Better Version Of WatchTower ? PJ OR DMB ?

2

Comments

  • Maryland Posts: 9,905
    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.
    ...got a mind full of questions and a teacher in my soul...
  • Posts: 365
    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"?
    member number: 198,xxx
  • Posts: 4,901
    freealcibiades wrote:
    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.
  • Posts: 50
    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.
    4.7.94 9.29.96 10.1.96 6.29.98 8.20,22,23,25,26.98 9.10,11,13,15,16,19.98 8.3,4,6.00 8.23-25,27,28,29.00, 10.4.00, 10.9.00 4.29,30.03, 5.3.03 6.29.03 7.8,9,12.03 9.15,16.05; 6.24,25,27,28,30.08
  • Posts: 365
    reborncareerist wrote:
    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.
    member number: 198,xxx
  • Posts: 1,385
    Two different versions but both are great... I love the build up behind DMB's take on it, and I like the energy the PJ puts into it...

    They're take on it are like your children, you love both the same amount but in a different way!!
    Springfield MA 94, Hartford CT 96
  • Posts: 365
    Umbertotamba wrote:
    Two different versions but both are great... I love the build up behind DMB's take on it, and I like the energy the PJ puts into it...

    They're take on it are like your children, you love both the same amount but in a different way!!
    That's pretty hilarious. Hehe.
    member number: 198,xxx
  • Posts: 163
    giventoflyjbs wrote:
    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
    Im a million miles away from home and I cant find a telephone...
  • Posts: 389
    mjb wrote:
    Ed killed it with Ben Harper on guitar in LAII at the Wiltern


    That is definitely the best version!!
    Sometimes "Majority" just means all of the Fools are in Agreement.
  • Posts: 508
    Dave Matthews Band. No question. Its intense.
    Shows:
    San Diego 2003
    Grand Rapids 2004
    Grand Rapids 2006
    Detroit 2006
    Columbus 2010

    "With my own two hands I can change the world."
  • Posts: 1,102
    mjb wrote:
    Is this a joke?

    I think so, I nearly pissed myself when I saw this thread.

    However, PJ's version is the third best version I have heard.
    Chicago 6/29/98 - Nashville 8/17/00 - Cleveland 4/25/03- Chicago 6/18/03
    Chicago 5/16/06 - Milwaukee 6/30/06 - Bonnaroo 6/14/08 - Milwaukee (EV)8/19/08
    Chicago 8/23/09 - St. Louis 5/4/10 - East Troy 9/3/11 - East Troy 9/4/11
    Minor League Park 7/19/13 - Milwaukee 10-20-14 - Bonnaroo 6/11/16
    Minor League Park 8/20/16 - Minor League Park 8/22/16
    Minor League Park 8/18/18 - Minor League Park 8/20/18 - Los Angeles 4/16/20
  • Posts: 301
    Aliveguy1 wrote:
    I think Dave Matthews does the best cover of this song I've ever heard

    Have you ever heard the Grateful Dead do it??? The best .
    Detroit '98 - Detroit '03 - Toledo '04 - Grand Rapids '04 - Kitchener '05 - London '05 - Grand Rapids '06 - Cleveland '06 - Detroit '06 - Chicago '07 - West Palm Beach - Tampa '08 - Toronto '09 - Indy '10 - Buffalo '10 - Toronto '11 - London '13
  • Posts: 16,995
    Josh10376 wrote:
    SSIA. Discuss.

    No. You're not the fucking teacher.

    This is my internet message board pet-peeve: people who start a thread in which they pose a question in the thread title...they say "discuss"....but they never give their own opinion on the subject. They just tell us to discuss it.

    Tell me which version of Watchtower YOU like better Josh10376 and then I'll tell you which one I like. And what the heck does "SSIA" mean anyway?
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024: Philly 2, 2025: Pittsburgh 1

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • Posts: 132
    I dig U2's version on Rattle and Hum.
  • NYC Posts: 2,832
    U2 Sucks
    2005: Borgata 2, Philly
    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
  • Posts: 4,695
    this is a funny thread
    ... and the will to show I will always be better than before.
  • Florida Posts: 29,119
    why would someone post this here and expect someone to say Dave?
    www.RLMcDaniel.com

    1996: Ft Lauderdale
    1998: Birmingham
    2000: Charlotte, Tampa
    2003: Tampa, Atlanta, Phoenix
    2004: Kissimmee
    2008: West Palm Beach, Bonnaroo, Columbia
    2010: MSG2
    2012: Music Midtown
    2014: Memphis
    2016: Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Jacksonville, JazzFest
    2018: Wrigley 1, Fenway 1
    2022: Nashville
    2023: Ft. Worth II
    2024: Baltimore
    2025: Hollywood II
  • Posts: 16,995
    LukinFan wrote:
    why would someone post this here and expect someone to say Dave?


    Because Dave's version is very good and non-biased people might think that it's actually better than Pearl Jam's. While PJ's Watchtower is awesome to experience live, I think Dave's arrangement is much cooler.
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024: Philly 2, 2025: Pittsburgh 1

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • Posts: 888
    Pearl Jam's version is very similar that of U2's version. It's upbeat none climatic and just OK. I would rather see both bands sing their own songs.

    The Dave Matthews version is very very good. It's groovy and just all around better. I would rather here DMB sing Watchtower over a lot of their own songs.
    The less you know, the more you believe.
  • Posts: 4,901
    LukinFan wrote:
    why would someone post this here and expect someone to say Dave?

    Actually, the thread has turned into a bit of a DMB whackfest.
    :)

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
Sign In
Register

Quick Links

Categories