what cover versions are better than the original

Great cover- "Tecumsah Valley" written/recorded by Townes van Zant, as recorded by Nancy Griffith and Arlo Guthrie.

Great- "People Get Ready", written by Curtis Mayfield as covered by The Persuasions.

Most embarrassing cover (almost the same as worst) by an otherwise great artist- Joan Baez's "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down". Love her voice, but she got the lyrics wrong, twice!!!

Worst AND Most embarrassing cover by an over the hill "actor"- Anything recorded by William Shatner!!!

"Blinded By The Light" by Manfred Mann's Earth Band is FAR better than Springsteen's version (even though "Greetings From Asbury Park" was his best album). For the most part, I can't handle Bruce - and I'm in the heart of Jersey!

I second Eva Cassidy's version of Fields of Gold.

With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker!

All Along The Watchtower - Hendrix
Respect - Aretha
I Fought The Law - The Clash

Tubino, 'Detroit' was a great one shot album from 1971 featuring Mitch Ryder & Dick Wagner(sp?) who later played guitar w/ Alice Cooper & Lou Reed.