Best cover tunes


Eva Cassidy-"Fields of Gold"

I realise "Live at Blues Alley" is already an audigon staple...but for a relative newbie...it is a rare breed that can take a song and really make it their own...and even more rare in this case...take a rather disposable song by a pompous Brit...and turn it into something transcedental and magical...

Dinosaur JR-"Just like Heaven"

A suprise find that doesn't surpass the original...which is a good pop song(hey...I like fat Bob)...but like Eva'a...sound as if Dino jr. wrote it in the first place...

Pixies-"Head on"

Doing a cover of the Mary chain is playing with fire...but the Pixies actually up the noise factor and outdue the a great, agressive, inspired version of one of the most overlooked bands of all time...every JAMC record sounds like a greatest hits collection...what is it with these sibling groups(AC/DC,Kinks) that kickass...mom...dad...why didnt you bless me with a guitar god little brother?

Otis Redding-"Satisfaction"

Borrowing from the Stones plagaristic ways...Otis turns in a great, hi-octane soul version of the most famous guitar riffs of all time...

Hendrix-"Wild thing" (live)

Many saw this as a farce...but jimi openly admitted his love for the song...and turns this 3-chord classic into a psychedelic monster...

Love and ROckets-"ball of confusion"

Few even know this is a cover...but it is a good one...

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Hmmm... In the theme of tribute albums, I highly recommend Return of the Grievous Angel. Remarkable covers of Gram Parsons' tunes--not really a weak cover on the whole album.
Feeling Alright / Joe Cocker (from Mad Dogs & the Englishman) / Grand Funk Railroad / ThreeDog Night / Huey Lewis (duets)/ Paul Weller. Any version will get your body to move or twitch. If not go see a doctor.
Holly Cole's Temptation album; all Tom Waits songs. I once read that Holly Cole doesn't cover songs she "uncovers" them.