Surprising Covers! What makes a great cover record?

[Sherwood]

Recently, whilst building up a playlist of my favourite music covers, I got to thinking about what makes a good cover record. For me, it certainly does not include a slavish replication of the original artist's work. There has to be something new, which if it does not surpass the musical performance of the original artist, at least distinguishes itself as something of merit in its own right. This might entail a superior vocal or instrumental performance. Very occasionally, it might be a superior technical recording of an otherwise good performance.


In most cases, however, I find that I am drawn to covers that reveal a new insight into the lyrics, or which achieve a new level of emotional engagement. What repeatedly surprises me is how often I find myself liking a song that I was previously unimpressed with or even actively disliked.


I would be interested to hear other members thoughts on the subject, and any suggestions for my Surprising Covers Playlist.

[Jimbo]

Although I am not usually drawn to cover records occasionally I do buy the odd one but predominantly because I like the artist foremost. This will determine if I think there would be any chance of enjoying the material they cover if that makes sense?

Two covers I find compelling in this instance are Shelby Lynne - Album "A Little Loving" which are Dusty Springfield covers. Also one track Agnes Obel did on her first album Philharmonics. The track is Close Watch which is a cover of a John Cale track - haunting stuff.

[Pigmy Pony]

This is quite a recent one, a cover of Doris Day's "Que Sera Sera" by The Pixies. Quite dark and a bit sinister, rather like the TV series it was used in.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiL0PPL6b-AAxWjU0EAHUn4AQQQtwJ6BAgnEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCu Z6oitw9P8&usg=AOvVaw3VFKSJ6TW7-C_5fDaHi_Op&opi=89978449

[walpurgis]

Jimi Hendrix's cover of Dylan's 'All Along The Watchtower' is my favourite cover, even Bob said "it's Jimi's song"!

Eva Cassidy improved on some originals with her covers, beautifully done.

[Barry]

Jimi Hendrix's cover of Dylan's 'All Along The Watchtower' is my favourite cover, even Bob said "it's Jimi's song"!

Eva Cassidy improved on some originals with her covers, beautifully done.

Agreed!

I also like Joan Baez's covers of Dylan songs on her LP 'Any Day Now'.

[Puffin]

Jimi Hendrix's cover of Dylan's 'All Along The Watchtower' is my favourite cover, even Bob said "it's Jimi's song"!.

My favourite Hendrix song bought the 45 when it came out (Track Label) still have it somewhere in the loft. The other is Little Wing by the Corrs a live/studio version with audience. I only picked up the DVD years ago as it was dirt cheap. SQ is excellent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfQsh8nxtnc

[Sherwood]

Agree about Shelby Lynne. Hugely ambitious setting out to cover Dusty though her versions are very close to the originals. My favourite on that album is Breakfast in Bed. Really like her cover of Into My Arms by Nick Cave.

Hendrix could make any song his own just by the inventiveness and fluidity of his guitar playing. Hey Joe and Wild Thing are probably some of my favourites.

Eva Cassidy was a great re-interpreter of songs. I particularly like her version of American Tune. Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Barb Jungr also fall into that category. There are many female jazz vocalists who have re-recorded much of the American Songbook. Janet's Seidel covered many artists including the aforementioned Doris Day. Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McCrea, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Julie London are also top re-interpreters. On the male side Tony Bennet and Sinatra are strong contenders.

One of my favourite artists, who I have seen several times live, is Richard Shindell. His album South of Delia is an absolute gem!

[Sherwood]

On a sad note, I wonder how many remember this quirky cover of Dana?😱😱😱

https://youtu.be/s8oqKyVW978

[Desmo]

So many really interesting covers to choose from.

How about: War Pigs covered by The Dresden Dolls, Highway '61 Revisited covered by P.J. Harvey, Boredom covered by Concerto Caledonia, Life on Mars covered by Claire Martin, I could go on...

[Sherwood]

So many really interesting covers to choose from.

How about: War Pigs covered by The Dresden Dolls, Highway '61 Revisited covered by P.J. Harvey, Boredom covered by Concerto Caledonia, Life on Mars covered by Claire Martin, I could go on...

Claire Martin is highly underrated. She is one of those who can put their own imprint on Jazz Standards. Same true of Carol Kidd, Clare Teal, Stacey Kent, and of course, Diana Krall. I particularly like Stacey Kent's version of I've Grown Accustomed to his Face.

[Pigmy Pony]

What a Wonderful World by Joey Ramone, and (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by Devo.

[Macca]

I like Guns n Roses cover of 'Knockin On Heaven's Door.' I think that's the best version.

Isaac Hayes did a lot of good covers - His 'Walk On By' is my favourite cover of that tune.

[Barry]

I was going to suggest Kirsty McColl's cover of the Kinks's 'Days', which reminded me we ran a similar thread years ago.

I'll try and dig it out.

[Pigmy Pony]

I like Guns n Roses cover of 'Knockin On Heaven's Door.' I think that's the best version.

Isaac Hayes did a lot of good covers - His 'Walk On By' is my favourite cover of that tune.

Guns 'n' Roses, Joan Baez, PJ Harvey, Jimi Hendrix, hell, maybe even Bryan Ferry - it seems everyone does Bob Dylan songs better than Bob Dylan :sofa:

Isaac Hayes' version of 'Walk on By' is very good, but I prefer Stranglers' version.

[Barry]

Guns 'n' Roses, Joan Baez, PJ Harvey, Jimi Hendrix, hell, maybe even Bryan Ferry - it seems everyone does Bob Dylan songs better than Bob Dylan :sofa:

Isaac Hayes' version of 'Walk on By' is very good, but I prefer Stranglers' version.

Of course, Dylan's strength is in his lyrics, not his singing - everyone can sing better than Dylan.

Agree about the Stranglers' version of 'Walk on by'.

[Sherwood]

I agree that Dylan's lyrics are immensely strong and lend themselves to many re-interpretations. However, whilst his voice isn't great by conventional standards, he is able to deliver amazingly powerful and emotional performances. No one has come close (in my opinion) to matching his performance on songs like The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carrol and The Ballad of Hollis Brown. Listening to his recent Shadow Kingdom album I was struck by how his voice has matured on his performances of his old songs. Forever Young is a particular favourite.

[Sherwood]

Sometimes a change of tempo and barebones treatment can transform a song.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0bmDpMruiJpzV5eQ92W0Lq?si=d122201803a14260

https://open.spotify.com/track/78F5SPnDA6dLVj2RTXz2jR?si=a54621bf36c04e97

[Mikeandvan]

Some favourite covers - Beatles - Twist and shout, Soft Cell - Tainted Love/Where did our love go, Coltrane - Favourite things. The Birds - Leavin' here (Motown song). Fleur de lys - Circles (The Who original). The Flies - I'm not your stepping stone. The Sonics - Have love will travel. Cannonball Adderly - Work Song - 70s version. 4 Hero - 'Black Gold of the Sun'.

Not better than the orginals, in fact most blues/soul originals were better than the scratchy and shrill white boy versions which followed, but some of the covers stand out.

[Andy831]

Jackie Leven's cover of Aretha Franklins "I say a little prayer" has to be my favourite, although Kirsty McColls " Days" is also a cracker.

[Sherwood]

Another great cover by Richard Shindell. No, bloody Adele did not write it!

https://richardshindell.substack.com/p/cover-make-you-feel-my-love

[Pete The Cat]

A couple of years back I stumbled across Olivier Libaux's album of covers of songs by Queens Of The Stone Age. Each of them uses a female vocalist eg Skye from Morcheeba and as a whole the album has a trippy feel based around lounge, bossa nova and folk styles.

Stripping out the rock instrumentation of the originals allowed the melodies to breathe and really blew me away. It was one of those records where you're thinking I was not expecting this at all!


I think the best covers make something new from the song. This album does that several times over.

Pete

[Mikeandvan]

The Sonny Rollins cover of Noel Cowards 'Someday I'll find you' is my favourite jazz record ever (this month anyway), it's pure joy. Compare the two, which do you prefer? ? ?

Noel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i3DDHL_dnw

Sonny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IGAe0mXKgs

[Sherwood]

Amber Rubarth (she of Applewood Road fame) knows how to do a good cover. Here is here new album of covers.

https://open.spotify.com/album/3lJDgs6TrPNJiFzBCscILr?si=sf3zztTfTrWd6fd8AQFO1Q

[Sherwood]

I particularly like this stripped back almost conversational cover.

https://open.spotify.com/track/0bmDpMruiJpzV5eQ92W0Lq?si=f9de17cb66a943e0