Head to Head musical duels

Our first Musical Duel is:

I Drove All Night - Cyndi Lauper (1989)
Versus
I Drove All Night - Roy Orbison (1992)
Versus
I Drove All Night - Celine Dion (2003)

The history of this song is that it was written for the legendary Roy Orbison but it wasn't released until after his death in 1988. His friend, fan & colleague, Jeff Lynne of the Electric Light Orchestra, took Roy's vocal track, then remixed & remastered them to new instrumental tracks a few years after Roy's death.

From Wikipedia - "I Drove All Night" is a song written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly for Roy Orbison. Orbison first recorded the song in 1987, but his rendition was not released until 1992. The song was subsequently a hit for Cyndi Lauper (1989), Pinmonkey (2002), and Céline Dion (2003), respectively. In 1992, Jeff Lynne remixed Orbison's recordings for the posthumous album King of Hearts, released the same year by Virgin Records.

Take a listen and comment which version that you like better.
Roy Orbison version: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=HrfDs0mpJUc
Cyndi Lauper version: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=7bR46ibN7Rw
Celine Dion version: http://www.youtube.c...h?v=NV5nqF6mVCQ

If I understand the story correctly, Roy wasn't satisfied with his interpretation of the song, so he didn't release it. That implies that Cyndi isn't copying Roy's version. The similarities of vocals must be what the writers told Roy and Cyndi how the song should be sung or their demo of the song showed how the song should be sung.

So the main differences between the songs are the instrumentals & the style and intensity the singers chose to put in their performances.

Vocals
1. Cyndi was at the peak of her vocal ability at this time. Great power and passion in this performance. There are live performances from various appearances on TV & concerts at YouTube that lack the magic of this performance.
Note: Cyndi Lauper was & is a great singer, but her career was constantly overshadowed by Madonna.
2. Roy vocals don't have the power & passion in this performance - his "yeah uh-huh" line is kind of awkward and unconvincing. The rest of the song is quite good, but Cyndi's is a bit better. If he had Roy to work with, Jeff would have made him turn in a better performance.
Note: Roy Orbison's singing was highly respected by his peers for perfect pitch and operatic power, but the general public didn't give him the respect and fame that he deserved. His friend and contemporary, Elvis Presley, considered Roy to be the best singer.
3. Celine has considerable power, but she lacks the passion - her notorious chest thumping is no substitute for the real thing.

Instrumentals
1. I give Cyndi's version credit for the best instrumentals - I love the Cello bassline part driving the intensity of her song. The keyboards are a great sound to the song.
2. Roy's interpretation of the music must have been weak, which left him unsatisfied with a great song. Jeff Lynn's replacement instrumentation is very good, but Cyndi's is better.
3. Celine's version leaves me cold. It sounds disco-like and lacks passion.

Video
Tie between Cyndi's unique style & her video's creativity, and Roy's video starring Jason Priestly and Jennifer Connelly who have great chemistry and charisma.
Nothing special about Celine's video, sorry.

Conclusion
Cyndi wins. Roy is a close second. Celine is a distant third.
 
this is an interesting topic and i'd love to contribute to it, but i don't have enough time right now.....hopefully i'll remember to pop back in later!
 
Time for another Head-to-Head Musical Duel!
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"Don't Call Me Baby" is a song by Australian dance music duo, Madison Avenue. Cheyne Coates was a Singer/Dancer and Andy Van Dorsselaer was a writer/producer/instrumentalist. The duo worked mainly as writers and producers in 1998. Don't Call Me Baby was released in 1999, becoming the Number 2 song in Australia. Released internationally, the song reached number one in the United Kingdom, but only number 88 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

The song features a sample borrowed from the Italo Disco hit "Ma Quale Idea" by Pino D'Angio.

Madison Avenue - Don't Call Me Baby
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=D4-PcMSxrUA

Atomic Kitten - Don't Call Me Baby
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=ne5yxBkUIIU

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Analysis
The main difference between the songs are the synthetic quality that Madison Avenue was apparently aiming for Versus the intensity of a live concert with real instrumentals and heartfelt feelings that Atomic Kitten displayed in their performances.

I have seen Madison Avenue perform Don't Call Me Baby on YouTube clips of them on various TV shows, but YouTube doesn't have them available anymore. They didn't sound any better singing live and having instruments. Here is Madison Avenue performing other songs at an Aussie award show to demonstrate what the are like Live.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=zh7Ogo_ue48

Vocals
1. Madison Avenue's Cheyne Coates isn't a good singer. Performing in simulated megaphone effect isn't making her droning nasal vocals sound any better. Cheyne is a dancer who sings, not singer who dances.
2. Atomic Kitten's 3 vocalists each outperform Cheyne Coates during their solos. Their 3 part harmony & 2 part harmony with counter-melody highlight is also a good addition to a basically simple song.
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Instrumentals
1. Madison Avenue's instrumentals seem to be from programmed synthesized rhythm machines. Way too mechanical makes it way too monotonous.
2. Atomic Kitten is working with a live band. The thundering bassline from the electric bass guitar pulses with lively enthusiasm compared to a repetitious pattern coming from M.A.'s bass synthesizer track. The Retro-Disco instrumentals is a lively Blast from the Past. I highly enjoyed it.
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Visuals
1. The dancers in the Madison Avenue video remind me of the White-faced girls of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" because of their clone-like uniformity. The dances don't flow with any sort of life, but I suppose they are supposed to look mechanical to match the music. Yes, the girls have good figures. They sort of remind me of precursors to The Pussycat Dolls strippers who don't strip - that's not a good thing. Why do they need to have a group of girls imitating Cheyne's moves? I think that it would have been better to add some background singers and reduce the dancing.
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2. Atomic Kitten aren't performing any choreographed dance routine until the 2:18 mark, but are each dancing as the music moves them. But I like it better than M.A. because it shows that the Kittens are having a great time interacting with a lively audience.
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Liz (the blonde wearing the loose fitting shirt with sleeves) isn't a great dancer, mostly walking back and forth across the stage. She's got a great smile, and a natural beauty. Tash (the brunette) shakes her booty great and has good moves. Jenny (the blonde with the great legs) has great freestyle moves - I like the sexy things that she does with her leg-action.
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Fun and flirty, Jenny loves being the center of attention. Although she isn't as good a singer as smooth sounding Liz, or have the power of brassy tones of R&B influenced Tash, Jenny makes the most out of her talent for dance with personal magnetism and stage presence.

Conclusion
Atomic Kitten wins by a landslide.

 
Can I post a duel too? It's a classic.

Tainted Love

Gloria Jones
who performed the original version in 1964.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=NSehtaY6k1U

Soft Cell
who remade a minimalist Synth-Pop version in 1981 that became a hit.
http://www.youtube.c...?v=8cCI_XDQWb0&

vesus remakes/reinterpretations by

The Pussycat Dolls. This version is from the Fashion Rocks show
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=zxcadjtQ9hQ

Here's a longer version that doesn't cut-off
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=1d8P0DbID8g

AND

Marilyn Manson's version from the soundtrack of Not Another Teen Movie (2001). WARNING, there is s topless scene at the 58 second mark and the 1 minute, 7 seconds mark.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=CRiiRPrI9zU

I believe there's more versions for this song but I really like these two. :smiley:

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UPDATED to include My Ruin's heavy metal version.
The images are of Dita Von Tease, but the music is by My Ruin.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=3k44yh1mJC0
 
Sure, anyone can post about duels of different versions of the same song.

I added the older versions, plus one by female heavy metal band 'My Ruin' to your duel so we have a better idea of how the song has been interpreted.

Free free to analyse what you like or don't like about the different versions in your commentary of the songs.

SIO's Analysis - I'm surprised at the huge amount of difference between the different versions.
Gloria Jones and the Pussycat Dolls versions have similarities because they are pop songs.

Gloria Jones version has a nice 1960s Motown-like beat and attitude.

Soft Cell's version is very sparse in its Synth Pop reinterpretation. It's good, but I wish that it wasn't so limited in instrumentation.

Pussycat Dolls version. That is Soft Cell's vocalist Mark Almond in the beginning of the song. So the piano player is probably David Ball of Soft Cell as well. Since Soft Cell are writers/composers they must have adapted their version to make it more contemporary-pop for the PCD, but keeping some synthesizer effects. It has a nice musicality, but I find that the girls who are taking solos sound all too similar. When the Pussycat Dolls has to replace a member, it doesn't seem to matter much that someone new has joined the group.

My Ruin's version is a hybrid of Gloria Jones, PCD and Mariyln Manson. It's got the musicality that I want, but the vocals aren't very good. It is a Hard Rock interpretation, but it is good in its own way.

Marilyn Mason. I'm not a fan of Marilyn Mason, so I couldn't appreciate his version. Something about the percussion doesn't work for me.
 
For a more recent comparison...

"Heartless" by Kanye West

vs.

the cover by Kris Allen

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=gWzlD7Lc6w8
Kanye's recent forays into actually singing (or attempting to do so) have been pretty good, but as far as I'm aware, the recording is a novelty because he can't perform for felgercarb live. He's very straight up about his song. Though I like his tone in his lower register a lot, I feel the overall effect is so so.

&http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egfiNZ1_dtI
Kris Allen, who recently won American Idol, gave a great live performance of this. His take on the song made Kanye's look like a rough draft. I think the lyrics and melody really lend themselves to his more involved style of singing. He of course pours in some inflection and boom you have a good song!
 
Heartless

I'm not familiar with this song.

I only like the 'vocorder' part of Kanye's song.
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Kris Allen's song replaced the rapping portion with singing. I like that.
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I agree that Kris Allen's version of Heartless is the better song.
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Up the Junction
Originally by Squeeze (I think) - http://www.youtube.c...h?v=A7DRq7_5sQs

Covered by Lawnmower Death - unfortunately I can't find a youtube or grooveshark of this unfortunately

Also covered by Goldfinger (featuring Reel Big Fish) http://listen.groove...ig_Fish_/432277

I'm not familiar with the song nor the bands.
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Squeeze version - Good tune, I like it.

Goldfinger version featuring Reel Big Fish - Good tune as well. But I like the Squeeze versaion a bit better.
 
I'm not familiar with the song nor the bands.
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Squeeze version - Good tune, I like it.

Goldfinger version featuring Reel Big Fish - Good tune as well. But I like the Squeeze versaion a bit better.


I have to admit to being surprised that you've not heard of Squeeze.... Jools Holland?.. He was the pianist. They were a 70s/80s group, quite big as well.
 
In Memory of the late great Michael Jackson:

I'll Be There

I was really touched with Mariah Carrey heartfelt singing of I'll Be There at the Michael Jackson Memorial Service. So I thought that this would be a good time to compare the different versions of the song.

To be honest, I wasn't a fan of the Jackson 5, especially in their early years when Michael had his high voice. Too squeaky for my tastes. But I did like Michael's adult voice.
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Jackson 5 - I'll Be There (Studio version, 1970)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=Q6bARIaMhCM

Hmm, I'm still not a fan of Michael's squeaky voice. He'd be 11 or 12 then. I didn't like the sort of 'desperation' of young Michael's emoting.
I'm guessing the grown-up voice is Jermaine. He was the lead singer when the Jackson Brothers trio were starting. I'm guessing that Jermaine was pushed back to co-lead vocals after Michael became the main vocalist.
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Jackson 5 - I'll Be There (live concert, perhaps in France, 1972)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=_4QyZH0EXcQ

Hmm, the audio is a bit fuzzy as is the video. I'm liking that Michael's voice is lowering and that he has better control. He'd be 13 or 14 then.
It looks like Jermaine is playing the Electric Bass Guitar and supplying co-lead vocals after Michael. It seems like Michael and Jermaine were the main focus of the group.

Marlon who was one year older and about the same height as Michael was there for harmonies and dance.
The 3 older brothers were much taller and had lower voices: Tito was the guitarist; Jackie sang high tenor backgrounds, danced and sometime played percussion; Jermaine was bassist and co-lead vocalist.
Being a live concert the harmonies aren't as good as a studio recording.
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Michael Jackson & The Jacksons - 30th Anniversary Special (2001) - I'll Be There
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=FcN-oxpV-Sw&

Michael is about 42 or 43 at this time. I think that he is on the comeback trail at this time and has agreed to sing with his 5 brothers in a one time reunion.

I like Michael's adult voice, but here it is weaker than a studio recording. The brothers aren't perfect either.

The crowd is going wild with enthusiasm and Michael is obviously very emotional while performing. I'd imagine that they'd sound better in the studio.
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Mariah Carrey Live with Trey Loren (MTV Unplugged)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=52d20PK_Kyk

This is best version in my opinion. I love it.
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Mariah is is singing live, no studio trickery with vocal enhancement. Great emoting too.

I read that Mariah was upset with herself for being unable to perform as well as she could have at the Michael Jackson Memorial. But it was obvious that she was choked up with emotion as she started singing and saw Michael's casket at the front of the stage. She looked up to him as a friend and idol.
 
I have to admit to being surprised that you've not heard of Squeeze.... Jools Holland?.. He was the pianist. They were a 70s/80s group, quite big as well.

I know the name Jools Holland as a respected figure of Rock, but I wouldn't recognise him. I don't think that I know his material.

I listened to this at YouTube and recognise it.
Squeeze - "Tempted"
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=rUA7F9j_xzs

I didn't recognise their other material at YouTube. Wikipedia says they weren't big in the USA (or Canada). Many big British acts are unknown on this side of the Atlantic.
 
Mind to have another one?
I think that we should leave a few days between Duels for people to make commentary about the songs. That being said, I think the time is right for another duel.
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Allow me to add Celine Dion. I understand that she also has a version of 'At Last'.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=-Zpr88Mf6qw

Okay, now let the duel commence!
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Ooh, I have to strongly disagree with your assessment of Cyndi Lauper's version. I've never heard her sing it before, but I was blown away.

First Place: Cyndi's singing isn't widely respected, but she has soul and power that matches the best of any blue-eyed soul singer when she is inspired. She was inspired in this performance! A Powerhouse performance that leaves me chills.
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Second Place: Beyonce can summon powerful, soulful interpretations whenever she wants to. It's no challenge to her to put out a wonderful renditions as this. I expect her to sound great, and she does.
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Third Place: Etta's voice has deteriorated in her old age. We need to have a better version from when she was younger to give a proper comparison.
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Fourth Place: Christina is doing too much "vocal gymnastics" with her interpretation - she over sang it.
It's the sort of thing that you see during the audition phase of American Idol where someone is too anxious to show their skills then ends up looking insincere.
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Fifth Place: Celine is doing a lackluster interpretation fit for a lounge singer. She's uninspired in her performance and it shows.
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I was looking at the thread about Alias pairings that make people laugh. The combination of Marshall and Sloane known as 'Moane' is winning. That reminded me of the song 'Mony Mony'. :LOL:

So tonight's musical duel is Mony Mony

The song's title & hook was inspired by Tommy James' view of the MONY sign atop the Mutual of New York Building in NYC as he was writing the song in his Manhattan apartment.

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Tommy James & The Shondells - Mony Mony (1968)
http://www.youtube.c...?v=ZKyEyxwqS2c&

Tommy James & The Shondells - Mony Mony (LIVE at The Bitter End, 2005)
http://www.youtube.c...?v=X1oP0TRLwUs&

Billy Idol - Mony Mony (1987)

http://www.youtube.c...?v=kLRAggWfuX8&

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Analysis

Third Place - Tommy James & The Shondells 1968 version sounds dated, but it is still fun.

Second Place - Tommy James & The Shondells LIVE at The Bitter End, 2005 version
has eliminated the problem of sounding dated. I see 37 years has aged and lowered James' vocals which seems richer and more soulful. Pretty good performance from an intimate club setting.

First Place - Billy Idol - Mony Mony (1987)
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Great performance. Billy is in top form. Great energy, great work by the band too. :cool:
 
Although I prefer Rock and Pop-Rock, I do listen to other kinds of music.
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Tonight's Head-to-Head Musical Duel is - I Will Always Love You

"I Will Always Love You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who first released the song as a single in 1974. American singer Whitney Houston's 1992 version of the song became one of the best selling singles of all time. Many cover versions exist however.

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Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You
http://www.youtube.c...?v=11911u4DYSE&

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
http://www.youtube.c...?v=xNarn1MY6kY&

Leona Lewis - I Will Always Love You (25.11.2006 Week 7 on the UK talent show The 2006 X-Factor
http://www.youtube.c...?v=vbuvLJnAysM&

Connie Talbot - I Will Always Love You
http://www.youtube.c...?v=R4AtDCVa5xE&

Charice Pempengco - I Will Always Love You (Paul O'Grady Show, 2008)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=7CVloLBxcMQ

Vince Gill & Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You (Country Music Awards 1995)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=XafBLDVtF7Y

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Analysis

1. Dolly Parton
- She wrote the song. She knows the feelings that it is behind it. Apparently, Dolly wrote this song about her former singing partner, Porter Wagner. He was the old pro who took on the new talent Dolly and helped make her a success. After a while, creative friction broke up their partnership. At a charity roast for Wagoner in 1995, she explained the breakup this way: "We split over creative differences. I was creative, and Porter was different."

Wow, what a fantastic performance! Great voice control that is clear as a bell. Great buildup from near whisper to a rising crescendo. A heartfelt performance that is amazing to see and hear.

Even though this performance is being done live in front of a TV audience, what strikes me is Dolly's heartfelt performance of a song that she's sung many times before. She is really recalling bittersweet memories of her partnership with Porter. I think that in the song, Porter has graciously stepped aside to allow Dolly to become a successfull solo artist - in reality, I seem to recall that she felt that he was standing in her way. If that is true, Dolly is singing about how she wished they would have broken up. It's as if she is singing to him in person. I've seen Dolly sing this song to Porter at his "50th Anniversary at The Grand Ole Opry" show. You can see how this song affects them.
http://www.youtube.c...?v=wBLJIcaVC1w&

2. Whitney Houston - This is the video from 'The Bodyguard'. Compared to Dolly's performance, it lacks her emotion. Whitney is a masterful vocalist, but she seems to be performing vocal stunts/gymnastics to demonstrate her skills rather than what the song calls for. People have the same sort of criticism for Celine Dion "going Show Biz" when she does her own form of vocal stunts/gymnastics. It looks insincere when a great vocalist goes into 'autopilot mode'.

3. Leona Lewis - Leona is only a contestant on "X Factor" talent show at this time. Although she is unmistakably good, she is virtually mimicking Whitney Houston. I'd rather have Leona try to modify the song to make it her own interpretation, than to demonstrate that she can sing like Whitney.

4. Connie Talbot - Yes, that is THE Connie from Britain's Got Talent. She has phenomenal talent for a 7 year old. Her phrasing, her vibrato and her sincerity are stunning. But she is a child, she lacks perfect pitch that great adult singers have. She is obviously basing her version off of Whitney Houston's version. But she'll be amazing when she grows up and she develops own style. If I was basing how her song touches me, I'd move her up to second place.

5. Charice Pempengco - Charice is the stage name of talented young Philipina, Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco. She has a big voice, great control, and good stage presence. She is 17 years old and under the guidance of acclaimed music producer David Foster. She is obviously basing her version off of Whitney Houston's version, too. Too similar to Whitney's version for me to give her higher credit. If Charice develops her own unique style, she'll be a big star. Otherwise, she sounds like a Whitney clone.

Charice Pempengco got her start in the Philippines' Little Big Star talent show at age 13, finishing in 3rd place. Her career went nowhere, though. At age 15 she became an internet star through postings at YouTube. Charice then received invitations to appear on South Korea's Star King talent show. That brought her to the attention of Ellen Degeneres, who put her on her show. This made her popular in the Philippines and she got to play for their president. In 2008, Charice got invited to Britain's Paul O'Grady Show and later on, the Oprah Winfrey Show. It was through the recommendation of Oprah that David Foster took Pempengco under his wing. More about her at http://en.wikipedia....arice_Pempengco

6. Vince Gill & Dolly Parton - Eek, having Vince Gill sing the male part of the song isn't working well. He doesn't have a powerful voice and his vocal range is too similar to Dolly's. Vince also can't convey emotions the song needs. Perhaps someone like Willie Nelson in his prime, or Merle Haggard's resonant baritone voice is needed. Vince's lacklustre performance isn't giving Dolly anything to work with.
 
I've never heard of Alsou Ralifovna Abramova before. I just read at Wikipedia that she is she is a Tartar from Russia.

Analysis - That YouTube clip isn't a top quality performance, but that is all I have to judge on. Alsou's performance is obviously based on Whitney Houston's version, too. Too similar to Whitney's version and a so-so performance doesn't allow me to give her higher credit. She seems to lack stagecraft that the other 'clones' have. If Alsou develops her own unique style, she'll be a star. Otherwise, she sounds like a Whitney clone.

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RANKING

1. Dolly Parton
- She wrote the song. She knows the feelings that it is behind it. Apparently, Dolly wrote this song about her former singing partner, Porter Wagner. He was the old pro who took on the new talent Dolly and helped make her a success.

Wow, what a fantastic performance! Great voice control that is clear as a bell. Great buildup from near whisper to a rising crescendo. A heartfelt performance that is amazing to see and hear.

Even though this performance is being done live in front of a TV audience, what strikes me is Dolly's heartfelt performance of a song that she's sung many times before. She is really recalling bittersweet memories of her partnership with Porter.

2. Whitney Houston - This is the video from 'The Bodyguard'. Compared to Dolly's performance, it lacks her emotion. Whitney is a masterful vocalist, but she seems to be performing vocal stunts/gymnastics to demonstrate her skills rather than what the song calls for. People have the same sort of criticism for Celine Dion "going Show Biz" when she does her own form of vocal stunts/gymnastics. It looks insincere when a great vocalist goes into 'autopilot mode'.

3. Leona Lewis - Leona is only a contestant on "X Factor" talent show at this time. Although she is unmistakably good, she is virtually mimicking Whitney Houston. I'd rather have Leona try to modify the song to make it her own interpretation, than to demonstrate that she can sing like Whitney.

4. Connie Talbot - Yes, that is THE Connie from Britain's Got Talent. She has phenomenal talent for a 7 year old. Her phrasing, her vibrato and her sincerity are stunning. But she is a child, she lacks perfect pitch that great adult singers have. She is obviously basing her version off of Whitney Houston's version. But she'll be amazing when she grows up and she develops own style. If I was basing how her song touches me, I'd move her up to second place.

5. Charice Pempengco - Charice is the stage name of talented young Phipina, Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco. She has a big voice, great control, and good stage presence. She is 17 years old and under the guidance of acclaimed music producer David Foster. She is obviously basing her version off of Whitney Houston's version, too. Too similar to Whitney's version for me to give her higher credit. If Charice develops her own unique style, she'll be a big star. Otherwise, she sounds like a Whitney clone.

6. Alsou (Alsou Abramova) - That YouTube clip isn't a top quality performance, but that is all I have to judge on. Alsou's performance is obviously based on Whitney Houston's version, too. Too similar to Whitney's version and a so-so performance doesn't allow me to give her higher credit. She seems to lack stagecraft that the other 'clones' have - no magic to me. If Alsou develops her own unique style, she'll be a star. Otherwise, she sounds like a wannabe Whitney clone.

7. Vince Gill & Dolly Parton - Eek, having Vince Gill sing the male part of the song isn't working well. He doesn't have a powerful voice and his vocal range is too similar to Dolly's. Vince also can't convey emotions the song needs. Perhaps someone like Willie Nelson in his prime, or Merle Haggard's resonant baritone voice is needed. Vince's lacklustre performance isn't giving Dolly anything to work with.
 
Time for another Head-to-Head Musical Duel!
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Summer is drawing to a close, so I thought that we should take a look at the song "Boys Of Summer".
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"The Boys of Summer" is a song written by Don Henley, with lyrics written by Henley and music composed by guitarist Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It was the first single from the Don Henley album "Building the Perfect Beast". The song's music video won many awards. "The Boys of Summer" was also performed live by Henley with the reunited Eagles.

From Wikipedia
In a 1987 interview with Rolling Stone, Henley explained that the song is more about aging and questioning the past—a recurring theme in Henley's lyrics (cf. "The End of the Innocence", and "Taking You Home".)

After a mid-way instrumental break is perhaps the song's most famous lyric: "Out on the road today I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac." This image of once-countercultural Deadheads driving establishment status symbol Cadillacs immediately connected with Henley's age group, and neatly encapsulated the song's feelings of loss and aging. It is rumored that this line was inspired by Henley seeing Joe Walsh driving a Cadillac Hearse with a Grateful Dead sticker on it while on Sunset Boulevard. The Ataris' version of the song replaced the 'Deadhead sticker' reference with one more appropriate to the age group of their fans, namely a 'Black Flag sticker,' in honor of the '80's punk band.

"The Boys of Summer" was a big hit, reaching number 5 on the U.S. pop singles chart and topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. It was also a hit in the United Kingdom, reaching number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. A re-release of the single in 1998 also reached #12.

Henley won the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the song.

"The Boys of Summer" was ranked #416 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Don Henley - The Boys of Summer (Hi-Def, 1984 Album version)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=0vVAOrWUcrM&

Don Henley - The Boys of Summer (1984 Album version)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=HC8at4nyjeE&


DJ Sammy with vocalist Loona - The Boys Of Summer (2002)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=INuxqqlT7UI&

The Ataris - Boys of Summer (2004 Album version)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=W2JbOy-k1Do&


The Eagles - The Boys Of Summer - Live Version (2004)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=XD7_fRN6poo&

The Eagles - The Boys Of Summer - Farewell 1 Tour, Live From Melbourne (2005)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=wTzuV1Vq6ME&

The Eagles - The Boys Of Summer (Farewell 1 Tour , Live From Christchurch, NZ 2005)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=4DxqYgHZZRo&

The Ataris - Boys of Summer (2005 Live on Pepsi Chart show)
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=WmKrlGU53qE&

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ANALYSIS

First Place: Don Henley -
The Boys of Summer (Hi-Def, 1984 Album version)
- A magical performance that captures the feeling of longing for lost youth. Perfect instrumentation too.

Second Place: The Eagles - The Boys Of Summer - Farewell 1 Tour, Live From Melbourne (2005)
- It seems strange that Don Henley and his Eagles bandmates can't capture the magic found on Henley's album version. It's very good, though. It just proves that performances vary from show to show.

Third Place: The Ataris - Boys of Summer (2004 Album Version)
- a nearly straight forward copy of Don Henley's 1984 version, this reinterpretation does have great energy, though it lacks the musicality of the original.

Fourth Place: The Eagles - The Boys Of Summer (Farewell 1 Tour , Live From Christchurch, NZ 2005)

Fifth Place: The Eagles - The Boys Of Summer - Live Version (2004)
- Once again Don Henley and his Eagles bandmates can't capture the magic found on Henley's album version. It's very good, though different. It just proves that performances vary from show to show.

Sixth Place: DJ Sammy with Loona - The Boys Of Summer (2002)
- DJ Sammy and his wife Loona have reinterpreted the song as a Pop Disco Revival song. It's catchy and a fun video, but it completely misses the point of what writer Don Henley intended.

Last Place: The Ataris - Boys of Summer (2005 Live on Pepsi Chart show)
- I don't like this thrash punk performance. It lacks musicality of the Ataris studio version.
 
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