A GREAT COVER

Posted over 5 years ago

We all have our favorite artists, and i suspect that a lot of us are suckers for COVER VERSIONS of our fav's songs. Many a cd has been purchaced by me for NO OTHER REASON than a song list that includes a cover or two. And, if your like me, you then compare the cover to the original an' find fault. I'm a sucker for a good BEATLE cover, but in the end, i usualy, almost always, prefer the BEATLE'S version.Sometimes, rarely, a cover can surpass the original. Sometimes its just as good but different, and that's cool too. I never understood why someone would make a carbon copy of an original. (I'm thinkin' the Soul Brother's version of SOUL MAN>WHY BOTHER?).But, again, sometimes the cover becomes the yardstick. Sometimes a cover is such a righteous interpretation that IT becomes the standard. TWIST AN" SHOUT leaps to mind. In my mind, the definitive version. period.So what calls all this to mind today? Karen Dalton. One of the Village Folkies back in the day, she was not a great singer, but a wonderful personality and friend to the friendless in a cold cold city. She recorded a few albums with help from her friends and by an' large they are pleasant enough. Her voice is a more sand-papery take on Billie Holliday via a folkie Janis. Nice folkie/rootsy sound.And then it happens......She sings the Band's "in a Station". My Gawd she opened that song to me like the Band never could. The Band's arrangement is too busy, too cluttered, for this wonderful reverie. Too embellished for it's own good.But Karen Dalton nails it. Perfectly. All the wonder, all the vague deja-vu(y) sense of confused facination in the lyric is represented fully in this quiet understated reading.SHE OWNS THIS SONG!

Comments (12)

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ScottyB says If you like covers, K.D Lang put out a great album called _Hymns of the 49th Parallel_ where she does covers of a number of Canadian artists - My favorites are her covers of Neil Young's _After the Gold Rush_ and Joni Mitchell's _A Case of You_. Have you ever heard _Roxy Music's_ cover of _Jealous Guy_? It was on the flip side of a great EP that I can't seem to find anywhere. Brian Ferry just nails it. On the same album they also do a fantastic cover of _Like a Hurricane_. Now I'm mildly depressed as I am wishing that I had access to this album right now. Outside of the obvious, I also really like Bobby Womack's cover of _California Dreamin'_. Great stuff... MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Permalink posted 12/21/2006
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lemontwist says I find that cover songs are a fine art between not making the song sound too different while simultaneously making it not sound too similar. :)

Permalink posted 12/21/2006
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deadmandeadman says A very fine line indeed. But sometimes a whole new twist is nice...PETER TOSH...Johnny B Good

Permalink posted 12/21/2006
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RockRoll43 says Scotty B , You can find " Jealous Guy ' by Roxy Music circa 1982 on the disc Brian Ferry's Roxy Music Stree Life - 20 Greatest Hits " 1989 Reprise Records .

Permalink posted 12/21/2006
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Kathleen says I watched Fiona Apple covering Elvis Costello's I Want You on YouTube the other day, and have since gone back twice to watch it again. Stayed totally loyal, but made it her own. A great cover, indeed - I was surprised. I'm also a sucker for Beatles covers, but they can rarely compete.

Permalink posted 12/21/2006
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myradiowar says Check out Cat Power's cover of the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction. The song is virtually unrecognizable, as she leaves out the chorus and slows it way way down..but it's surprisingly good. In fact, I think its one of my favorite covers. Also, because I lovelovelove Ben Gibbard: his covers of Avril Lavigne's Complicated (ridiculous, I know, but so hilarious), and Billy Bragg's St. Swithin's Day.

Permalink posted 12/21/2006
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deadmandeadman says I said it before an' i'll say it again; PHEOBE SNOW'S version of Don't let me Down goes toe to toe with the BEATLES' and comes out .......at least tied. Liquid and languid, sensuous instead of lascivious, full of feminine wonder instead of testosterome boast, a beautiful delight.

Permalink posted 12/21/2006
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dermahrk says Ohhh, deadman. We have to part ways on that last comment. I don't like "Don't Let Me Down" (you KNOW we disagree on late-period Lennon) and Phoebe Snow is such an annoying over-singer and so unattractive (yes, I'm shallow) that even the thought of her cover (unheard by me) gives me douche chills.

Permalink posted 12/22/2006
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Mojination says You can laugh now, but believe me later. I got sucked into Earth, Wind and Fire's version of "Got to get you into my life"

Permalink posted 01/22/2007
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dermahrk says That is a GREAT cover. One of the best, in that they do something diffferent (and great) with it.

Permalink posted 01/22/2007
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DEB P lala says
I came upon Karen Dalton in a playlist and saw this post associated with it, I know this is old, but I wanted to add my two cents worth. Upon hearing her voice, my immediate thought was sounds quirky like Elsiane whom I like alot). And I too thought she did a fine job with In My Own Time.

Permalink posted 06/10/2010
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deadmandeadman says
Well Hi Deb, & thanks for stopping in. Karen seems to be an acquired taste for alot of people. As I say, she's not a "good" singer by any conventional yardstick...and yet she has an uncanny ear for songs that suit her.

Permalink posted 06/10/2010