From time to time, I’m gonna take a great song and do some quick reviews of different versions that have been recorded. The first song I’m going to try is “Amazing Grace.” I really can’t imagine a bad version of this one. Maybe a version that disregarded its intense emotion and spirituality would be bad. Otherwise, I’d think it’s pretty tough to screw up. Here are some of the noteworthy versions I’ve heard (many of them on Rhapsody):
- Dropkick Murphys (from The Gang’s All Here) – To be honest, I find the Dropkick Murphys to be a rather contrived stab at Oi, but not on this track. They play it with such conviction that it makes me reconsider my previous impression of them.
- Ditchdiggers (from Light and Salvation) – Americana is as natural a format for this song as gospel and the Ditchdiggers pull it off naturally.
- Five Blind Boys of Alabama (from Spirit of the Century) – You’d think this would be one of standards, but the Five Blind Boys actually do this one to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun.” It’s a surprise, but a great version nonetheless.
- Ani Difranco (from Dilate and Living in Clip) – The studio version on Dilate has a really interesting sublime groove that, along with the reading of the lyrics that interjects in the background, makes it one of the most original versions without abandoning the true feel of the song. The live version on Living in Clip has the same groove with somewhat different instrumentation and does an even better job of showcasing Difranco’s voice without trying to outshine the song itself.
- Mighty Clouds of Joy (from Mighty Clouds of Joy Live) – Do you believe? You will after hearing this version. They’re so into it that the song loses it’s structure altogether at times.
- Neville Brothers (from Live on Planet Earth) – This is, in my opinion, the best live album of all time and this is its emotional climax.
- Aaron Neville (from Believe) – This isn’t quite the live version, but it’s still hard to argue with Aaron Neville.
- Holmes Brothers (from Jubilation) – This one starts off like a sermon at a Baptist church and settles into country-tinged gospel (or maybe it’s gospel-tinged country) that’s one of the more emotional versions. When that falsetto takes off, it gives me goosebumps.
- Ralph Stanley (from Clinch Mountain Gospel) – You expect the full bluegrass treatment, but this one is a capella. Nonetheless, Ralph Stanley and company give this version the stamp of great traditional music.
- The Soul Stirrers (from When the Saints Go Marching In) – This is a decent Motown-ish soul version. It’s not bad, but it’s more upbeat and lacks the emotional elements of many of the better versions.
- Elvis Presley (from He Touched Me) – I expected better from Elvis, but this was recorded in the 70s. At least he didn’t sing, “I mustasaida…”
- The Zion Harmonizers (from New Orleans Gospel Glory!) – This is serious gospel, all a capella. This is another one that’ll just make you believe!
- Al Green (from Greatest Gospel Hits) – Ever soulful, Al Green delivers just as expected.
- Jeff Beck (from Merry Axemas) – This is a strangely ethereal track, but Beck plays with some emotion. This is one of the oddest versions I’ve heard.
- Willie Nelson (from Freedom: Songs from Heart of America) – No surprise here other than it being a little more bluesy than country.
- Yes (from Yesyears) – I hadn’t heard this before, but when I saw it I figured it would either be incredible or incredibly awful. Sadly, it was the latter. I guess my theory that you can’t screw up “Amazing Grace” was wrong.
- Statler Brothers (from Radio Gospel Favorites) – This would be a pretty mediocre version if it weren’t for Harold Reid’s bass parts. They do harmonize well, but the backing track is lame.
- Fats Domino (from Christmas Gumbo) – Not only is there no vocal, but the whole thing sounds like it was recorded on a Casio keyboard. More evidence that great songs can be utterly wrecked.
- Aretha Franklin (from Amazing Grace) – This is every bit as good as Aaron Neville’s version on Live from Planet Earth. Aretha may be the one person who was truly meant to sing this song.
- Cedarmont Kids (from Hymns) – Man, I thought this would be a cool one with kids pulling it off with the honesty that only kids truly have. Instead it sounds like Disney’s “It’s a Small World.” I’d say this is worse than Yes, but still better than Fats Domino.