How about Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower"? I think that's my fave example....
Jayne: Anybody remember her comin' at me with a butcher's knife? Wash: Wacky fun.
'Objects In Space'
Buffista Music 4: Needs More Cowbell!
There's a lady plays her fav'rite records/On the jukebox ev'ry day/All day long she plays the same old songs/And she believes the things that they say/She sings along with all the saddest songs/And she believes the stories are real/She lets the music dictate the way that she feels.
tommyrot - Aug 20, 2010 7:36:37 am PDT #3350 of 6436
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
Fred Pete - Aug 20, 2010 8:06:05 am PDT #3351 of 6436
Ann, that's a ferret.
It's a hard question to answer because there are so many "hidden" covers. A lot of classic early rock 'n' roll songs are remakes of earlier hits that have been forgotten. Fats Domino covered Glenn Miller when he recorded "Blueberry Hill." And the Platters weren't the first to record "My Prayer" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." And as far as I'm concerned, even if it's been forgotten, never mind covers, few songs can stand up to the Platters' version of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."
Reasonable people can argue over which is "better," but credit to the Pet Shop Boys for thoroughly reimagining "Always on My Mind." And how Neil Sedaka thoroughly reimagined "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" and made it a hit all over again.
Tom Scola - Aug 20, 2010 8:12:26 am PDT #3352 of 6436
Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward.
"Twist and Shout" by the Beatles.
"Superstar" by Sonic Youth.
Bias on my part, but pretty much every cover by the Ramones is better, "California Sun", "Needles and Pins", "Indian Giver", "Let's Dance", etc.
DavidS - Aug 20, 2010 8:25:28 am PDT #3353 of 6436
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
"Twist and Shout" by the Beatles.
Concur. And the Isley Bros. version is already kickass.
Hmm, let's see. I like Kate Bush's cover of "Rocket Man," and The Futureheads cover of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love." (Though in that second case I wouldn't argue it's better, though it is good and she liked it.)
I love Bobby Womack's cover of "California Dreamin'."
Also, Tina Turner's cover of "Whole Lotta Love" is an epic, funk sex fest.
Skeee-Lo's cover of "The Tale of Mr. Morton" is wonderful. One of JZ's all-time favs, I'd say.
Gun Club's version of "Preach the Blues" is great.
tommyrot - Aug 20, 2010 8:26:14 am PDT #3354 of 6436
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
I like Kate Bush's cover of "Rocket Man,"
Huh. What album is that on?
DavidS - Aug 20, 2010 8:26:29 am PDT #3355 of 6436
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Oh, I prefer Del McCoury's bluegrass cover of "1952 Vincent Black Lightning."
DavidS - Aug 20, 2010 8:26:59 am PDT #3356 of 6436
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Huh. What album is that on?
Two Rooms - the Elton John tribute thingie.
Do you want me to post it? It's great.
tommyrot - Aug 20, 2010 8:29:43 am PDT #3357 of 6436
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.
Do you want me to post it? It's great.
Yes, please!
How is the rest of the album?
DavidS - Aug 20, 2010 8:32:05 am PDT #3358 of 6436
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
How is the rest of the album?
Kinda crappy.
eta: It's sent to buffistarawk.
Spidra Webster - Aug 20, 2010 8:40:08 am PDT #3359 of 6436
I wish I could just go somewhere to get flensed but none of the whaling ships near me take Medicare.
I wouldn't say it's better, but equal is Elvis Costello's cover of "You're No Good".
David (and anyone else who may have gone), do you have advice for a first-timer at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass? I've known of it since its first year but I never went. GG Park is a pain in the ass to get to for East Baynians (either terrible parking or a very long pubtrans ride) plus I hate crowds. But I'm planning a Bay Area trip as a late bday gift for myself and my cousin lives near the park so I'll be crashing with her. That leaves the crowds... Any advice on how best to handle it all would be appreciated.