Who did your favorite version of Wayfaring Stranger?

Cafe Society
1

I have several versions of this wonderful spiritual on my mp3 player.

Here’s you choices for the best version.
Doc Watson
Johnny Cash
Emmylou Harris
Trace Adkins
Alison Krauss
Bill Monroe

There’s even more people that have covered this amazing and deeply moving song. I’m always amazed at how different artists approach this song.

2

While I’m not otherwise a huge Neko Case fan, I do like her version.

3

My all time favorite? It’s a very close call between Johnny Cash and Doc Watson.

I’d have to go with Doc Watson. Johnny sings it too low. He’s almost down below his natural range and I can hear him strain. That’s being picky. Otherwise they are equally good. imho

4

I’d never heard of Neko Case before. She does a nice job with Wayfaring Stranger. I wish that I could add her to the poll.

5

Ian and Sylvia

6

Eddy Arnold.

7

Others:

Tennessee Ernie Ford
Paul Robeson
eta:
Joan Baez

8

(clarification: I’m nominating the Eddy Arnold. The other links are to some other interesting versions but the Eddy Arnold is my favorite)

9

Monroe’s got the old, used-up, High Lonesome sound it needs, but I fear in that recording he was TOO old and used up. :frowning:

I like Emmylou’s, though it’s a bit perky and needs Linda and Dolly helping on the harmonies.

I’m voting “other” because I haven’t found the perfect one yet. I do know it’s NOT Dusty Springfield.

10

Here’s a winner: She’s cute, mildly funny, and harmonizes well with her sister. Dad’s no slouch on the guitar, either. It’s definitely perky, but that fits with her online personality. Poor Wayfaring Stranger- Katilette and Family - YouTube

Lined-out hymnody, the opposite of perky: A Poor Wayfaring Stranger - YouTube

11

The late Charlie Haden sings it in “The Art of the Song”. Really poignant.

12

Well, I guess trying to pick even the top 3 versions won’t work. Everybody seems to have their own favorite artist.

I guess that shows how much people care about it. The song lends itself to a lot of different styles of singing.

13

This version probably won’t be anyone’s favorite, but I have a soft spot for it, as those first two H.P. Lovecraft albums were staples of my late-60s psychedelic period.

14

Sixteen Horsepower – it sounds like ghost music.

15

I’ll throw in a vote for Jack White’s version..

16

Eva Cassidy’s version: