And back on topic, another cover version that I think outstrips the original and takes the song to another level is Talking Heads' cover of "Take me to the river"
if asked to think of a song that was virtually "un-coverable" due to the genius/uniqueness of the original, Led Zepellin's No Quarter would be high on the list, yet Tool managed it
Few artists have rendered such a vibrant version of the much-covered 1936 Robert Johnson blues classic, Cross Road Blues. For all of Cream's excesses and the resulting breakup, this is terrific musicianship driven by huge energy.
Glen Campbell's sublime rendition of 'Wichita Lineman' is a firm favourite of mine but listen to James Taylor's 2009 Grammy-winning version. Thank you, Jimmy Webb.
Glen Campbell's sublime rendition of 'Wichita Lineman' is a firm favourite of mine but listen to James Taylor's 2009 Grammy-winning version. Thank you, Jimmy Webb.
That's just a tiny bit spooky as another very good version of it is this one by Scud Mountain Boys, and it popped into my head only this evening whilst making a cuppa tea.
Far Corporation covered Stairway to Heaven in a really bad way. Except for the solo which I think was an improvement. Sacrilege to say I know.
Another, and I know Vince Clarke wrote it so he should know how it should be done as far as he is concerned, is Yazoo's Only You. Covered by The Flying Pickets. I think their version was more haunting and seemed to fit the lyrics better for me. That may have been more to do with a hormonal teenagers angst though!
If reality matched intention I'd know I was dreaming
About 20 (?) years ago, I remember hearing tracks by a singer (can't remember his name) who released an album of contemporary songs done in the style of vintage Elvis Presley.
The one I particularly remember was his version of "Come as you are" by Nirvana - it was actually very good !
Also remember John Peel playing a Welsh language band's cover of "New dawn fades" - not a clue who they were, but I liked it at the time.
Agree with Chimney about "Only You". The original is great, but the Flying Pickets version had something too and as you say, is more moving. Remember the video as well - set in the sort of "old style boozer" that you don't find anymore.
Have to disagree with Red Squirrel about "Take me to the river" - not a particular Talking Heads fan, but I love that one.
and if anyone can tell me who did the original of this (Procreation Of The Wicked), without googling or reading the youtube comments/links, I'll be well impressed
Another one I missed (and I really must stop thinking about this thread, it's addictive !) - "Under my thumb" by Wayne Gibson. Northern soul classic that's better than the Rolling Stones's original.
As said before in this thread, it is near on impossible to eclipse the Velevet Underground with a cover song. I doubt if that awful Beck cover would even make the top 100 covers of that song and is a dire insult to even suggest that it is better than Nico's vocal. Am I getting across how much I hated that version?
Philomena - agree that it's very difficult to match a VU original. I think Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds version of "All Tomorrow's Parties" comes close. Wisely, they treated the song differently, rather than trying to copy the original.
Comments
And back on topic, another cover version that I think outstrips the original and takes the song to another level is Talking Heads' cover of "Take me to the river"
And an early '70's cover version that combines 2 songs in 1 and is better than both originals - "Apache Dropout" by the Edgar Broughton Band
if asked to think of a song that was virtually "un-coverable" due to the genius/uniqueness of the original, Led Zepellin's No Quarter would be high on the list, yet Tool managed it
http://youtu.be/ps1qy_3JOvY
Few artists have rendered such a vibrant version of the much-covered 1936 Robert Johnson blues classic, Cross Road Blues. For all of Cream's excesses and the resulting breakup, this is terrific musicianship driven by huge energy.
'Crossroads' live, 1968, San Francisco.
http://youtu.be/zJ04DglQQQI
I think Talking Heads' Take Me To The River is a travesty, but then I think Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club are travesties.
I recently heard Bowie doing Hard To Be A Saint In The City. Wonderful. It really showcases Bowie's range too.
Glen Campbell's sublime rendition of 'Wichita Lineman' is a firm favourite of mine but listen to James Taylor's 2009 Grammy-winning version. Thank you, Jimmy Webb.
http://youtu.be/nrSdrzNacbQ
That's just a tiny bit spooky as another very good version of it is this one by Scud Mountain Boys, and it popped into my head only this evening whilst making a cuppa tea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoCvJXgT-a8
A sparse, stripped down cover, very appealing in its simplicity. A cracking post, Phil.
The Stranglers "Walk on By" - one that shouldn't have worked but does (heard it today for the first time in ages).
Especially when it goes off on a long, instrumental jam that "out-Doors the Doors"
Now don't shoot me.
Far Corporation covered Stairway to Heaven in a really bad way. Except for the solo which I think was an improvement. Sacrilege to say I know.
Another, and I know Vince Clarke wrote it so he should know how it should be done as far as he is concerned, is Yazoo's Only You. Covered by The Flying Pickets. I think their version was more haunting and seemed to fit the lyrics better for me. That may have been more to do with a hormonal teenagers angst though!
Been playing Walk on By by The Stranglers recently and yes it is a great cover version although I knew that version before the original.
Yeah Walk On By is fantastic.
I love Yazoo's Only You ... but not the Pickets' version.
About 20 (?) years ago, I remember hearing tracks by a singer (can't remember his name) who released an album of contemporary songs done in the style of vintage Elvis Presley.
The one I particularly remember was his version of "Come as you are" by Nirvana - it was actually very good !
Also remember John Peel playing a Welsh language band's cover of "New dawn fades" - not a clue who they were, but I liked it at the time.
Agree with Chimney about "Only You". The original is great, but the Flying Pickets version had something too and as you say, is more moving. Remember the video as well - set in the sort of "old style boozer" that you don't find anymore.
Have to disagree with Red Squirrel about "Take me to the river" - not a particular Talking Heads fan, but I love that one.
A few more that I prefer to the original:
Lemonheads - Mrs Robinson
Devo - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out
cover of U2's Bullet The Blue Sky anyone?
http://youtu.be/bQG60Xuvc9s
and if anyone can tell me who did the original of this (Procreation Of The Wicked), without googling or reading the youtube comments/links, I'll be well impressed
http://youtu.be/vlbY8hldcjA
Edgar Broughton Band?
nope
something a bit "lighter"
Eddie Vedder doing a cover of Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down":
http://youtu.be/3wkxAmQo-Vw
A favourite of mine - John Martyn singing Over the rainbow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DusYf1CNVXw&list=PL08EB5B05C1BFDA53
Some superb Youtube links in this thread - it'll take me a while to get through them. Keep it up.
Another one I missed (and I really must stop thinking about this thread, it's addictive !) - "Under my thumb" by Wayne Gibson. Northern soul classic that's better than the Rolling Stones's original.
Wrecking Ball covered by London Grammar
They've done loads of better songs but this is still hainting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZTvssDAIEs
Perhaps one of the greatest cover songs ever. Just bought tickets to see their only concert in this country on their European Tour.
Beck - All Tomorrow's Parties; Vocals: Þórunn Antonía Magnúsdóttir
Hypnotic, yet true to the desperation of the VU original.
http://youtu.be/qPBrFDywBG8
Wayne Gibson's Under My Thumb is fab in its Northern Soul stylee.
As said before in this thread, it is near on impossible to eclipse the Velevet Underground with a cover song. I doubt if that awful Beck cover would even make the top 100 covers of that song and is a dire insult to even suggest that it is better than Nico's vocal. Am I getting across how much I hated that version?
Erm... not really...
Philomena - agree that it's very difficult to match a VU original. I think Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds version of "All Tomorrow's Parties" comes close. Wisely, they treated the song differently, rather than trying to copy the original.
Not a cover version but I heard this for the first time last night and loved it:
Bad sound quality but looks like original video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgdZFnZ6M0k