Best Covers


 

128x128jjbeason14

 

My point of view about songs is that the better the song, the greater the likelihood that every version of it will be at least good. To me, the song itself is akin to the script of a movie.

Of all the versions of "That’s How I Got To Memphis" (written by Tom T. Hall) that I’ve heard, that by Buddy Miller remains my favorite. His recording of the song sounds like it could have been made in Memphis, or at least somewhere in the South (it was made in Buddy’s Nashville studio, with Buddy producing and engineering). But that preference is just a personal one, nothing more. Buddy’s voice is that of a world-weary man, rather than a boyish young fella. IMO Karl Blau should consider performing the song in a lower key; his version sounds more like a Pop song than it "should". Again, just a personal opinion.

Buddy has an unfair advantage, as joining him on electric guitar is Gurf Morlix (Lucinda’s guitarist/harmony singer/bandleader/80’s & 90’s producer), with Al Perkins (The Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Manassas, Iris DeMent, etc.) on steel. The excellent drumming is by the late Don Heffington, original drummer of Lone Justice. I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with Don in the late-90’s/early 2000’s, when we both appeared on stage at The Palomino in L.A. I ended up selling him a 1930’s Slingerland Radio King snare drum, but that’s not the drum heard on this recording.

 

https://youtu.be/q2tXW0OhfKI?si=GoPAyM9pQe1g2viO

 

Here’s Buddy’s recording of the old classic "You’re Running Wild" (The Louvin Brothers, Emmylou, many others). Joining the above lineup is Tammy Rogers on mandolin and Julie Miller on harmony vocals:

 

https://youtu.be/98BkhtRAF0Y?si=TUV2vVoqFCXkehvZ

 

Buddy, not doing much songwriting himself, relies on others for most of his songs. Here’s Buddy’s recording of a fantastic song written by Jesse Winchester: "A Showman’s Life". Providing harmony vocals is Emmylou Harris, drumming by Brady Blade.

 

https://youtu.be/FGdPF0WLqY8?si=OoJAUeeYZ6aJRl-u

 

 

You can barely hear it, but before Kasey Chambers starts playing "No Time To Cry" (written by Iris DeMent) she says "This is my favorite song." It’s in my Top 3.

 

https://youtu.be/boG_aCz3YEk?si=ySeL3rVklTIuVu2x

 

Merle Haggard also profusely praised the song, and recorded it himself. Iris’ version remains definitive.

 

https://youtu.be/BfyqbkuV_e8?si=8-efMc24Xw5cZJWd

 

 

Emmylou Harris did  a beautiful cover of Pancho And Lefty way back when she was a lot younger.  Really beautiful.