2/19/10 – “Susie-Q” Cat Fight For Dale Hawkins
Posted: February 19th, 2010 | Author: Matt The Cat | Filed under: Rock n' Roll, rockabilly | Tags: Friday Night Cat Fight, Matt The Cat, Podcast, Rock & Roll, rockabilly, Susie-Q | 13 Comments »Susie-Q
This week, I’m dedicating the podcast to Dale Hawkins, who we lost on February 13, 2010 at the age of 73. Dale was one of a kind and I was very fortunate enough to have interviewed him a few years ago. You will hear a portion of that interview in this week’s podcast. The full, complete interview is available on my “Radio Interviews” page.
Listen to the podcast and then vote for the version of the classic “Susie-Q” that you TRULY DIG THE MOST! This podcast also includes a little tribute to Jack Johnson, 2nd tenor for the 50s vocal group, The Cardinals, who passed away on Feb 8th at the age of 76.
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As highly as I think of Dale, and as much as I enjoyed your interview with him, I had to go with CCR on “Suzie Q.” It sounds to me that Dale is singing to a girl, while Fogarty is singing to a woman.
As much as I love CCR, this one was Dale’s. Thank you Matt that was a spectacular FNCF.
I was born in Brooklyn and not in the Bayou but my vote is for CCR !! The Newsletter was as big as the front page of The Nwe York Times and a lot more enjoyable !! Matt keep up the good work because Nobody Does It Better !! P.S. did you think i was gonna say Carly Simon well i did !! Yum Yum
Man, that was a tough one. I love both versions, but I gave it to Dale.
I did get to see John Fogerty do the song live shortly after he started playing the old CCR stuff again. He rolled his old original Kustom amp on-stage for it. Awesome show.
MTC, The Tornado blew away CCR. Dale Hawkins “owns” that song. The guitar and the drums were great in Dale’s version. CCR was in the middle of the “pschyedelic” scene and the instrumentation for their version lent itself to that time. Dale by a bunch! Great tribute to both Dale and Jack.
CCR’s gotta have it this week! I’m with Kelly; John was definitely singing to a woman, and I too saw them do it in concert in ’71 as a medly with Green River; totally awesome! I think the guitar was better too. Sorry to hear about Dale, and his version is also good, as it’s just a great song, whoever does it, but Fogerty totally ripped it up this week!
furry leader this was a no brainer for me suzy q is one of my favorite songs of all time and tornado wins hands down even though i love ccr
A no brainer – Dale Hawkins. While the transitions in the CCR version are much better the raw energy and killer guitar solo’s of Dales version makes CCR’s version pale in comparison. Isn’t CCR’s version culled from a much longer (10+ minute) and rather tedious “jam” version of the song? I think that Stickball Eddie is right, CCR’s version is a reflection of the time. Hopefully Dale rolled in some impressive royalties from the popularity of CCR’s version.
I don’t agree that this was a ‘no brainer.’ I had difficulty deciding. I liked Fogarty’s vocal better but I liked the Burton guitar.
I voted for Dale Hawkins but IMO it was a close call.
Hey Bruce,
Yes, the LP version of the tune clocks in at over 8 minutes and it appeared on their first LP. It is quite a jam and Fantasy Records chose to release the 45 with it split into 2 parts.
Yeah, I’m with Pinball: both versions are very strong. Fogerty’s vocal is a bit better but it doesn’t overcome the guitar work, the percussion swagger, and the fact that CCR’s arrangement is basic cover, so this time, I voted for the original. Both versions belong on anybody’s long roots playlist, though.
I loved the moment where Dale offered up that “Suzie Q” was itself a cover of “Baby, Please Don’t Go,” and both Matt, and then I listening to Matt’s show, said, “Oh yeah! It is the same song!” HaHa! You know what, though, these guys weren’t trying to rip each other off. Everybody just fed off what everybody else was doing, and nobody was suing anybody for it!
I also loved Dale’s ego/attitude in taking credit for his recording, though on second thought, he conceded that James Burton’s guitar riff was James’, and of course, that was the hook that made the song a hit, though really for CCR. Musicians… you gotta love ’em!
…and I meant to add: Matt: great blog show, from the hot reverb lick on the intro to the last smokin’ resolvin’ chord from The Cardinals to the tribute to Joss and “Lonely Nights”! Thanks, Matt. You keep us goin’.
I went into this thinking I would vote for CCR. I was wrong. I’m with Stickball about the drums and guitar. As always a great show …no matter how short. Love ya Matt!