Best Remakes Of All Time


Remakes of the original rarely hit the mark, but here are some of my favorites.

1. The Cure's remake of Jimmi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" - It's so good it maybe better than the original.
2. Power Station's remake of "Bang A Gong" originally performed by T-Rex. Awesome.
3. Marvin Gaye's version of the Miracles "Heard it Through the Grapevine". Marvin's version is way better than the original.
4. Jimi Hendrix's cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower.
5. Love the Doors cover of Howlin' Wolf's "Backdoor Man".
6. Johnny's Cash's 2003 version of Nine Inch Nails "Hurt" was not only courageous, but seriously good.
7. Chicago's remake of "I'm A Man" originally performed by Spencer Dave Group is outstanding.
8. The Allman Brothers remake of "Statesboro Blues" is an upgrad over Blind Willie McTell 1928 version.
9. The Talking Heads 1978 version of Al Green's original release of "Take Me To The River". Do I even need to comment on that one?
10. Love Stevie Ray Vaughn's version of Jimi's "Vodoo Child".

There are a ton more... what are your favorite remakes?
128x128dawgbyte
Well Clapton never did any JJ Cale better than JJ Cale. But Some Clapton is better than some Cale. Especially when Duane Allman helped out.
I don't know, I think Clapton did Cocaine better than Cale. IMHO, his take on the song is more visceral, while still capturing the original's essential spirit and intention. Cale's solo was a great, subtle, slow, bluesy slur - but IMHO Clapton's is much more dramatic and, for me, satisfying. I admit that you could certainly make a case for either, but I'll take EC on this one - even if it's not the fashionable choice.

Marty
A couple of people have mentioned covers of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door". I might have missed it, but I didn't see any mention of Warren Zevon's version, which was recorded when he knew he was dying of cancer. For me, that one is so poignant it's almost unbearable.

Marty