Tune du Jour: “Ain’t No Sunshine” – Bill Withers
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Horace Andy vs. Buddy Guy & Tracy Chapman vs. Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Des’ree
VOTE, COMMENT, then WASH YOUR CAR
CoverMeImpressed.com CoverMeImpressed.com CoverMeImpressed.com
Broccoli Fields Forever …
“Ain’t No Sunshine” is ranked 285th on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song won the Grammy for Best R&B Song in 1972.
Beautiful, beautiful song and if you don’t think so, well, you’re wrong …
The Original
Bill Withers:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Horace Andy vs. Buddy Guy & Tracy Chapman vs. Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Des’ree
Horace Andy:
Buddy Guy & Tracy Chapman:
Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Des’ree:
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 
This is a tough one. All three versions are terrific. I keep changing my mind. So I’m not making any declarations here one way or the other, and will let my mouse do the voting at the moment it happens.
I’ve long been a fan of the Mambazo/Des’ree rendition but, at least for this morning, the Guy/Chapman card grabbed my attention.
Three good covers. I didn’t know the Ladysmith Black Mambazo w/ Des’ree version until you posted it a couple years ago. Never heard of Horace Andy, but I also enjoyed that.
My vote goes to Buddy Guy & Tracy Chapman.
I remember when Tracy Chapman burst onto the scene with her debut album in the late eighties. “Fast Car” and “Give Me A Reason” were all over MTV, and Chapman seemed to be everywhere you looked. Wikipedia says her debut album went multi-platinum and she was nominated for six Grammys, winning three. It made such a big splash for a newcomer, I figured she’d be a permanent part of the landscape for the foreseeable future. Now when I hear her name it’s like, “remember her?”
Three winners here. I’ve heard Horace Andy before. He’s got a really high reggae voice, like Junior Murvin. Love it. Ladysmith Black Mambazo do a really stirring, soulful version. But I’m giving this one to Buddy/Tracy. Tracy Chapman’s debut album was spectacular. I’ve played it a million times. Not a bad track on it. A few years ago, she played the Beacon Theater, and I managed to get fifth row seats. One of the best, most moving concerts I’ve ever attended. That resonant voice… I can listen to this all day.
and I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, like wow! I know all three are great but I only get to choose one, so I went with Buddy and Tracy…