Friday, May 01, 2020

It's Sweet Jane Week: Special "Saving the Best for Last" Edition

From 2014, and a bluegrass festival somewhere, please enjoy the most gorgeous version of this week's cause célèbre imaginable.



I don't know who any of those musicians are, but if somebody out there does, let me know and you'll win a coveted PowerPop No-Prize©. And deservedly.

In the meantime...seriously -- if that doesn't kill you, you're already dead.

Have a great weekend, everybody!!!



16 comments:

steve simels said...

I should add that this is so great I don't even mind the inclusion of the (apparently beloved of Lou, if nobody else) "Heavenly wine and roses" bridge.

Heh.

Anonymous said...

Another great performance. It's pretty tough to screw up a classic. The video claims to be from Hardly Srtictly Bluesgrass festival in San Francisco The performers are listed here http://www.hardlystrictlybluegrass.com/2014/schedule/ but none seem to match that I know.

- Paul

steve simels said...

Paul -- enjoy your coveted No-Prize. :-)

steve simels said...

I should add that the lady banjo player deserves a Grammy. :-)

Anonymous said...

Both banjo and fiddle players are great!

- Paul

Anonymous said...

to each his own, i guess! none of these posted versions do anything for me, with the exception of the mott, which, while once beloved, has not aged well and now does barely anything. i got excited when i came across a gang of four cover, but it's just eh. the WORST version i've ever heard is the one on 'rock and roll animal'; my two favorites are the original and the one by the cowbojunkies.

MJConroy said...

I think it is the Alison Brown Band w Tim O'Brien (mandolin), Bryan Sutton (Guitar) and Peter Rowan (Guitar),
And she has been nominated for Grammys.

Anonymous said...

It is the best version by far. The only performance that brought something new to the table. This one doesn't sound intimidated by the original and adds real dynamics to the performance.

The only performance that rises to the level of the original. Great find!

Captain Al

MJConroy said...

Apparently with Chuck Prophet on vocals.
" This year’s tribute included a nod to the late, great Lou Reed, with Chuck Prophet leading a bluegrass-tinged take on Reed’s immortal “Sweet Jane.”

Here is another performance of it by him (with a rapper!):
https://youtu.be/Y2tNwnMF9qg

J. Loslo said...

A few years back, Robbie Fulks spent an evening at The Hideout in Chicago blending the sounds of Lou Reed and Jerry Reed. No, really.

His "Walk On The Wild Side," done Jerry Reed style, is very entertaining. Here's (please don't throw things at me) his Sweet Jane/Amos Moses mashup:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slaAGS7f0LU

edward said...

" I don't even mind the inclusion of the (apparently beloved of Lou, if nobody else) "Heavenly wine and roses" bridge."


In one of his books, Anthony Bourdain insisted that "heavenly wine and roses" was the only true version, so that makes at least two.

Gummo said...

That? Was a delight!

pete said...

The banjo looks like Allison Brown and the mandolin looks like Tim O'Brien but I don't see Peter Rowan.

Mark said...

And yeah, that's Chuck Prophet singing, and both Prophet and Allison Brown (whom I unfamiliar with) are on the schedule posted by Paul (above).

paulinca said...

That's Chuck at the beloved Hardly Strictly. Chuck can't do anything wrong. I missed this performance but love this festival every time I go. You never know what or who you're going to see that becomes your next favorite.

Paul in CA

Jim G said...

Apparently in the minority, I've liked the "heavenly wine and roses" bridge since I heard it on the old WLIR '72 bootleg. Now when I hear the released version, I listen for it and it's not there . . .

BTW this is fabulous. Love it.