Cover versions better than the originals

[Peltiq]

A Canadian folk classic..............

Four Strong Winds - Neil Young https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTMMS88gi6c

The original was written and recorded by Ian Tyson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PC50XxmgDCg and subsequently by Tyson and his wife https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3m7ckGhnsc

In fact, all versions of this wonderful song are pretty good.

[redsturgeon]

After the Gold Rush KD Lang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2jEWE_POvw

So much better that Neil Young's original.

John

[cavebat]

Wot no Wild Willy Barrett?!
I have seen Mr Otway 'several' times and also have the world tour t shirt (OtAir)

I've seen him about five times including once with Wild Willy Barrett. Playing together at Wickham Festival this year. Deadly the Roadie is not a bad substitute as a foil.

[77ss]

I hesitate to suggest that anyone can do Dylan better than Dylan

Why?

Surely most Dylan covers are WAY better than Dylan.

<Tin hat on>

'Better' is so subjective. I find quite a few Dylan covers to be preferable to the originals. A tribute to the quality of his songwriting in my view.

Mind you, there are also a number of incomparable originals.

'Better':

Cowboy Junkies - I've Made Up My Mind To Give Myself To You
Brigid Mae Power - One More Cup Of Coffee

[AF62]

For those who subscribe to the FT (probably quite likely here), then their 'Life of a Song' feature has some interesting stories about how songs have been covered over time - https://www.ft.com/life-arts/life-of-a-song

Anyway, 'We Three Kings' by Rob Halford makes for an alternative Christmas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctTVcYMYXLA

[panamagold]

Canon Rock - Laura Lace 2016c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZgiNnGB8m4
Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel (for violin) 1680c

[AleisterCrowley]

Well if you're getting classical
'They' by Jem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k53NGe64RBU
is based on J.S. Bach, Prelude No. 12 in F Minor from The Well-Tempered Clavier, via the Swingle Singers...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8oDOgcCVVg

I prefer the Jem video ... for some reason

[NotSure]

One More Cup Of Coffee

Literally as I read the post, I realised that Tom Jones was covering this on The One Show. His rendition most certainly does not make the list IMHO....

[Sorcery]

Canon Rock - Laura Lace 2016c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZgiNnGB8m4
Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel (for violin) 1680c

Got to admit I am a Paschelbel fan, such a simple tune yet amazing how long it was written (440 years ago). This is a more modern orchestral version that goes on for 2 hours and never gets boring : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRgl-2EOyTI

[NotSure]

More Dylan - flatpicking guitar virtuoso William Apostol ('Billy Strings') covering 'Don't think twice'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR-T2qT ... llyStrings

Nice (IMO) cover of Summertime, Billy with Markus King on electric guitar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RNNQYp ... ageGuitars

[Mike4]

Canon Rock - Laura Lace 2016c https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZgiNnGB8m4
Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel (for violin) 1680c

Got to admit I am a Paschelbel fan, such a simple tune yet amazing how long it was written (440 years ago). This is a more modern orchestral version that goes on for 2 hours and never gets boring : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRgl-2EOyTI

Never gets boring? I've had it on for 20 minutes and it feels just like waiting to get through to BT!

[spasmodicus]

More Dylan - flatpicking guitar virtuoso William Apostol ('Billy Strings') covering 'Don't think twice'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR-T2qT ... llyStrings

Nice (IMO) cover of Summertime, Billy with Markus King on electric guitar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RNNQYp ... ageGuitars

Each to their own. Billy's fingerpicking is very clean and bright, but both the singing and the playing lack the grittiness of Bob Dylan's original. It reminds me too much of all the wispy bearded wannabee Dylans and lank haired Baez imitators who interminably performed this song in the mid sixties in folk clubs the length and breadth of the UK. Dylan was/is of course a quintessential towny, unlike his hero Woody Guthrie, but he somehow managed to convey the appropriate world weariness required for such a song.

Don't get me started on Summertime.
regards,
S

[servodude]

. It reminds me too much of all the wispy bearded wannabee Dylans and lank haired Baez imitators who interminably performed this song in the mid sixties in folk clubs the length and breadth of the UK.

Eek...I'm glad I didn't suggest any of John Renbourn's covers now
Oh ok... here's Buckets of Rain

-sd

[bungeejumper]

Got to admit I am a Paschelbel fan, such a simple tune yet amazing how long it was written (440 years ago). This is a more modern orchestral version that goes on for 2 hours and never gets boring : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRgl-2EOyTI

Never gets boring? I've had it on for 20 minutes and it feels just like waiting to get through to BT!

We cellists have a special place in hell for Pachelbel. The same bloody eight notes, over and over and over and over again, while everybody else gets a go at the variations. Two hours of that, and we'd be like Gerard Hoffnung's oboeists, getting quietly sozzled while nobody noticed.

BJ

[Sorcery]

Never gets boring? I've had it on for 20 minutes and it feels just like waiting to get through to BT!

We cellists have a special place in hell for Pachelbel. The same bloody eight notes, over and over and over and over again, while everybody else gets a go at the variations. Two hours of that, and we'd be like Gerard Hoffnung's oboeists, getting quietly sozzled while nobody noticed.

BJ

Ok Ok I get it. As a bit of background while trying to find a deep bug in C code that you just know is going to cause you have to write x * 100 printf statements in a dozen different sourcefiles to have a chance of working out what is going wrong and then delete them all once you find the bug, it's pretty good temper moderating stuff.
Only 8 notes for the Cello? Have you thought of writing a variation for the cellists?

[AleisterCrowley]

I'd just use a loop pedal, and go down t'pub

[bungeejumper]

Only 8 notes for the Cello? Have you thought of writing a variation for the cellists?

Shouldn't take very long at all, but it wouldn't be Pachelbel, would it? Sort of a hybrid. Bunglebel, or maybe Pachelbung?

BJ

[servodude]

I'd just use a loop pedal, and go down t'pub

Cello looping is a great thing


- sd

[OLTB]

She’s not there - Santana.

OLTB.

[Sorcery]

Only 8 notes for the Cello? Have you thought of writing a variation for the cellists?

Shouldn't take very long at all, but it wouldn't be Pachelbel, would it? Sort of a hybrid. Bunglebel, or maybe Pachelbung?

BJ

I don't play music just listen and fix sometimes on something I like. All the other variations in the 2 hours link have managed it somehow while still being recognisable as Paschelbel. I suppose that's the challenge. Good luck if you try it.