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Cover to Cover: Shipbuilding

Henry Irving
Henry Irving Posts: 85,223
in Not Sports Related
Two versions of the same song

The soulful Tasmin Archer version or the raw Robert Wyatt version.

Listen to both without prejudice and say which you prefer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg0d2id-JmE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUkjpJa6bY


Yes, I know we could have has the Elvis Costello version but I thought this was more of a contrast.

Comments

  • iainment
    iainment Posts: 8,039
    Robert Wyatt.
  • Alwaysneil
    Alwaysneil Posts: 13,806
    Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo
  • lardiman
    lardiman Posts: 51
    edited November 2018
    I have always liked the Tasmin Archer version as it reworks 'Shipbuilding' into a beautiful piece of music.
    Costello sings it with great pathos, and the Wyatt version is jarring and raw.

    Three very different versions of a very powerful song and each works very well in its own way.
    I don't know if many will agree with me but I'm going to say the Tasmin Archer version edges it for me. Not because hers is the most powerful version, but she does make it very easy to listen to and probably does best at bringing this song to an audience who may never otherwise have heard it.
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,223
    Alwaysneil said:

    Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo

    But which of these two do you prefer?
  • LawrieAbrahams
    LawrieAbrahams Posts: 3,779
    Bob.
  • Johnnysummers5
    Johnnysummers5 Posts: 8,469
    Robert Wyatt
  • johnny73
    johnny73 Posts: 4,567
    Wyatt. First time I've heard his version. Not as good as Costello though.
  • Afternoon Delight
    Afternoon Delight Posts: 914
    edited November 2018
    Robert Wyatt. I think the song sounds better when sung by a bloke. Tasmin has a lovely voice mind.
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,026
    Hadn't heard Archer's version before, played it a couple of times now and it's growing on me. Wyatt's version is best though, not because of his vocals but because of Mark Bedford's bass which is very Mingusesque.

    I'm not normally a big fan of Wyatt's vocals except on Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports which is absolutely sublime.
  • Anna_Kissed
    Anna_Kissed Posts: 3,302
    edited November 2018
    Robert Wyatt. His plaintive voice captures the awfulness of the Falklands war.
    His musicianship is never dull and it draws one's interest. Top man.
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  • Pedro45
    Pedro45 Posts: 5,823
    Wyatt.

    But did Wyatt or Costello write it?

    The originall is by far the best though with as great a song as this all versions are terific.
  • Anna_Kissed
    Anna_Kissed Posts: 3,302
    edited November 2018
    I was of the opinion that it was Costello's song. Wikipedia informs that Costello wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the music with Clive Langer.

    Langer co-wrote the song "Shipbuilding" with Elvis Costello, and played organ on the version by Robert Wyatt which was a Top 40 hit in the UK.
  • Pedro45
    Pedro45 Posts: 5,823
    Anna_Kissed said:

    Costello wrote it.

    Thats what i thought. On a train so couldnt check.
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,026
    Pedro45 said:

    Wyatt.

    But did Wyatt or Costello write it?

    The originall is by far the best though with as great a song as this all versions are terific.

    Costello wrote the words. Clive Langer (Deaf School/Big In Japan) wrote the music.
  • golfaddick
    golfaddick Posts: 33,628
    Elvis Costello.

    dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.
  • falconwood_1
    falconwood_1 Posts: 7,368
    Suede did a version also....

    I prefer Costello’s version.
  • Alwaysneil
    Alwaysneil Posts: 13,806
    Henry Irving said:

    Alwaysneil said:

    Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo

    But which of these two do you prefer?
    Can’t get to the end of either but got further with robert Wyatt so I guess it’s that one.
  • Bedsaddick
    Bedsaddick Posts: 24,740
    Robert Wyatt’s is the better version for me .
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,026
    golfaddick said:

    Elvis Costello.

    dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.

    I think Henry has chosen just right. It's more interesting to have other versions, it gives a better chance of hearing something new. For the record, Wyatt's version is the original anyway. This is in no small part because it was Costello's choice. Wyatt's version was released as a single on 20th August 1982. Costello's wasn't recorded until early 1983 and was only released as a track on Punch The Clock in August '83, almost a year after Wyatt's.


  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 20,846
    Of these two examples, Wyatt.
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  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,223
    Ye
    Stig said:

    golfaddick said:

    Elvis Costello.

    dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.

    I think Henry has chosen just right. It's more interesting to have other versions, it gives a better chance of hearing something new. For the record, Wyatt's version is the original anyway. This is in no small part because it was Costello's choice. Wyatt's version was released as a single on 20th August 1982. Costello's wasn't recorded until early 1983 and was only released as a track on Punch The Clock in August '83, almost a year after Wyatt's.


    Yep, Wyatt's is the original.

    The Costello version was banned for being too jazzy : - :smiley:
  • stonemuse
    stonemuse Posts: 34,004
    Alwaysneil said:

    Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo

    Agreed, also the version by The Unthanks.

    But of the two listed here, I far prefer Robert Wyatt.
  • 3blokes
    3blokes Posts: 4,610
    I really like some of Robert Wyatt’s stuff, but of these two I prefer the Tasmin Archer version.
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,849
    Wyatt

    I think his voice portrays the emotion of the song better
  • Johnnysummers5
    Johnnysummers5 Posts: 8,469
    golfaddick said:

    Elvis Costello.

    dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.

    I think you are shitbuilding
  • LawrieAbrahams
    LawrieAbrahams Posts: 3,779
    I thought Elvis wrote it for Wyatt and then did his own version on Punch the Clock.
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,223
    LawrieAbrahams said:

    I thought Elvis wrote it for Wyatt and then did his own version on Punch the Clock.

    He did
  • Stig
    Stig Posts: 29,026
    Elvis wrote it with the aim of putting out several versions with different artists on one e.p. When Costello heard Wyatt's version, the e.p. was scrapped and they instead decided to release Wyatt's as a single.
  • thewolfboy
    thewolfboy Posts: 2,927
    soft robert.
    used to chat with him in twickenham. cat on lap can't get capital letters!

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