Smack Down!! – “Stand By Me”

Let’s kick off another weekend by offering a song covers smack down.  Ernie Haase & Signature Sound’s breakthrough song in the early years of their career was the quartet classic “Stand By Me”.  The group’s 2003 debut album was tilted as such.

The first version I will be using is the live version from Ernie Haase & Signature Sound’s 2004 audio/video recording Stand By Me Live.  This was the version that was heard at radio during its single release.  The live version will cover the first half of the song.

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound released their newest album Here We Are Again in February.  The quartet decided to tackle “Stand By Me” again with newest bass singer Ian Owens.  The updated version will take the second half of the song.

Which version of “Stand By Me” wins this smack down?