Awesome / Annoying Cover Versions Options

[slks]

My favorite cover is probably Slowdive playing Syd Barrett's "Golden Hair". They gave it their characteristic ethereal swirling sound using electric guitars and a rack full of effects. The original was just one acoustic guitar, so its a very different experience. Both versions drip with a certain mystery, almost a creepiness, but the actual sound of it is so different.

Syd Barrett's original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NQg9Lhygo

Slowdive's cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X--drJofslw

[JeffStickney]

Original: Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven
Remake: Dolly Parton did a version that did not hold a candle to the original

Definitely the worst ever.

Second prize goes to Love and Rockets cover of the Temptations "Ball of Confusion". The original was a masterpiece, but L and R sung it with an ABSOLUTE monotone. The reason I hated it so much was that at the time the radio stations played the crap version over and over as if the real song had never existed.



Dishonorable mention goes to Pat Boone's entire album "No more Mr. Nice guy- In a Metal Mood"- a big band butchering of hard rock and metal songs. That was given to me as a (literal) gag gift. Technically it is probably worse than the previously two. However, that album was intended to be bad so it is disqualified from the worst ever prize.

Then of course there is anything by Wing, which is so bad it's funny.


Best cover versions:
-"All Along the Watchtower"- Hendrix cover of Dylan
-"I Shot the Sheriff"- Clapton Cover of Marley
-"Smoke Two Joints"- Sublime cover of Marley (Marley was a GREAT songwriter.)
-"Ain't That a Shame"- Cheap Trick cover of Fats Domino .

This post has been edited by JeffStickney: Jun 20 2012, 19:58

[greynol]

How about the other way around?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin-Atra
Absolutely dreadful!!!

This one is pretty good though:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Skolnick..._New_Generation

[Canar]

How about the other way around?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sin-Atra
Absolutely dreadful!!!

Easy now, Devin Townsend is usually pretty good. Ima have to find that and give it a listen.

[JeffStickney]

Ever hear of Hayseed Dixie. They do bluegrass/ country versions of AC/DC songs (as well as other artists). Surprisingly they're pretty good.

This post has been edited by JeffStickney: Jun 21 2012, 07:37

[Porcus]

Hayseed Dixie knows their Motörhead by heart. Great band.

@Canar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN4KTO6S0tg . If you must. Dee Snider's version of 'It was a very good year' sounds like an attempted Kashmir. Don't think I need this album.


I'd say that Bob Dylan would be the most improved-upon artist. Apart from his famous poetry, he does indeed write good songs and then he doesn't do that much out of them.

[greynol]

Easy now, Devin Townsend is usually pretty good. Ima have to find that and give it a listen.

I like Devin Townsend. In fact, I like most of the performers on that album.

This post has been edited by greynol: Jun 21 2012, 16:38

[Canar]

@Canar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN4KTO6S0tg . If you must.

Pure Devin. I love it. >_>

[greynol]

The vocal track is awesome, no doubt about it. The music simply doesn't work with awkwardly hurried timing. I like the part beginning at 1:12, but again I *am* a fan of Devin Townsend.

I guess this album hits close to home for me. I've spent a lot of time trying to convince a particular individual in my life (a jazz snob) that metal is a legitimate and respectable form of music. Presenting him with this album would be like throwing in the towel, but maybe I should.



This post has been edited by greynol: Jun 21 2012, 18:09

[Porcus]

I've spent a lot of time trying to convince a particular individual in my life (a jazz snob) that metal is a legitimate and respectable form of music.

That's your significant other?


... tried to turn around your strategy and feed him/her some of jazz's more badass eccentrics?

Grindcore was sufficiently OTT to attract the attention of John Zorn in the late eighties, and he did cross the genre boundary with genre-deconstructionists Naked City (jazzcore/grindcore on Torture Garden and avantgrade sludge way too ugly for the common Metalliclub member on Leng Tch'e), and later also with Painkiller .

Of course the person in question might fire back at you that you picked Zorn just for the 'Jazz Snob Eat Shit' track title.

[greynol]

I should have qualified as a jazz standards snob. If it ain't Duke Ellington...

John Zorn? John Coltrane is "too far out there."

My significant other liked the metal as a teenager, now is into Radiohead and Neutral Milk Hotel. I think I'll go listen to VH's cover of "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" now (speaking of an awesome cover).

This post has been edited by greynol: Jun 22 2012, 16:26

[smok3]

having a really good laugh at Wings Sings xy

[AliceWonder]

My favorite cover of all times is probably : Cardigans "Iron Man" on their First Band on the Moon release.

The cover I hate the most is Shakira's "Back in Black" cover, on one of her DVDs.
I love Shakira, especially her earlier stuff (pre Laundry Service) but that cover should not have happened.

[flat_top]

There's another great barbershop quartet cover of a Beach Boys hit song, "California Girls." It was recorded as an 8-part acapella version by two international champion quartets, Vocal Spectrum of St. Louis, MO (2006 champs) and Ringmasters of Stockholm, Sweden (2012 champs). The track can be found on each of their latest albums.

http://www.vocalspectrum.com/
http://www.ringmasters.se/

[facesnorth]

Favorite cover of late is Iron & Wine's version of "Such Great Heights."

The original by Postal Service is excellent, and this cover is totally different, just as good in a different way.