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The song: Otis Redding, "Hard to Handle"; 1968
The original. Released posthumously.
The song: Patti Drew, "Hard to Handle"; 1968
The first cover.
The song: The Grateful Dead, "Hard to Handle"
Performed live approximately 90 times between March 1969 and August 1971.
The song: The Black Crowes, "Hard to Handle"; 1990
Breakout single for the group; brought the song to a new generation.
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I usually try to maintain a journalistic sense of distance when I present Versions v. Version (usually not succeeding very well, but oh well).
This one, however, poses two questions that for me personally have very clear answers:
- Are you more into rock or soul? (Or if you want to spell it out, guitar or horns?)
and
- What's more compelling to you, male arrogance or female arrogance?
(So for me it's Patti Drew 4eva. But for you it may be different. That's why I do this.
And also to listen to the same great song four times in a row.)
Yrs,
AW
inbedwithamywilson@gmail.com
