Archive for February, 2026

Tune du Jour: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” – Bob Dylan
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Playing for Change feat. Twanguero and I-Taweh vs. Jesse Welles vs. Ted Christoper and Mark Knopfler
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

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Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

My only regret with this beautiful ballad is that it is not just a little longer.

The Original

Bob Dylan:

Bobfest (Neil’s epithet, not mine): 30th Anniversary:

Bob Dylan, Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, George Harrison, and seemingly a hundred other lucky participants …:

While not quite the power and splendor of “My Back Pages” from the same fest, still pretty damn good!

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

Playing for Change feat. Twanguero and I-Tawah vs. Jesse Welles vs. Ted Christopher and Mark Knopfler
Playing for Change feat. Twanguero and I-Tawah:
Jesse Welles:
Ted Christopher and Mark Knopfler:

This version was recorded in memory of the Dunblane Massacre, March 13, 1996. The Dunblane massacre took place at Dunblane Primary School in Dunblane, Scotland. A shooter killed 16 children and one teacher before turning the gun on himself. It remains the deadliest mass shooting in British history.

A new verse was written, and the children choir who sang the chorus were brothers and sisters of the victims. The song was released December 9, 1996, and it reached number 1. The proceeds went to charities for children.

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.

 

Tune du Jour: “Mandy” – Barry Manilow
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Me First and The Gimme Gimmes vs. Drop Nineteens vs. Schlong
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

The Original

Scott English (under the title “Brandy”):

Jesus, it’s just as bad as Manilow’s abomination … But why would I have expected anything less (better?).

Definitive Version (?)

Barry Manilow:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

I long ago had this dark fantasy of producing a Barry Manilow tribute cd with the likes of Dinosaur Jr., Violent Femmes, Soul Asylum, Johnny Cash, Throbbing Gristle, Joe Strummer and, of course, Nick Cave (who I would have insisted cover Mandy). Alas, in the words of King Missile (who also would have been perfect for inclusion), “If Only …”.

Me First and The Gimme Gimmes vs. Drop Nineteens vs. Schlong
Me First and The Gimme Gimmes:
Drop Nineteens:
Schlong:

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.

 

Tune du Jour: “Johnny Was” – Bob Marley and The Wailers
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Shahar Mintz vs. Nico Bereciartua feat. Felipe Agote vs. Mike Cavano
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog

Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

I did not realize until now that “Johnny Was” was written by Rita Marley. Makes so much sense though. The song definitely exhibits the sensibilities of a grieving mother.

The Original

Bob Marley and The Wailers:
Stiff Little Fingers:

I would not affront Bob’s legacy by suggesting someone else performed a “definitive version” of this beautiful lament. At the same time, I could not include the SLF version in the competition as it would have been patently unfair to the other contestants.

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

Shahar Mintz vs. Nico Bereciartua feat. Felipe Agote vs. Mike Cavano
Shahar Mintz:
Nico Bereciartua feat. Felipe Agote:
Mike Cavano (of reggae-dub-rock band, Suburban Sunrise):

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.

 

Tune du Jour: “Wall of Death” – Richard and Linda Thompson
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Wrockers vs. R.E.M. vs. Redhill Rats vs. Pete and Maura Kennedy
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

While “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight” is my favorite Richard and Linda Thompson song, this one might be the pair’s greatest musical accomplishment …

The Original

Richard and Linda Thompson:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

The Wrockers vs. R.E.M. vs. Redhill Rats vs. Pete and Maura Kennedy
The Wrockers:
R.E.M.:
Redhill Rats:
Pete and Maura Kennedy:

Pete and Maura slightly edged out Nanci Griffith for the final slot, due almost solely to Maura’s unabashed enthusiasm at the song’s outset!

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.

 

Tune du Jour: “Life on Mars” – David Bowie
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Robyn Hitchcock vs. The Flaming Lips vs. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain vs. Soctt Bradlee Postmodern Jukebox feat. Olivia Kuper Harris
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog

Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

Can’t say exactly why, but this is probably my favorite David Bowie song …

The Original

David Bowie:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

Robyn Hitchcock vs. The Flaming Lips vs. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain vs. Scott Bradlee Postmodern Jukebox feat. Olivia Kuper Harris
Robyn Hitchcock:
The Flaming Lips:
The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain:
Scott Bradlee Postmodern Jukebox feat. Olivia Kuper Harris:

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.

 

Tune du Jour: “Wave of Mutilation” – The Pixies
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: OK Go vs. Number Girl vs. Rhett Miller feat. Joey Santiago
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog

Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

I have said it before and I will say it again … The Pixies … sigh … one of the truly great bands of the late ’80s, early ’90s … just feel that, in retrospect, this highly influential band still does not get their fair due ,,,

The Original

The Pixies:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

OK Go vs. Number Girl vs. Rhett Miller feat. Joey Santiago
OK Go:
Number Girl:
Rhett Miller feat. Joey Santiago:

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.

 

Check out this very cool blog entry by our very own, Arnie. Arnie has been collecting ticket stubs forever. Recently he was acquainted with an artist who photographs ticket stubs as pieces of art. Arnie’s blog on the subject is fascinating to any lover of music and/or art. Highly Recommended!!! Check it out and when you do preferably pull it up on a computer to fully appreciate the artwork’s brilliance.

Admit One – How a Chance Encounter in Soho Turned Concert Ticket Stubs into Art

Tune du Jour: “Rock ‘n’ Roll Girl” – The Beat
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Rachel Gordon and The Very Idea vs. Boris the Sprinkler vs. The Muffs
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF

CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog CoverMeImpressed.blog

Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed
Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

Pretty much played the vinyl off of their self-titled debut album.

The Original

The Beat:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

Rachel Gordon and The Very Idea vs. Boris the Sprinkler vs. The Muffs
Rachel Gordon and The Very Idea:
Boris the Sprinkler:
The Muffs:

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.