Been away for a bit, but had to do this Friday's meme from the Music Memoirs.
Top 5 Cover Songs or Covers Albums
Hurt by Johnny Cash (NIN)
The original was good, but his is perfect to the song. The fact it was recorded shortly after his wife's death just makes it all the more powerful. I can't watch the video to this without crying.
Elenor Rigby by Godhead (Beatles).
Not something you think would work - an industrial cover of a Beatles song. But the instrumentation and arrangement really highlight the concepts of isolation that are what this song is about. Very very good.
One Hand in My Pocket by The Dino Martinis (Alannis Morisette)
A fun swing cover of the original. And the delivery of the "And one hand is holding a cigarette" line is just to funny. Completely deadpan, and sounding a little annoyed. Two Vocalists, a female for most of it, a male that does all the "And one hand is...".
Somebody to Love - Geoff Tate (Queen).
The vocalist to Queensryche has one of the most impressive voices in rock and roll. Amazing control and amazing range. Now Freddie (if you include his falsetto) was one of the 5 octave freaks that can do anything. When I've heard covers of this song there is one part near the end (and you all know just what I'm talking about) when the line is "Find me somebody to-ooo love" and Freddie just goes for the stratosphere on "To-ooo." Most covers don't try for the full range, by pulling down that note. Some try and fail miserable. Tate hit it, and earned my undying respect. :)
Welcome to the Machine - Rocket Scientist (Pink Floyd).
I enjoy Pink Floyd, but I love the Rocket Scientists, and this cover on their first album was amazing. I enjoy this one more than the original.
Edit - I do these without looking at other peoples responses so as not to influence my own. I saw a Dylan song on one list - I don't consider Dylan covers as covers. Dylan is a great songwriter, but he can't sing worth beans. :) His songs are just "holding tracks" until somebody real can sing them.
3 comments:
speaking of Dylan, I don't know if you like Bryan Ferry, but his album Dylanesque is awesome.
Just reading about the Alanis cover by the Dino Martinis makes me want to search for a copy. Plus, I love that band's name. I included "Eleanor Rigby" on my list too, but by a different artist.
Amazing how similar our lists are. Well, maybe not so much, considering you introduced me to the 2.5 items we had in common. :)
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