Sunday, February 10, 2008
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10 comments:
That hot Latino rhythm just sings of warm weather, doesn't it? It warms the soul to hear it. Thanks for this one.
Uhhhhhhhhh ... no. Santana isn't even close to the feel of the Chuck Berry original ... way too serious, and Carlos just don't have the 'groove' on this one ... Chuck's version kicks Carlos' all 'round the block ...
Dan,
It has that Santana touch, and I feel the rhythm.
Richard,
I have to say I don't know the Chuck Berry, but I promise to hunt it down for a listen.
I'll also have to give this one to Chuck Berry. I like Carlos but sometimes you've got to dig back.
btw:You post a lot of great female balladeers. May I suggest anything from "Breathe With Me'-Athena. Great album.
My Anonymous Friend,
I found the Chuck Berry and gave it a listen. Okay, it's good and okay, maybe better than the Santana!
Thanks for the suggestion.
Perhaps I've identified the main objection: Santana's version is hugely over-produced. There's too damn much going on in it. The song just doesn't need a ten-piece band taking it on; Chuck's trio/quartet fits far better.
Marchbanks,
I know you're on to something as I always think many Santana songs are filled with a whole lot going on.
It takes a very self-aware artist to pull off a cover of one of Berry's 'clever' songs. Look at what John Cale tried and failed to achieve with his cover of 'Memphis'.
By the same token, a band that did enjoy the joke and the pathos of 'Memphis' and did offer an effective cover was the Kweskin Jug Band...it carried the little kids/teenage lovers/ divorced father contexts of the lyrics while still having fun with the musical floor of the song.
Years later, as that band was breaking up, the Muldaurs covered 'Havana Moon' on their 'Sweet Potatoes' album, which featured several other novelty/concept songs, all treated with both respect and joy.
Berry wrote 'HM' back in the late 50's; it never was a big hit for him, but it did key into the fact that pre-revolutionary Cuba was one of the musical blending spots for Afro-Carib, jazz and early rock. Looking at the song selections on the '82 Santana album, I can't help but think that was what he was acknowledging there.
One thing that I still enjoy about Berry's song is the longevity of his narrative scenario...the boy/girl interaction could happen again on a dock today between the original's grandchildren!
J,
Thanks for this. I certainly knew little about the song, but now you've given more to chew on, and I'm still undecided. I'm now going to hunt up the Kweskin as I love their sound. I guess I need to hunt up the Muldaur as well.
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