Poll: Version Battle - Angel Baby

[Mike]

Time for the latest Version Battle

Lined up today we have a suggestion from @Blackpoolsoul who has gone for a battle of the Angel Babies...

As before all you have to do to take part is grab a listen and then voice your prefered version via the one click poll
plus if time allows post a comment on the whys and such behind your choice, and can also include any background, memories, trivia, questions, stories related to the versions.

here we go then... 

Stevie Wonder - Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me)

 

 

George Carrow - Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me)

 

The 3 1/2 ‎– Angel Baby (Don't You Ever Leave Me)

 

Darrell Banks - Angel Baby (Don't You Leave Me)

As before all you have to do to take part is grab a listen and then voice your prefered version via the one click poll
plus if time allows post a comment on the whys and such behind your choice, and can also include any background, memories, trivia, questions, stories related to the versions.

listen, vote, talk...

[Geoff]

Pretty hard to pick a favourite out of these three. I've gone for George Carrow but all excellent. Heard Stevie Wonder's at the weekend. Sadly a bit fast for me these days.

[Winsford Soul]

George Carrow for me. Funny how a lot of these poll's pan out that it's the first version you heard ends up as  your favourite version as in this case for me

[Mike]

edited to close in 7 days

plus added a 4th one, read the lead singer of this group is the geezer from taxi no less, say that's quite apt myself... 

Darrell for me, Steves theory above coming into play maybe

[Kevinkent]

Without a doubt George Carrow is the one that does it for me. It's the version that harks back to my youth and is the one that, when unknown to me, Dave Godin recommended to me along with a handful of others in one of London's Berwick Street record stores. Amongst the other tunes were Bok to Bach...Father's Angels, Cat Walk....Gerry & Paul and the Soul Emissaries, and Spreadin' Honey....Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band (get anything with "Watts" in it, he said). Still got all the vinyl I bought that day in '71.

-Kev

[Guest]

A difficult one this. Easy for those of us of a certain age to boil it down to one of two, either George Carrow, or Darrell Banks. I'm going to go for George Carrow. As mentioned by others, this is the first version I ever heard and danced to. It brings back incredible memories of long ago days, (and nights), a VERY misspent youth, and for me, just shades Darrell's version by a whisker. 

[Amsterdam Russ]

Heard George Carrow first, but there's something about the over-layering of his vocals that I don't like. Darryl's take does nothing for me, likewise with The 3 1/2. And Stevie sounds as if he's trying too hard. In fact, they all do.

But, if I were forced to choose one, then I'll go with Stevie.

 

[Stevegods]

Good Poll battle this one and although George was the first one I heard , the one that resonated and hit me more was D.Banks . Just something about his voice and the beat...  but i guess all 4 would get me on the dance floor . Least fav is The 3 1/2 version . 

[Shinehead]

Prefer the George Carrow version myself but it seems a strange song non of the versions singers seem to be able to sing the song naturally , as someone  said above they all seem to be trying to hard.

[Hooker1951]

Darrel shades it for me his voice finds that soulful groove he is famous far,

KR

ML

[The Yank]

Darrell's version for me  although George and Stevie are close.

5 hours ago, Mike said:

 

   read the lead singer of this group is the geezer from taxi no less, say that's quite apt myself... 

 

Jeff Conaway (who was also in the movie "Grease") is said to be the lead singer of the 3 1/2. 

[Mick Holdsworth]

17 hours ago, The Yank said:

Darrell's version for me  although George and Stevie are close.

Jeff Conaway (who was also in the movie "Grease") is said to be the lead singer of the 3 1/2. 

As he was only 15 at the time , then presumably he was the "1/2" in the group.

[Mick Holdsworth]

Toss up between GC and DB, think it has to be George Carrow for me

[Tlscapital]

Not my favorite tune really. The continuous drive can't allow the singer to rest. Pushing the singer to shout in order to sing instead of "slamming". Giving the impression that he is continuously running under stress after his "dovey" baby.

First heard the George Carrow version which is a disaster vocally. Then heard Darrel's which is much more acceptable IMO. The 3 1/2 is OK poppy. I never care for Stevie Wonder stuffs with maybe 4 or 5 exceptions and not even this one.

[Tobytyke]

Darrel Banks  for me. Came out twice on English Atlantic. The first issue is great ,but the 're issue' sound quality is very poor in comparison 

[Mr Fred]

By a mile it has to be 1st George Carrow because like already said its the first to be spun at various venues across the country and  it's the best version.2nd Darrell Bank"s take on it. Then the others don't come anywhere near. I.M.O.                                      Regards Fred.

Edited November 4, 2019 by Mr Fred

[Tomangoes]

I think the GC version has more punch to it in terms of beat and delivery.

All are good though.

Ed

 

[earlvandykes6]

Our Local " Soul " Do Played The LP As a New Release ! , So Stevie's Version Was The Known Version Until " Darrell Banks -ATCO Lp " Was Issued .

P.S. It Got Played Endlessly - All The Versions That Followed S.Wonder - Had Given Them Guidance at There Feet - To Follow And Cut Their Interpretations ???

" The Slat Lad - HYDE "  .

[Mike]

 

 

thanks to all who took part rating and talking and thanks to blackpool soul for the suggestion

It looks like we have a clear #1

The results being...

Stevie Wonder 10%

George Carrow 38%

The 3 1/2 ‎ 1%

Darrell Banks 51%

 

as said always after ideas for future polls, pm me if have any 

Quote

 

always on the lookout for future poll suggestions

some criteria - one version must be fairly well known, need to limit it to just 2 or 3 versions, 

looking for version battles that be both interesting and enjoyable

any ideas ?

if do have any, then just let me know via pm (not on this topic please ) to me via @Mike

 

 

over to Darrell to finish...

 

 

 

[JJMMWG DuPree]

• Whoever recorded it first is obviously the best since the other three have done little else than cover it almost note for note.

[Tlscapital]

7 minutes ago, JJMMWG DuPree said:

• Whoever recorded it first is obviously the best since the other three have done little else than cover it almost note for note.

I get your point but none of the artists in this case are even remotely involved in the composition of the tune to call it their "own essence". So in such case they have all their own "merits" and should be judged evenly IMO. Otherwise I would say that it is indeed a valid point that I do respect.