Thin Lizzy in action.
This post got deleted twice while I was trying to upload it so, without further ado here it is. The Grooveshark link is here. For Mavis Staples version of Son of a Preacherman, click here.
First, Jackie Wilson goes up against Thin Lizzy. As Orce astutely pointed out last round, that although the band states that a jailbreak will happen somewhere in the town, it will probably at the jail.
This is the album cover to their most recent album--I don't believe this song is on there, but you like them check out Bushwick Blues and St Francis.
Next is Brooklyn’s Delta Spirit against perhaps the real spirit of the delta, the Godfather of Soul.
Next is the Kinks, one of the most prolific bands of all time against Pata Pata who…. well… there you are. But it’s the best song, not the biggest career!
Lastly, STP‘s big hit goes up against the big hitter Mavis. Will voters let orginals v. covers come into consideration or have we finally put that debate to bed? We shall see!
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#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy)
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. #5 Try Me (James Brown)
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba)
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. #6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples)
Living the Dream 
Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) = 7.5
v. Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) = 4
People C’mon (Delta Spirit) = 4
v. Try Me (James Brown) = 7.5
Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) = 6.5
v. Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) = 5
Don’t care who laughs, but I totally prefer Jimmy Buffett’s version of Sunny Afternoon…
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) = 7
v. Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) = 8
Surprisingly closer for me than I would have guessed…
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson)-4.5
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy)-5.5
I’m listening to Jailbreak and thinking, this feels like the narrative sequel to the “The Boys are Back in Town”. A few minutes later I’m on wikipedia and find out Jailbreak came out right after the Boys are Back. Hard rock from this period never seems hard enough to me- like it pales even in comparison to 90’s college rock outfits, who aren’t exactly known for rough edges. Higher and Higher felt overproduced and too saccharine / precious. At least tonight.
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit)-5
#5 Try Me (James Brown)-4.5
This is a pretty weak division, compared to A and B.
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks)-5.5
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba)-6.5
I was going to say Sunny Afternoon was good but too long, then I realized it was under four minutes. I guess it isn’t that good after all. Pata Pata is begging to be covered by someone awesome. Artists I’d like to see tackle it: Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, Os Mutantes, Yo La Tengo.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots)-7
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples)- 7.5
The main hook of Interstate Love Song always sounds like it’s from a television theme but this is still a pretty good song. Mavis is growing on me fast- I think I gave it a 5 or something in the first round.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 6.6
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 5
I think I voted for the wrong song on the poll, because Higher and Higher the second time around wasn’t as strong. Can Thin Lizzy fix my phone so that Grooveshark works on it?
I got distracted when I discovered that Girl Talk sampled “Jailbreak,” and started listening to a GT album. Would we allow Girl Talk songs in these things? That’s a tough call. Alright back to the competition.
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 10
#5 Try Me (James Brown) 5
This could get 10’s from me going forward for the same reasons “Lose Yourself” got 10’s from me last tourney- a combination of lyrics that are gritty, simple, and powerful, with a beat/melody that keeps you involved the whole time. I e-mailed the nominator yesterday to tell her how much I appreciated that she brought this song into my life. She responded that seeing Delta Spirit live was as close to a spiritual experience as she thought you could get. Try Me rarely does it for me, although I appreciate its place in history..
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 6.5
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 6
What Mark B said about Dos Gardenias, times a billion, equals my feeling on Pata Pata, although just because you’d hear it at a resort doesn’t make it so terrible- every tiki bar jukebox on Koh Phi Phi is chock full of Boss tracks, and I don’t mark Bruce down for what he can’t control. But Pata Pata is like that weird out of place tourist hotel in Africa where there aren’t enough tourists- I can think of the exact awkward hotel in Arusha where I’m sitting with a watered down pina colada, and it’s 105 degrees, and I look like I’m waiting to make some sketchy deal involving suitcases, when I’m really just writing in a journal and wishing the song playing didn’t sound so cliché. That’s Pata Pata to me. Kinks by a hair, but I wouldn’t mind either way.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 5.8
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 7
I’m over the covers debate. It takes two listens to get into the swing of something new as opposed to simply comparing it to the old, and Mavis has a fine enough version here.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 6 I like this song, but today it reminds me of credit music for any number of Julia Roberts movies.
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 8
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 5
v. #5 Try Me (James Brown) 7
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 10 A lot of people think the Kinks were just a Beatles rip-off, but their biting social commentary definitely sets them apart. Although this song seems like an ode to idleness and relaxation, it’s actually a pretty sharp critique of an indolent upper class that bristles anytime its wealth is threatened. During the current showdown over the debt limit, this is a very timely critique of the anti-tax crowd. What could be more ridiculous than a rich fat cat complaining that the taxman’s taken away his yacht and that his girlfriend has run off with his car to go tell her parents about his drunkenness and cruelty? The narrator’s left to sit and try and appreciate a nice summer day, but all he can do is feel sorry for himself because he’s preoccupied with his yacht-lessness. Despite the opening verse about oppressive taxes, there’s a reason why Wesley Snipes and Grover Norquist haven’t paired up to do a duet version of this tune.
v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 3
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 4
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 6
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 6.5/8
I am a little surprised by this: Jackie Wilson just didn’t hit the spot this morning like Thin Lizzy does.
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. #5 Try Me (James Brown) 8/8.5
I really like Delta Spirit today. Thanks, nominator! But I think I loved James Brown today. It made me feel like I was at prom in the 1950s.
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 6/7
I like both of these songs but Pata Pata is newer to me and sounds so fresh and different.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. #6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 7/4.5
I don’t understand why SOAP keeps showing up and going so far in these tournaments. It isn’t a tune that I particularly care for, no matter who is singing it.
Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) ~ 7.7
Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) ~ 8
Jackie Wilson’s vocals and lyrics are a 10, the instrumentals are an 8, but those backing vocals are a 2. So I averaged it to 7.7.
Totally surprised by Thin Lizzy. Dig the instrumentals. Fun lyrics.
People C’mon (Delta Spirit) ~ 10
Try Me (James Brown) ~ 8.2
Not sure why, but People C’mon was exactly what I needed right now. Really enjoyed the minimalist piano, drums and guitars with some surprisingly soulful lyrics.
The Godfather of Soul’s doowop is starting to grow on me, but its still strange not to hear him belt out “Heeeaaaaaaaaayyyyuhs!!!!” Glad to know he has more range, but I’ll stick to Payback.
Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) ~ 8.6
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) ~ 7.9
Never knew that was The Kinks. Nice!
Pata Pata was alot of fun. Love that sound, but so far it seems like the voters in this tourney are aggressive anglophiles. All the good international stuff gets slammed.
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) ~ 8.4
Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) ~ 7
ILS is a really, really good song.
I like Ms. Staples, but the original is so awesome (one of my favorites to win the last tourney) its hard to see what she added other than some more horns.
Totally disagree with Jack. The last two rounds were painful, this one was actually fun.
Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson): 6.5
Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy): 2
People C’mon (Delta Spirit): 8
Try Me (James Brown): 7
Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) : 7.5
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba): 6.5
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots): 5
Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples): 10
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) – 7.3 – This was good for a Wednesday afternoon.
v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) – 7
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) – 6
#5 Try Me (James Brown) – 7.5
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) – 7.7
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 7.9 – Awesome.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 7.3 – When I first saw this, I was picturing Big Empty and got excited– this song is good too though, reminds me of 7th grade.
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) – 10 – First I’ve heard this version (I’m used to Dusty Springfield), its great! This just might be one of my favorite songs of all time, I would love to see this go far in the tournament!
This round is very heavy on the funk/soul.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 6
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 3.5
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 6
#5 Try Me (James Brown) 4
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 5.5
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 3.5
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 7
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 5
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy): 10/3
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. #5 Try Me (James Brown): 5/5
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba): 3/1
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. #6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples):4/8.9
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 8.5 to 6.0
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. #5 Try Me (James Brown) 7.0 to 6.0
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 9.0 to 7.0
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. #6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 4.0 to 5.0
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 6.9 to 7.0
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. #5 Try Me (James Brown) 8.5 to 5.0
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 8.0 to 7.0
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. #6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 5.0 to 5.0
Comments – not tonight! Except a thank you to the nominator of People C’Mon. I have truly enjoyed this track to date. One of the very few songs that I will go search out to download.
And – I will be good and NOT make a comment about a bad cover to a great song that added nothing to the song’s legacy. Such comments have already been made in this 2nd round.
Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 7.5
Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 8
People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 8
Try Me (James Brown) 7.5
Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 9.5
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 6.5
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 7
Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 6
I enjoyed this round more than I thought I would- good songs!
Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) = 8 to 4
Seriously, the Boys are Back in town is a million times better.
The Jackie Wilson tune is great, but for some reason it reminded me of the end of Mars Attacks tonight (you can just skip to 1:20:
People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. Try Me (James Brown) = 4 to 4
Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) = 6 to 8
Kinks are great but I prefer the later stuff. Miriam Makeba is great! I think I missed this one in the first round.
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) = 6 to 3
I thought STPs guitarplayers lines worked better when he had the big crunchy processed saturated Les Paul sound from the first album – I think these songs would’ve been cooler w/ that vs. the barely overdriven telecaster or whatever he was using. oh well.
maybe one of the greatest scenes in film history!
Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) – 10
v. Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) = 6.1
People C’mon (Delta Spirit) = 8.99
v. Try Me (James Brown) = 5
Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) = 7.7
v. Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) = 6.5
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) = 5
v. Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) = 10
Votes for me / Chris
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) – 7 / 6
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) – 6.5 / 5.5
I liked Higher and Higher, but it just isn’t amaze-balls. Thin Lizzy is growing on me, but I didn’t like it more than Jackie Wilson.
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) – 7.5 / 6
#5 Try Me (James Brown) – 5.5 / 3
People C’mon is just a super fun song. I dig it. Chris is feeling tough tonight.
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) – 6 / 5
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 8.5 / 7.5
I know Pata Pata isn’t going to win this one, but I can’t NOT enjoy it. I just do.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) – 5 / 8
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) – 9.5 / 6.5
STP is just never going to be a band that I am going to get into. I don’t hate their sound, but I’ll never love it. Meanwhile – its MAVIS STAPLES. No contest.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 7
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 3
I think Higher is nice and uplifting whereas I find Jailbreak to be lacking many things, including melody or a hint of a hook at any point.
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 9
#5 Try Me (James Brown) 4
Wow, People C’Mon is so interesting…I don’t remember it from the first round (maybe one of the ones I missed) but either way, I think it’s fantastic – like a mini epic. I also think that his voice has just the right amount of Matt Bellamy without reaching full Muse-y-ness. i think this is a really great thing. Echo the thanks to whoever nominated this! Without the backing singers, I think Try Me would be much more appealing.
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 6.5
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 1
Never before has a song sounded so much like its title as Sunny Afternoon. It’s nice. I feel many things about Pata Pata but i don’t want Guillermo to tell me off again so I’ll just give it a score and keep schtum instead 🙂
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 5.5
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 7
Fair point about the covers debate but it does make a difference. A good cover can be so great (see Adele’s Make You Feel My Love; Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah) but it is still a great song that’s for sure.
haha, love ya mean it, love your work
Excellent, excellent set of songs today.
Higher and Higher – 8
Damn, this is good. A quintessential example of 60s soul, this song has it all; powerful vocal exercises, uplifting backing vocals, and strong instrumental backing. I think the best part about this one is the song progression; the way the vocals get stronger and the instruments pile up as the song progresses is fascinating.
Jailbreak – 9
I really disagree that this song has no hooks. First off is this excellent riff, brilliant in its simplicity. Then there is the contrast between the verses and the chorus. Then the riff changes up during the bridge, building up to the “BREAK OUT” section, when the music and sound effects combine to simulate the actual “jailbreak”. Just a great hard rock composition. Hey, I like this more than “The Boys Are Back in Town”
People C’mon – 8
This is a nice discovery for me. A dynamic composition, every part of the song is carefully arranged to keep the song flowing smoothly. Special note must be given to its powerful yet disciplined drumwork, serving as an effective backbone to the composition.
Try Me – 4
Look like James Brown’s song is the only one that does not really do much for me in the pack. It needs more of a hook, I guess. There are no real vocal workouts here, and the instruments are just sort of there, providing a rhythmic foundation and little else. This is OK, just rather dull.
Sunny Afternoon – 9
Love the Kinks! This is definitely one of their best songs. The bouncy, optimistic melody definitely fits its title well. And of course, the melody provides a solid, ironic contrast to the bleak lyrics about a rich man in the middle of losing everything. A revolutionary blend of Britpop and music hall that stands the test of time.
Pata Pata – 5
Not sure what I found so great about this song last round. Maybe because it was in such a lousy pack last round? Anyway, the fusion of ethnic rhythms and dance pop is still interesting. The song just pales in comparison to its stronger competition this round.
Interstate Love Song – 6
Much better than I was expecting it to be. The loud, wall of sound grunge guitars still annoy me, but this features a memorable riff and a good vocal melody. Kind of generic, but hey, it is grunge.
Son of a Preacher Man – 7
You know, I have run out of things to say about the third piece of soul music I this pack. Let us just say this is better than “Try Me”, but not as good as “Higher and Higher”.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) [7.75]
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) [6]
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) [6.25]
#5 Try Me (James Brown) [4.5]
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) [7]
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) [4]
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) [6.5]
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) [5.75]
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 6/5
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. #5 Try Me (James Brown) 7/5
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 7.5/6
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. #6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 8/5
Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson): 6.5
Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy): 2
People C’mon (Delta Spirit): 8
Try Me (James Brown): 7
Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) : 8
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba): 1
Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots): 7
Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples): 9
This is not the best version of Preacherman…I’m not scoring the live version provided but the studio version instead
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 7
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 4 [so bad it’s ok?]
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 7
#5 Try Me (James Brown) 7
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 6.5
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 2.5
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 7.3
Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 5.0
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) v. #8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 7.5: 5
Orce and I developed an affinity for lyric criticism during a bitterly hungover five hour drive back from our college reunion. Other notorious songs include “The KKK Took My Baby Away”, which we determined was completely unsubstantiated by the facts, and “I Shot the Sheriff”, in which the protagonist pointlessly argues that he didn’t shoot the deputy (murder for killing the sheriff is a bad enough sentence) and argues that he shot the sheriff in self defense, even though under the law you can never shoot a uniformed officer in self-defense.
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) v. #5 Try Me (James Brown): 5.3 : 7.6
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) v. #7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 8.1: 3. I don’t think Jacob will ever forgive me for nominating the wrong Kinks songs last time. There’s always Waterloo Sunset for a future tourney.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) v. #6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples): 6:6
Neither of these songs blew me away, but both are solid.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 5.6
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 3
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 8
#5 Try Me (James Brown) 6.5
Delta Spirit kind of reminds me of a more downbeat version of this Seattle band the Raggedy Anns, who I enjoy a lot.
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 6.6
Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 5
I could see Pata Pata being used effectively in a Tarentino film.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 4
Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 7
I like all the individual parts of Interstate Love Song but I don’t like the whole, I don’t really know why. I wasn’t feeling Mavis’s cover as much today (it felt too rushed), but that song could never go lower than a 7 for me.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) 6.8
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) 10
Was remembering Ghostbusters II and it hurt Jackie. I know Jailbreak will lose, but every time I hear that bass line my spirit bounces up many notches. Just how it is.
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) 7.1
#5 Try Me (James Brown) 5.3
The first couple minutes of People C’Mon were amazing… then it felt like it just didn’t go anywhere, and ended abruptly. Not sure what was up. Unfortunately for James, when he speaks in intelligible english… I just don’t like him as much.
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) 8
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) 3
Pata Pata just isn’t my cup of tea – made me feel like I was trapped in some weird movie where I didn’t understand what was happening, everyone was irrationally happy, and i was the only sad one because i just didn’t have any clue what was going on and it terrified me. Not good for scoring.
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) 6.5
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) 4
STP is good – never great never bad… almost always good. Mavis is still not Dusty, and the gulf grows every time I listen.
higher: 4
jailbreak: 3
c’m0n: 6
try me: 1
sunny afternoon: 6
pata pata: 5
interstate love song: 10
preacher: 4
didn’t see a deadline, hope it’s not too late. If it is, just an FYI comin at ya.
#1 Higher and Higher (Jackie Wilson) – 4
this can’t win. My soul needs more.
#8 Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy) – 6.5
sure, fine, whatever
#4 People C’mon (Delta Spirit) – 8
#5 Try Me (James Brown) – 5
#2 Sunny Afternoon (The Kinks) – 8
#7 Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba) – 8 woot for the “world” representation!! AND this is lovely! But so are the Kinks. I’ve decided we can all be brothers. Eights all around!
#3 Interstate Love Song (Stone Temple Pilots) – 8
#6 Son of a Preacherman (Mavis Staples) – 7
My scores bely that I really am more of an R&B than rock person, but the individual representatives of the former category are relatively weak. But what do I know, I took the silver for the “inability to call the winner with my vote” category! 😛