Under Pressure : Three versions (and more).

This article has been ready for a long time, I had forgotten to publish it.
I like the original version very much with the vocals only, Freddie Mercury has such a voice!

 

And the final version (1981):

A variation, Bowie with Annie Lennox (1992):

More recently, it was included in the Minions soundtrack (2014).

I must confess I have a weakness for Ice, Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice (1990).

People Get Ready : three versions (and more).

This song written by Curtis Mayfield in 1965 was inspired by the March on Washington and apart from a very positive message of faith and hope, it contains a very nice guitar riff.

 

I discovered it through Rod Stewart's unplugged version. His raspy voice has never left me unmoved. :)

 

Another Stewart's version exists with Jeff Beck, here in 2009.

To tell the truth, there are more than three fantastic performances.
Al Green's is great, isn't it ?

And there are women too:
Joss Stone's among the recent versions:

Aretha Franklin's is a classic, she takes her time to make the music resonate.  :)

 And men and women together here with the Staples Singers:

More on the context of the song.

Interesting 19th Century American Paintings

First a few paintings depicting African-Americans in the 19th century:

• A Plantation Burial by John Antrobus (circa 1860). More details here.

• A German Immigrant Inquiring His Way by  Charles Felix Blauvelt (1855). More details here

• Slaves Waiting for a Sale, Richmond, Virginia by Eyre Crown, 1861

An analysis here

• The Power of Music (or Music Hath Charms) by William Sidney Mount (1847)

An analysis

• The Banjo Player by William Sidney Mount (1856) Analysis here

•   Old Kentucky Home (Negro Life at the South), 1859 by Eastman Johnson.Details

• The Gulf Stream by Winslow Homer (1899) -Details here.

Then some paintings evoking the Wild West:

• My Bunkie by Charles Schreyvogel (1899). The soldier is saving one of his bunkmates who has lost his mount.

• Barter for a Bride by John  Mix Stanley  (1854-1860)
  

Details here.


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Charles Felix Blauvelt

Mountain Songs-Three possibilities.

• River Deep, Mountain High by Ike and Tina Turner

•  "Ain't no Mountain High Enough"  by Marvin Gaye & Tammi  Terrell   

• Elvis Presley You Gave Me a Mountain

                                                    

Creep-Radiohead- Three Versions.

• The original version (1992)

 

When you were here before

Couldn't look you in the eye

You're just like an angel

Your skin makes me cry

You float like a feather

In a beautiful world

I wish I was special

You're so fucking special

But I'm a creep

I'm a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts

I want to have control

I want a perfect body

I want a perfect soul

I want you to notice when I'm not around

You're so fucking special

I wish I was special

• The unplugged version by Korn (2006)

• A very different version by Vintage Soul (2014)

Rolling in the Deep by Adele - Three versions.

There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch, it's bringing me out the dark
Finally I can see you crystal clear
[Clean version:] Go 'head and sell me out and I'll lay your ship bare
[Explicit version:] Go 'head and sell me out and I'll lay your shit bare
See how I leave with every piece of you
Don't underestimate the things that I will do

There's a fire starting in my heart
Reaching a fever pitch
And it's bringing me out the dark

Read more: Adele - Rolling In The Deep Lyrics | MetroLyrics

A few days ago, Aretha Franklin released a new cover of this song. 

The live version without any hint of autotune is much better. There is even an extract of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough!"

My Favourite Things- Trois versions.

Une chanson tirée de la comédie musicale "The Sound of Music" chantée par Julie Andrews dans sa version originale (1965),

Jouée par John Coltrane au saxophone en1960:

Chantée version jazz par la chanteuse Coréenne Youn Sun Nah, hier soir à Amiens avec un kalimba, instrument africain.