Tune du Jour: “A Whiter Shade of Pale” – Procol Harum
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Alton Ellis vs. Robyn Hitchcock vs. Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog
Don’t know what it is about this song that makes me love it so much, but I do.
The Original
Procol Harum:
I get a kick out of this clip from the movie The Commitments
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Alton Ellis vs. Robyn Hitchcock vs. Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes
Alton Ellis:
Robyn Hitchcock:
Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
Is it sacrilege to say that I hate this friggin’ song. I understand it’s a classic, blah blah blah. Yes, those opening organ notes are iconic, and I’m okay with them. I just never liked the rest of the song. I love Robyn Hitchcock, but man, he mutilates this one. And Southside Johnny’s version just amplifies everything I hate about the song, all that soulful wailing. Feh. I went with Anton Ellis because it sounds the most different from the irritating original. (I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for saying this, but I’m not gonna lie.)
Three rather lackluster covers of this venerable old classic.
Alton does a competent, somewhat reggae-esque cover. Not too bad but then again not too great either.
I love Robyn and when I saw that he covered this song I was excited to hear it, but as it turned out, I really didn’t like his interpretation of it.
Southside wins by default with a solid, yet unspectacular, cover of the song.
I have that Hitchcock CD, but I’ve only listened to it once through. I’ve liked Hitchcock for years, and the rest of this disc is better than this. I was disappointed by this version, but I voted for it because the other contenders weren’t very strong.
I remember this song from childhood. I found out about Robin Trower’s solo career in high school. I bought a handful of his albums and saw him at The Sportatorium. I was surprised to find out he was a member of this band years earlier.
I have that Hitchcock CD, but I’ve only listened to it once through. I’ve liked Hitchcock for years, and the rest of this disc is better than this. I was disappointed by this version, but I voted for it because the other contenders weren’t very strong.
I remember this song from childhood. I found out about Robin Trower’s solo career in high school. I bought a handful of his albums and saw him at The Sportatorium. I was surprised to find out he was a member of this band years earlier.
Such a unique song. I bought this Hitchcock album of 1967 covers and its accompanying memoir last year when it came out. I sent one of each to Kerry also. I saw him perform this song earlier this year in Kentucky. He doesn’t sing here, oddly enough but speaks, whispers and offers no organ. Sparse but the melody remains. Meh. Southside Johnny is a legit soul/blues singer but this recording drags out to tedium. I voted Alton Ellis. I didn’t think this would translate in his style but I liked it the best today.
None of these versions really knocks it out of the park. But I do think Southside Johnny’s voice fits the song perfectly.
points to Hitchcock band for killer guitar intro and creativity as usual, but Southsides vocals on this cut just gives ya chills, even if we’re not sure what the hell these pocky lyrics mean (shoutout for the Commitments cut, it never gets old)