Modern Covers of Classics

Okay, not exactly new covers, but, interesting covers anyway:

Klaus Nomi: Just One Look

Nouvelle Vague: Guns of Brixton

Shonen Knife:  Top of the World

Marc Ribot  "Wind Cries Mary" from the album Ruthless Cosmopolitans

Here are a couple very different versions of “Sound of Silence” — both interesting and compelling I think…
https://youtu.be/u9Dg-g7t2l4?si=Shwc_al5e_JyZLJm

https://youtu.be/lyekSI_4Qlc?si=PL88OEBpD0GiMhOA

And here’s a Polish female chorus doing Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” that I think even further uncovers the song’s inner beauty…

https://youtu.be/hrT41v6lYTw?si=I22CdpU2T4klkGHv

All of these are available on Qobuz BTW. 

Kiss

 

https://youtu.be/IvXb0VtVE2E?si=Rq0qY-Mb-1LvVBKq

 Polish female chorus doing Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters”

Sometimes I wish to hear ACDC songs with female vocal

That's How Strong My Love Is: Buddy Miller cover of Otis Redding.  

Yun Sun Nah -- Ender Sandman

Yun Sun Nah -- Favorite Things 

Cat Power - Visions of Johanna

Karen Elson's Radio Redhead EP - outstanding.

Yes for Cat P!

That whole Cat Power Sings Dylan recreation of the Royal Albert Hall is just great.

Following up on the Dylan cover theme.  I suggest an old and not that well know cover of "Times they are a Changin" done by Odetta.

@czarivey  Strong female lead singer, Halestorm covered "Shoot to Thrill"

For me, covers are always at a disadvantage.   Memories create a strong bias, so it is difficult for me to prefer a cover...

With that said, I found TWO covers that, for me, are as good as or better than the original recordings.  Interestingly, both are by the same artist and on the same album:

a. River (Joni Mitchel) covered by Sarah McLachan (Wintersong)

b. Happy Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, again covered by Sarah McLachan (again on Wintersong.

 

Happy Listening...

 

Lucy Ward - Common People (Pulp)

Scala & Kolacny Brothers - Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)

Birdy - White Winter Hymnal (Fleet Foxes)

More Dylan covers:

• Bill Frisell does a great instrumental version of Hard Rain (He also has an album of Beatles covers as well (All We Need Is Love)
• Lucinda Williams cover of Masters of War
• Grateful Dead / Jerry Garcia: Knockin' on Heaven's Door; It's All Over Now, Baby Blue; Visions of Johanna; Senor
• Nina Simone: Tom Thumb's Blues; Just Like a Woman: Times They Are A-Changin'
• Johnny Winter: Highway 61

I started looking at covers recently. Created two playlists. One with covers only- multiple for a song. And one, where each original is followed by one cover- the one in my view is the best (for me). Both of them might not have the modern covers as you seek.

regards,

Manu

Covers: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/663PPh69ifr2hWFjePrQPO?si=UulPmvcPRZ-BsTyFAcL2HQ&pi=e-iii5N2M7QK-q

Both: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3xaS37mqfGEiZ5R9gcgbc2?si=xmAVpBClRxKp1zhk57Pc5g&pi=e-qjjF08t1R7uN

 

If anyone can appreciate punk covers of songs, Me First And The Gimmie Gimmies are a cover band doing everything from Elton John to Aretha Franklin to old movie songs like Over The Rainbow.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tbK3dBdCVsE

Just fun to listen to from time to time.

Seu George's covers of David Bowie. Also Butterfly Boucher's cover of Changes that Bowie liked so much he dubbed in additional vocals on it. 

The Under the Covers series by Susanna Hoffs and Dave Matthews.

There's always Bryan Ferry.

If you're interested in more traditional interpretations of the Broadway-Hollywood-Tin Pan Alley repertoire the various Smithsonian songwriter anthologies will lead you to singers you might thought of. Like for instance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDKBOuvK8T8 

...more a fan of remixes, pref by those that 'did' the original....

...the Sneaker Pimps' "6 Underground" is one of many.... ;)

"Covers".....are soooo passe'  😏

 

...'contrast' being the point'...

Interesting how a cover can bring new life to a song or act as a lens through which previously unnoticed or under-appreciated aspects/qualities can be perceived/appreciated.

Having said that, for me it’s a fairly rare occurrence in popular genres There are plenty of (technically) competently-sung covers that sound generic because the artist simply lacks the creativity or vision to make it their own. And vocal technique can be a liability if that's all an artist brings to a cover.

Of course, it’s not just about the artist. If the listener has heard the song in its original version so often that they’re sick of it (thanks to "classic rock" radio formats, for example), then the ear may embrace a cover out of sheer relief.

There are some artists who, by virtue of a particularly idiosyncratic vocal approach manage to make any cover sound new. Richie Havens, Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal, Willie Nelson, Janis, Leon Russell, Lucinda Williams and Nina Simone immediately spring to mind.

I’d argue that Jazz, as a genre based in improvisation/reinvention is a treasure trove in this regard.

I’ve never cared for the Classical vocal esthetic but perhaps someone who is a fan can share their perspective

 

 

 

Try Apocalyptica - basically chamber session classical covers of Metallica

Then try Rodrigo Y Gabriella - acoustic guitar, somewhat classical guitar style Metallica covers

Luke Combs Fast Car

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DFr7oYjnt3bM&ved=2ahUKEwiMy4TehNSHAxWeGTQIHcQ8BQEQwqsBegQIWBAE&usg=AOvVaw3trkhTkikGykAr9v6kuJ8L

Pat Boone Stairway to Heaven

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Dc-qHJ-Y0JXA&ved=2ahUKEwjbx-XihdSHAxW-EzQIHZm0HFsQwqsBegQIERAE&usg=AOvVaw17arEH1l7GSH9LeXOfq4KP

This is a fun one:

Zonkey is a studio album by progressive rock band Umphrey's McGee. The album was released on November 11, 2016. It consists of mashups, combining various covers crossing different musical genres.

1. "National Loser Anthem" ("The National Anthem" by Radiohead, "Loser" by Beck, "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins)
2. "Life During Exodus" ("Exodus" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, "Life During Wartime" by Talking Heads, "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago, "City Of Tiny Lites" by Frank Zappa)
3. "Can't Rock My Dream Face" ("Rock with You" by Michael Jackson, "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac, "Can't Feel My Face" by The Weeknd)
4. "Sad Clint Eastwood" ("Sad but True" by Metallica, "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz)
5. "Electric Avenue to Hell" ("Highway to Hell" by AC/DC, "Electric Avenue" by Eddy Grant, "The Triple Wide" by Umphrey's McGee)
6. "Ace of Long Nights" ("Ace of Spades" by Motörhead, "It's Gonna Be a Long Night" by Ween)
7. "Sweet Sunglasses" ("Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Eurythmics, "Sunglasses At Night" by Corey Hart, "Electric Feel" by MGMT)
8. "Strangletage" ("Sabotage" by Beastie Boys, "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent)
9. "Come As Your Kids" ("Kids" by MGMT, "Come As You Are" by Nirvana, "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive)
10. "Frankie Zombie" ("Thunder Kiss '65" by White Zombie, "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd)
11. "Bulls on the Bus" ("Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine, "Mark on the Bus" by Beastie Boys)
12. "Bittersweet Haj" ("Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve, "Hajimemashite" by Umphrey's McGee)

@soix  If you want to hear a version of Sound of Silence that will give you goosebumps, listen to the acoustic version from "The Ghost of Johnny Cash" with the lights turned off.

I like the Easy Star All Star cover of the entire Dark Side of the Moon in dub reggae style: "Dub Side of the Moon."

I also like the weird reggae covers and mashup/medleys of the Dred Zeppelin, particularly when they do Elvis Presley/Led Zeppelin mashups.

There are some artists who, by virtue of a particularly idiosyncratic vocal approach manage to make any cover sound new. Richie Havens, Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal, Willie Nelson, Janis, Leon Russell, Lucinda Williams and Nina Simone immediately spring to mind.

 

So true!!

Birelli Lagrene and Sylvain Luc's instrumental cover of Cyndi Lauper's Time after Time is worth a listen - outstanding guitar recording as well.

 

OP here. Wow, I'm floored by all the suggestions. Who knew there were so many covers and bands I've never heard of. Some cover songs are even scary. Thanks!

No, it's not over yet! One more: Tori Amos: "Happiness is a Warm Gun"

Linda Ronstadt's version of "Good Bye" on the What's New album.

Han's Theesink's version of "A Hundred and Ten In the Shade" on the Songs From the Southland album.

Jerry Garcia's version of "Two Soldiers" on the Jerry Garcia/David Grisman album 1991.

 

Original by Jimmy Ruffin:

https://youtu.be/cQywZYoGB1g?si=Zx8fmuYqnxEhDX4n

 

Cover by Joan Osborne:

https://youtu.be/j-U-WK0lKq8?si=AgkO3M4A1aADOuol

 

 

@heretobuy 

i think you mean the Under the Covers series from Susanna Hoffs and Mathew Sweet, not Dave Matthews.

i second your suggestion.

Matthew Sweet, Dave Matthews, whatever, he's obviously not the main attraction.

The fellow suggesting the full album cover of Dark Side of the Moon brings to mind Petra Haden singing ever vocal and instrumental part of The Who Sell Out. Petra Haden in general is someone to look into.

Kansas performing live with the London Philharmonic the Beatles "Eleanor Rigby"

@jc4659 

amazing recommendation. thank you.

@ezwind +2 on Cat Power Sings Dylan. Have it on vinyl. It could, just could be one of those where the covers give a very close run to the originals...

I love Disturbed's take on the Sound of Silence, but I far prefer the live take on the Conan show to the official studio version linked above

 

Disturbed "The Sound Of Silence" 03/28/16 | CONAN on TBS - YouTube

Enjoy. This one moves my soul.

Crazy Bill

Did this once before and I had about 100 great ones so not gonna list them all again but, how about Vanessa Fernandez, When The Levee Breaks... all Zepplin covers and really pretty cool from a polar opposite artist & presentation. Recorded well too.

Wow. Just wow. 

Great thread! Cat Power singing Dylan’s Royal Albert Hall concert and Joan Osborne’s “What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted” were new to me and are amazing. I will listen to more of each. Thanks to @ezwind for Cat Power and to bdp24 for Joan Osborne.

@Viridian: I clicked the link to Pat Boone’s “Stairway to Heaven.” The album cover was worth my time, thanks.

 

 

A Bob Dylan song done by a favorite Rock ’n’ Roll band of mine, The Flamin’ Groovies:

https://youtu.be/QEHzoYCyxC8?si=Ri16MreXkqoXbVTN

 

A Tom T. Hall song done by a favorite guitarist/singer/producer of mine, Buddy Miller:

https://youtu.be/q2tXW0OhfKI?si=t2ifu8qXa_3Lv6tI

 

 

 

The original by the song's writer, Jackie DeShannon:

https://youtu.be/IZf6YdPVwNY?si=ilnv9QRv_j4eRFw_

 

The cover by Agnetha Faltskog of ABBA:

https://youtu.be/SzE5akQDSEo?si=FEmlmfEszUwPCApb

:

 

 

The original by John Fogerty:

https://youtu.be/HHW9dNLx3pE?si=HTqjYTQWAYzygLg2

 

A cover by a favorite guitarist/singer/producer of mine, Dave Edmunds:

https://youtu.be/05OMFvtgNRs?si=TMhzHRBrE2Fw9At6

 

 

 

The original by The Chantels:

https://youtu.be/IePTH1PWzAs?si=dOULGMo4XeqUCwPD

 

A cover (with every vocal and instrument performed) by Dave Edmunds:

https://youtu.be/s1jjzOfl6Xk?si=y0NVVo9lk4d3PAmP

 

Both versions are stunningly majestic!