Two versions of the same song. Listen to both without prejudice and say which you prefer and why.
No mentions of other versions allowed other than to say both are covers as the originals were both by the writer Wilbert Harrison who recorded the two different versions of the same song ("Stick" in 1962 and "Work" in 1969.)
So do you prefer the 1970 Canned Heat blues boogie Let's Work Together or the 1976 smooth and funky Bryan Ferry Let's Stick Together?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGGW4IezbC4https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9EbR0ckb40
Comments
Canned Heat for me.....
Like Roxy music, but this version has Chris Spedding, on guitar, is this not the period when Ferry wanted to be a 'pop star'.
Early lead for Canned Heat.
Thought there might be more support for the Ferry version from our soul boy and girl contingent
I also saw Canned Heat at the Hyde Park concert with Bob Hite and all, they also did the seminal 'On the road again'.
For me this is an open goal for Canned Heat.
I'm a Roxy Fan but Ferry's song sounds too contrived. I bet he conceived the video before recording it.
Canned Heat rock.
If I heard some pub band doing that Canned Heat version I'd be very happy, but as a record it's not nearly original enough. Talking of which, what about this?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYWiUErA9Kw
Greenie your talking nonsense matey.....do you or anyone you know, know him?
I know a few people who have worked with him over the years and have never heard a bad word said about the man.
Incidentally......I like both versions.
http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/Hyde-park-9-12-70.html
Later the following week Hendrix died, the night he jammed with Eric Burdon and war at Ronnie Scott's, (who was on the bill at Hyde park, and turned up to support him, having rumoured to be at the park the previous week
I like Ferry, great front man for a great band in Roxy Music.
To say his version is too contrived, well I would say that was Ferry and Roxy to a tee, that was their style.
Never bought it, but it was always on the radio.
Don't mind the Ferry version, but don't really like the 'slick' ahead-of-its-time production with the horns. Funnily enough the Canned Heat version has more soul, I reckon.
Love the guitar sound as well.
Met Ferry once, and found he's a fellow cycling fan, so I liked him.
I liked him less in the late seventies when my mum developed a soft spot for him.
Loved Virginia Plane/Pyjamarama is one of the great double A sides.
The Canned Heat version seems to have some very wavey drumming - the tempo changes and fluctuates very minutely, but consistently, and messing with the meter of something so simple as a blues is somewhat unforgivable.
However, the fucking horn stabs on the Brian Ferry version. Jesus Christ what is that about?! Can they, y'know, perhaps sling in something that's not the tonic note? That was such a crap bit of arranging. I'm quite angry, tbh.
To be fair, for all the faults with the drumming, the Canned Heat version wins for me by an absolute mile. It's got a much more defined feel; the vocalist has a tone more suited to the song; and the guitar lick is simple and effective.
VERDICT: CANNED HEAT
Still, this was a big win for Canned Heat. Surprised that so few went for Ferry.
Another eclectic choice later.