Tune du Jour: “My Sweet Lord” – George Harrison
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Edwin Starr vs. Boy George vs. Byron Lee and The Dragonaires with Keith Lynn and The S.P.M.s vs. The Violinaires vs. Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, et al.
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The Original
Billy Preston (September 11, 1970):
Definitive
George Harrison (November 1970):
Concert for George: November 29, 2002
Billy Preston, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Dhani Harrison, Marc Mann and Jeff Lyne:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Edwin Starr vs. Boy George vs. Byron Lee and The Dragonaires with Keith Lynn and The S.P.M.s vs. The Violinaires vs. Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, et al.
Edwin Starr:
Boy George:
Never cared for Boy George but, I have to admit, he did knock out some pretty good covers.
Byron Lee and The Dragonaires with Keith Lynn and The S.P.M.s:
The Violinaires:
2014 George Fest: Brian Wilson and Al Jardine (Beach Boys), Darin Sahanaja, Ann Wilson (Heart), Perry Farrell, Norah Jones, Karen Elson, Elvis Perkins, Ryan Miller (Guster), Jimmy Vivino, Wayne Coyne, Britt Daniels (Spoon) and The Cabin Down Below Band:
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 
Boy George exceeded expectations with added percussion and Indian influences, plus an interesting video.
Almost went with Brian Wilson due to the video and being a big fan.
We’ve got soul artist Edwin Starr and gospel group The Violinaires. But today’s vote goes to the island sound of Byron Lee and company.
Hearing this beautifully spiritual song juxtaposed with the events of the day makes me want to vomit!
Anyway, Brian Wilson and his all-star cast almost won the vote but in the end, I opted for the more subtle, reggae vibe of Byron Lee and the gang.
I’m a devout atheist, and eight video versions of My Sweet Lord didn’t move the needle on that. I love George Harrison, but this particular song has just never done much for me. Still, I’ll play along.
Boy George had a great band behind him and some nice backing vocals, but his delivery here just didn’t work for me. I’m usually very open to reggae reinterpretations, but Byron Lee’s take felt too low-key and generic to leave an impression (although I seem to be in the minority about that.) The Violinaires were a pleasant surprise—bright, upbeat, and that keyboard break in the middle was terrific. Edwin Starr really grabbed me, too. His version is nicely moody and soulful, and his voice is so good; strong and resonant.
But ultimately I had to go with the Brian Wilson version. When that many heavy hitters crowd onto one stage, you hope for something special, and I’d say they actually delivered the goods.
I voted for Byron Lee. I think the reggae vibe added something to this ponderously sluggish song. The Violinaires(what? no violins) gave a little quicker pace, organ, a nice bubbling bass line. Not bad. Brian Wilson and others offer a simple, very pretty take that goes on a minute too long. Edwin Starr can really sing but halfway through I feared it might never end. Boy George- now I finally know what happened to that vest that mysteriously went missing 43 years ago. You sneaky shit George!
I have to admit that after avoiding this song for many decades it sounds fresh and I can enjoy it. I have always been averse to repetition so when this song with repetitious lyrics and music was number one for 2 months I must have heard it 7 times a day and eventually winced and grimaced every time I heard it. I love All Things Must Pass. It may be the best album of any by the former Beatles but when I listen to it I always skip My Sweet Lord. If I was making a Harrison playlist I would be sure to omit it. When I saw it appear in this blog my first thought was I bet there are 10 songs on that album better than this. After reviewing it I found only 8.
I love the version by Brian Wilson from Georgefest and, of course, Billy Preston’s version from the Concert for George is epic. I will always wonder what it would have been like to actually have been at the Concert for George. I wonder if Bob Dylan regrets blowing it off?