 'better' by the Stones.
Black Magic Woman - by Fleetwood mac, popularized by Santana
any of 8 to 10 songs 'by' Led Zeppelin are 'covers' of old blues songs (at least the lyrics are covered)
the list is really huge and, in many cases, the cover is so poular that people don't even know that there was an 'original' (like when people hear Bob Marley sing I shot the Sherrif' and ask why all the great classic rock songs get turned into Reggae tunes...)


Proclivities
(Carrboro, NC)
Posted: Dec 17, 2010 - 12:46
 
 choderama wrote:

I'd say this is more raggae than ska.

I'm not one to play stereotypes, but there is a Jamacan flag on the album.. with a Jamacan dude on the front... and the album title has the word 'dread' in it... not to mention it just plain sounds like a raggae song and not a ska song.

 
"Ska" is a music form which started in Jamaica in the late 1950's and early 60's.  It was a forerunner of reggae.  The fact that the recording was made by some Jamaicans does not disqualify this song form being considered "ska".  From the Toots and The Maytals website:

Toots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are considered legends of ska and reggae music. Their sound is a unique, original combination of gospel, ska, soul, reggae and rock.

I guess it still comes down to one's opinion of what ska and reggae sound like.


Nerubo
(Denver, CO)
Posted: Dec 10, 2010 - 09:59
 
In reference to the debate about what genre this song is in, I've always thought if it had horns it had to be ska, even if i sounded like it was reggae. A bit over-simplistic I guess, but I found this article on google which agrees, although it includes other differences as well:  Difference Between SKA and Reggae

Jerrydread
(New Jersey)
Posted: Dec 10, 2010 - 09:59
 
Toots Hibbert Jamaica's Otis Redding

ziggytrix
(Dallas, TX)
Posted: Sep 13, 2010 - 08:23
 
 choderama wrote:

I'd say this is more raggae than ska.

I'm not one to play stereotypes, but there is a Jamacan flag on the album.. with a Jamacan dude on the front... and the album title has the word 'dread' in it... not to mention it just plain sounds like a raggae song and not a ska song.

 

At the risk of being pedantic, you do know what ska is, right?  He's not talking about ska punk.

This album includes tracks redone as reggae, ska, and dub.  And this track is most definitely in the vein of ska.


Monoman
(Bikini Bottom)
Posted: Sep 13, 2010 - 08:14
 
I would love to hear some tracks from their Dub Side of The Moon LP played on RP.  Good stuff that will surely stir the pot. 


choderama
(Nanaimo, BC, Canada)
Posted: Aug 14, 2010 - 12:58
 
 jbunniii wrote:
Ha, this is at least as good as the original!
 
Ahhhh.. no. Radiohead's is better.

That is almost never true, where the cover is better.

Technically it should never be true... because even on very rare occasions where the cover is 'better' (improves) on the original... it is still a cover, and the orignal artist(s) still did the hardest job of writing the song - even though your, or my, personal opinion is that you like the song more.


choderama
(Nanaimo, BC, Canada)
Posted: Aug 14, 2010 - 12:53
 
 fredriley wrote:

As it happens, this is ska, at least to my uneducated ears. And if reggae is any sort of music, it's religious and political, though pretty much any musical genre (apart from Goth, maybe) can be happy, sad, political, apolitical,  danceable, undanceable {insert adjective of choice}

 
I'd say this is more raggae than ska.

I'm not one to play stereotypes, but there is a Jamacan flag on the album.. with a Jamacan dude on the front... and the album title has the word 'dread' in it... not to mention it just plain sounds like a raggae song and not a ska song.


jbunniii
(San Jose, CA)
Posted: Aug 14, 2010 - 12:45
 
Ha, this is at least as good as the original!

fredriley
(Nottingham, UK)
Posted: Aug 12, 2010 - 07:33
 
 Tippster wrote:
Reggae is happy music?  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
 
As it happens, this is ska, at least to my uneducated ears. And if reggae is any sort of music, it's religious and political, though pretty much any musical genre (apart from Goth, maybe) can be happy, sad, political, apolitical,  danceable, undanceable {insert adjective of choice}


audiophelia
(Pennsylvania)
Posted: Aug 12, 2010 - 07:32
 
Hysterical! I love it!

floydoftherocks
(Frisco)
Posted: Jul 07, 2010 - 10:23
 
love this song & LOVE this remake..

Tippster
(Washington, DC)
Posted: Jul 07, 2010 - 10:23
 
Reggae is happy music?  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

There are some happy Blues songs as well, I guess, but "3 Little Birds" et al. was the exception, not the rule.

DrLex
(Belgium)
Posted: Jul 07, 2010 - 10:20
 
This is funny for once, but I'm afraid my rating will drop each time I hear it again.

Jamunca
(Asheville, NC)
Posted: Jun 11, 2010 - 18:38
 
 TheKing2 wrote:
this is absurdly awesome.
 
Fixed that for you. {#Dance}


gandalfbmg
(3 mi from Paradise (Missouri))
Posted: Jun 09, 2010 - 13:44
 
 rdo wrote:
 Shouc wrote:
This is f'n brilliant. Radiohead in happy mode, I love it. One of my favourite Radiohead tracks.

Listen to the lyrics:

Transport.  Motorways & tramlines.  Starting and then stopping.   Taking off and landing.  The emptiest of feelings.

And later on:

one day.  I am going to grow wings.  A chemical reaction. Hysterical & usleless.  Don't get sentimental.  It always ends up drivel.

The song is a cry out against the mundane and repetitive, it expresses a longing for release from the monotony of things like transport and sentimentality.  It is not at all conducive to the suffocating triteness of the don't worry, be happy attitude that is Reggae.  
 
I don't think "Dont' Worry Be Happy" is the norm for Reggae, at least not the Reggae I hear (which is mostly here): most Bob Marley, "Downpressor Man"... In that vein of Reggae I think Radiohead fits just fine.


Felix_The_Cat
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Posted: Jun 09, 2010 - 13:41
 
Best version ever. hell yes, this puts you in the moood....

ginger
(Connecticut)
Posted: Jun 09, 2010 - 13:41
 
Nutty.

ziakut
(Chicago, IL)
Posted: Jun 09, 2010 - 13:40
 
I'm gonna make myself a drink with lots of tequila and pour it in my lap.

spaceman
(Vienna, Austria)
Posted: May 24, 2010 - 16:24
 
This is about what you'd expect for "Radiohead in a Reggae style".

I wish they'd done something a little more original. This one's just standard Reggae fare with a borrowed melody. Meh.


ra990
Posted: May 24, 2010 - 16:22
 
this is cool

TheKing2
(Hiding)
Posted: May 16, 2010 - 02:17
 
this is absurd

Shouc
(Victoria)
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 14:18
 
 rdo wrote:
 Shouc wrote:
This is f'n brilliant. Radiohead in happy mode, I love it. One of my favourite Radiohead tracks.

Listen to the lyrics:

Transport.  Motorways & tramlines.  Starting and then stopping.   Taking off and landing.  The emptiest of feelings.

And later on:

one day.  I am going to grow wings.  A chemical reaction. Hysterical & usleless.  Don't get sentimental.  It always ends up drivel.

The song is a cry out against the mundane and repetitive, it expresses a longing for release from the monotony of things like transport and sentimentality.  It is not at all conducive to the suffocating triteness of the don't worry, be happy attitude that is Reggae.  
 

I can't say I disagree, I have the same feelings about Reggae. Maybe that's why I enjoy the "bummerhead" lyric content over the syrupy sweet reggae, it's a nice, uncommon juxtaposition.



FrankMc
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 14:01
 
Wow, that is shocking. I can see maybe not loving them (tho' I do) but a 1? Maybe there is some cure for musical antipathy that seemingly totally misdirected.

 walk wrote:

Who voted "1" for Toots?  You may be allergic to good music, have that checked.


 



IrieTom
(Brunswick, NY)
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 14:00
 
I saw these guys two nights ago.  Great show.  No vomiting.



ptooey
Posted: Apr 27, 2010 - 13:59
 
 rdo wrote:
Listen to the lyrics:

Transport.  Motorways & tramlines.  Starting and then stopping.   Taking off and landing.  The emptiest of feelings.

And later on:

one day.  I am going to grow wings.  A chemical reaction. Hysterical & usleless.  Don't get sentimental.  It always ends up drivel.

The song is a cry out against the mundane and repetitive, it expresses a longing for release from the monotony of things like transport and sentimentality.  It is not at all conducive to the suffocating triteness of the don't worry, be happy attitude that is Reggae.  
 
I think it works well with the more optimistic take on the lyrics.  It's not as good as the original, no.  Hell, VERY few songs are.  But this is a good take on it, IMO.


walk
(SF)
Posted: Apr 17, 2010 - 22:19
 

Who voted "1" for Toots?  You may be allergic to good music, have that checked.



Poacher
(Brighton, UK)
Posted: Apr 09, 2010 - 07:09
 
 malvey254 wrote:
Saw these guys in concert last night - terrific show.  Check them out if they come to your town.  Thanks RP for turning me on to another great band.

I know I'm way too old to be going to concerts any more (32 going on 33), but do I have a right to be annoyed if the guy standing in front of me throws up 30 seconds into the first song?
 
Too old? At 32? Pah. . . I have been going to gigs for over 36 years and shall continue to do so whatever it takes. . . including having my own private nurse and bathchair. (in fact that is something I can look forward to as I get older)

As for having someone chuck up in front of you. . . that is out of order. 


Mandible
Posted: Apr 09, 2010 - 07:06
 
 malvey254 wrote:
Saw these guys in concert last night - terrific show.  Check them out if they come to your town.  Thanks RP for turning me on to another great band.

I know I'm way too old to be going to concerts any more (32 going on 33), but do I have a right to be annoyed if the guy standing in front of me throws up 30 seconds into the first song?
 
How old is too old to go out and enjoy music? I don't think you can be too old. I however, am 31, and one of the recent times I went out to a concert a chick barfed on me. I was annoyed. I'd be annoyed at any age!

stevesaw
(Northern VA USA)
Posted: Apr 09, 2010 - 07:06
 
Some of the songs on this album seem a bit forced, but this one I could see as being originally reggae, maybe it's a testament to how good Toots and the Maytals are.

malvey254
Posted: Apr 03, 2010 - 05:21
 
Saw these guys in concert last night - terrific show.  Check them out if they come to your town.  Thanks RP for turning me on to another great band.

I know I'm way too old to be going to concerts any more (32 going on 33), but do I have a right to be annoyed if the guy standing in front of me throws up 30 seconds into the first song?

rdo
(DC)
Posted: Mar 22, 2010 - 08:38
 
 Shouc wrote:
This is f'n brilliant. Radiohead in happy mode, I love it. One of my favourite Radiohead tracks.

Listen to the lyrics:

Transport.  Motorways & tramlines.  Starting and then stopping.   Taking off and landing.  The emptiest of feelings.

And later on:

one day.  I am going to grow wings.  A chemical reaction. Hysterical & usleless.  Don't get sentimental.  It always ends up drivel.

The song is a cry out against the mundane and repetitive, it expresses a longing for release from the monotony of things like transport and sentimentality.  It is not at all conducive to the suffocating triteness of the don't worry, be happy attitude that is Reggae.  

Baby_M
(a 100-year old building in downtown Akron, Ohio)
Posted: Mar 22, 2010 - 08:17
 
So crazy that it just might work.

ick
(S.E. La Jolla)
Posted: Mar 17, 2010 - 08:16
 
I'm already getting tired of the novelty... bummer

lsfeder
Posted: Mar 17, 2010 - 08:15
 
this whole album rocks!
{#Dancingbanana_2} 

peter_james_bond
(The Burg)
Posted: Mar 13, 2010 - 16:56
 
 Shouc wrote:
This is f'n brilliant. Radiohead in happy mode, I love it. One of my favourite Radiohead tracks.
 
{#High-five} I'm with ya! Love it (and the original).


Mugro
(Beltway Bubble, Red Sox Nation)
Posted: Mar 13, 2010 - 16:55
 
 Businessgypsy wrote:
A great mystery: Almost all music that incites passion in others appeals to me as well. Except reggae. I love my smoke, have a pretty mellow lifestyle and one of my best friends is Jamaican (she doesn't like reggae either). Seems contrived and forced to my ears, like someone is expecting you to drink the Koolaid. The religious aspect brings out so many people quick to brand you a fool if you don't see enlightenment through the same lens they choose. Best I should leave it a mystery and wish everyone well who gets something out of it while I excuse myself and make a sandwich. Hey, writing this comment helped - it's over!
 

It's ok, dude. There's no law that requires you to like reggae or any other type of music. Just take what you like and leave the rest. {#Devil_pimp}

Businessgypsy
(Deepest, Darkest Florida)
Posted: Mar 08, 2010 - 16:35
 
A great mystery: Almost all music that incites passion in others appeals to me as well. Except reggae. I love my smoke, have a pretty mellow lifestyle and one of my best friends is Jamaican (she doesn't like reggae either). Seems contrived and forced to my ears, like someone is expecting you to drink the Koolaid. The religious aspect brings out so many people quick to brand you a fool if you don't see enlightenment through the same lens they choose. Best I should leave it a mystery and wish everyone well who gets something out of it while I excuse myself and make a sandwich. Hey, writing this comment helped - it's over!

ziggytrix
(Dallas, TX)
Posted: Mar 08, 2010 - 16:26
 
I'm so glad Bill's started playing from this album. {#Razz}{#Cool}{#Mrgreen}

rdo
(DC)
Posted: Mar 06, 2010 - 11:43
 

{#Skull}



rjewyo
(Ventura, CA)
Posted: Mar 02, 2010 - 13:44
 
Visions of Jimmy Cliff....{#Bananajam}

haljordan
(right there)
Posted: Mar 02, 2010 - 13:43
 
It's a testament to Radiohead that their stuff is just plain good, no matter how you play it.  Of course, Toots and the Maytals are no slouches themselves.

CamLwalk
(Albany NY)
Posted: Feb 27, 2010 - 10:44
 
I'm nuts about this track.  I didn't like much of the rest of this album.  Rub-a-dub Radiohead doesn't always work apparantly, but this track (and Electioneering) really knocked it out of the park.

Shouc
(Victoria)
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 - 15:11
 
This is f'n brilliant. Radiohead in happy mode, I love it. One of my favourite Radiohead tracks.

lemmoth
(NYC)
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 - 15:09
 
Very Cool - shows that when you start from a great melody you can take it in many directions.

MinMan
(Bay Area, CA)
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 - 15:07
 
OMG WTF sacrilegious tunes from Babylon!

piefection
(Hatetown USA)
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 - 15:05
 
Two times in a day? I want my $10 back!

marci28
(Boston, MA)
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 - 09:07
 
oh, wow, I was having the hardest time placing this song!  So familiar, but I had to see the album title, then it clicked!

skogman
(Sweden)
Posted: Feb 23, 2010 - 09:06
 
Rofl! And, kind of good. Amazing! $10 right there!