hand me down tuesdaY: Oasis vs. Ryan Adams

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Now I’m not trying to start any feuds, rivalries, or tiffs with this post.  I’m not trying to turn this into an intervention either but if there is still people in the world that don’t have the smallest amount of “like” or appreciation for a little band out of Manchester, England, maybe this post will help them develop some by listening to one of their most popular songs wonderfully covered by David Ryan Adams.  I have for you “Wonderwall” originally recorded by Oasis for their life changing album What’s The Story, Morning Glory and later by my boy, RA, as a track for his Love is Hell Pt.1.

I stayed away from the album version of this track, going instead with the version recorded in 1996 for MTV Unplugged.  I chose it because I  figure most people have heard the original as many times or more than Judy Garland’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and also because I think it sounds better with Noel singing lead and backing vocals.  That particular set;Liam out with a sore throat while still drinking, smoking, and heckling from the balcony above really solidified Noel’s role as a THE songwriter and main man behind the biggest band around at the time.  Look for the entire gig if you dig this, the boys sound exceptionally well with horns and a harmonica.

MP3: Oasis-Wonderwall (MTV Unplugged)

In 2001, Noel Gallagher caught Ryan Adams playing the song and had this to say about it: “I went to see Ryan Adams in Manchester….So he’s playing away and he just does “Wonderwall” right in the middle of the set…The fucking place went silent.  It was so beautiful.  I was just like, fucking Jesus Christ what a fucking song. Afterwords, I told him ‘You can have that song, man, because we could never quite get it right.”  If that isn’t testament enough, Adams completely takes over the song and makes it his.  It’s hauntingly beautiful.  It’s slowly strummed on an acoustic and occasionally peppered by a steel guitar that parallels the wonderful whine that takes up residency in nearly every RA track.   The piano that graces the end is a nice touch as well. Empty house.  Cool fall night.  Turn the lights off and put a match to some candles.

MP3: Ryan Adams-Wonderwall