Archive for the ‘Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune’ Category

John Lennon: “Imagine”

Posted: February 2, 2015 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Imagine” – John Lennon
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Eddie Vedder vs. Neil Young
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
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"Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs." - Milton Friedbyrd

“Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs.” – Milton Friedbyrd

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Gadzooks! It has been exactly one year today since my last post. Due to family flapdoodles too numerous to count, as well as general malaise, I apostatized from my righteous charge of disseminating Cover Tunes. But I’ve recently awakened and recommitted myself to spreading the felicity that is reprocessed tunage. So from this day forward – and for at least a week or two more – Cover Me Impressed will rise from the slag heap of long-defunct blogs! With its second-coming there will be some subtle changes. For one, CMI will no longer offer a daily CLASH of Cover Tunes. The plan is to publish three, maybe four, CLASHes per week. Also the voting period will be significantly increased from the one week time frame used in the past to 3 months. And lastly, from hereon out, any visitors that do not vote will be haunted over the next three nights (as the last stroke of twelve has ceased to vibrate, to be exact) by three spirits. And I’m here to tell ya, entertaining the Ghost of Cover Songs Yet To Come is by no means a joyous occasion. That is one tedious specter! And believe me, he will bore you to tears right through to the daylight hours with his insipid tales of self-important minutia!!

 

CMI’s inaugural blog and CLASH of Cover Tunes pitted two venerable old codgers – David Bowie and Neil Young – crooning their covers of John Lennon’s immortal masterpiece Imagine. Neil won that bout with 84% of the vote. For the sake of symmetry (and the fact that it is Doug Zaner’s favorite John Lennon song) we’ll reintroduce the blog with Neil defending his rendition of Imagine versus Eddie Vedder’s contribution.

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The Original

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Lennon:

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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

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Vedder vs. Young
Vedder:
Young:

Young holds the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Imagine“. Additionally, Young is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Bi Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold orange!

Young’s triumphal exploits in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competitions are detailed below:

10/18/2013 – “Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues” (Bob Dylan) – Neil Young with Booker T & The MGs (100%) throttle Robyn Hitchcock (00%)

9/27/2013 – “Imagine” (John Lennon) – Neil Young (84%) wallops David Bowie (16%)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

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Votes can be cast up to three months from the day of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Johnny Cash: “Give My Love to Rose”

Posted: February 2, 2014 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Give My Love to Rose” – Johnny Cash
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: On Guard vs. Bruce Springsteen
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles ... Oh Yeah!

Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!

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Vintage Cash. Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two recorded Give My Love to Rose in 1957 at the legendary Sun Records studio. Give My Love to Rose was also included on the 1968 live album At Folsom Prison, which featured June Carter, Carl Perkins and the Tennessee Three (my how they grow right before your eyes!) backing up the Man in Black. And Johnny also recorded a new version of Give My Love to Rose in 2002 for what was to be the last album released in his lifetime, American IV: The Man Comes Around (American V: A Hundred Highways was released posthumously in 2006).

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The Original: 1957

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Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two:

Original … Well, not exactly. You’ve all heard the original Sun Studio version but this 1957 cut from the Tex Ritter television show might be a new experience.

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At Folsom Prison: 1968

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Johnny Cash, June Carter, Carl Perkins & The Tennessee Three:

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American IV: The Man Comes Around: 2002

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Johnny Cash:

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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

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On Guard vs. Bruce Springsteen
On Guard:
Bruce Springsteen:

Bruce Springsteen is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow.

Bruce Springsteen’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

12/9/2013 – “Love Of The Common People” (The Four Preps) – Bruce Springsteen & The Sessions Band (67%) repel Stiff Little Fingers (33%)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

The Clash: “Guns of Brixton”

Posted: January 28, 2014 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Guns of Brixton” – The Clash
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Bandits vs. Nouvelle Vague
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com
"Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs." - Milton Friedbyrd

“Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs.” – Milton Friedbyrd

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Guns of Brixton was released in 1979 on The Clash’s spectacular third album, London Calling. It was the first song recorded by The Clash that was written and composed by Paul Simonon.  It was also the band’s first song to feature Simonon as lead vocalist. The Guns of Brixton was initially not released as a single. A remastered version was subsequently released as a single in July 1990, which reached number 57 on the UK Singles Chart (better late then never I suppose).

Brilliant song! One of my favorites.

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The Original

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The Clash:

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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

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The Bandits vs. Nouvelle Vague
The Bandits:

The Bandits hold the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Guns of Brixton“. Additionally, The Bandits are recipients of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow.

The Bandits‘ triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

10/31/2013 – “Guns of Brixton” (The Clash) – The Bandits (86%) expunge Honeydippers (14%)

Nouvelle Vague:

Nouvelle Vague means “new wave” in English and “bossa nova” in Portuguese. The band was the brainchild of producers Marc Collin and Olivier Libaux, the concept being to remake classic new wave singles with a Brazilian pop twist. To add an unusual edge to the project, Collin and Libaux recruited French and Brazilian vocalists who were unfamiliar with the original versions of songs. The resulting songs were generally very interesting and, at times, excellent interpretations of the original material.

And will you look at this?!!? Nouvelle Vague has no reason to be intimidated as they too are recipients of CMI’s universally coveted title of Uni Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication.

Nouvelle Vague’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

12/2/2013 – “Making Plans for Nigel” (XTC) – Nouvelle Vague (100%) trounce Franzi (0%)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill: “Moritat von Mackie Messer” (subsequently “Mack the Knife”)

Posted: January 25, 2014 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Mack the Knife” – Bobby Darrin
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Nick Cave vs. Lyle Lovett
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

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"Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs." - Milton Friedbyrd

“Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs.” – Milton Friedbyrd

Moritat von Mackie Messer is a song written by Bertolt Brecht and composed by Kurt Weill for their play Die Dreigroschenoper. Die Dreigroschenoper premiered in Berlin in 1928. The opening song, Moritat von Mackie Messer, was originally sung by actor Kurt Gerron.

In 1954 Marc Blitzstein translated Die Dreigroschenoper into English  (i.e. The Threepenny Opera) and the play enjoyed a six-year run Off-Broadway. It is Blitzstein’s translation that became the basis for the popularized American song, Mack the Knife.

In 1954, Louis Armstrong was the first musician to score a hit with Mack the Knife. Of course, Bobby Darrin’s Mack the Knife, recorded in 1959, set an unparalleled standard of excellence for the song. Another popular version of Mack the Knife is Ella Fitzgerald’s 1960 live version. After the first verse poor Ella forgot the rest of the song. Yet Ella’s amazing improvisation thereafter earned her a Grammy for the performance.

Die Dreigroschenoper: Moritat von Mackie Messer

Kurt Gerron (1928):

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Mack the Knife

Louis Armstrong (1954):

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Bobby Darrin (1959):

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Ella Fitzgerald (1960):

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THE CLASH of Cover Songs

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Nick Cave vs. Lyle Lovett

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Nick Cave (1995):

Nick Cave holds the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Mack the Knife“. Additionally, Nick Cave is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Bi-Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in orange.

Nick Cave’s triumphal exploits in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competitions are detailed below:

11/9/2013 – “Moritat von Mackie Messer” (Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weil) – Nick Cave (86%) shellacks The Psychedelic Furs (14%)

10/6/2013 – “Suzanne” (Leonard Cohen) – Nick Cave with Perla Batella & Julie Christenson (83%) quash Geoffrey Oryema (17%)

This is shortened version of Nick Cave’s rendition that I included solely for the Caveman’s stellar choreography:

Lyle Lovett (1994):

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

P.F. Sloan: “Eve of Destruction”

Posted: December 30, 2013 in Reigning Pooh-Bah Maximus of Cover Tune, THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , ,
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Tune du Jour: “Eve of Destruction” – Barry McGuire
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Dickies vs. Johnny Thunders
CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com     CoverMeImpressed.com

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Broccoli Fields Forever ...

The Broccoli Fields They Are Exploding …

Eve of Destruction was written by P.F. Sloan. The song was initially offered to The Byrds but they rejected it. The Turtles then accepted it, including the song on their debut album, It Ain’t Me Babe, which was released in October 1965.

Eve of Destruction was first released by Barry McGuire in July 1965 with P.F. Sloan playing guitar on the track. Two months later (i.e. September 1965) Sloan released his own version of the song.

McGuire’s version of Eve of Destruction was a huge success, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #3 on the UK Singles Chart.

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The Original

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Barry McGuire:

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

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The Dickies vs. Johnny Thunders
The Dickies:

Johnny Thunders:

Johnny Thunders holds the distinction of being CMI’s Reigning Exultant Virtuosic Performer of “Eve of Destruction“. Additionally, Thunders is a recipient of CMI’s universally coveted title of Bi Victor Melodious Maximus in Adversarial Replication. Among the title’s myriad of rewards and benefits, perhaps most desirous is that it bestows upon the recipient the eminently yearned for privilege of having one’s name appear in print media in bold yellow.

Thunder’s triumphal performance in CMI’s THE CLASH of Cover Tunes competition is detailed below:

11/10/2013 – “Eve of Destruction” (Barry McGuire) – Johnny Thunders (86%) throttles The Pogues (14%)

Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. Only one cover tune will live to play another day and it is your solemn responsibility to decide which one prevails. So tell me … Which Side Are You On?!!?

Also, keep in mind that if you should spontaneously self-actualize while playing a cover then you could – and probably should – nominate it for Top 10 (i.e. “Impeccable”) consideration.

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Votes can be cast up to seven days from the day and time of the original post.

Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.

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