The Slipped Disc daily comfort zone (63): Art of pop

The Slipped Disc daily comfort zone (63): Art of pop

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norman lebrecht

May 17, 2020

Don McLean, an underrated original artist.

Josh Groban: I felt it needed to be redone.

Really?

Comments

  • Simon Hall says:
    May 18, 2020 at 8:49 am

    Can’t improve on perfection.

    Reply
  • David Smith says:
    May 18, 2020 at 10:32 am

    The best cover versions are those that add something to the original, or reveal something new to a song – something this Josh Groban version fantastically fails to do. Thank-you Don McLean for such a beautiful song.

    Reply
  • Smiling Larry says:
    May 18, 2020 at 11:49 am

    Thank you! The original version, and anybody’s version of Mahler’s Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen, are the two most beautiful songs I know. (But Don McLean is hardly “underrated”; despite his comparatively modest output, he has been awarded innumerable honors and received countless tributes from his peers.)

    Reply
  • Bruce says:
    May 18, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    Simpler is better. It’s a simple song with an introspective mood; don’t try to turn it into a Nilsson “Without You”-style cri de coeur, or a vehicle for your incredible (ahem) vocal talents. The message comes through better when the messenger doesn’t get in the way.

    Also, Groban has no rhythm.

    Reply

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