Great Cover Tunes

So, last night I got together with a bunch of friends to cheer on our good buddy, Lathan, as he filled in on drums for a local cover band. Live music is always a treat, especially when you know the guys behind the music. With that being said, most cover bands try to replicate the original song as closely as possible. Although there's nothing wrong with that, there's an added element of interest when a band puts their personal touch on a song. The band that we saw last night, Major Company, did exactly that. They were interesting, enjoyable and downright good.

After having a day to digest this, I got to thinking about cover tunes in general. Some bands record covers that fail to measure up to the original. In other cases, the cover sounds identical to the original. So, what's point? However, in a few rare cases, the cover blows away the original. Everyone will have their their own ideas of a great cover. Here are just a few that popped into my head:

• All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix - No doubt, Bob Dylan is a brilliant songwriter. However, I was never a big fan of his performance. Hendrix's classic guitar riffs and passionate vocals capture the mood of the song.
• Black Magic Woman by Santana - A song that was originally done by Fleetwood Mac (during the Peter Green days). Santana's Latin vibe added the key ingredient to make this song great.
• Green Manalishi by Judas Priest - Although this is one of Judas Priest's most well know songs, many people don't know that Fleetwood Mac did the original. The original version was a bit psychedelic and spooky. Judas Priest's cover delivered the powerful vocals and an updated guitar sound that the song needed.
• Hurt by Johnny Cash - I know Johnny Cash isn't considered "rock" by today's standards, but his cover of the Nine Inch Nails song is downright epic. The fact that Cash recorded the song shortly before he passed away makes it that much more amazing.
• Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson - Everyone is familiar with the original version by the Eurythmics. But Marilyn Manson adds a disturbing twist that makes the song even more memorable.
• Higher Ground by The Red Hot Chili Peppers - I really like Stevie Wonder's original version. But the Chili Peppers turned up the heat and made a great song even better.
• Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin - The original version done by Kris Kristofferson was dwarfed by Joplin's much more passionate version.
• You Really Got Me by Van Halen -  The song that put Van Halen on the map. Their cover version blows the doors off of the Kink's original.
• With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker - While there's certainly nothing wrong wit the Beatles version, the soulful rendition from Joe Cocker is one of my all-time favorite cover tunes.
• Diamonds and Rust by Judas Priest - The original version by Joan Baez sounds like elevator music compared the the kick-ass version by Priest.
• Summertime Blues by The Who - The original 1958 version by Eddie Cochran is clearly outdone The Who's classic performance.
• Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner - Tina Turner tuned this classic CCR song into her own.
• Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis Presley - No offense to Carl Perkins, but if Elvis does your song, people are going to forget the original.

There are many other great cover tunes that I failed to mention. Maybe you can add a few to the list.....

kw