Cover to Cover: Shipbuilding

Henry Irving

Two versions of the same song

The soulful Tasmin Archer version or the raw Robert Wyatt version.

Listen to both without prejudice and say which you prefer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg0d2id-JmE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjUkjpJa6bY


Yes, I know we could have has the Elvis Costello version but I thought this was more of a contrast.

iainment

Robert Wyatt.

Alwaysneil

Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo

lardiman

I have always liked the Tasmin Archer version as it reworks 'Shipbuilding' into a beautiful piece of music.
Costello sings it with great pathos, and the Wyatt version is jarring and raw.

Three very different versions of a very powerful song and each works very well in its own way.
I don't know if many will agree with me but I'm going to say the Tasmin Archer version edges it for me. Not because hers is the most powerful version, but she does make it very easy to listen to and probably does best at bringing this song to an audience who may never otherwise have heard it.

Henry Irving

Alwaysneil said:

Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo

But which of these two do you prefer?

LawrieAbrahams

Bob.

Johnnysummers5

Robert Wyatt

johnny73

Wyatt. First time I've heard his version. Not as good as Costello though.

Afternoon Delight

Robert Wyatt. I think the song sounds better when sung by a bloke. Tasmin has a lovely voice mind.

Stig

Hadn't heard Archer's version before, played it a couple of times now and it's growing on me. Wyatt's version is best though, not because of his vocals but because of Mark Bedford's bass which is very Mingusesque.

I'm not normally a big fan of Wyatt's vocals except on Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports which is absolutely sublime.

Anna_Kissed

Robert Wyatt. His plaintive voice captures the awfulness of the Falklands war.
His musicianship is never dull and it draws one's interest. Top man.

Pedro45

Wyatt.

But did Wyatt or Costello write it?

The originall is by far the best though with as great a song as this all versions are terific.

Anna_Kissed

I was of the opinion that it was Costello's song. Wikipedia informs that Costello wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the music with Clive Langer.

Langer co-wrote the song "Shipbuilding" with Elvis Costello, and played organ on the version by Robert Wyatt which was a Top 40 hit in the UK.

Pedro45

Anna_Kissed said:

Costello wrote it.

Thats what i thought. On a train so couldnt check.

Stig

Pedro45 said:

Wyatt.

But did Wyatt or Costello write it?

The originall is by far the best though with as great a song as this all versions are terific.

Costello wrote the words. Clive Langer (Deaf School/Big In Japan) wrote the music.

golfaddick

Elvis Costello.

dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.

falconwood_1

Suede did a version also....

I prefer Costello’s version.

Alwaysneil

Henry Irving said:

Alwaysneil said:

Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo

But which of these two do you prefer?

Can’t get to the end of either but got further with robert Wyatt so I guess it’s that one.

Bedsaddick

Robert Wyatt’s is the better version for me .

Stig

golfaddick said:

Elvis Costello.

dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.

I think Henry has chosen just right. It's more interesting to have other versions, it gives a better chance of hearing something new. For the record, Wyatt's version is the original anyway. This is in no small part because it was Costello's choice. Wyatt's version was released as a single on 20th August 1982. Costello's wasn't recorded until early 1983 and was only released as a track on Punch The Clock in August '83, almost a year after Wyatt's.

bobmunro

Of these two examples, Wyatt.

Henry Irving

Ye

Stig said:

golfaddick said:

Elvis Costello.

dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.

I think Henry has chosen just right. It's more interesting to have other versions, it gives a better chance of hearing something new. For the record, Wyatt's version is the original anyway. This is in no small part because it was Costello's choice. Wyatt's version was released as a single on 20th August 1982. Costello's wasn't recorded until early 1983 and was only released as a track on Punch The Clock in August '83, almost a year after Wyatt's.

Yep, Wyatt's is the original.

The Costello version was banned for being too jazzy : -

stonemuse

Alwaysneil said:

Could have gone for the Suede version which is better than either of these imo

Agreed, also the version by The Unthanks.

But of the two listed here, I far prefer Robert Wyatt.

3blokes

I really like some of Robert Wyatt’s stuff, but of these two I prefer the Tasmin Archer version.

killerandflash

Wyatt

I think his voice portrays the emotion of the song better

Johnnysummers5

golfaddick said:

Elvis Costello.

dont like either of the other versions. If you're going to do a cover to cover it should have the original in there somewhere.

I think you are shitbuilding

LawrieAbrahams

I thought Elvis wrote it for Wyatt and then did his own version on Punch the Clock.

Henry Irving

LawrieAbrahams said:

I thought Elvis wrote it for Wyatt and then did his own version on Punch the Clock.

He did

Stig

Elvis wrote it with the aim of putting out several versions with different artists on one e.p. When Costello heard Wyatt's version, the e.p. was scrapped and they instead decided to release Wyatt's as a single.

thewolfboy

soft robert.
used to chat with him in twickenham. cat on lap can't get capital letters!