For my Monday workout I went to the gym to lift then took a spin class, adding some extra time on the spin bike before and after class. Spin class for me is ok - I enjoy it some times, other times I can not wait to get done - it is all about the music and the instructor.
Some times you get that instructor that does not spin but walks around "encouraging" the participants - what kind of instructor are you - get on the bike darn it!
Some times you get that instructor that spins but is so out of winded you can not understand what they are saying - get is shape darn it!
Some times you get techno for the music selection - not a fan
Some times you get 70/80s rock - at least I can sign along to those tunes (that is my era)
Some times you get the instructor that plays music but does not keep the clas to the beat (I can handle that because my rhythm is pretty bad)
Today I has a new instructor (new for me) that played all live music (DMB, Barenaked Ladies, U2) and it was fun. Apparently people in his class complained it was too loud so he bought them earplugs - that is a classic!
So, one song during class got my attention - Dave Matthews version of All Along the Watchtower - pretty cool spin song because DMB version starts out very slow on acoustic and then slowly revs up to a good speed - making it a good song to pin to. During the song I was trying to think of all the bands I have heard sing this song and here was my list which was way off from the total (how many do you think you could name)
1.Dylan - of course Bob Dylan did it - he wrote. Some of you probably did not know that but it was written and recorded in 1967 after the motorcycle accident when Dylan was reading the bible a lot. He has performed Watchtower more than any other song and he really rocks during this song!
2.Dead - no this is not a Dead original - it is one of the many Dylan songs the dead play - they played it 123 times - it is a treat in concert
3.DMB - some of you probably thought this was a cool Dave Matthews song - wrong. His version is different and it does rock in concert.
4. Jimi Hendrix - all of his songs rock and you can not go wrong with his version - never saw it in concert but I bet it was awesome
5. Prince - yes, Prince - he played it at the superbowl a couple years ago - since Prince is the ultimate performer any song he plays is great!
6. Neil Young
7.U2
8. Rusted Root -I saw this version on HDTV - since Rusted Root is an all time favorite they did this song great!
that is all I came up with - here are others that have performed this song
Jam Bands: (these bands all play it because the jam band crowd loves it)
Keller Williams
Phish
Allman Brothers
Widespread Panic
Some you would not think would cover Dylan:
Elton John
Eric Clapton
Pat Boone - you figure that one out
Everlast - bet that was cool
Dave Mason of Traffic
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd
and my all time fave - Dolly Parton
oh the things you (ok, maybe just me) think about in spin class :-)
cheers - happy training
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2 comments:
the Phish cover was from 10/22/96 at MSG and featured Buddy Miles (from Jimi's band) on drums. They also played it one other time with Dave Mathews in '94. Great song, it's simplicity really allows the artist to do their own take on it.
-J$
http://phishvideos.blogspot.com
I agree good music makes (or breaks) a spin class. As for All Along the Watchtower, other interesting folks who covered it are the Indigo Girls, Bryan Ferrry (of Roxy Music), and XTC.
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