A little while back, a friend here in NL very kindly gifted me a copy of Dionne Warwick's Disques Vogue French EP he found in the wild and which contains her sublime take on the classic Luther Dixon-penned "Oh Lord, what are you doing to me?" I have to say I've been rather haunted by her version ever since - Dionne seems to bring the right depth of emotional fragility to the song, certainly in a way that appeals to me.

Numerous other versions out there - Big Maybelle being the original and first call, of course - but what's your fave take?

 

1 hour ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

A little while back, a friend here in NL very kindly gifted me a copy of Dionne Warwick's Disques Vogue French EP he found in the wild and which contains her sublime take on the classic Luther Dixon-penned "Oh Lord, what are you doing to me?" I have to say I've been rather haunted by her version ever since - Dionne seems to bring the right depth of emotional fragility to the song, certainly in a way that appeals to me.

Numerous other versions out there - Big Maybelle being the original and first call, of course - but what's your fave take?

 

Big Maybelle followed by Maxine Brown.

Big Maybelle...

Maxine Brown...

 

Freddie North for me

Dionne's orchestration is way too light for me, Maxine almost Bossa-Nova tempo makes it almost another tune where Big Maybell's strong, deep felt and grave voice fits the composition like a glove. I'm not a Dionne lover so that's out and Maxine can be a fantastic singer with the right gear. Only less here for me.

There are a number of cover versions, Dionne Warwick, Maxine Brown, Freddie North, Tommy Hunt, Brenda & The Tabulations. Each one is good in its own right but none come close to Big Maybelle IMO.

Freddie North's version...

 

2 hours ago, Benji said:

There are a number of cover versions...

That's why I asked which version people liked best! 

Big Maybelle wins with Freddie not too close in second place

37 minutes ago, Keamus said:

Big Maybelle wins with Freddie not too close in second place

Same here, spot on

If I was pushed, I'd go for Tommy Hunt's version, Big Maybelle in second, Freddie's is ok, if you get the LP, it’s on there, the common one on Abet, rather than shelling out on the 45.  Tommy Hunt here, best version by far...

Another notable version and recent release

Brenda and the Tabulations...

Tommy Hunt...

 

Tommy Hunt

Big Maybelle for sure. The only version that brings tears to my eyes. 

Big Maybelle by some distance.

Maxine Brown's version is nice too.

Big maybelle by a long way for me..just stunning