Cover vs. Original

Third Man Theme


When The Band convened in 1973 to record an album of Rock and Roll songs from their youth, they threw in one curveball, "Third Man Theme".

The theme was a piece of music for the zither composed by Anton Karas and was part of the soundtrack to the film "The Third Man" starring Orson Welles. The song was released as part of a disc of Viennese Favorites a few years back.

While the original is nice, I'm all for The Band.

- Bob, Columbia, Missouri, United States, 01.11.2005


The Band
1973

vs.

Anton Karas
1949

CD-Cover: The Band - Moondog Matinee 39.5 % 60.5 % CD-Cover: Anton Karas - Viennese Favorites
Results of the voting: Cover versus Original
Click on the cover for listening Click on the cover for listening
The Band 344 Votes Anton Karas

Further information about song and bands:

The Third Man
Music
The story behind Anton Karas' famous zither score. You can also find here background information about the film.
The Band
Record Reviews
A short biography and album reviews of The Band at Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews. You can find here album reviews of lots of popular bands. A very good ressource.

Comments about Third Man Theme:

BTW. Check out versions by Chet Atkins and a really Freaky version by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass
- Herby, Palm Harbor, United States, 24.07.2006
The band's version is good, but nothing compares to the original. And it you havn't seen this incredible film, then go out and rent it RIGHT NOW.
- Herby, Palm Harbor, United States, 24.07.2006
Good grief -- there's no comparison. Karas' version is fresh, crisp, exciting. The Band's effort is sincere but they sound tired. At this point in their career, with hard living, and with them no longer cooperating too much on song writing, as Robbie Robertson had received too much individual credits for their communal efforts, the Band had run out of worthwhile original material.
- Rex Chickeneater, Kisumu, Kenya, Other - Africa, 14.11.2005
There is a German zither player here in NW Indiana, Karl Kugler, who plays a 'killer' version of the Third Man Theme.
- David Besterman, Valparaiso, IN, United States, 09.11.2005
I love both the orginal and The Band cover. Wouldn't know which to pick. There was also a very tangy version recorded by Eddie Cochran in 1959 (issued however as the "Fourth Man Theme"!).
- David, New York City, United States, 02.11.2005
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