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Cover Me Impressed
With a focus on the 60's-90's music scene, CMI is a Paradiso for Lovers Cover Songs! Each post focuses on a particular song and provides its original and most popular recordings as well as covers versions. Patrons of CMI vote on the most deserving cover version, which will then live to compete again, battling other cover songs in a future post.
Bands, musicians, troubadours, and their ilk, submit your cover songs for future CMI competitions.
CMI welcomes the opportunity to introduce new artists.
Contact RDubbs at RDubbsTunage@gmail.com
Music Genres?
We've Got 'em Covered ...
Rock / Alt-Rock / Rock 'n Roll / Rockabilly / Indie Pop / New Wave / Old Wave / Surf / Reggae / Ska / Punk Rock / Psychobilly / Cowpunk / Alt-Country / Bluegrass / Folk / Croon-Tunes / A Cappella / Motown / Gospel / Blues / Rhythm & Blues / Jazz / Big Band / Lounge / Classical / Celtic / Bossa Nova / Worldbeat / Show Tunes / Cartoons / Bizarro / Musical Calamities
Not since the days of Tom Jones has the music world been blessed with a man who can croon and gyrate as this suave fellow!
Ian McCulloch:
Parasites:
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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?!!?
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Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
Broccoli Had A Child, Bam-Ba-Lam, Damn Thing Went Wild, Bam-Ba-Lam.
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The Original
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Huddie Ledbetter (aka Lead Belly):
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The Most Popular
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Ram Jam:
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Nick Cave vs. Young Fresh Fellows vs. Tom Jones
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Nick Cave:
Young Fresh Fellows:
Tom Jones:
Okay, when I saw Tom Jones covered Black Betty I felt I had to include it for comical purposes only. But, damn, I have to admit that Jones (aka TJ) actually does a credible job on it.
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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?!!?
SPACE
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
“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.
DDT Did A Job On Me … Now I Am A Teenage Broccoli!
In deference to the recent anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy I chose the greatest song John Lennon ever penned to launch Cover Me Impressed. Needless to say it is beyond disheartening that 42 years after this brilliant plea for peace was introduced it is as pertinent today as the day it was written.
The Original
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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds:
It’s truly hard to imagine a more sophisticated and debonair dancer than Nick Cave. He’s got moves others can only dream of.
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Jake Stone vs. Sibyl Vane
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Jake Stone:
Sibyl Vane:
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.
Delilah was a big hit when I was growing up. I remember having to endure it many a time on the radio. But until actually researching it a bit for the blog, I could not have told you anything pertaining to what it was about. Can you? Well it’s a real killer … literally. It’s about some character who, while approaching his woman’s house for an impromptu visit, spies her through the blinds cavorting about, if you know what I mean. In a rage he beats on her door (“Why, Oh Why, Delilah?), upon entering promptly slices her to ribbons and then begs for her forgiveness. Nice tune.
In searching an apt competitor for John Otway’s version it was interesting to find that virtually everyone who covered this song did so in mocking fashion. Other than Tom I don’t know that anyone took it seriously. Although, when your crooning about heinous atrocities how could you keep a straight face? Given the subject matter it is surprising and unfortunate that my man, Nick Cave, never added his special kind of magic to this number. However, I did come across a cover of Nick belting out, and I kid you not, I Just Stopped in To See What Condition My Condition Was In (but that’s for another post on another day).
The Original
Tom Jones:
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The Cover Songs Competition
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I found five or six excellent covers of Delilah. It was quite difficult choosing who would compete.
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Flogging Molly vs. John Otway
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Flogging Molly:
For reasons you’ll soon find out, Flogging Molly refers to their version as De (That’s All Right) Lilah:
John Otway:
Bit of a long intro but John can be a little verbose during live shows. But what can you do? The guy’s got a lot on his mind and thankfully he’s willing to share it!
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.
Moritat von Mackie Messer is a song written by Bertolt Brecht and composed by Kurt Weil for their play Die Dreigrosohenoper. Die Dreigrosohenoper 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 Dreigrosohenoper 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 Dreigrosohenoper: 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 Cover Songs Competition
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Nick Cave vs. The Psychedelic Furs
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Nick Cave (1995):
This is shortened version of Nick’s rendition that I included solely for the Caveman’s stellar choreography:
The Psychedelic Furs (1981):
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.
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
Got home around midnight tonight after seeing The Waterboys (Amazing Show). I had not heard about Lou Reed’s exit until Mike Scott talked about his admiration for the man before launching into an obviously, hastily put-together tribute of VU songs, the rawness of which only served to endear. Anyway, I thought I had tomorrow’s blog “covered” before leaving for the show but now find myself putting together a late-night replacement Lou Reed blog. I don’t want to sound like a whiner but I do wish revered musicians would give me a day or two notice before checking out. It would sure make it a lot easier on an old, tired blogger …
The Original
The Velvet Underground & Nico:
Thanks Lou, this world was never meant for someone as beautiful as you.
(Could you imagine how disgusted Lou would be seeing a line that ridiculous offered up as an epithet?)
Somewhere Jonathan Richman is inconsolable …
The Cover Songs Competition
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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds vs. June Tabor & Oysterband
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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds:
June Tabor & Oysterband:
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.
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
Beautiful song!
The Original
Leonard Cohen:
The Cover Songs Competition
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Nick Cave with Perla Batalla & Julie Christenson vs. Geoffrey Oryema
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Nick Cave with Perla Batalla & Julie Christenson:
Certainly some slick gyrations on the part of the Caveman. Nick is just too cool; the devil incarnate plays Tom Jones.
Geoffrey Oryema:
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.
cover me impressed 