07/16/2007
Mix Disc Monday Home / Music Home / Bullz-Eye Home
Sometimes someone writes and records a really
great song. Sometimes it’s a hit, and other times
it’s a B-side or an album track never issued as
a single. Sometimes some other artist will come
along and record a cover version of the previous
artist’s hit, or the B-side or album track. Sometimes
the cover version sucks mightily. Sometimes the
cover version is just as good as the original.
Sometimes the cover version is even better than
the original. So here we have 15 cover tunes that
I think are well worth hearing, and none of them
suck mightily. There are some recognizable choices
here, but for the most part, you’ve probably not
heard a bunch of these. Sometimes that’s what makes
great cover versions ultimately the coolest.
"Shake Some Action," Cracker (Clueless
Original Soundtrack)
The Flamin’ Groovies are indeed one
of the coolest cult bands ever, but Cracker took
their signature tune "Shake Some Action" and made
it even better. Guitarist Johnny Hickman sings lead
with David Lowery supplying the backing vocals. The
classic riff is even tighter in this version. It’s
definitely an overlooked gem in Cracker’s catalog,
and isn’t a bad gateway into exploring The Flamin’
Groovies, either.
"Big Yellow Taxi," Pinhead Gunpowder (Jump
Salty)
Jesus. How many times
has this Joni Mitchell classic not been
covered? One of the more recent bands to butcher
it to hell and back was Counting Crows (big surprise).
However, Pinhead Gunpowder’s take – featuring Billy
Joe Armstrong of Green Day on vocals – is a nice
kick in the sack for the old workhorse. This tune
always had a really nice bit of energy in it, and
that’s what so many other artists seem to forget
when they decide to record it as well. Thankfully
that’s not the case for this cracking version.
"People = Shit," Richard Cheese (Aperitif
for Destruction)
You’ll never be able to explain the popularity
of a band as ludicrous as Slipknot to a guy like
me. Thankfully we have Richard Cheese to put the
faux-heavy meddle wanksters in their rightful place.
One listen to his version of the ‘Knot’s "People
= Shit" in a swingin’ style, and the ridiculously
juvenile lyrics are put in their proper spot and
everyone has a great laugh. Oh yeah, Slipknot’s
version wasn’t an eighth as catchy as Dick’s, baby.
"Be Thankful for What You’ve Got," Yo
La Tengo (Little Honda)
Hoboken’s Yo La Tengo have been doing whatever
the hell they’ve felt like for a long time now.
They are also always choosing groovy songs to cover
(Who else is doing the Kinks’ classic "No Return"
these days?). Here they take William DeVaughn’s
classic cut and put the gangsta lean on it way,
way back. You almost feel like you’ve taken some
sort of groove drug as it slides on by without
a care. Yo La Tengo are the shit.
"Mt. Airy Groove," Leaders of the New
School (Rubaiyat: Elektra’s 40th Anniversary)
The Leaders actually made their recorded debut
on this collection of "newer" Elektra artists covering
"older" Elektra artists’ material. Originally,
this was a big instrumental hit for Pieces of a
Dream, but here Leaders of the New School sample
it, loop it, and throw a great rap on top of it.
Terrific stuff, and easily the best thing on the
whole compilation. For those not in the know, Busta
Rhymes started out in the Leaders and became larger
than life after they dissolved following the release
of their second album.
"Oh! Darling," Phil Vincent (It
Was 40 Years Ago Today: A Tribute to The Beatles)
A lot of artists want to cover a Beatles tune.
Most of them usually fail, but Phil Vincent took
the McCartney classic from Abbey Road,
cranked up the energy and power pop-rocked the
hell out of it. A lot of times, the best Beatle
cover versions are ones that don’t try to adhere
note-for-note to the original recordings, and Vincent’s
passes the test gleefully. The programmed drums
get a little goofy near the end, but all in all
it’s a great take.
"Time After Time," INOJ ("Time
After Time"
single)
INOJ has made a career of issuing dance singles
of classic tunes for a while now. Her 1998 version
of the Cyndi Lauper hit is, dare I say it, better
than the original. Okay, I just said it. Where
the original always had a bit too much sappy drama
in it for my ears, this one floats by elegantly
and sweetly. And yeah, you could do a nice slow
dance to it, too.
"Picture Book," Young Fresh Fellows (This
One’s for the Ladies)
The first time I ever heard this Kinks classic
was on the album this selection was taken from.
Man, it rocks up a furious storm. Perhaps you can
understand my disappointment then when I finally
heard the original and its slower, folky atmosphere.
It’s grown on me since, but nothing beats the Fellows’
version. That fuzzed-out guitar is just the most,
kids.
"Show Biz Kids," Rickie Lee Jones (It’s
Like This)
It’s Like This is Rickie’s second
all-covers album and includes a wide array
of tunes from "Trouble Man" to "The Low Spark
of High-Heeled Boys." Also included is this
cover of the Steely Dan classic done up all
slow and jazzbo-like. Quite simply, the tune
cooks, which is nice, as the Dan are not always
the easiest dudes to cover. The stripped-down
arrangement was a good choice and the song is a
highlight of the album.
"What Is and What Should Never Be," Helen
Keller Plaid (The Song Retains The Name)
Who the hell was Helen Keller Plaid? Who cares?
The only thing that matters is they have the absolute
best cover tune on this Led Zeppelin covers album
featuring a bunch of indie bands. It’s a heck of
a sight better than the godawful Encomium tribute
album, but that’s not saying a lot. Anyway, Helen
Keller Plaid takes this chestnut from Led Zeppelin
II and turns it into a psychedelic sex machine.
It rawks.
"It’s Alright," Huey Lewis and the News
(Greatest Hits)
Huey and pals had been singing this song live
for ages before they finally recorded it for the People
Get Ready Curtis Mayfield tribute album. They’ve
always done this song up nicely, and here it sounds
just like any other time they’ve done it. A crowd
pleaser, to be sure, but hey, we’re talking about
Curtis Mayfield here, so how can you lose?
"Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll
Go Mine)," Todd Rundgren (Faithful)
Todd’s version of this great Dylan tune showed
up only a year after it was "officially" released
on Bob and The Band’s album The Basement Tapes.
I always thought this had a punchier performance
compared to the original, and the organ certainly
stands out more, which I also dig. Todd’s vocal
impression of Dylan is comedic, but then the whole
song was a bit humorous to begin with.
"Substitute," The Ramones (Acid Eaters)
The Ramones destroy the hell out of this Who classic,
complete with Pete Townshend screaming his heart
out on backing vocals. Christ, did Townshend ever
sound so powerful and exhilarated on any of his
own recordings? It doesn’t seem like it. This album
wasn’t well-received by really anyone, but it also
includes great versions of "Surf City" and "My
Back Pages," along with others.
"Blinded by the Light," Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (The Roaring Silence) The granddaddy of all cover versions! Mann took a second-rate, annoying-as-hell Springsteen song from The Boss’s craptastic debut and turned it into a synth-driven, annoying-as-hell FM radio epic that also managed to be catchy as hell. Damn you, Manfred! Seriously, though -- if you want to get a taste of how bad Springsteen’s version of Dylan was, just listen to his original recording of this tune. It’ll make you wanna punch something, guaranteed.
"All the Young Dudes," World Party (Clueless
Original Soundtrack)
We’ll close this mix with another cut from the Clueless soundtrack.
This time it’s a Bowie number that was made famous
when he originally gave it to Mott the Hoople and
helped them score a moderate hit with it. Here,
World Party makes it even better, if not the best
all-around, period. Hey, I’m a dude. You should
be one as well, if you’re so inclined. Now go boogaloo.