IMO they need not play this song. it's been overdone as it is. and then ed rings out '2 riders were approaching' like 4 times. that Jake dude or whoever he was in DC...having him join the band onstage...cool...but why keep playing it? they could pick a better song to cover.
I like PJ's version, but everyone who immediately dismisses the DMB version should seek out a copy of their 1995 show at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. Trey from Phish and John Popper joined them onstage for Watchtower and it was unbelievably good. I don't listen to DMB anymore, but I can still listen to that song.
Thats my opinion as I stated. Whats not intelligent about that? I think Dave has passed on from music hopeful to frat jam band a LONG time ago. I was never a fan of him but I appreciated him for his music at first but then his fans started being the face of his music. I have been to a few Dave shows with ex girlfriends and I can tell you they are about as annoying as a concert can get. Frat boy after frat boy screaming "Ants Marching!" and every girl screaming "Space Between!"...at this point I cant tell the difference between Dave and John Mayer. That being said...everyone is entitled to Dave or John Mayer or whomever they wish to listen to...I chose not too. Hence my comment..Dave sucks IMO.
i was talking to my buddy about this after night 1. regardless of me being a DMB fan...DMB makes their version their own and let me explain.
It's always about 8-12 min long with a huge jam, and usually the last song of the night. Pearl Jam's version sounds too similar to Jimi's, quick lyrics and quick solos. Mike tears it up don't get me wrong, but there's no slow intro like dmb or creshendo or big excitement except for the fact that its PJ playing a dylan song.
my vote is dmb but still thankful to have heard 2 versions of PJ thus far
2005: Borgata 2, Philly
2006: Camden 1&2, East Ruth 1&2
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2009: Philly 1, 2, 4
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2012: Made in America
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2015: Global Citizens
2016: MSG 2 (ISO MSG1)
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i was talking to my buddy about this after night 1. regardless of me being a DMB fan...DMB makes their version their own and let me explain.
It's always about 8-12 min long with a huge jam, and usually the last song of the night. Pearl Jam's version sounds too similar to Jimi's, quick lyrics and quick solos. Mike tears it up don't get me wrong, but there's no slow intro like dmb or creshendo or big excitement except for the fact that its PJ playing a dylan song.
my vote is dmb but still thankful to have heard 2 versions of PJ thus far
neil young does a killer version with loads of feedback... I think the version neil did with pj was classic!
I like that one too. I just like Prince's because it's a song that you wouldn't associate with his style of music but he does an awesome job with it IMO
Pearl Jam may be favorite band PERIOD. But DMB version is better. Sorry, but PJ's version is somewhat rushed sounding and a tad sloppy. DMB's is far better. No comparison. Although anything else PJ covers is absolutely incredible. Just not AATWT.
I thought there was a good mixture of the Dylan original and the classic Hendrix version. After all, even with the countless covers out there and the fact that it wasn't his to begin with, this song has LOOOOONG been considered a Hendrix tune first and foremost. And we're talking about McCready here...it's no secret how he feels about Hendrix. So it only makes sense that this cover is based around the Hendrix version.
Hard to compare, DMB has played it tons of times, and play a slower version. PJ ha played less than 10, and play it much faster. And their is no one in DMB anywhere near as good as Mike for the fast version. I personally like the faster version.
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I always wondered why Pearl Jam didn't opt to record a more interesting Dylan song, particularly when just about everyone covers Watchtower. Between Pearl Jam and DMB's version - DMB's is much more interesting musically as he changes the time signature and vocal melodies. Pearl Jam's version is fairly straightforward, save for a more energetic feel.
Why not record "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" or better yet "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"?
I always wondered why Pearl Jam didn't opt to record a more interesting Dylan song, particularly when just about everyone covers Watchtower. Between Pearl Jam and DMB's version - DMB's is much more interesting musically as he changes the time signature and vocal melodies. Pearl Jam's version is fairly straightforward, save for a more energetic feel.
Why not record "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" or better yet "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"?
PJ's cover tunes tend to be straightforward and (enjoyably) sloppy. They aren't known for producing huge DMB-style revamps. I am cool with this, personally.
I will weigh in - Most cover songs that Pearl Jam does, I think their version is superior to any other cover and the original.
Watchtower is a rare exception. I think Dave Matthews does the best cover of this song I've ever heard and Pearl Jam's doesn't really compare in my opinion. It's still cool to hear but not as good as Dave's.
PJ's cover tunes tend to be straightforward and (enjoyably) sloppy. They aren't known for producing huge DMB-style revamps. I am cool with this, personally.
While this is true, the songs they cover tend to be more obscure and Pearl Jam brings new life to them while not reinventing the wheel. Watchtower is about as cliche a cover as you can get. While I appreciate their version, their song choice in this instance is lackluster; particularly in the face of a catalogue as deep as Dylan's. So it's clear, I'm referring to the studio recording.
I like PJ's version, but everyone who immediately dismisses the DMB version should seek out a copy of their 1995 show at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. Trey from Phish and John Popper joined them onstage for Watchtower and it was unbelievably good. I don't listen to DMB anymore, but I can still listen to that song.
this man knows what he's talking about
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9/24/96 MD. 9/28/96 Randalls. 8/28-29/98 Camden. 9/8/98 NJ. 9/18/98 MD. 9/1-2/00 Camden. 9/4/00 MD. 4/28/03 Philly. 7/5-6/03 Camden. 9/30/05 AC.
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Nice intelligent discussion.
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I'm glad they are playing it more ... they do a great job on it!
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i think ed's version for Im not there was perfect... they do punk it up live but I love it.
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Adel 03 Melb 1 03 LA 2 06 Santa Barbara 06 Gorge 1 06 Gorge 2 06 Adel 1 06 Adel 2 06 Camden 1 08 Camden 2 08 Washington DC 08 Hartford 08
Thats my opinion as I stated. Whats not intelligent about that? I think Dave has passed on from music hopeful to frat jam band a LONG time ago. I was never a fan of him but I appreciated him for his music at first but then his fans started being the face of his music. I have been to a few Dave shows with ex girlfriends and I can tell you they are about as annoying as a concert can get. Frat boy after frat boy screaming "Ants Marching!" and every girl screaming "Space Between!"...at this point I cant tell the difference between Dave and John Mayer. That being said...everyone is entitled to Dave or John Mayer or whomever they wish to listen to...I chose not too. Hence my comment..Dave sucks IMO.
9/24/96 MD. 9/28/96 Randalls. 8/28-29/98 Camden. 9/8/98 NJ. 9/18/98 MD. 9/1-2/00 Camden. 9/4/00 MD. 4/28/03 Philly. 7/5-6/03 Camden. 9/30/05 AC.
10/3/05 Philly. 5/27-28/06 Camden. 6/23/06 Pitt. 6/19-20/08 Camden. 6/24/08 MSG. 8/7/08 EV Newark, NJ. 6/11-12/09 EV Philly, PA. 10/27-28-30-31/09 Philly, PA., 5/15/10 Hartford,5/17/10 Boston, 5/18/10 Newark, 5/20-21/10 MSG
It's always about 8-12 min long with a huge jam, and usually the last song of the night. Pearl Jam's version sounds too similar to Jimi's, quick lyrics and quick solos. Mike tears it up don't get me wrong, but there's no slow intro like dmb or creshendo or big excitement except for the fact that its PJ playing a dylan song.
my vote is dmb but still thankful to have heard 2 versions of PJ thus far
2006: Camden 1&2, East Ruth 1&2
2008: BONNAROO, MSG1, MSG2, Hartford
2009: Philly 1, 2, 4
2010: Hartford, MSG1, MSG2
2012: Made in America
2013: BK1, BK2, Hartford
2015: Global Citizens
2016: MSG 2 (ISO MSG1)
EV Solo: NJPAC 2008; Tower Theatre, PA 2009; Hartford 2011
neil young does a killer version with loads of feedback... I think the version neil did with pj was classic!
Sha la la la i'm in love with a jersey girl
I love you forever and forever
Adel 03 Melb 1 03 LA 2 06 Santa Barbara 06 Gorge 1 06 Gorge 2 06 Adel 1 06 Adel 2 06 Camden 1 08 Camden 2 08 Washington DC 08 Hartford 08
I'm good with them emulating Jimi's version!
I like that one too. I just like Prince's because it's a song that you wouldn't associate with his style of music but he does an awesome job with it IMO
Kind of comparing apples to oranges until I see PJ play it.
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Why not record "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" or better yet "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"?
PJ's cover tunes tend to be straightforward and (enjoyably) sloppy. They aren't known for producing huge DMB-style revamps. I am cool with this, personally.
Watchtower is a rare exception. I think Dave Matthews does the best cover of this song I've ever heard and Pearl Jam's doesn't really compare in my opinion. It's still cool to hear but not as good as Dave's.
They're take on it are like your children, you love both the same amount but in a different way!!
That is definitely the best version!!
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