After Listening to Newman's version with orchestra, then Judy Collins, Bette Midler, David Gray, Joe Cocker, and finally Peter Gabriel, I think Newman's version is definitive in it's eerie magnificent arrangement. My least favorite version was Cocker's for its up tempo rendition that just conveys a complete misreading of this song. It is darkly beautiful. Right at or near the top of Newman's extraordinary catalogue. Takes your breath away.
It's always interesting when you hear someone cover this song...my questions are usually: How will they sing it? Will they go with Randy's reading, or will they really to 'sing' it? And how will they handle the 'lonely' section? Will they actually try to learn those original chords, or will they create new ones?...I like Peter's reading of it, even if it doesn't add much to the original. It's faithful, and sensitive to the lyrics.
This version and Barbara Dicksons are the only ones of the many covers that I can tolerate listening to - Randy Newman is still the master of his own songs though.
just wonderful
taleylon11 7 months ago
it touches my very heart. thank you so much, Peter.
Thomi50 8 months ago
think afterhaving listened to this song loads that bette midler has to be my favourite with peter g a very close second
nomesp80 8 months ago
After Listening to Newman's version with orchestra, then Judy Collins, Bette Midler, David Gray, Joe Cocker, and finally Peter Gabriel, I think Newman's version is definitive in it's eerie magnificent arrangement. My least favorite version was Cocker's for its up tempo rendition that just conveys a complete misreading of this song. It is darkly beautiful. Right at or near the top of Newman's extraordinary catalogue. Takes your breath away.
gsjbaldwin 1 year ago
@gsjbaldwin Newman's version is a classic but Nina Simone did a cover and I must say that it's nearly as good as Newmans
Feedstock101 10 months ago
@gsjbaldwin ub40 did this too
tutdark 8 months ago
It's always interesting when you hear someone cover this song...my questions are usually: How will they sing it? Will they go with Randy's reading, or will they really to 'sing' it? And how will they handle the 'lonely' section? Will they actually try to learn those original chords, or will they create new ones?...I like Peter's reading of it, even if it doesn't add much to the original. It's faithful, and sensitive to the lyrics.
jacobmoon 1 year ago
This version and Barbara Dicksons are the only ones of the many covers that I can tolerate listening to - Randy Newman is still the master of his own songs though.
grayzerkat 1 year ago
Going to see him in concert in Montreal tomorrow.
alden21 1 year ago
can't stay away ( as usual..) going to order at B&N.. PETER GENIUS ! even covering... is AMAZING ...better then originals....
sam0xin 1 year ago
A beautifully sensitive cover of Randy Newman's amazing song. . .
Very well done Mr. Gabriel! : )
makissoflife 2 years ago