Patmos on my mind

June 26, 2010 12:09 AM

Who's that writing? [MLYT]

In belated honor of Jean Baptiste Day, I give you several versions of a song about an interesting fellow:

Blind Willie Johnson

Son House

Nick Cave

Depeche Mode

Gov't Mule + Dirty Dozen Brass Band

White Stripes

Freeport High School Concert Choir

Phil Kline (nytimes article)

Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers

Beck

John Mellencamp (last.fm preview only)

Billy Childish

Lee Roy Parnell (ilike preview only)

posted by chaff (10 comments total)

Been trying to find a clean version of the Curtis Stigers cover ever since I finished the first season of Sons of Anarchy. Thanks muchly.

Really wish I could buy those soundtracks without installing or interacting with iTunes at all.
posted by kafziel at 12:31 AM on June 26, 2010

My favorite version would have been Frank Black doing it at the Mint in LA several years ago, with some Captain Beefheart alumni, but that's not on youtube.
posted by anazgnos at 2:00 AM on June 26, 2010

A great song, for sure. Son House's rendition, man, that sends shivers every time I hear it. Funny coincidence, my partner in my 2-man Mississippi-Hill-Country-inspired blues band spontaneously broke into this at sound check, just before our gig, night before last, and we decided to make it part of our regular repertoire. So, it'll be helpful to check out these different versions, many of which I haven't heard yet. Thanks, chaff!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:48 AM on June 26, 2010

Nice post, thanks....
posted by HuronBob at 3:33 AM on June 26, 2010

San Antonio band Boxcar Satan does a fabulous rendition of this song.
posted by louche mustachio at 3:47 AM on June 26, 2010

I'm mainly familiar with the Holy Modal Rounders version.
posted by Obscure Reference at 3:58 AM on June 26, 2010

I love this song-- it's so atmospheric and chilling. I first saw it performed by Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver at a bluegrass festival. You can hear their a capella version from this playlist, number 23. All of these links show the range of such a simple song.
posted by TrarNoir at 8:03 AM on June 26, 2010

You had me at Son House.
posted by clarknova at 1:06 PM on June 26, 2010

Of course, John the Baptist and St John who wrote Revelations aren't the same person, not even theoretically, but I suppose that's not a problem, really.

Another vote for Son House.
posted by Grangousier at 1:12 PM on June 26, 2010

THANK YOU
posted by threeturtles at 6:07 PM on June 27, 2010