Tune du Jour: “Manic Monday” – Prince
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Kate Rusby vs. Leningrad Cowboys vs. Dini Kimmel
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog
While most would certainly associate this song with The Bangles, Prince actually wrote it and was the first to record it March 1983. However, Prince did not release his version until more than 10 years later. The Bangles, meanwhile, released their megahit in 1985.
The Original
Prince:
Most Popular Cover
The Bangles:
Prince and The Bangles, May 14, 1986:
Billie Joe Armstrong & Susanna Hoffs:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Kate Rusby vs. Leningrad Cowboys vs. Dini Kimmel
Kate Rusby:
Kate recorded this at home during Covid with her kids helping her out.
Leningrad Cowboys:
Dini Kimmel:
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 
My favorite video of the lot is the split screen of Billie Joe Armstrong and Susanna Hoffs. Billie is calmly seated belting out a splendid take while Susanna, almost twice his age, is bouncing around like a teenager. Gotta love it!
Kate Rusby is obviously having the time of her life performing with her daughters all the while producing a wonderful cover. Man, could you ever tell that her daughters grew up in a performer’s household. Those kids were undaunted by the moment.
Leningrad Cowboys definitely get the award for most psychotic interpretation. Creative? Yes! But it kind of scared the hell out of me.
Dini Kimmel definitely has talent. Lovely acoustic cover. Will have to look into more of her work.
Guess I’m feeling sentimental. Kate Rusby and family warmed my heart and won my vote.
Dini Kimmel did a fine simple rendition handling the changes well musically and vocally. The Leningrad Cowboys brought the industrial metallic mayhem for contrast. I thought Ministry’s bus had crashed into Soundgarden’s. I went with Kate Rusby. Her voice is so gorgeous. I think Who Knows Where The Time Goes is one of the most beautiful songs ever by Sandy Denny, one of the most beautiful voices ever so to cover it is beyond ambitious but Kate Rusby gave it a great go.
Well, the WiFi here in Arusha, Tanzania is so spotty that the videos won’t load, so I can’t listen and vote. Sigh. I’ll try again later.
Well, I got the first and the third videos to finally play, but it just won’t play that Leningrad Cowboys version on my laptop here. But… I managed to play it on my iPhone here. Must be a Tanzanian thing. I shouldn’t have bothered; Leningrad Cowboys’ version was a bit distasteful. It was a tough call between the other two, but I went with Dini Kimmel’s stripped down version, which was pure and simple. Kate Rusby’s version was terrific, though.
i really enjoyed Dini Kimmels acoustic version, But Kate and The Covid Dancers stole my heart in a runaway
Kerry’s comments (he had trouble posting):
Saw a Kate Rusby appearance from a couple weeks ago. Tried to post, but encountered some issues. Since I already wrote comments, maybe I’ll put it here:
Pleasantly surprised to see Kate Rusby make an appearance. I’ve got a half dozen CDs and a concert DVD by her. I always wanted to see her live, but I read somewhere she’s afraid to fly, so it won’t be on this side of the Atlantic.
She performs a number of traditional songs, and writes her own in a similar style, such that one must check the credits to determine which are which.
She had been married to John McCusker, formerly of The Battlefield Band, one of the better purveyors of Scots traditional music. They also blended traditional and original material in a seamless mix. I spoke to him after a concert in Atlanta in late eighties or early nineties. I wonder if those are John’s kids.