The Gloria Jones Challenge is our ongoing examination of the many, many, many covers of Jones’ classic Northern Soul jam “Tainted Love” – to see how they stack up compared to the original.
Today’s challenger gives the song a bluegrass influenced country treatment.
But first, as always, the original.
And now, today’s challenger Ali Dee.
Postcard Editor: Maybe it’s because we took a month off from the challenge and I have fresh ears, but I quite like this version. I love the fiddle parts and the overall arrangement and backing vocals are great. While it’s not as adventurous as the versions in my top five, it’s still worth a spin for it’s laid back and fun take on the song.
Postcard ChaCha: Who would think Tainted Love would eventually get the washboard, fiddle and bluegrass harmony treatment? The lead vocals seem to sway back and forth between sounding strong and on point to a little weak. I would bet that with a few more years experience, this vocalist will be spot on. Otherwise, I love this version. The fiddle sounds sweet and as a group they’re pretty solid.
CHALLENGER STANDINGS ACCORDING TO EDITOR:
1. Shades Apart
2. Dave Phillips
3. East German Polka Band
4. Bilal
5. Inspiral Carpets
6. Hannah Peel
7. My Brightest Diamond
8. Marilyn Manson
9. The Re-Entrants
10. Ali Dee
11. Ruth Swan(n)
12. Coil
13. The Swampy’s
14. Alejandra Guzman
15. Pussycat Dolls
16. Bluekilla
17. Straight No Chaser
18. Impedance
19. Blues MAMA
20. Max Raabe
21. Stella Starlight Trio
22. Access Zero
23. Ashley Nicole
CHALLENGER STANDINGS ACCORDING TO CHACHA:
1. Dave Phillips
2. Stella Starlight Trio
3. Max Raabe
4. Ali Dee
5. The Re-Entrants
6. My Brightest Diamond
7. Hannah Peel
8. Ruth Swan(n)
9. Marilyn Manson
10. East German Polka Band
11. The Swampy’s
12. Bilal
13. Inspiral Carpets
14. Bluekilla
15. Alejandra Guzman
16. Shades Apart
17. Pussycat Dolls
18. Blues MAMA
19. Straight No Chaser
20. Coil
21. Access Zero
22. Impedance
23. Ashley Nicole
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