The Debate's Not Over


Over the last 75 years there have been any number "Who's Better" debates. Johnny Mathis vs. Nat King Cole, the Beatles vs. the Stones, etc. As time has passed, to many some of these debates have been answered, but I just want to re-open a few choice debates and add my $.50.

Dave Clark 5 vs. the Beatles - for those of you old enough to remember, at one time, these two groups were considered equals. I'll grant the Fab Four the musical crown, but "Having A Wild Weekend" (directed by John Boorman )was a better movie than anything the Beatles did. And yes, Dave was a better drummer than Ringo.

Prince vs. Michael Jackson - despite Chris Rock's pronouncement of the Purple Wonder's triumph, I say as of 2005 the title goes to Michael. Sure Prince is still putting out quality music, but it ain't great quality, and his earlier work sounds fairly dated, whereas, Michael's 80s masterpieces still sound quite good. 10 years from now I may change my mind.

Clapton vs. Green vs. Taylor - These are the original guitar gods from John Mayall's 60s Bluesbreakers. Eric Clapton has by far had the most illustrious career, but I rate him behind both Peter Green and Mick Taylor. Green wasn't as flashy, but he had the tone. Green also founded Fleetwood Mac and wrote "Black Magic Woman". Mick Taylor prevented the Stones from becoming an oldies act back in the 70s. He is also one of the best slide player currently working in rock. He deserves to be in the rock Hall of Fame.

Disco vs. Hair Band vs. Boy Bands - everybody lost a little bit of their self respect in this one.

Donovan vs. Dylan - Donovan was right, he was more musically adventurous than Dylan, but only Smokey Robinson wrote better lyrics than Dylan. Despite St. Etienne's lyrics, I guess Dylan really did win this one.

Hwy 61 vs. Route 66 - it depends, are you into the blues, or are you just out to get some kicks?

Chuck Berry vs. Keith Richards - Richards got the money, but Chuck Berry is the king of rock n' roll. Chuck may have only really written two songs, but they were killers. Punch him out again Chuck!

Blondie vs. Bjork - I just made this one up. Bjork would karate chop Ms. Harry and sample her brains.

Fender vs. Marshall - Marshall's may have the mystique, but more great songs were recorded with Fender amps than any other brand.

Earth, Wind & Fire vs. Parliment/Funkadelics - see "Get Up, Get Down" conflict.

Miles vs. Miles - the band with Coltrane & Cannonball? No. The First Quintet or even the second Quintet (Shorter/Williams/Carter/Hancock)? Nope, not them either. The best Miles Davis band was Shorter/DeJohnette/Holland/Corea. "Filles de Kilimanjaro" just does it for me.

and finally,

Elvis vs. Elvis - Mr. Costello is slowly gaining on swivel hips. Within the next 20 years I predict he will catch him and possibly move ahead of Presely on the rock pantheon. I could actually be wrong on this one, but maybe not.

Feel free to agree/disagree or even add you own debate(s). And to all you young dudes out there, best wishes for the new year!
128x128onhwy61
What, you mean sweater-dude Tony Robbins? Motivational mambo Tony?
He's a vampire?! What does he have to do with horses or audio? You need to
climb up here on the chandelierre (don't worry, you won't need to spell it
correctly to climb it) and check out the view cause you can see for miles and
miles, and ol' Tony's just a pimple on the horizon ready for popping. He's a
puss-fountain waiting to happen. Heck, he can bite my ass first if I'll get a
dose of happy from it, but the dude's gonn'a blow after that.

Marco
Dave Carke 5 Hmmmmm?! Please, Not one five star album in the bunch. The Beatles rarely fell short of five stars. Wasn't it enough that the stones followed up with “Their Satanic Majesties Request” only after Mick sat dumbfounded in owe at the recording sessions of Sgt. Pepper's? I was through with the Stones when Mick Taylor was. Can I hear an amen? Isn’t someone going to inform me that Lennon/McCartney ripped off Pet Sounds? OK, maybe not.

At least Prince is consistently original… who the hell is Jackson imitating? I just know he’s imitating somebody! ;^)
I like the companions Prince has chosen over Michael’s as well.

Clapton has the definitive resume for sure,
Has Green got a clear mind yet? Sorry. Beyond “Green Manalishi” what do we got?
Oh well!
Mick Taylor rocked far too short a time as did Janis, Jimi, Nike Drake, Jim Morrison, Tim Buckley, Mark Bolen, had enough yet? , If Keith Richards (probably the finest living rock guitarist) hadn’t been there, the Stones wouldn’t be playing ballparks today. Keith is still alive isn’t he? I know he’s still playing anyway. Just kidding.

Disco vs. Hair Band vs. Boy Bands?…Don’t even get me started. Where is T. Rex or Ziggy Stardust when you need them?

Donovan was more musically adventurous, mystical, ethereal, and psychedelic than Dylan but Jimi Hendrix didn’t carry around a songbook of Donovan lyrics and idealize him for years. Sorry Hurdy Gurdy Man. Hendrix did of course cover “All along the Watchtower” does that make Hendrix an imitator?

61, 66?
220, 221
45, 46 Whatever it takes!

Blondie vs. Bjork? Parallel Lines/ Debut, I wouldn’t want to be without either.

I’ll take a Fender Twin Reverb run through Marshall stacks, thank you very much.

Earth, Wind & Fire are three of the basic elements of alchemy, right? Isn’t Parliment/Funkadelic the forth?

Miles was always at his best. This man is one bad mofo by anyone’s estimations.

Call me a blasphemer but on pure music authoring chops alone Declan Patrick McManus is the King! Long live king Elvis! Pump it up!

All IMHtO (in my humble twisted opinion) of course. Happy Listening!
I agree on Elvis Costello a lovable chap too. I was listening to Flowers in the Dirt the other day and he really wrote some great stuff with Sir paul... again.
Keith Richards has been doing Chuck Berry for years I mean they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
I'll take Debbie Harry over Bork in her hey day. She used to gyrate around stage with no panties on and yes she does shave her monkey.
Miles with Cannonball and Coltrane if not for the fact hat these two artists WITHOUT Miles did O.K. don't you think?
Please Prince in spades over MJ. Just the volume of work and the fact that Prince has pushed the envelope with his music. Was kind of shocked to hear the other day that Prince is going in for a hip replacement. All those platform shoes he used to perform in caught up with him.
"Costello is a first-rate poseur (as is his wife) but not an original in any sense."

I couldn't disagree more - Costello has been among the best song writing talent on the music scene for the past 25 to 30 years.
bloomfield,cippolina,mandell,the under achieving jeff beck, the over achieving jimmy page, and pre eleventh house coryell over clapton, green, and taylor. shuggie otis over jackson and prince. after 'armed forces' costello was over. annie golden or rachael sweet over deb harry and bjork. the greatest unsung record of all time....elliott murphy-aquashow(better lyrics than smokey)