R2OK! Forum Index R2OK!
Contact R2OK! admin

Click here for R2OK! Website


 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Cover versions

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    R2OK! Forum Index -> Music Chat
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19373
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 3:15 pm    Post subject: Cover versions Reply with quote

Obviously timed to try and get as much hype as possible for the CIN cover I was rather unimpressed with the argument that all cover versions are bad as implied on the JV show.

For one thing songs are not always written by a singer and far more often the songs are written by people who do not perform. What about all the songs that came out of the Brill Building in New York and the great American songwriters?

To me it's been thought up by producers who only know music from groups/bands who write there own stuff.

What does anyone else think?

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Lord Evan Elpuss



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 3417
Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 4:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello Aitch,
I agree, not all cover versions are bad when compared with the original (or, in some cases, the best known hit) version. One example for me is Smokie's take on 'Needles & Pins', I like Smokie's cover version better than the often heard Searchers hit.
Did you know that next year, it'll be 10 years since you read out the R2 strap-line on Jezza's show?! Shocked
_________________
Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
essexlady



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 348
Location: Essex

PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 5:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I prefer Jeff Buckley's cover of "Halleluiah" to the original by Leonard Cohen, but don't get me started on Alexandra Burke's offering ! Rolling Eyes
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ruddlescat



Joined: 16 Sep 2010
Posts: 18010
Location: Near Chester

PostPosted: Thu Oct 09, 2014 6:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also agree Helen

For me Leona Lewis's cover version of 'Run' is far superior to the original by Snow Patrol and David Bowie's version of 'Let's Spend The Night Together' is far better than the Stones original- and what about The Flying Pickets cover of 'Only You'?

I think the Bangles cover of 'Hazy Shade of Winter' perhaps is at least as good as the S&G original and Tiffany's cover of 'I Think We're Alone Now' stands up very well compared to the original

Having said that I do think that most cover versions do not match up to the originals but as usual JV gets a 'bee in his bonnet' about some subject which he knows very little about and pushes it in an obviously non intelligent way - he should stick to news presenting rather than straying into areas where his ignorance is patently obvious Rolling Eyes - I just wonder what he thinks of Robert Wyatt's cover of the classic Elvis Costello track 'Shipbuilding' - or for that matter Tasmin Archer's 1994 cover of the same track - bet he's never even heard of Tasmin Archer

Oh and by the way contrary to what was said by Mr Vine Bowie's 'Pin Ups' album is absolutely superb Very Happy
_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Fri Oct 10, 2014 2:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

essexlady wrote:
I prefer Jeff Buckley's cover of "Halleluiah" to the original by Leonard Cohen, but don't get me started on Alexandra Burke's offering ! Rolling Eyes

My least favourite of Leonard Cohen's songs... have never really been a fan of it.
ruddlescat wrote:

I just wonder what he thinks of Robert Wyatt's cover of the classic Elvis Costello track 'Shipbuilding' -

I don't know what JV thinks about it ...I know what I do ... I love it..it's gorgeous.

Some of the best covers that spring straight to mind for me are..

Brown Eyed Handsome Man ~ Buddy Holly.

How Do You Mend A Broken Heart ~ Al Green.

With A Little Help From My Friends ~Joe Cocker.

Hurt ~ Johnny Cash. I will never forget the impact that video had on me when I first saw it.

Mr Tambourine Man ~ The Byrds.

Some covers,imo, don't better the original but are,in their own way, just as good...a few examples..

Lithium ~ Polyphonic Spree.

Only Love Can Break Your Heart ~ Saint Etienne.

I adore Hurt by Timi Yuro but was reminded the other day of the cover of it by The Manhattans... they do a lovely job.

I have also heard many live lovely covers on Youtube that don't always make it in to the recording studios.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 8:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I always like a cover if it's better than, and different from, the original. As Becky says, Joe Cocker's 'With A Little Help...' is a good example, though the Beatles' original is also good. There are many examples of Dylan songs being really well covered: Mr Tambourine Man, All Along The Watchtower, Just Like A Woman.

Ruddles, I liked Bowie's cover of 'Let's Spend The Night Together' too.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 3:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Seeing Helen's post about Golden Slumbers in the Richard Allinson thread reminded me of a cover of that that I really like ...it's by Ben Folds......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU8luUZsuLc

....which leads me on to 2 covers of another song,Across The Universe, from the Fab Four that I like... one by Rufus Wainwright and the other by Fiona Apple.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
undiscovered



Joined: 15 Sep 2010
Posts: 650
Location: Peterborough

PostPosted: Fri Nov 14, 2014 11:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi All, not been around for a bit, hope you are all as well as possible

Carter the Unstoppable Sex machine, probably the single most important band in my life, they were my first real favourite band and very political in their lyrics. Anyway they are about to have their last ever show and because of that I have been listening to their stuff again. They always had a cover on their B sides, a couple of my favourites

Pet Shop Boys Rent


Soft Cells Bedsitter
_________________
You will hear gospel and rhythm and blues and jazz, all those are just labels, we know that music is music.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 7:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Two more covers that are (imo) better than the originals...Walk Away Renee by The Four Tops and Go Now by The Moody Blues.... the latter remembered after hearing it today and being mentioned on Angela's Manx thread.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ruddlescat



Joined: 16 Sep 2010
Posts: 18010
Location: Near Chester

PostPosted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I actually prefer the original recording of 'Don't Walk Away Renee' but I do agree that the Moodies cover is far superior to the Bessie Banks original Smile
_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 11:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's funny Becky, on the other thread you didn't know Sailing by Rod Stewart was a cover. Well, I didn't know The Four Tops' Walk Away Renee was a cover! The things you learn. Although I do vaguely remember Don't Walk Away Renee was played recently on SOTS.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
childprufe



Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 212
Location: lincolnshire

PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 5:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Schiz,
As usual you hit various nails on the head - Dylan covers in particular - Manfred Mann's "Mighty Quinn" and Julie Driscoll/Brian Auger Trinity's "This wheels on fire" spring to mind
and in response to your earlier post re "Lets spend the night together" by Bowie, please, if you can, catch a glimpse at Humble Pie's "Honky Tonk Women."
Mind you, I also prefer Melanie's "Ruby Tuesday" to the Strolling Bones version.
_________________
Standing on Ray Moore's shoulders
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will give Humble Pie's version a listen.

I too much prefer Melanie's cover of Ruby Tuesday. Jagger isn't exactly the world's best vocalist!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Colin



Joined: 26 Sep 2013
Posts: 916

PostPosted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Schizoidman wrote:
Jagger isn't exactly the world's best vocalist!


Maybe not the best, but one of the best, especially in live performance on stage. I think his "Ruby Tuesday" was superb - and his "You Can't Always Get What You Want" was about as good as it could get in those times. "Angie" was tops, too. In my opinion, "Get Yer Ya Yas Out" is the best live rock album of all time. He was good on that too!

My wife's favourite Stones song is "Let's Spend The Night Together", largely because she got into trouble singing it in an end-of-term concert at her all-girls' school. I like Bowie's version, but the simplicity and gutsiness of the Stones' original is far superior in my opinion.

My favourite Stones number is "Under My Thumb". I saw them play a 10-minute version of that in the 1970s and it was sublime. There have been covers, but none as good.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
nod



Joined: 24 Dec 2006
Posts: 3558

PostPosted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 11:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone see Annie Lennox on The One Show explaining how her latest album isn't 'covers', I think she said they are interpretations Rolling Eyes
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Schizoidman wrote:


I too much prefer Melanie's cover of Ruby Tuesday. Jagger isn't exactly the world's best vocalist!
Maybe so,Schiz, but his dancing has me mesmerised every time I watch him ... Cool Very Happy
nod wrote:
Anyone see Annie Lennox on The One Show explaining how her latest album isn't 'covers', I think she said they are interpretations Rolling Eyes

I didn't see the programme,nod but who does she think she's fooling?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 9:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some records are just perfect and should NEVER be covered ....Waterloo Sunset is one example. I've just heard Kathy Dennis singing it on Graham's programme ...my first response is why? and my second is why would Graham, or whoever chooses the records on his programme, play this version over that of The Kinks??? Cool
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Ian Robinson
Site Admin


Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 3608
Location: Chorley, Lancashire

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

becky sharp wrote:
Some records are just perfect and should NEVER be covered ....Waterloo Sunset is one example. I've just heard Kathy Dennis singing it on Graham's programme ...my first response is why? and my second is why would Graham, or whoever chooses the records on his programme, play this version over that of The Kinks??? Cool

Aw, that's one of my all-time fave cover versions. Updated without ruining the feel, with a light breezy arrangement and dreamy vocals - it's great! Makes a change from hearing the same old record all the time.

Ray Davies loved it so much he wrote the B-side for Cathy's original single release, and still says it's the best interpretation of one of his songs.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian Robinson wrote:

Makes a change from hearing the same old record all the time.


I can never hear the original,and for me the best, too many times....perfection! Cool
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
ruddlescat



Joined: 16 Sep 2010
Posts: 18010
Location: Near Chester

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 8:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Becky - I completely agree which is why I never listen to that annoying twerp who calls himself Graham Norton Rolling Eyes
_________________
Are you ready for a Ruddles?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Schizoidman



Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Posts: 1140
Location: Rural West Sussex

PostPosted: Sat Apr 04, 2015 10:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I agree with Becky that some songs are so good that they should never be covered, eg A Whiter Shade Of Pale, which Bonnie Tyler and the appalling Annie Lennox both ruined, and Waterloo Sunset is of course a very good song.
However, I really liked Kathy Dennis' cover. As Ian says, it's light and breezy and just nice.

On a related topic, the Annoying Little Twerp always plays a (not always very good) 60s song third record in and then makes a snide comment about how he doesn't like 60s music. Well, why didn't he play The Kinks' song then? (Because he's an Annoying Little Twerp, that's why).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Thu May 20, 2021 1:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Think it's pretty much agreed that Joe Cocker did a great cover of A Little Help With My Friends - me included - but oh Joe you should (imo) have stayed away from the perfect little pop song The Letter by The Box Tops.

Heard Joe's version of it for the first time (and last I hope) this morning on Owen Money's programme.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
oldraver



Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1186
Location: London

PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2021 3:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've never noticed this before. And now I've read every post.

Needles and Pins is a funny one, as the writer credit is in dispute. Sonny Bono claimed that he wrote it with Jack Nitzsche and Jackie De Shannon says that she co-wrote it with them. I'd be inclined to side with her. She recorded it first, in any case. So The Searchers version is also a cover. It'll always be the best version for me, probably because of the time and place it holds within it. Anyway, here's her original.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbM_Zmx9kA

I was listening to Boom this morning, when Such A Night by Johnnie Ray was played. I know it was originally recorded by The Drifters when Clyde McPhatter was lead. For me, the best version is the Elvis one, but then it's all about personal taste. I grew up with it, being in my eldest brother's record collection.

Another Elvis cover isn't that well known, is Tomorrow Is A Long Time, a Bob Dylan original. I quite like Rod Stewart's version, on Every Picture Tells A Story and have done since 1971, but Presley's version, I've only known for a few years. It's really good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_HzZrOGlRk

I think the only Stones song I know, that I rate better than the orignal, is Out Of Time by Chris Farlowe.

There are many more great covers I love but just one more, in case anyone else posts it!

Dedicated To The One I Love, originally The Five Royales, I think. Something like that. But by far the best ever version, has to be The Mamas and Papas
_________________
life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
oldraver



Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1186
Location: London

PostPosted: Tue May 25, 2021 3:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Make that two more..sorry!

Only discovered this by chance, a couple of weeks ago. The original never really got to me and the last bit of music always has me singing 'sausages' to it.

It is, of course, Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You.

The late, great John Prine recorded and bettered it (imo). It's lovely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jylCc-fD-wo
_________________
life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
oldraver



Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1186
Location: London

PostPosted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 10:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I heard a great original earlier. I didn't even know of it's existence. But thanks to Roger Day's Saturday 60's show - which is miles better than Tony B's offering, in my ever so humble - I do now.

The McCoys - Sorrow


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y9A7AVtAFE
_________________
life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 7646

PostPosted: Sun Jun 20, 2021 3:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are a couple of Ace Records CD compilations, entitled "You Heard It Here First" which pulled together 50 original versions of tracks which were subsequently hits by someone else. Some (eg Bessie Banks "Go Now") are better known than others (Johnny Darrell "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town"). Most, if not all, appear to be available on the usual streaming/download services.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heard-Here-First-Various-Artists/dp/B001CDF040/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29AXDUTSG4RDJ&dchild=1&keywords=you+heard+it+here+first&qid=1624200270&s=music&sprefix=you+heard+it+h%2Caps%2C157&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Heard-Here-First-2/dp/B0030BEU52/ref=sr_1_2?crid=29AXDUTSG4RDJ&dchild=1&keywords=you+heard+it+here+first&qid=1624200270&s=music&sprefix=you+heard+it+h%2Caps%2C157&sr=1-2
_________________
Ron
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
oldraver



Joined: 18 Dec 2006
Posts: 1186
Location: London

PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 9:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Damn! I have the first one and will have to have a rummage around for Vol 2.
_________________
life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Mon Jun 21, 2021 2:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RockitRon wrote:
There are a couple of Ace Records CD compilations, entitled "You Heard It Here First" which pulled together 50 original versions of tracks which were subsequently hits by someone else. Some (eg Bessie Banks "Go Now") are better known than others (Johnny Darrell "Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town"). Most, if not all, appear to be available on the usual streaming/download services.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heard-Here-First-Various-Artists/dp/B001CDF040/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29AXDUTSG4RDJ&dchild=1&keywords=you+heard+it+here+first&qid=1624200270&s=music&sprefix=you+heard+it+h%2Caps%2C157&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Heard-Here-First-2/dp/B0030BEU52/ref=sr_1_2?crid=29AXDUTSG4RDJ&dchild=1&keywords=you+heard+it+here+first&qid=1624200270&s=music&sprefix=you+heard+it+h%2Caps%2C157&sr=1-2


Really enjoyed listening to some of those on Youtube - thanks Ron

Watched the version of Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town by Johnny Darrell which was then followed by a version by the man who wrote it - Mel Tillis. All three versions are lovely.

As ever when watching Youtube you find something on the sidebar that attracts - I ended up watching Karen Carpenter and Ella Fitzgerald singing together (excellent) followed by Dolly Parton,Brenda Lee and Glen Campbell singing some of their hits together (also excellent)

Time well spent! Cool
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
becky sharp



Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 6847

PostPosted: Wed May 31, 2023 11:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking on the Boom website the other day, among the pictures of recently played records, saw a picture of Phoebe Snow with Every Night.

Wondered (as I don't remember hearing it) if it was a cover of Paul McCartney's song.

Found out YouTube that it was.

And what a great cover - great voice - love it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uShtB_hIgmE
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    R2OK! Forum Index -> Music Chat All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group. Hosted by phpBB.BizHat.com