This is probably going to start a Flame War.

It appears that I've already got the next installment of this cover version verses original version thing posted. I didn't think I would be so soon. I’m sure no one else did. There’s probably going to be barely any consistency with this thing. I’m going to end up either post too often or not often enough. The honest reason why, is because my whole life is pretty much like that part of the supermarket by the checkout where they keep all the impulse buys. I think of something I like and then I can’t leave it alone.  I never buy anything from the impulse isle though; it’s all junk. I usually just get offended by magazine headlines while I’m waiting in line. Sorry, I just wasted like 122 words of your time. Let’s get to the substance of the post.

This pairing is probably going to be a bit controversial. The song is Hey Joe, and the artists are, (you guessed it) Jimi Hendrix and Wilson Pickett. Hey Joe is the first of the songs where an original version won’t be used for he purposes of this comparison. The more I've researched this, the more I've found there seems to be a lot of confusion about the origins this song. Like most people I thought it was a traditional song, but it was apparently registered for copyright by Billy Roberts in 1962. And it was recorded by a band called The Leaves in 1965, but apparently some people think that the Byrds’ very own David Crosby popularized the song before The Leaves recorded their version. Between 65 and 66 six or seven bands did versions.  That’s a lot, and I can only pick two. That’s why I’m comparing Hendrix and Wicked Pickett.

Hendrix released his version with the Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1966. It was their debut single. Not too shabby. It’s also kind of neat that it seems that he was discovered while preforming the song at this place called the Café wha? Hendrix’s version reached number 6 in the UK but didn't chart in the US.

Wilson Pickett recorded Hey Joe some time in between 1968 and 1969 at Fame Studios. Duane Allman is featured playing guitar. His version reached number 59 on the US top 100, but didn't chart in the UK.

Jimi Hendrix: (Note: this might look live, but it's totally the studio version playing.)

Wilson Pickett:

Okay, so now that we've had the chance to listen to both, let’s pick a winner. This is where the controversy is going to come in. I totally like Wilson Pickett’s version better. I know, I know, I just started a flame war. But c'mon you listened to them. Hendrix is version is awesome. It’s all groovy, the guitar is nutty, and he’s got the Experience backing him up. But, Pickett’s version rocks so hard, and he’s wailing like only Wicked Pickett can wail. Plus Duane is no slouch on the guitar, and they got the horns happening. They take the song to the moon and back and they didn't even use a Saturn V. Listen to it again, you’ll see what I’m talking about, or just write something mean in the comments. I’ll be happy with either.