GREAT COVERS OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS

[nyadrn]

For many an original song that they love cannot and will not ever be duplicated by a cover, but there are many songs that have been done equally (debatebly) well by others..

So do you have favorites?

What are your favorite covers of favorite songs?

[MaVolta]

Street of Dreams - Rainbow, cover by Blackmore's Night featuring Joe Lynn Turner

Turner was the original vocalist with Rainbow. Nice duet here with Candice Night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSD2Z7EWy8

[MaVolta]

From the album -

Metallic Attack: The Ultimate Tribute

Nothing Else Matters - Joe Lynn Turner (vocals), Bruce Kulick (lead guitar), Bob Kulick (rhythm guitar), Tony Franklin (bass), Gregg Bissonette (drums).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1P8l3B4UAE

One of my favorite Metallica songs, and arguably, one of the best ever rock ballads. 

[1968Hoya46]

Silence Is Golden:  Originally recorded by the Four Seasons, years later it was covered by the Tremeloes, who had a huge hit with it. Both versions are great.

[l483260l]

"SOUND OF SILENCE"- SOCIAL DISTORTION. I LOVE S&G'S ORIGINIAL, BUT THIS COVER IS HAUNTING(& FUNNY!)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4
DITTO GLORIA GAYNOR'S "I WILL SURVIVE" COVERED BY CAKE https://youtu.be/7KJjVMqNIgA

[jm2422]

Very nice version, but because of Candace Night's vocal, which dilutes the tune, it loses the edge, the original Rainbow version had, with Richie Blackmore's guitar work and arrangement. Even though Joe Lynn Turner sang lead on both versions. His vocal had more strength and edge on the original, the vocal harmonies on the original were simple 3 part: root, 3rd, 5th parts that sounded better. This cover sounds like he used studio musicians, especially the cover guitar work, and gave his girlfriend a shot at the big time. Like I said pleasant and professional, but no where near as good as Blackmore's original. I spent many years of my life doing studio vocal ad guitar work., it's a dynamite tune.

[MaVolta]

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@jm2422 wrote:
Very nice version, but because of Candace Night's vocal, which dilutes the tune, it loses the edge, the original Rainbow version had, with Richie Blackmore's guitar work and arrangement. Even though Joe Lynn Turner sang lead on both versions. His vocal had more strength and edge on the original, the vocal harmonies on the original were simple 3 part: root, 3rd, 5th parts that sounded better. This cover sounds like he used studio musicians, especially the cover guitar work, and gave his girlfriend a shot at the big time. Like I said pleasant and professional, but no where near as good as Blackmore's original. I spent many years of my life doing studio vocal ad guitar work., it's a dynamite tune.

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Yes, the Rainbow version is classic and one of my favorites. But Candice isn't a rock singer, so I don't expect it to sound like Rainbow. Credits on the album are to the BN group (at that time) and that is Ritchie on guitar. Candice also has a solo version, and they added the JLT version as a bonus track.

BN has done a few other Purple and Rainbow classics both on albums and in their live shows including Soldier of Fortune, Child in Time, Rainbow Eyes, Temple of the King. Blackmore, true to form, restyled all of them to fit Candice and BN. Maybe they do them for old fans like me, or maybe it's for new fans who never heard Purple or Rainbow. 

[jm2422]

Sorry you din't like my critique...oh well.

[MaVolta]

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@jm2422 wrote:
Sorry you din't like my critique...oh well.

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It's not about your critique. You're a musician and I'm just a fan. My expectations are different. But maybe you were a little tough on the band and "cover guitar"? 😉  Oh well, from what I read, Ritchie's had more than his share of criticism . . . and he never seems to care. He plays what he likes, the way he likes it. Maybe that's why I'm a Blackmore junkie. 🙂

[jm2422]

That's not my intent. The girl's voice doesn't work for that song. If she was doing Pentangle, or Celtic folk tunes she'd be perfect. Joe Lynn Turner sounded like he was backing off to not blow her out on the record.
The guitar work on the cover was very professional. But you as a fan know it doesn't have Blackmore's personality. I love Blackmore too. We are in agreement there. Rebels like him will always have critics. But I'm not one of them.

[1968Hoya46]

“Timeless”.  This a tribute to Hank Williams CD released about 20 years ago. I realize that the replies to this forum are, by definition, subjective but I think that every artist who sang one  of his songs, from Dylan to Keith Richards to Keb’ Mo’ to Sheryl Crow did a great job of interpreting the songs while keeping the homage format. In particular Lucinda Williams crushes it when she sings “Cold, Cold Heart”. Amazing.

[lilsassy]

Thanks for pointing me to Lucinda Williams' version of Cold Cold Heart.  There was a lot of Hank Williams going on in our house when I was growing up and I love them all.  Another little known cover of a Hank Williams song is Please Help Me by Puff Johnson (link below).  I found her first CD quite by accident at a listening station at my local music store years ago.  I was very impressed and purchased the CD, and kept waiting for a follow-up to come out, but it never did, although she did release another single Over and Over that was on the soundtrack of the movie First Wives Club.  I later discovered that Johnson was diagnosed with cervical cancer around 2007 and died of the disease on June 24, 2013 at age 40.  Her version of Please Help Me is not country, but is absolutely beautiful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8PpfQEcMS4. 

[l483260l]

JIMMIE DALE GILMORE DOES A GREAT VERSION OF HANK'S "SO LONESOME I COULD CRY" LUCINDA CONTRIBUTES 2 GREAT COVERS TO THE COMPILATION"GOD DON'T NEVER CHANGE".

[MaVolta]

Cover . . . 1967 (reimagined)

Dazed and Confused - The Yardbirds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ffBRhtWjEQ

Cover . . . 1969 (reinvented)

Dazed and Confused - Led Zepplin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EieHafkHbU

But did you ever hear the original? Can't say I ever did.

Dazed and Confused - Jake Holmes (1967)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTsvs-pAGDc

Holmes later filed suit against Page for copyright infringement as Page took credit on the Zepplin release without mention of Holmes. It was eventually settled out of court and credit was changed to "inspired by" Jake Holmes. 

[jm2422]

Jimmy Page was the last in long line of Yardbird lead guitarists. Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck before him. Then became Zeppelin lead man too. But Jimmy did rip off and take credit for stuff he did not write in those days too. This song, and Born Under a Bad Sign by Albert King to name a few. He still is a helluva rock guitar player. Also it'll never be disputed that Zeppelin wasn't an iconic band of the era. I saw them in 1972, Take my word for it, they were. I've played guitar for 50 years. Take my word for it, the boy can play.

[1968Hoya46]

“I’ve Got Dreams to Remember”  (Otis Redding).

Covering any Otis Redding song is risky business, but I think Toots Hibbert (of Toots & The Maytals) did a great job. The album is “Toots In Memphis”. Kind of like Reggae meets Memphis soul.

[1968Hoya46]

Original: Stay (Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs)

Cover: Stay (Jackson Browne)

[jm2422]

Great choice. It's a live cut, starts with Song for the Roadies, then transitions to Stay.
It's a fabulous live cut, that had a new life with Jackson Browne. That band that backed
him on the road those years was amazing too . Lee Sklaar/bass, Russ Kunkel/drums,
and the great David Lindley on guitar. Jackson at the height of his powers. I absolutely
commend your choice as great!!!

[1968Hoya46]

Thank-you very much; that’s very kind. I think it was from his Running on Empty CD. My wife and I have seen him live twice. Good stuff.

[Butterfly565]

.

[MaVolta]

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@Butterfly565 wrote:

"My Sweet Lord"  by George Harrison

tribute concert for George....Billy Preston and many, many Others!

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Love it! Lots RnR royalty present, for sure!! Thanks for posting it. One of my favorite GH songs. 

[MaVolta]

From the Kennedy Center Honors of 2018 -

Believe - Adam Lambert, tribute cover honoring Cher

[MaVolta]

Diamonds and Rust - Blackmore's Night, cover of a Joan Baez classic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj1uUwWI4ig

[MaVolta]

Something even a little more stunning . . . 

Diamonds and Rust - cover by Judas Priest (wow!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIC7KQPDuDc

[jm2422]

Nice job by Blackmore. Girl sang well. That's a song that will always be Joan Baez's tune because it something she did for Dylan when they were lovers. Blackmore's version is beautiful. Joan's has the
power of living the moment, emotional attachment.

[MaVolta]

Only the Lonely - cover by Chris Isaak, tribute to Roy Orbison, 2017 ACL Hall of Fame

[MaVolta]

Chris Isaak also had a nice cover version of Solitary Man by Neil Diamond.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLur2fHn3JI

[MaVolta]

IMO, there are maybe a handful of bands that could ever attempt to cover Deep Purple, especially MkII with Ian Gillan.  Metallica is one of those bands, and here are a couple of really good ones!

Smoke on the Water  (I like the way that they revved it up and gave it the Metallica treatment).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Hw6kj4G_o&t=0s&list=PLT89KwNLUEaPBoj9XMYwVYI6kPp-KsHbl&index=6

When a Blind Man Cries (from the album ReMachined,  A Tribute to Deep Purple Machine Head)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jFVEZGoSyw&list=PLT89KwNLUEaPBoj9XMYwVYI6kPp-KsHbl&index=6

[jm2422]

Love your picks, but try these 2: Bonnie Raitt's version of ":Runaway", Great tune but absolutely slays Johnny Rivers version...scary. Annie Lennox doing Talking Heads "Take Me to the River". Killer!! The woman can flat out sing!!!

[MaVolta]

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@jm2422 wrote:
Love your picks, but try these 2: Bonnie Raitt's version of ":Runaway", Great tune but absolutely slays Johnny Rivers version...scary. Annie Lennox doing Talking Heads "Take Me to the River". Killer!! The woman can flat out sing!!!

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These covers are not only well done, they redefine them in new way. 

Runaway - the original Del Shannon version was early 60's rock and a classic for the period, Bonnie Raitt gives it a more R&B sound. Yeah, she kills it!

Take Me to the River - the original Al Green was a soul classic, Talking Heads went alternative, and Annie more pop-rock flavor. All versions are very different.

[l483260l]

YOU'VE JUST REMINDED ME OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE (& IMPROBABLE)COVERS: JOHNNY CASH SINGING KURT COBAIN'S "HURT'. IT IS HAUNTING & CASH MAKES IT HIS OWN.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pc