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Cover Me Impressed
With a focus on the 60's-90's music scene, CMI is a Paradiso for Lovers Cover Songs! Each post focuses on a particular song and provides its original and most popular recordings as well as covers versions. Patrons of CMI vote on the most deserving cover version, which will then live to compete again, battling other cover songs in a future post.
Bands, musicians, troubadours, and their ilk, submit your cover songs for future CMI competitions.
CMI welcomes the opportunity to introduce new artists.
Contact RDubbs at RDubbsTunage@gmail.com
Music Genres?
We've Got 'em Covered ...
Rock / Alt-Rock / Rock 'n Roll / Rockabilly / Indie Pop / New Wave / Old Wave / Surf / Reggae / Ska / Punk Rock / Psychobilly / Cowpunk / Alt-Country / Bluegrass / Folk / Croon-Tunes / A Cappella / Motown / Gospel / Blues / Rhythm & Blues / Jazz / Big Band / Lounge / Classical / Celtic / Bossa Nova / Worldbeat / Show Tunes / Cartoons / Bizarro / Musical Calamities
“Ain’t No Sunshine” is ranked 285th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song won the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1972.
Beautiful, beautiful song and if you don’t think so you’re flat out wrong …
The Original
Bill Withers:
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The Cover Songs Competition
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Des’ree vs. Me First & The Gimme Gimmes
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Des’ree:
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
You know something? She just might make it after all …
The Original
I was kinda always partial to Rhoda. Perhaps my parents should have sought help for me way back then.
Theme Song to the Mary Tyler Moore Show (Sonny Curtis):
And the Ensuing Made-for-Radio Release (Sonny Curtis):
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The Cover Songs Competition
Rough and tumble match here between a couple of eccentric trailblazers.
Husker Du vs. Opal Foxx Quartet
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Husker Du:
Minneapolis punkers made an obvious choice in covering Minny-based Mary Tyler Moore show.
Opal Foxx Quartet:
For those unfamiliar with this extraordinarily bizarre, creative, endearing, at times brilliant and at other times horrendous, ensemble, the ten-piece band was fronted by Atlanta-based instituion Benjamin Smoke, a proudly irreverent drag queen with a gruff voice (think Tom Waits on a really off night) and trenchant wit. What Benjamin lacked in talent was amply made up for by attitude.
Benjamin was a part of the underground Atlanta music scene from the early 1980’s through most of the 1990’s before succumbing to illnesses related to AIDS in 1999. Somewhere along the line Patti Smith caught his act, was duly impressed and two wound up becoming good friends. About a year after his death a rather interesting documentary (Benjamin Smoke) was released about Benjamin’s life and times.
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
I think Celtic Soul might be a Van Morrison tribute band, which would ordinarily warrant certain preclusion from the blog. But I could not find anyone else brave enough to lock horns with Bettye and CS does put forth a fine effort…
Bettye LaVette:
Check out these superlatives for one of Bettye’s recent releases (i.e. Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook):
“A great record. Put me in the Bettye Lavette fan club.” – Keith Richards
“Bettye is reinventing and reclaiming a soul singing tradition all at once.” – Pete Townsend
“This Record is so full of life it hurts.” – Jon Bon Jovi
“Her performance of ‘Love Reign o’er Me’ will bring you to tears.” – Dave Grohl
“Bettye is blessed with an instantly recognizable voice full of power & emotion.” – Steve Winwood
“Bettye has recorded an amazing version of ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me’.” – Elton John
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Since being advised that the cover of Hotel California attributed to NoFX in CMI’s November 13th blog was in fact not NoFX, CMI staff have been working tirelessly through the nights (and occasionally during the days as well) to resolve this obviously very important issue. Depending on the web source, the song in question has been attributed to Me Too & The Gimme Gimmes, NoFX and Real Big Fish. Yet, despite the obstacles created by ubiquitous disinformation, our research efforts were rewarded this afternoon as we discovered that the version in question was in fact the product of Ska DaddyZ with help from Chencha Berrinches. Dr. Arnold Plotnick, a man who has dedicated his life to felines and anything/everything to do with the song Hotel California, confirmed CMI’s conclusion late today.
Thus, sleep well tonight, my friends. The pages have been forever turned on this most confounding chapter in cover music history.
The consummate union song, “Which Side Are You On?”, was written by Florence Reece in 1931. Reece was the wife of Sam Reece, a union organizer for the United Mine Workers in Harlan County, Kentucky. In 1931, the miners of that region were locked in a bitter and violent struggle with the mine owners. In an attempt to intimidate the Reece family, Sheriff J. H. Blair and his men (hired by the mining company) illegally entered their family home in search of Sam Reece. Sam had been warned in advance and escaped, but Florence and their children were terrorized in his place. That night, after the men had gone, Florence wrote the lyrics to “Which Side Are You On?” on a calendar that hung in the kitchen of her home. She took the melody from a traditional Baptist hymn, “Lay the Lily Low”, or the traditional ballad “Jack Munro”. (Mostly extracted from Wikipedia, so who knows if any of it is accurate; but it makes for a nice blog intro.)
The first first studio release of “Which Side Are You On?” was recorded in 1941 by The Almanac Singers. The Almanac Singers was a politically and socially progressive folk band founded by Millard Lampell, Lee Hays, Pete Seeger, and Woody Guthrie. The group’s line-up often expanded and contracted as new members, as well as Woody, came and went regularly. Woody once famously referred to The Almanac Singers as “the only group in the world that rehearsed on stage.”
Over the years “Which Side Are You On?” has been a staple for union organizing as well as worker demonstrations and strikes. The song has been covered by many and the lyrics have often been revised to reflect current political, economic and social issues.
The Original
The Almanac Singers:
Florence Reese:
This is surely one woman not to be trifled with!
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The Cover Songs Competition
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Billy Bragg vs. Dropkick Murphys
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Billy Bragg:
Dropkick Murphys:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Sonny Bono supposedly wrote this song in angst after being refused service at a Los Angeles restaurant for wearing what the owner considered to be bizarre attire. Sonny has often been the butt of jokes, many times deservedly so, yet the guy actually had some talent and could write a decent song every now and then. I would argue that this is one of them.
The Original
Sonny Bono:
This is an alternate version. The sound quality is not nearly as good but it’s worth checking out just to see the controlled rage Sonny seems to be in as he sings the lyrics.
The Cover Songs Competition
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Otis Ball vs. Mott the Hoople
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Otis Ball:
Mott the Hoople:
You don’t suppose Ian Hunter could have related to these lyrics, possibly turning a few heads every now and then with his look? He obviously dug the song, resurrecting it for live shows during his solo career.
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Singles are cover songs without a mate (a.k.a. opponent). I’ve searched high, low and in between and my research indicates these particular songs were covered once and only once. Why would a band cover a song so obscure that no other band on the planet is interested in also doing so? How the hell should I know? But I do have a few of these rarities and it is now part of your solemn responsibility to listen to them. No competition on this day. Rather unabashed reverence, reflection and repose. Enjoy …
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Learning How to Love You – The Original
Very nice tune hear by John Hiatt. That’s Ry Cooder on guitar and Nick Lowe on bass (and Sawyer and Claire on the beach)
John Hiatt:
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Learning How to Love You -The Cover
Anne Richmond Boston, originally of the cult-favorite Swimming Pool Q’s, knocks out a sweet cover of John Hiatt’s Learning How to LoveYou.
Anne Richmond Boston:
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Sailors & Soldiers – The Original
Based on my research, Phil Ochs never actually released this song. I could not find a studio or live version by Phil anywhere. If anyone knows of an available version by Phil then please let me know.
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Sailors & Soldiers – The Cover
This cut is from a Phil Ochs tribute disc (“What’s That I Hear: The Songs of Phil Ochs”). Considering a version by Phil does not seem to exist I have no idea how Sid Griffin & Billy Bragg were aware of it or why they would have selected such an obscure number for the tribute disc. Musicians … Who the hell knows what’s up with them?
The sound quality on this one is not nearly as good but it is a great old live video of The David Johansen Band. Make sure to take a look at about the 3:40 mark of the video; David is buffooning about the audience when he takes a quick step and very nearly gets clocked by one of the roving cameras:
The Slackers:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
Gadzooks this is a much covered song. Bands of every genre – rock, reggae, punk, ska, surf, flamenco, bluegrass, etc. – seem to gravitate to this tune. And interestingly enough, although I never cared for the original, I’ve enjoyed pretty much every cover I’ve heard. Go figure …
The Original
The Eagles:
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The Cover Songs Competition
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Edi Fitzroy vs. Ska DaddyZ with Chencha Berrinches
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Edi Fitzroy:
Ska DaddyZ with Chencha Berrinches:
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.
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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 