I was talking about growing up in the 90’s recently and Take That came up and I mentioned how inferior I thought their cover of the Bee Gees classic How Deep Is Your Love was. I mean, it’s tough to match a band as gloriously talented as the brothers Gibb.
However, I think The Reverend Al Green just about manages it here. He dials up the smoothness to a level that I find rather hard to resist. The original version is okay but I probably prefer their more up tempo tunes.
Al Green:
/RjK
For some reason this Bobby Darin track came into my head yesterday. It’s so utterly smooth and timeless.
This version was released in 1959 but it was originally (rather unbelievably) written for a German musical in the 1920’s. Someone must have had quite an imagination to make that transition.
Bobby Darin:
/RjK
*Artist #748
I am not too familiar with Beyonce’s original version of this track (the video is rather fun though!) but I am a big fan of Brooklyn hipsters Chairlift, in particular their track Planet Health which I posted last year.
I think this re-interpretation, featuring Kool A.D. of Das Racist for good measure, suits their somewhat offbeat style.
Chairlift:
/RjK
I stumbled across this rather fun cover of the Hall and Oates classic a while back on YouTube. It is taken from an album of Hall and Oates covers by Californian band The Bird and The Bee, which was released in 2010.
I am not sure it is quite as good as the moustache-tastic original but I really enjoyed it all the same.
The Bird and The Bee:
/RjK
*Artist #739
In my meandering travels about YouTube this week I stumbled across this rather good cover version of Sam Cooke’s spectacular original. Aretha and Sam must have two of the best voices ever recorded so to hear one of them cover another’s track is actually quite thrilling.
This is taken from Aretha’s excellent 1967 album I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, which is jam-packed with hits and stand out tracks and is well worth checking out if you so inclined.
Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You:
/RjK
Despite the summer ending, and with it the string of excellent guest posts, I thought it might be fun to continue with the theme of Wednesday covers for at least a while. Look out for a few covers, alternative versions and remixes over the coming weeks.
Today sees Perth, WA band Tame Impala (after a drought that strangely makes it Australian bands on consecutive days) covering the Outkast track Prototype. I really enjoyed the dreamy, hypnotic sound that they capture.
Tame Impala:
/RjK
I was reminded of The Blues Brothers recently and what an utterly classic movie it is. John Belushi and Dan Akroyd are so talented, and they managed to assemble a pretty starry array of soul greats to make cameo appearances.
While there are lots of strong musical performances (James Brown as a maniacal preacher is another particular highlight) and despite the fact that it isn’t the definitive version of the track (I posted Solomon Burke a while back) this, for me, is the high point of the movie. Jake and Elwood know how to move! Also, I particularly enjoy it when they give a shout out to the representatives of the Illinois Law Enforcement Community…
The Blues Brothers:
/RjK
*Artist #729
CjK Guest Post – Summer Cover #13
It is Phil Lynott fabulous guitar intro that lets you know that this is not going to be a a traditional version of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’. It was however a well known traditional song set in the southern mountains of Ireland, with specific mention of counties Cork and Kerry. The song is about a Rapparee (Highwayman), who is betrayed by his wife or lover, and is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs. The then relatively unknown Irish rock band Thin Lizzy hit the Irish and British pop charts with this version of the song in 1973, launching a very successful career until Phil died in 1986 aged 36, although still remembered in a statue just off Grafton Street.
Thin Lizzy:
/CjK
CjK Guest Post – Summer Cover #11
Tainted Love was a song composed by Ed Cobb and proved popular dance floor filler in the 80’s. It was originally recorded in 1964 by Gloria Jones, and became very popular when covered in 1981 by Soft Cell, who certainly nailed this version – in spite of a dodgy video. Guaranteed to revive any flagging disco.
Soft Cell:
/CjK
*Artist #719
CjK Guest Post – Summer Cover #10
I cannot imagine Johnny cash coming in of an evening and putting on the Nine Inch Nails, who originally recorded the song “Hurt”. The song clearly includes references to self-harm and heroin addiction, although the overall meaning of the song is disputed.
In this 2008 recording Cash is clearly ill and his condition has an added poignancy as he shows a video of himself in his prime. It certainly makes for an emotional charged video, which many refer to as his epitaph.
Johnny Cash:
/CjK
*Artist #716