I Beg To Differ
By Mitch Berg
To: Lou Reed
From: Mitch Berg, minimal fan.
Re: Sweet Jane observations
Mr. Reed,
You are on record from 20-odd years ago as saying that the Cowboy Junkies’ version of “Sweet Jane” is the best ever, and better than the original version you did with the Velvet Underground.
This is categorically incorrect.
Please see to correcting this error. Thanks.
That is all.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:29 am
I gotta go with Lou on this one.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:09 am
“gotta go with Lou” that his version is better, or him saying CJ’s version is better?
I vote for the original version.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I like the Junkies version better. I even like Ian Hunter’s version better, but I’m a big fan of covers generally.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Gotta go with R.E.M.’s version.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
If there’s an artist I like less than Lou Reed on principle, it’s Michael Stipe.
But there’s a *fun* to the Velvets’ version that’s just absent from the Junkies’ version.
January 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
But there’s a *fun* to the Velvets’ version that’s just absent from the Junkies’ version.
That, and it doesn’t sound like the Velvets are on Quaaludes. Even though they might have been.
‘ll have to hunt down Ian Hunter’s version — Mott the Hoople was a fun band and Hunter’s solo stuff is fun, too; he’s the guy who gave the world “Cleveland Rocks,” among other things.
January 30th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
No, the Junkies don’t really do *fun*, not when one of their biggest hits has the title “Murder Tonight In the Trailer Park”.
If you think the Junkies are on Ludes, try Jessie Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter. Makes the JC’s sound like the Bay City Rollers.
Sweet Jane was done by Mott the Hoople, not solo by Hunter.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Mitch, which recording? The orignal on Loaded? Rock and Roll Animal? There’s only like a dozen of these, right?
I just flipped on Gang of Four’s cover, which is heavy on the bass. Me like. Also have Maria McKee and Lone Justice covering it, which is different but quite, quite good. I’ll have to hunt down Ian Hunter. As it were.