chris77
I love this song so much I named my labrador after it. ? Then today -through a weird coincidence thanks to the shuffle function in the car's mp3 player- I heard the original and unplugged versions back to back... and now I cant decide which one I like best. Used to be the unplugged one, but now I'm not so sure. Bugger. Which version do you guys/gals like best, and why?
MikeM
Both close for me. But listened to the live D&D version now now. The intro with reverb and stuff just does it for me.. ?
DonovanB
The solo in the unlpugged version is great.
but I can't deny that riff in the original gets me every time.
aubs1
Foe me each one works for the specific application. I like both, which is, (IMO) not often guys can pull that off successfully.
Clapton he cool!! ?
[deleted]
Two completely different songs IMO ?
Different moods would lead me to change which I though was 'better' daily
Today I like the acoustic version....
Bob-Dubery
Brentcgp wrote:
Two completely different songs IMO ?
Different moods would lead me to change which I though was 'better' daily
Interesting. The acoustic version is weary, resigned. The original is more crazed and, I think, better reflects the story that Clapton borrowed from when he wrote that song. So I'd go for the original because the laid back acoustic version, for me, has a mismatch between lyric and performance.
[deleted]
Agreed, Bob. And Layla recedes into insignificance when compared with other songs from the Unplugged cash cow, like Old Love (and, even then, that song is mostly fantastic for the bitchin' piano solo).
/opinion
singemonkey
Another +1 to Bob. My own feeling is that the unplugged version would have been barely noticed if not for the association with the original. But I'm a fan of Clapton's earlier, more aggressive stuff in general.
Bob-Dubery
Well I've been playing the unplugged version in my head, and trying to break the association with the old tale of Layla and Majnun. The idea being that if we regard the song as a stand-alone rather than be derived from that old story then the laid back version might reveal another way to take the song.
I think it's OK if you don't consider the song at all - but then it just becomes a laid back groove, nothing remarkable. For me it falls down on the chorus. Not enough anguish to make the lyric work.
Mind you it could work as a sort of doleful sing-along - again if you didn't think too much about the lyric. You'd be surprised what you can get folks to sing along to without wondering exactly what they're singing. When I got to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain they did a nice little campfire singalong number and got the audience chipping in on the chorus. What few seemed to notice was they singing gaily along to Anarchy In The UK.
Heath
I love the electric version best , brings out the desparation in the song , which imo is what its about .
Jack-Flash-Jr
Definitely the electric... far less 'tired'...
Squonk
The Original, just to hear Duane and Eric swopping licks....
Banditman
The unplugged version's good, but I'll side with the original electric one, & side with Bob's comments as well.
Besides, the unplugged one reminds me too much of people asking me to play Tears in Heaven as well. That's gotten very boring.
NorioDS
I've also struggled with this one and come to the conclusion that: I love them both and agree with Brent - they're 2 very different songs.
Would love to hear a more modern (but still Clapton-y) take on the original. Particularly something with a bit more bite.
dirkv
Personally, i love playing the accoustic version but i love listening to the original.
Bob-Dubery
Clapton's song was inspired by an old middle-eastern legend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layla_and_Majnun
What I hadn't know is that, according to the above, Clapton directly quotes the old tale in another song on the same album. It looks like he takes the lyrics directly from one of the more famous versions of the tale.
I am yours.
However distant you may be,
There blows no wind but wafts your scent to me,
There sings no bird but calls your name to me.
Each memory that has left it's trace with me
Lingers forever as a part of me.
nicovlogg
First heard the unplugged version, so for me that's the one. But both are great, in my mind it's just more about the associations I have from first hearing what an acoustic can do in talented hands! 8)
