"Crossroads" - Cream or Robert Johnson's Original version?

This is really hard to choose.
I love both but I voted for Cream, which is the version that I grew up with.

 

Robert Johnson's original. A great blues feel and a masterpiece of complex rhythm.

It may sound to some like he's off in time, but you can actually put a metronome to this piece (around 85bpm), and it's almost dead on the whole way through.

The early bluesmen, that Johnson learned from, didn't think or play in the strict 12 bar blues that we hear now. They would casually through in a beat or delay here and there to fit the feel of the lyric. Yet the time remains solid.

It's a wonderfully free and poetic sound. Johnson masterfully caputures that feel here.

I also grew up with the Cream version, and it's one of my favorite pieces by the group.

 

good observation. check out blind lemon jefferson if you haven't already. that guy was impossible to imitate. i don't think even he knew what he was going to do next.

 

Cream hands down....

 

Robert Johnson

 

I think they are both great for different reasons.

-On a stormy rainy night I might listen to RJ's version.

-End of the day at work, driving home-Cream version

 

Both great, but, since I'm not a purist, I went with Cream.

 

Didn't Ry Cooder play this version?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YRjoNlJso0

 

"Crossroads" - Cream

 

Voted for the original but love both versions.

 

Voted for Cream but love both versions.

It's almost useless to try and compare them; one is blues, the other rock. All they really share is the lyrics.

 

I like both versions, but I have to go with Cream. It has the quintessential Clapton solo.

 

Cream for Eric Clapton playing.
He never played so well after that IMO.
But Robert Johnson version give me shivers!

 

Dusty. Hands down.

 

I'm pretty sure that's not Ry playing guitar and that sure isn't him singing.
The version I was talking about is a band version that is on the OST of the movie. This track you linked isn't on that album.

 

That is Ry playing in the clip.

 

I have no reason to doubt you but where did you get this info? I was questioning his playing because I didn't recognize the singer and the song isn't on the OST, not because it didn't sound at all like him.

I wonder if it's available anywhere besides youtube?

 

Wikipedia and on the info section of the youtube clip. Ry did all of the 'incidental' playing in the Movie "Crossroads".

 

BTW ...... Here's THE definitive version of "Crossroads". A must see.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH-HIZD-oOU&feature=related

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Cream

 

Cream, just cause it boogies the way it does.

 

I'm actually suprised that Robert Johnson is doing as well as he is. I don't think his version has sold a tenth of what Cream's has.

 

RJ does my favorite version.

But I have to admit, while not a big Clapton fan, his guitar work on Crossroads is great.

Lynyrd Skynyrd does my favorite remake of the song. Cream comes in second.

 

hold the cream please.

 

i concur.