The Weird and Wonderful World of Cover Versions
A garage band starting out in the garage needs some content. The Replacements were famous for their give up and play covers shows. Jimi Hendrix took a Dylan lyric and a few chords and took a song to another planet. Leonard Cohen said about Jeff Buckley, it’s his song now, he deserves it, the song deserves it. Picture ‘Twist and Shout’ and it’s Paul McCartney’s sideways head shake that comes to mind.
This is the weird and wonderful world of cover versions. Here are just a few of the gems I have uncovered over the years.
Firstly, a top ten of all time. I contend no one can argue with no. 1. The rest …
1) Jimi Hendrix, ‘All Along the Watch Tower’. He takes a Dylan lyric adds his own understated vocal with a touch of urgency and adds guitar punch and power with a rhymical acoustic and melodic lead. Just for fun he takes it on a little psychedelic bridge. Never bettered.
2) Johnny Cash, ‘Hurt’. Facing his mortal end and working with Rick Rubin, they chose a Nine Inch Nails song for his near final work. Cash moves it to hymn status with simple acoustic backing and a vocal full of age, pathos, and … well, the word is hurt.
3) Thin Lizzy, ‘Whiskey in the Jar’. Like Hendrix this one has a power band taking a…
