Tune du Jour: “Suzanne” – Leonard Cohen
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Nick Cave vs. Ian McCulloch vs. Parasites
Peruse, Comment and Vote (I Beseech, Implore and Urge Thee, respectively)
CoverMeImpressed.com CoverMeImpressed.com CoverMeImpressed.com
SPACE
Broccoli Fields Forever …
SPACE
The Original
SPACE
Leonard Cohen:
SPACE
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
SPACE
Nick Cave vs. Ian McCulloch vs. Parasites
SPACE
Nick Cave with Perla Batalla & Julie Christenson:
Not since the days of Tom Jones has the music world been blessed with a man who can croon and gyrate as this suave fellow!
Ian McCulloch:
Parasites:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On?!!?
SPACE
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
SPACE
cover me impressed 
This is a tough one. Cave and McCulloch give excellent, if straight, renditions. I even wonder if the same soul takes a different shape depending on the continent – North America (Cohen), Europe (McCulloch), Australia (Cave). But I’m giving my vote to Parasites, who showed some imagination in trying to present the song in a different style with a different tone. I liked it.
I’ve always really liked this song, and there is no shortage of cover versions out there. Being a huge Nina Simone fan, I do think that her version is the best I’ve ever heard. Of these three, though, I give it to the Cave man. Nice and moody, with the reverence it deserves. I give the Parasites credit for performing the song in a different light, but their brand of punk is just too generic and cliche here.
Cave and McCulloch’s both perform excellent versions of the song that are faithful to the original. Nothing wrong with that. It’s a terrific song. But I enjoyed the Parasites creativity and pluck. They tried something new and seemed to have a good time doing it. What could I say other than, “Bully for you, lads! Bang on…”.
You really missed a great cover: Pearls Before Swine (Frontman: Tom Rapp). Album: Balaklava. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gJG38EJ46g
Stuart that is an excellent cover. I will add it to the CMI rotation. Thanks!
Well Cave my head in! I actually think he surprised me with his restraint. He took it easy out of respect for this great song. Like Samson had his hair, Nick’s power lies in his monolithic forehead. If Nick cave played football his helmet mark would make Peyton Manning blush. Ian McCulloch’s version was very nice and reverential. He once told Chris Martin not to bounce when he performed. That it made him look like an idiot. Chris obviously didn’t listen as anyone who watched him at the Super bowl knows. He’s a bouncy, bouncy boy. He may be a nice guy but he should just sell ice cream or something.