Tune du Jour: “This is Where I Belong” – The Kinks
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Frank Black vs. The Lazy Cowgirls vs. Bill Lloyd
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Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!
The Original
The Kinks:
Previously Unissued Mix:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Frank Black vs. The Lazy Cowgirls vs. Bill Lloyd
Frank Black:
The Lazy Cowgirls:
Bill Lloyd:
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?!!?
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
Great great way to start the day. My favorite band, and one of my favorite songs of theirs. The original really holds a special place in my heart. The wistful vocals, about a guy who finally finds the place in the world where he really belongs. He asks, “tell me now if you want me here to stay”, but then says, “It don’t matter, ’cause I’ll stay here anyway. For this is where I belong”. He’s arrived. “I ain’t gonna wander, like the boy I used to know. He’s a really unlucky fella, and he’s got no place to go”. You can hear the gratefulness and relief in Ray’s voice. One of his best vocals. With a song so wonderful, it’s no surprise that all three covers are excellent. It’s easy when the material is so strong. I have to give it to Frank Black, though. Superb musicianship here, and you can hear the longing in his vocals. He amps it up just a little, making it more of a rocker, without losing the poignancy of the lyrics. Great version. I’ll be playing this all day.
I’ll second the Frank Black…actually thought it was better than the Kinks versions and this from a guy who loves the Kinks…
I’ll go with Frank Black on this one.
Nice alternate mix by The Kinks.
The Kinks are one of the all-time greats and “Face To Face” one of their best albums. It’s all killer and no filler, and the same can be said for their next half dozen albums. I recently ordered the 2015 double disc “Deluxe Edition” of “Face To Face” without bothering to check what was included. I assumed there’d be demos, outtakes, live versions, maybe an interview. Although there are a few alternate mixes, it’s basically disc one – mono, and disc two – stereo. Oh well, it’s still a great excuse to listen to a great album yet again.
I did not realize when I selected these three covers how similar they sounded to each other. As Arnie said all three versions are strong. But we’re all in agreement here, Frank Black’s cover just stands a little taller than the other two contestants. I’m a longtime big fan of The Pixies yet based on some of the solo material I’ve found of his lately, my esteem for Frank Black (or Black Francis, Black Mamba, Black Friday, Tori Black, Kerry Black, Pete Black, or whatever the hell he’s calling himself these days) has only risen.
You know I almost did vote for Bill Lloyd. Not only is his cover excellent but I had never before seen a person’s name with four straight identical letters.