By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 01:16 pm:

I think it might be interesting and fun to now and then throw out a couple of same song versions and vote---
1)Its Gonna Take A Miracle-
a)Royalettes-Sheila Ross and the girls bring it all the way home with texture and depth. A
b)Deniece Williams-is brilliant as always but something missing-maybe the Royalettes! B
c)Laura Nyro & Labelle-its been awhile but I remember loving that album; B+?(feedback please)
2)Lady Marmalade-Patti's voice and power,Nona's grit and Sara's soaring. Amen!A+
b)Pink et al--Ehhhhhhh-screeching diva wannabes miss the whole point-deep sass!They were probably all miles apart when they recorded it and it shows. D+(plus at least for trying)

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 01:48 pm:

I Do Love You & Sitting In The Park-Billy Stewart-A+/ GQ-B.
Heaven,Someone,&Masquerade-Jimmy Scott-A+/ Nancy Wilson-B+.
Sweeter Tomorow,Look Over Your Shoulder-O'Jays-A+/ Escorts-B.
Just Another Guy-O'Jays-A+/ Timothy Wikson-B+.
I Do-Linda Jones-A+/ Moments-B.
I,Who Have Nothing-BenE. King-B+/ Linda Jones-A+.
A Change Is Gonna Come-Sam Cooke-A/ Gerald Alston-A+.
I'm Still Waiting-Impressions-B/ Patti & Bluebells-A+.
The Way We Were & Neither One Of Us-Gladys & Pips-A+/ Gerald Alson & Manhattans-A+.
Never Let Me Go-Impressions-A+/ Van Dykes-A+.
I Won't Cry Anymore-Jimmy Scott-A+/ Derk Martin-A+/ Marvin Gaye-A..I love all these versions in particular.
Funny,Not Much-Walter Jackson-A+/ Marvin Gaye-A.
One Les Bell To Answer-% Dimention-A+/ Gladis Knight & Pips-A+...again love both versions.
Its Gonna Take A Miracle-Royalettes-A+/ Deneice Williams-A+,Love em'both.
Ooo Baby Baby-Miracles-A+/ 5 Stairsteps-B+.
When We Are Made As One-Smitty & Manhattans-A+/ Gerald & Manhattans-B (Sorry "Smut" If You read this,J.). Thats enough of my favorites!

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 02:46 pm:

All of the A+s because they are deeper,fuller,warmer, MORE SOULFUL and more genuine anguish, more pleading, more feeling of the emotion emphisized on the lyric and phrasing, just more beliveable!!!

By ErikT.O. (64.228.108.14) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 03:36 pm:

Okay, here're some more-
'Never Gonna Give You Up'- Lynn Collins wins over all versions.
'Bring It On Home To Me'- I really think the Animals' version is better than Eddie Floyd's or any of the other versions I've heard over the years...
'Sweeter Tomorrow'- Margie Joseph's!
'Wichita Lineman'- Kool & The Gang
'Gimme Shelter'- Merry Clayton, Ruth Copeland or Cal Tjader?

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 04:39 pm:

Heaven Must Have Sent U--Elgins--A+;;Bonnie Pointer B-:ok she can play around with her voice and disco could b fun but the whole meaning of the song was lost.

By stephanie (64.63.221.17) on Sunday, June 08, 2003 - 11:05 pm:

This Old Heart of Mine - The Supremes add much more joy to this song than the Isleys do...

My Guy - Mary Wells is a limited singer but she has the patent on this song I have a lot of respect for Sister Sledge but they turned this song into mushy apple pie it was sensual and sexy with Mary Wells they should have stuck to Frankie and left Motown alone

Hunter Gets Captured by the Game - The Marvelettes hands down but Massive Attack did a version that is almost as haunting as the original

Aint No Mountain High Enough - I am not a Diana Ross sympathizer but her spoken version is so different from the Tammi and Marvin version I give her props for making it her own but I think the stars here are Ashford and Simpson

Im Everywoman is not my favorite song of Chaka or Whitney but noone sings it like Miss Khan and many have tried to.

Anyone Who had a Heart- Im not saying this because Luther is ill but he blows Miss Warwick away also on A House is not a Home...Luther did so well with the latter people think HE did the original!!!

Stephanie

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 05:16 pm:

Sorry Steph-we diverge--Isleys to me bring the heartache and yearning to the song-A+;Supremes-just sounded like album filler to me and a so-so performance by Diana (as when she smiles singing You Kepp Me Hangin On)C+;;Rod Stewart and Ron Isley B

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 05:31 pm:

Stephanie:
Right on regarding Diana's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". It showed how prolific & creative Ashford & Simspon were (and are) as producers & session singers as well as composers.

I do believe that's Nick Ashford singing the high parts on the background vocals, too (Harry Weinger, help me!).

Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Soul Sister (65.43.150.250) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 05:37 pm:

Stephanie;
I agree with you luther's version of A House Is Not A Home wins hands down, absolutely the best version!
S.S.

By Handsome (170.118.157.134) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 05:45 pm:

Check It Out
Friends Of Distinction/B+
Tavares/A

Midnight Train to Georgia
Cissy Houston/B-
Gladys Knight & The Pips/A++

I Feel for You
Prince/B
Chaka/A+

Say a Little Prayer For You
Dionne Warwick/A
Aretha Franklin/A++

Lean On Me
Aretha Franklin/B+
Melba Moore/A

I Don't Wanna Lose You
Spinners/B+
Phyllis Hyman/B+
Will Downing/A+

By Vandelron (24.44.20.172) on Monday, June 09, 2003 - 08:19 pm:

Agree with Handsome per I say a little Prayer.

You Cant Hurry Love-Supremes-Diana does right and Flo and Mary bring it home.--A+
Phil Collins-FFFFFFF--I cant even discuss.