Music Cover songs versus the original track, which ones are better?

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The discussion centers around the merits of cover songs compared to their originals, exploring which covers are considered better and which should have been avoided. The subjective nature of evaluating music is emphasized, with opinions varying widely based on personal taste. Notable examples include Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower," which many argue surpasses Bob Dylan's original, and Johnny Cash's rendition of "Hurt," which evokes deep emotion. Other covers, such as those by Eva Cassidy and the Bare Naked Ladies, are praised for their unique interpretations that enhance the originals. Conversely, some covers are criticized for lacking originality or failing to add anything new, with specific songs mentioned as examples of covers that should have been left alone. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of musical interpretation, the role of the listener in evaluating art, and the complexities of genre classification, particularly in jazz. Overall, the thread highlights the rich landscape of music covers, showcasing both celebrated interpretations and those deemed unnecessary.
  • #101
Ibix said:
It's good, but I find myself distracted trying to work out if the lead singer is convincing CGI or a real person with enough hairspray to sink a battleship.
The thing with this song is that 'tongue in cheek' does not cover it and yet it's great! The arrangement, the clever change of the rhythm and chords.
The story goes that Liam Gallagher heard this in a department store and confronted Noel to ask him if he had stolen it. He thought it was a genuine 50s/early 60s jazz track!
I hope it is true.
Anyway, this it just to give you the live version. TOTP did do some live stuff then, vocals at least.

 
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  • #102
I did not expect to find this.
 
  • #103
I do not like this. I don't hate it because they have attempted to do A version not simply copy it or completely murder it.

 
  • #104
I hated this when I first heard it now I really like it. Very Stranglers, listen to the bass! Has to be a Ricky to sound that dirty, lots of top end. Anyway.

 
  • #105
Lady A did the original. This is truly awful just because of her voice. Not a fan of boy bands but Gary Barlow can sing and write, he saved the day.

Cheryl Cole goes sharp, then flat, has horrible tone, zero production and is too breathy almost like she caricaturing an actual singer. Imagine being the sound guy trying to make it sound ok? Not enough effects on the planet.

 
  • #106
This is sneaky of me as strictly speaking this is not a cover, it's an old standard. The range, power and beautiful tone is just incredible. Ear bleach after Kayne West and Cheryl Cole.

 
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  • #107
Jeff Healey's cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps is incredible. George Harrison plays acoustic and sings backing vocals.

 
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  • #108


Cover by Unlucky Morpheus. It appears they have an entire album like this. Dream Theater, Steve Vai....

Japanese community orchestras are almost as good as the pros. There is such an excess of violinists and ballerinas that they are being exported to Europe.
 
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  • #109
 
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  • #110
Hornbein said:


Cover by Unlucky Morpheus. It appears they have an entire album like this. Dream Theater, Steve Vai....

Japanese community orchestras are almost as good as the pros. There is such an excess of violinists and ballerinas that they are being exported to Europe.

The violin really brings home what a crappy pastiche Yngwie's music is.

This is a better cover of JS Bach

 
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  • #111
Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau covers Yes

 
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  • #112
BWV said:
Jazz pianist Brad Mehldau covers Yes


That's is one of my favourite Yes songs (from many) Absolutely loved it. The voice is angelic.
 
  • #113
pinball1970 said:
That's is one of my favourite Yes songs (from many) Absolutely loved it. The voice is angelic.
he covers Rush and Gentle Giant on the album as well



 
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  • #114
BWV said:
The violin really brings home what a crappy pastiche Yngwie's music is.

This is a better cover of JS Bach


Shunske Sato is among the elite of baroque violin players; next to Giuliano Carmignola and Gottfried von der Goltz, they truly are the Holy Trinity of baroque violin at this moment.

On the other hand, I once read a comment about Ywgwie's obnoxious playing that went something like that: "Malmsteem shreds utter shite over Bach's perfect composition". While those aren't my words, I can't say I disagree a single iota with them honestly. To each their own I guess, but Bach is waaaaaaaaaaaay more than ridiculous self serving riffs.

And the Netherlands Bach Society is a most glorious ensemble. Along with Pichon and Pygmalion, and Solomon's Knot, they make me recover my faith in humankind among the atrocious celebration of mediocrity that seems to be the norm these days.
 
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  • #115
 
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  • #116


Kent Nishimura - Lady Madonna [The Beatles]
 
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  • #117


Riyoko Takagi - Round Midnight [Thelonius Monk]
 
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  • #118
 
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  • #119
Hornbein said:


Kent Nishimura - Lady Madonna [The Beatles]

This style is very difficult, bass chords and tune all together. Very impressive.
 
  • #120
This is another sneaky entry as the post is because of their M.O. not the actual track.
They are Dutch, not important but I only found out ten minutes ago getting info on them and I had not noticed an accent listening to them.
They "The analogues" recreate whole Beatles Albums live, meaning they put absolutely every tiny detail in astonishing accuracy from the album recording.

 
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  • #121
Ok this is from a phone camera, no touching up after the gig.

 
  • #122
Hornbein said:

Wow, I missed this one! Brilliant. My son showed me a load of acoustic stuff like this years ago. I remember thinking, how is aware of all this stuff? I showed HIM how to play guitar right?
Obvious answer was, he was 19 and hanging out with 19 year olds at uni and I was working with old people, then socialising with older people.
My definition of old here was 30ish and older was 50-ish
 
  • #123
Some songs are untouchable and it takes a lot to make a classic good again in a very different way.

 
  • #124
pinball1970 said:
Wow, I missed this one! Brilliant. My son showed me a load of acoustic stuff like this years ago. I remember thinking, how is aware of all this stuff? I showed HIM how to play guitar right?
Obvious answer was, he was 19 and hanging out with 19 year olds at uni and I was working with old people, then socialising with older people.
My definition of old here was 30ish and older was 50-ish
I'm 68 years old. But it is true that the great majority of listeners won't accept anything new once they have reached 25 years of age.

I used to hang out in an Internet group of recording engineers ("when I was working with Michael Jackson" ). None of them, not one out of hundreds, liked anything that came out after 1990. I gave up on them. Physicists are more open about this sort of thing.
 
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  • #125


Compels dance.
 
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  • #126


Candy dulfer -- Pick Up The Pieces
 
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  • #127
Hornbein said:


Candy dulfer -- Pick Up The Pieces

I have seen her live, almost a life ago. :cool:
 
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  • #128
Hornbein said:


Riyoko Takagi - Round Midnight [Thelonius Monk]

Don't know the original but do I not care, that was a fantastic piece of music. Absolutely loved it.
 
  • #129
BWV said:

Well, that was a tad disturbing. I seem to stumble on these just before bedtime!
 
  • #130
Original: Earth Wind and Fire: September

Cover: Taylor Swift : September.

This is probably the worst cover mad in all of music..
 
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  • #131
MidgetDwarf said:
Original: Earth Wind and Fire: September

Cover: Taylor Swift : September.

This is probably the worst cover mad in all of music..
I know covers that are much, much worse.
 
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  • #132
Hornbein said:
I know covers that are much, much worse.
Let's hear them. I know the title is an either or kind of thing but absolutely stinkers are welcome so people can critique.

Candy Flip Strawberry Fields is horrific. I may post a few
 
  • #133
MidgetDwarf said:
Original: Earth Wind and Fire: September

Cover: Taylor Swift : September.

This is probably the worst cover mad in all of music..
I adore Earth wind and Fire so will check out TS
 
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  • #134
Worst covers.



 
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  • #135
CCR's "Have you ever seen the rain?"


And this is Willie's cover, with his daughter:



I am truly torn between this two. There's something about Willie's voice and inflections that always gets me for some reason.
 
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  • #136
Elvis' "Always on my mind"



Again, Willie's



And for last, The Pet Shop Boys'. The memories!!! 😁 😁

 
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  • #137
Isaac Albéniz Chants d'Espagne Op. 232 - 1. Prélude

Also known as Leyenda, and as Suite Española Op. 47 - 5. Asturias

As originally written for piano, played by Alicia de Larrocha:



On the guitar, by Pepe Romero (as far as I am concerned Don Pepe is the best guitar player alive):



On the organ, by Jonathan Scott, his own transcription:

 
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  • #138
From Antonio Lucio Vivaldi Il Cimento dell'Armonia e dell'Invenzione, Op 8 for violin solo, strings and basso continuo, comes the Concerto No. 4 in F minor, "L'inverno" (Winter), RV 297.

Here played by Carmignola and Marcon with the Venice Baroque Orchestra (it simply cannot get better than that):



Here, Jonathan Scott again in the magnificent organ of the Basílica de Santa María in Elche, Alicante (Spain). Where's the :proud: emote??? :P

 
  • #139
Vivaldi again, Concerto No. 2 in G minor, "L'estate" (Summer), RV 315
Giuliano and Andrea again:



Jonathan, on the Hereford Cathedral organ this time:

 
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  • #140
Last but not least, with the promise I won't clog this thread with Bach, as I have my own just for Him (I will be, however, stealing this idea of original vs cover :P) but I cannot help mentioning here the great conductor Leopold Stokovski and his renowned transcriptions of Bach's Works for symphony orchestra.

The monumental Passacaglia & Fuga in C minor BWV 582. Here played by Karl Richter:



And here conducted by Stokovski:

 
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  • #141
Freyja said:
Elvis' "Always on my mind"



Again, Willie's



And for last, The Pet Shop Boys'. The memories!!! 😁 😁



And none of them was the original!
Written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James, and Wayne Carson, the track was first recorded by B.J. Thomas in 1970, but was never released.

Brenda Lee recorded the song on September 22, 1971 at Bradley's Barn recording studio in Mount Juliet near Nashville. This version was released on June 12, 1972 and peaked at #45 on the country chart. The play may have been published by Gwen McCrae earlier that same year.
 
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  • #142
pinball1970 said:
Hornbein said:
I know covers that are much, much worse.
Let's hear them. I know the title is an either or kind of thing but absolutely stinkers are welcome so people can critique.

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  • #143
fresh_42 said:
Yes Pepper was on an 8 track or something ridiculous? George Martin was so important in bringing the best out of the Beatles.
 
  • #144
pinball1970 said:
Yes Pepper was on an 8 track or something ridiculous? George Martin was so important in bringing the best out of the Beatles.
4 track. That started the boom. Though the first to do such things was Stockhausen, who then inspired Frank Zappa's Brown Shoes Don't Make It. Sgt Pepper followed.

Though if you are good enough just stick a mic in front of you and press record.
 
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  • #145


Grateful Dead covers.

 
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  • #146
Kansas' Carry On My Wayward Son at a Yamaha Stagea competition.
 
  • #147
 
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  • #148
fresh_42 said:
And none of them was the original!
I had no idea bro, popular music isn't my strongest point, I have to admit
 
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  • #149
A cover band which does covers of instrumental surf rock music is called "Huevos Rancheros".
I am not posting links to videos on YouTube; one may do a search on YouTube and find them.

Better? Worse? Good representations? My feel is that although maybe slightly different than the originals, they are good.
 
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  • #150
Anarchy in the U.K.

Sex Pistols:



Megadeth:

 
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