Best cover of a song

Music Room
22

A bit harsh - the flautist, Bud Shank, happened to be in the studio and got dragged in because they wanted a solo and had nobody around to provide one. I always thought it worked well. It was strange as Barry Mcguire recorded it with Mama & Papas on backing vocals. The M&Ps own version is the same track with Barry edited out and the M&Ps adding their own lead vocals. However, if you listen carefully then Barry’s voice is still there on the left channel.

John Phillips, who wrote it, was a decent songwriter, but a dubious (unpleasant) character (if you check out his Wiki entry you’ll see what I mean). Sometimes I feel I’m better off not knowing about the person and only listening to the songs.

2 Likes
23

Rickie Lee Jones’ cover of America’s “Lonely People” on her new album Kicks. :+1:

2 Likes
24

Led Zeppelin’s version of Babe I’m Gonna Leave You, originally penned by Anne Bredon and made famous pre Led Zep by Joan Baez.

3 Likes
25

Tom Waits’s post-apocalyptic take on Disney’s Heigh Ho in Hal Wilner’s re-imagining of Disney movie songs on the album Stay Awake
Here’s Tom doing it his way…

26

https://youtu.be/u9Dg-g7t2l4
The Sound of Silence by Disturbed. Stunning.

6 Likes
27

I first came across this cover some 6 months ago and really like it. However, I have played it to a few friends and their reaction pretty much uniformly was simply 'Why?

I still like it.

1 Like
28

I too have played it to a number of friends and they all have said “wow”.
Also, Paul Simon has been asked in interviews (you’ll probably find something if you do a search engine search) about this version and he whole heartedly approves. If it’s good enough for Paul Simon, that might explain why I love it!

2 Likes
29

If I were a carpenter- Robert Plant

30

So many possibilities. Out of the top of my head, first three that comes to mind;
I’m on Fire
Carmen Gomes’ superb cover of the Springsteen classic, with superior sonics.

CD: https://carmengomes.bandcamp.com/
High Resolution; https://www.soundliaison.com/

Georgia on My Mind
Oscar Peterson in a seldom low key mood, wish he had done that more often;

LP; https://www.discogs.com/The-Oscar-Peterson-Trio-Night-Train/release/4520549

ME’SHELL NDEGEOCELLO’s best album and this cover proves it;

CD; https://www.discogs.com/MeShell-Ndeg%C3%A9Ocello-Peace-Beyond-Passion/release/738209

1 Like
31

Recentley bought Morrisseys latest album, California Son. I particularly like this track and for some reason I’m convinced Deep Purpe or Gillan must have also recorded it. In my mind I can hear Gillan singing it. But, I can’t find any evidence this is the case.:face_with_head_bandage:

1 Like
32

The track has been out a while but the video has only just been released. The usual epic JC production from this young musical genius.

And Yes, that is Steve Vai and Quincy Jones in there!

Jacob collier - All Night Long

4 Likes
33

He is one of a kind!

1 Like
34

Ane Brun - Always On My Mind

35

All these covers bring something extra to the original. One of them - Nat King Cole’s astonishing “Stardust” - is to my mind the definitive version (unless you count Ringo’s version on Sentimental Journey of course…):

Bauhaus - Ziggy Stardust
The Fall - Lost In Music
Sisters of Mercy - Emma; Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Morrissey - That’s Entertainment
10,000 Maniacs - Every Day Is Like Sunday
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower
This Mortal Coil - Song to the Siren (already mentioned above)
The Byrds - Mr Tambourine Man
Neil Young - Blowin’ in the Wind; Like A Hurricane; A Day in the Life
Pet Shop Boys - Where the Streets Have No Name; Always On My Mind
Nat King Cole - Stardust (the definitive version)
Johnny Cash - I See A Darkness; One; Solitary Man
Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Dear Prudence
Nirvana - The Man Who Sold The World; Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For a Sunbeam
Roxy Music - Jealous Guy
Pixies - Head On
The Beatles - Twist and Shout

and, ahem, if I’m allowed…
Cocteau Twins - Winter Wonderland

7 Likes
36

This cover of Neil Young’s Powderfinger is, to me, better than his original. The fragility in Margo Timmins’ hauntingly beautiful voice is just perfect for it.

6 Likes
37

I love that Neil Young song so will def give this a listen asap.

38

Nils Lofgren’s version of Everly Brothers “All I have to do is dream” on his Breakaway Angel album. Exquisite guitar work.

39

Can’t believe that no one had mentioned Geoff Buckley’s cover of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. !!!

5 Likes
40

(Correction - senior moment - The Mission’s version of Neil Young’s “Like A Hurricane” is what I meant…)

41

It is a great version and awesome when performed live, also agree with The Sisters version of Emma, Patricia Morrison’s bass guitar is fantastic on it.

2 Likes