Tune du Jour: “Mutineer” – Warren Zevon
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Graziano Romani vs. Phil Cody vs. Bob Dylan vs. Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
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The Original
Warren Zevon:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Graziano Romani vs. Phil Cody vs. Bob Dylan vs. Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires
Graziano Romani:
Phil Cody:
Bob Dylan:
Jason Isabell and Amanda Shires:
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 
I didn’t know the original, but that was good. I had Excitable Boy in college, and I think I even went back and bought his self-titled album from ’76. I always thought Zevon’s greatest talent was as a songwriter. Linda Ronstadt must have agreed, as she covered no fewer than four songs from that album alone. She even made “Hasten Down The Wind” the title song of her ’76 album. While we’re at it, the phrase “Hasten Down the Wind” never made sense to me. To “hasten” means to hurry, so “hurry down the wind”, I’m like…zuh?
Isbell and Shires win easily today. And Dylan performs twenty-first century live Dylan.
Actually was not familiar with this song until Pete suggested it. Have to admit that I don’t know all that much about Zevon.
Graziano Romani and Phil Cody pretty much play it straight and do admirable jobs but nothing too special.
Dylan is built for a song like this. The attitude and distinctive emotional vocals are perfect for the ballad.
Jason and Amanda harmonize beautifully, the understated harmonica is pitch perfect and I always much enjoy Amanda’s fiddling.
Have to go with Dylan … “I was born to rock the boat” … Bob and Warren … kindred spirits.
I don’t know Graziano Romani but I see that he has done two albums of Springsteen covers. That makes sense to me since his voice in in that same range. He also has some Italian releases and covers Dylan, N Young, R Thompson, J Browne and The Who among others. I haven’t heard these yet but I added several to my diet. I thought he was solid but unexceptional. I also don’t know Phil Cody but I liked his attempt more, featuring a slow pace and tasteful instrumentation. It reminded me of J. J. Cale. Sweet and slightly melancholy. Very nice to see a live Bob clip with such fine sound quality. Great, sympathetic band. Beautifully done. I first heard this song from Jason and Amanda when she hosted a weekly YouTube happy hour show from their barn during COVID. I heard them do better versions. Jason seemed to sing too softly. Amanda obviously pregnant here. Letterman mispronounced Jason’s last name as it should be said as if the last vowel is a U. Saw him recently for the 12th time. They got my vote.