Each Friday I try to mix it up a little and explore songs or albums that are buried somewhere in my basement.
Sometimes I get on a certain kick. This week it is covers done by great and not so great artists. Because I am old and my memory is fading, forgive me for repeating any songs on this list but just know that they are songs worth putting back on your playlist.
In no particular order here are some more very good cover songs:
My first selection is a pretty damn good version of one of my favorite Elton John songs, “Son of your Father” by Spooky Tooth. Spooky Tooth never really hit it the US and they were mildly popular in England in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The band has had some famous members over time, Gary Wright (“Dreamweaver’), Mick Jones and Greg Ridley. The song does keep to the original but has some good vocals and if you are a fan of that era, this is a very good example of what Spooky Tooth was all about.
I know I have mentioned this song before but every time I hear it, I get chills. “The Sound of Silence” by Disturbed is one of the most intense covers you will ever hear. How this band turned such a beautiful song into this is beyond me. I give them an A for effort, and A for creativity and to all those who say it’s blasphemous, tough luck.
While I have never been a huge Red Hot Chili Peppers fan, I can see why true rock fans like this band. Great guitar, Bass and vocals are usually pretty damn good as well. They have done numerous covers over the years but I think you should try out their version of Stevie Wonder’s classic “Higher Ground”. The bands focus is not on Kiedis’s vocals as much as it is on the driving beat and stellar guitar work by John Frusciante.
Shinedown’s version of “Simple Man” has made Skynyrd fans proud for years. With covers I look to see if the band covers the song with respect and listen to this song and you know that lead singer Brent Smith totally gets the power of the original.
No list of great cover bands and songs would ever be complete without throwing something by Gov’t Mule in there. For me it is almost impossible to pick one song or even one album by this band. They cover Pink Floyd like I would if I had any musical talent. They do funk like Soul brother number one James Brown Having Bootsie Collins in your studio and on stage doesn’t hurt). The live version of Zeppelin’s “Dazed and Confused” is a gem. It typifies the broad tastes of this band. They can play pretty much anything and play it well.
Another band in the similar space is Phish. Every time I listen to Phish I realize just how talented this band is. They can do pretty much any style of music at the drop of a hat. While most of their stuff is riffs on their own music, they do some pretty awesome covers as well. One standout is Robert Palmer’s “Sneaking Sally Through the Alley”. Just funk and fun.
Speaking of Robert Palmer, his version of Lowel George’s classic “Sailing Shoes” is classic. This is an artist that just never got the credit he deserved. His interpretations of blues and soul along with his rock and roll chops really separate him from almost every artist during the 80’s and 90’s. He should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Shame.
The last few times I wrote a piece on covers I am not sure if I mentioned what could possibly be one of the five greatest cover songs of all time. “Heard it Through The Grapevine” by Creedence Clearwater Revival is unparalleled. The original Strong/ Whitfield version was performed by Gladys Knight and The Pips in 1966. Subsequently recorded by Marvin Gaye and a host of others. The Marvin Gaye version is a classic with no question but CCR’s version is right up there. The John Fogerty vocals are great and his guitar work is tremendous. It is over 11 minutes of great music.
Here is an obscure one that is excellent. Art of Noise was a British band in the 80’s and 90’ and they produced some, shall we say, avant garde music that was actually very good. The one song that stands out to me is the Henri Mancini( Who I absolutely love) classic “Theme from Peter Gunn”. It’s electronic but you will definitely recognize it.
Speaking of Bootsie Collins, How about Hendrix’ “Power of Soul”. I love Bootsie Collins, always have. This version of that Hendrix classic is spectacular. Anything Collins does is usually funky as shi* and this is no exception. Forget about this guys crazy stage presence, he is an awesome bass player and his rendition of this song no exception.
While I am on Jimi Hendrix let me just say that Sting does a near perfect interpretation of “A Wind Cries Mary”. If you think about it, Sting actually is the perfect vocalist for almost any Hendrix songs. He can stretch it where he needs to. He can be bluesy where he needs to be.
My last selection is one from left field for sure. The Connells version of “Insane in the Brain”. The original is a drug fueled classic from Cyprus Hill. This is not as hardcore but its still fun to listen to. Since rappers and hip hop stars steal riffs from rock songs all the time, time for the reverse to happen.
Once again you've touched on some of my favorites and given me a direction to travel this weekend. One of my all time favorites is CCR/Grapevine. Brings back the college experience as I viewed it then, not now........