Yeah, Jon — it probably does come down to performers we like doing the "best" version of something. It's really funny, though — I think a lot is in the first VERSION we hear as much as the first person. Have you ever bought cheap, compilation CDs that advertise "Original Artists" and then find they are out-takes from the recording session. Sometimes it's just a couple of notes that are different, or just a different wrinkle in the timing, but it runs you nuts. It's one reason I'm VERY careful about what music I buy nowadays.

Mbo — sorry, but you lost me with a couple of your things there. Clapton is OK, up to a point. I can't disagree with you about his solos if your baseline is rock, but I'm afraid as soon as a somebody starts with a solid-body guitar, I leave. I don't dispute the technical expertise of a lot of these performers, but I just can't stand electric guitars, which to me are to real guitars what organs are to pianos. I can't take organs either — except maybe played Dave "Baby" Cortez, and that's just nostalgia.

cheers,

david