An Elpee’s Worth of Covers: A mixtape

Created
Sun, 03/09/2023 - 10:00
Updated
Sun, 03/09/2023 - 10:00
Since it’s Labor Day weekend, I thought I would give the original artists a day off and share 20 of my favorite cover songs. Kick back and enjoy! The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “All Along the Watchtower” Original artist: Bob Dylan “And the wind began to HOWL!” Jimi’s soaring, immaculately produced rendition (from Electric Ladyland) came out 6 months after the original appeared on Dylan’s 1967 John Wesley Harding LP. Patti Smith – “Because the Night” Original artist: Bruce Springsteen OK, Springsteen gave Smith first crack at it, so it could be argued that his version (recorded later) is technically the “cover”. I do feel Smith’s version is definitive (the Boss wins either way…as long as those royalty checks keep rolling in). Issac Hayes – “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” Original artist: Glen Campbell (written by Jimmy Webb) Hayes deconstructs Glen Campbell’s Jimmy Webb-penned hit and adds a backstory to build it into an impeccably arranged, epic suite that eats up side 2 of Hot Buttered Soul. This is his magnum opus…symphonic, heartbreaking, beautiful. Savoy Brown – “Can’t Get Next To You” Original artist: The Temptations (written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong) A bluesy take on the Temptations hit, from Savoy Brown’s Street Corner Talking album. The song features fine work from Dave Walker (vocals), Paul Raymond (piano) and founding member Kim Simmonds (guitar). Judas Priest – “Diamonds and Rust” Original Artist: Joan Baez It sounds like a comedy bit: “Here’s my impression of Judas Priest covering…