Poll: Layla, which version is better?

[Gomithrus]

So my brother and I are having an argument over which version of Eric Clapton's Layla is better. He thinks it is the original because its more energetic and hence )according to him) nicer to listen to. Whereas I believe the unplugged version is better due to its smoothness and what I believe to be its increased emotional sense.

So, what does the Escapist community think?

Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WUdlaLWSVM

Unplugged: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_L-0Ryhmic

 

[Aris Khandr]

Unplugged. According to the poll, it's unanimous.

 

[GundamSentinel]

Ah, such a difficult choice, both so great! I think I'll go for the unplugged version.

 

[Capt. Crankypants]

Love the original, not a fan of the second. Not that it matters terribly, you've picked a good song my man, I applaud your taste in music.

 

[Omikron009]

I like the original more. The addition of the piano in the unplugged version is fantastic, but I prefer the vocal and guitar of the original.

 

[viranimus]

I know this might be blasphemous but I dont like either, or Clapton for that matter. I voted for the original based on it having a greater historical impact than the MTV unplugged version.

Only album I geniunely like from the MTV unplugged series was Nirvana: Live in NY, in part due to it being a semi prophetic album.

 

[SirDoom]

Original, by far. Two of my favourite guitarists (Allman and Clapton) playing together? Count me in.

 

[Manicotti]

I much prefer the combination of Clapton's voice and an acoustic guitar than I do the combo of his singing with electric (mostly because hearing him hitting higher notes is kind of grating). I'm also generally a sucker for unplugged classic rock overall.

 

[BonsaiK]

Meh to both, I prefer this:


...but only marginally.

 

[thylasos]

Is there one without the godawful piano segment?

 

[Buzz Killington_v1legacy]

Original by far. If I wanted to hear someone sucking all the life and soul out of a classic rock song, I'd go listen to Lenny Kravitz butchering "American Woman" again.

 

[Macgyvercas]

Dude, it's Clapton. It's going to be awesome regardless.

That said, Unplugged.

 

[LongAndShort]

A tough question, not easily resolved, so I'm going to go with my standard 'original is best' policy that I have with most songs.

 

[tahrey]

Is there one without the godawful piano segment?

you wash out your mo.. er.. typing fingers right now!

I think they're both equally good for different moods, but voted original both to even up the poll (ahem... not entirely in the spirit i know) and because I randomly ran across an mp3 of it in some backup files yesterday, and having not actually heard it for ages, it sounded damn good. A classic worthy of the epithet.

Also some 80s springsteen and motown in it, made for an enjoyable half hour. Turned out it was an archive of the stuff on one of my mother's previous phones. Old girl's got taste yknow.

 

[Coop83]

While the unplugged version is fantastic version of the song, you might as well ask which version of "Valerie" was better - Amy Winehouse, or The Zutons (it's The Zutons, btw), because of how different they sound.

With the way that the original track sounds, I can only agree to it being better than the unplugged version, as it's not the radio edit - the proper version of Layla, with the final instrumental is such a complete piece. While the start of it makes me want to go out there and buy a Vauxhall (still, after all these years), the contrast at the end of the piece is fantastic, while also allowing us to remember that it is a love song.

The unplugged version is the sort of thing that Clapton would take to the bedroom window of Layla and serenade her with. Perfect for that occasion, but not quite as good as the real thing.

 

[Dwarfman]

Dude, it's Clapton. It's going to be awesome regardless.

I'll second this motion people.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

Original.

I like the higher energy.

Both are fucking amazing, though.

 

[Hiphophippo]

Meh to both, I prefer this:


...but only marginally.

this just made me throw up in my own mouth a little.

that said? both. the unplugged with the original's outro.

 

[Zantos]

Original. That riff does thing to me no woman can.