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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
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Phil wrote some of the greatest topical political protest songs of all time. Most were blistering attacks on racist and/or wrongheaded political institutions. But it was also great fun when Phil used his priceless wit to enormous effect. “Outside of a Small Circle of Friends” and “Love Me, I’m a Liberal” come straight to mind, along with one of my all-time favorites, “Draft Dodger Rag”.
The Original
Phil Ochs:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Disappear Fear vs. Kind of Like Spitting vs. Pete Seeger and Fred Hellerman
Disappear Fear:
Kind of Like Spitting:
Pete Seeger and Fred Hellerman:
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.
This beautifully poignant song illustrates that Phil was more than capable of writing excellent apolitical material. A wistful song of romance and reflection with such brilliant imagery. After Phil completed it, he called his ex-wife, Alice Skinner, and sang it to her over the phone. I imagine it was a last attempt to win back her love but, consistent with so many personal setbacks, it was not to be. Alice told him twice that it was a great song before she hung up. Phil Ochs, wracked with lifelong depression, hung himself in 1976. Could the world ever use a compassionate political force like Phil Ochs today …
Phil Ochs:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Gene Clark & Carla Olson vs. Christy Moore vs. Neil Young
Gene Clark & Carla Olson:
Christy Moore:
Neil Young:
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.
Perhaps Phil’s most poignant effort. Outstanding poetry! Dylanesque!
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Joan Baez vs. Disappear Fear vs. Rex Fowler
Joan Baez:
Disappear Fear:
Rex Fowler:
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.
“Free markets will not prevail without unfettered competition among cover songs.” – Milton Friedbyrd
When I’m Gone is one of many terrific songs that Phil Ochs penned. It first appeared in 1966 on Phil’s third album Phil Ochs in Concert. The song focuses on the need to live a fulfilling and effectual life in that our time is limited; you’re not going to achieve any aspirations (or affect social change) when your gone, so you’ll just have to do it while your here.
In retrospect, it is quite sad for a Phil Ochs fan to hear him sing these lines. He wrote When I’m Gone early in his career when he undoubtedly was still full of youthful idealism regarding what well-intentioned people could accomplish for the greater good. While displaying not a hint of sappiness, it is a hopeful, albeit, pragmatic song of the vast possibilities that lie ahead for a young adult. The fact that a mere ten years later he had become so jaded and depressed that he took his own life is truly tragic. As I’ve said many times in my posts, Phil Ochs is one of my favorite topical musicians. Yet, at times I can’t help but be resentful that he chose suicide. We was a national treasure. His cutting wit and fearless commentary would have been put to great use in the tumultuous decades following his death. Bob Dylan once said of Phil, “I just can’t keep up with Phil. And he just keeps getting better and better and better”. Unfortunately, Phil can’t add his name into the fight now that he’s I’m gone …
The Original
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Phil Ochs
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THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Eric Andersen vs. Ani Difranco
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Erci Andersen:
Ani Difranco:
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.
Singles are cover songs without a mate (a.k.a. opponent). I’ve searched high, low and in between and my research indicates these particular songs were covered once and only once. Why would a band cover a song so obscure that no other band on the planet is interested in also doing so? How the hell should I know? But I do have a few of these rarities and it is now part of your solemn responsibility to listen to them. No competition on this day. Rather unabashed reverence, reflection and repose. Enjoy …
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Learning How to Love You – The Original
Very nice tune hear by John Hiatt. That’s Ry Cooder on guitar and Nick Lowe on bass (and Sawyer and Claire on the beach)
John Hiatt:
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Learning How to Love You -The Cover
Anne Richmond Boston, originally of the cult-favorite Swimming Pool Q’s, knocks out a sweet cover of John Hiatt’s Learning How to LoveYou.
Anne Richmond Boston:
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Sailors & Soldiers – The Original
Based on my research, Phil Ochs never actually released this song. I could not find a studio or live version by Phil anywhere. If anyone knows of an available version by Phil then please let me know.
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Sailors & Soldiers – The Cover
This cut is from a Phil Ochs tribute disc (“What’s That I Hear: The Songs of Phil Ochs”). Considering a version by Phil does not seem to exist I have no idea how Sid Griffin & Billy Bragg were aware of it or why they would have selected such an obscure number for the tribute disc. Musicians … Who the hell knows what’s up with them?
Broccoli For Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles And Miles … Oh Yeah!
Singles Only
Singles are cover songs without a mate (a.k.a. opponent). I’ve searched high, low and in between and my research indicates these particular songs were covered once and only once. Why would a band cover a song so obscure that no other band on the planet is interested in also doing so? How the hell should I know? But I do have a few of these rarities and it is now part of your solemn responsibility to listen to them. No competition on this day. Rather unabashed reverence, reflection and repose. Enjoy …
cover me impressed 