Seasons Of The Witch

Introduction

This is a relentless but simple-to-play song which featured in the series "Britannia! and inspired a poem from me here.

It has been covered by many artists and I thought I should attempt a version myself which is included on this playlist. Some of these are quite lengthy and mine clocks in at over six minutes and the final one almost hits eight minutes.

This is the Wikipedia entry about the song

Donovan Leitch from "Sunshine Superman"

In a retrospective song review for AllMusic, Lindsay Planer commented: "Few songs so perfectly reflect the dawn of the psychedelic pop era as aptly as Donovan's 'Season of the Witch'

That is taken from the above Wiki entry, but this song is incredibly simple to play but incredibly hypnotic in its delivery and the title just inspired so many stories and images.

This Is My Cover

This is just me and my guitar and Digitech box of tricks, but I think I managed to do it.

Lana Del Rey from "Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark"

This was released around the same time as the album "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" but was for the film. This keeps the same format as the original will some added dissonance, but won't actually scare anyone, but is an enjoyable take on the song.

Vanilla Fudge from "Renaissance"

Vanilla Fudge had a penchant for taking pop songs, extending them and making them heavy. This version sounds like it should be part of a horror soundtrack. It's nine minutes and heavy on the organ. It livens up for the chorus but does not have the dynamism of the original for me. The slow bits are too lost and slow for me.

This was used in the 2012 black comedy "Sightseers" along with the version that closes this playlist.

Terry Reid from "Bang Bang You're Terry Reid"

Terry Reid was Jimmy Page's first choice as vocalist when he formed a new band after The Yardbirds split and I think listening to the ten-minute take you will understand why. This keeps the spirit of the original and is an excellent take on the song.

Bloomfield, Kooper, Stills from "Super Session"

Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills, a great version that was part of their Super Session. The longest version on here at over eleven minutes.

Dr. John from "The Blues Brothers 2000"

I wasn't sure what to expect from this but Mac Rebbenack drenches this in his New Orleans Voodoo Gumbo and gives us a stunning take on the original. This is brilliant and just a bit scary, I am sure there is a rattlesnake in this mix.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts from "Naked"

This reminds me of the Lana Del Rey version but the chorus is very loud. The song seems almost relaxed but then hits you blows when the chorus comes in.

This was used in the Netflix Series "The Sons of Sam: A Descent Into Darkness"

Hole from "My Body, the Hand Grenade"

Courtney Love's live take on this is faster than the original while maintaining the dynamics of the original and is the shortest take on this playlist, but definitely worth four minutes of your time.

Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity from "Open"

This is a stunning version to close this playlist, Driscoll's vocals and the instrumentation are outstanding. The arrangement while somewhat jazzed up maintains the spirit of Donovan's original with some extended organ breaks from Brian.

I also found a lengthy black-and-white version if you want to check that one out as well.

Conclusion

If you listen to all of this you will be on here quite a long time, but it is worth coming back to check them out (apart from my attempt of course), but this is a truly iconic song.