Archive for June, 2016

Johnny Darrell: “Green, Green Grass of Home”

Posted: June 30, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Green, Green Grass of Home” – Johnny Darrell
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Mike Farris vs. Ted Hawkins vs. John Otway
VOTE, COMMENT, then CRY ME A RIVER
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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed

Thank God I’m a Country Boy!!!

“Green, Green Grass of Home” was written by Claude “Curly” Putman and first recorded in May 1965 by Johnny Darrell. Porter Wagoner wasted no time joining the Green Grass Party, releasing his version in July 1965. Wagoner’s version reached No. 4 on the country chart. By the year 2000 over one hundred other musicians would take a ride on the Green Grass train with none coming close to the popularity of Tom Jones’ release in November 1966, which became a worldwide number 1 hit.

“Green, Green Grass of Home” is one of those songs I hated as a kid. It sounded corny and how could anything my parents enjoyed listening to have any redeeming qualities? Then I grew up. And in the process grew to really appreciate the song. The imagery and ultimate impact of the lyrics are simply fantastic. While I don’t appreciate the musical presentations that many musicians used in their interpretations of “Green, Green Grass of Home” the lyrics are so well-crafted as to make most versions at least palatable.

 

The Original

 

Johnny Darrell:

 

The Most Popular

 

Tom Jones:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Mike Farris vs. Ted Hawkins vs. John Otway
Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue:

Ted Hawkins:

John Otway:

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.

Pink Floyd: “Money”

Posted: June 29, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , ,
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Tune du Jour: “Money” – Pink Floyd
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Easy Star All-Stars vs. Indra Rios-Moore vs. The Squirrels
VOTE, COMMENT, then COME SEE ABOUT ME
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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed

Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

 

 

 

Pink Floyd’s first hit in the United States, Money, from the band’s seminal album The Dark Side of the Moon.

 

The Original

 

Pink Floyd:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Easy Star All-Stars vs. Indra Rios-Moore vs. The Squirrels
Easy Star All-Stars:

Indra Rios-Moore:

The Squirrels:

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.

Small Faces: “Get Yourself Together”

Posted: June 28, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Get Yourself Together” – Small Faces
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Tommy Les Cappuccino & The Scarlettes vs. Mike Dennis vs. The Jam 
VOTE, COMMENT, then for God’s Sake, GET YOURSELF TOGETHER
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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed

Things Could Work Out, Just Like I Want Them To

 

The Original

 

Small Faces:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Tommy Les Cappuccino & The Scarlettes vs. Mike Dennis vs. The Jam
Tommy Les Cappuccino & The Scarlettes:

Mike Dennis:

The Jam:SPA

CE

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.

Bruce Springsteen: “Mansion on the Hill”

Posted: June 27, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Mansion on the Hill” – Bruce Springsteen
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Crooked Fingers vs. The National vs. The String Quartet
VOTE, COMMENT, then LISTEN TO WHAT THE MAN SAID
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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed

Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

 

The Original

 

Bruce Springsteen:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Crooked Fingers vs. The National vs. The String Quartet
Crooked Fingers:

The National:

The String Quartet (aka Vitamin String Quartet):

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.

Ray Charles: “I Got A Woman”

Posted: June 24, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , ,
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Tune du Jour: “I Got A Woman” – Ray Charles
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Barbarians vs. Andy Stokes vs. Toots & The Maytals
VOTE, COMMENT, then HIT THE ROAD JACK
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I've been a Puppet, a Pauper, a Pirate, a Poet, a Broccoli Man ...

I’ve been a Puppet, a Pauper, a Pirate, a Poet, a Broccoli Man …

 

 

 

The Original

 

Ray Charles:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

The Barbarians vs. Andy Stokes vs. Toots & The Maytals
The Barbarians:

Andy Stokes:

Toots & The Maytals:

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.

Donny & Marie Osmond: “I’m a Little Bit County, I’m a Little Bit Rock & Roll”

Posted: June 23, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “I’m a Little Bit Country, I’m a Little Bit Rock & Roll” – Donny & Marie Osmond
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Bill Funt, Carey Farrell & Steve Della Maggoria vs. John Wesley Harding & Kelly Hogan vs. An Unidentified Cockatiel
VOTE, COMMENT, then DON’T BE A HERO (COME BACK AND MAKE ME YOUR WIFE)
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And In My Hour of Need, I Truly Am Indeed, Alone Again, Broccoli ...

And In My Hour of Need,
I Truly Am Indeed,
Alone Again, Broccoli …

“A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock & Roll” is one of those songs that is so brutally awful there should really be a class action suit against its producers for the personal pain and suffering it has caused to the multitudes. Who knows where I might be if I had never heard this audio-tripe? And given that it was a pretty big hit it is quite interesting how few covers there are of the song. It’s as if there is a concerted effort by all to erase that horrible memory from our collective consciousness.

Yet, this is a post that ultimately had to happen. Despite the deplorable memories that the mere mention of this song conjures up, it does have one ultra-fantastic redeeming quality. The incomparable Kelly Hogan and the ever-so-nearly incomparable John Wesley Harding collaborated on a version of “A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock & Roll” that stands as one of my favorite covers of all time. They power their way through the tune with pitch-perfect harmonies, enhanced lyrics and a slightly chaotic score. Brilliant delivery, simply brilliant. Definitely a Cover Me Impressed Hall of Famer!

 

The Original

 

Donny & Marie Osmond:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Bill Funt, Carey Farrell & Steve Della Maggoria vs. John Wesley Harding & Kelly Hogan vs. An Unidentified Cockatiel
Bill Funt, Carey Farrell & Steve Della Maggoria:

John Wesley Harding & Kelly Hogan:

An Unidentified Cockatiel:

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.

Ian Dury & The Blockheads: “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick”

Posted: June 22, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
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Tune du Jour: “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” -Ian Dury & The Blockheads
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Nina Hagen & Freaky Fukin Weirdoz vs. Jewish Monkeys vs. Kurt Gober Band
VOTE, COMMENT, then HAVE A LOVE AFFAIR WITH NINA (IN THE BACK OF YOUR CORTINA)
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I've been a Puppet, a Pauper, a Pirate, a Poet, a Broccoli Man ...

I’ve been a Puppet, a Pauper, a Pirate, a Poet, a Broccoli Man …

 

 

The Original

 

 

Ian Dury & The Blockheads:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Nina Hagen & Freaky Fukin Weirdoz vs. Jewish Monkeys vs. Kurt Gober Band
Nina Hagen & Freaky Fukin Weirdoz:

Jewish Monkeys:

Kurt Gober Band:

Who knew that Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick was such a popular song with children?

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?!!? 

 

(Two Fat People, Click, Click, Click …)

Billy Joel: “The Longest Time”

Posted: June 21, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , ,
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Tune du Jour: “The Longest Time” – Billy Joel
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Me First & The Gimme Gimmes vs. Mortanius vs. Yellowcard
VOTE, COMMENT, then WEAR FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR
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Why Can't You See, I'm A Stalk of Broccoli Incapable of Cheatin' On You, Baby...

Why Can’t You See,
I’m A Stalk of Broccoli
Incapable of Cheatin’ On You, Baby…

 

 

Well, as a matter of fact, I don’t like Billy Joel!

 

 

The Original

 

Billy Joel:

This is an example of a really poor song.

Nick > Billy:

And here we have an example of making a mockery out of a really poor song.

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Me First & The Gimme Gimmes vs. Mortanius vs. Yellowcard
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes:

Mortanius:

Yellowcard:

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.

Tom Waits: “Downtown Train”

Posted: June 20, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , ,
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Tune du Jour: “Downtown Train” – Tom Waits
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Mary Chapin Carpenter vs. Rocking Chairs vs. Patty Smyth
VOTE, COMMENT, then CHASE THOSE FACTORY GIRLS (UNDERNEATH THE BOARDWALK)
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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed

Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

From Waits’ sublime masterpiece, Rain Dogs, Downtown Train beautifully captures the romance, hopes and desires, insecurity and confusion, and, at times, overcrowded-loneliness of a New York City weekend. 

As Bill Janovitz of AllMusic puts it: “The verses of Downtown Train are chock-full with more concrete and evocative images than all of the contemporary Top 40 pop hits combined; images like ‘another yellow moon has punched a hole in the nighttime,’ ‘The downtown trains are full/With all those Brooklyn girls/They try so hard to break out of their little worlds,’ and ‘you wave your hands and they scatter like crows’ ring of Ira Gershwin and Cole Porter.”

One rock critic observed “a Lou-Reedish guitar lead pervading the song” but, personally, I think Downtown Train has much more of a Springsteen-esque feel to it. Although, whether Waits was influenced by Springsteen or vice versa is difficult to say. 

 

The Original

 

Tom Waits:

That’s former World Middleweight Boxing Champion, Jake LaMotta, in the video. 

 

TheMost Popular

 

Rod Stewart:

Rod Stewart recorded a lousy cover version of Downtown Train that became a #3 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in late 1989, and was also a number-one single on the album rock and adult contemporary charts. Strangely enough, Stewart’s lackluster debasing of Downtown Train went to number-one in Canada – a country where people generally make intelligent choices – and made the top ten on the UK Singles Chart in 1990. And if all that wasn’t putrefying enough, Stewart also received a Grammy nomination for the song in the category Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. When asked to comment on Stewart’s version of Downtown Train, world renowned scholar and preeminent expert on cover songs, R.J. Dubbengoth IV, vomited profusely.

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

Mary Chapin Carpenter vs. Rocking Chairs vs. Patty Smyth
Mary Chapin Carpenter:

Rocking Chairs:

Patty Smyth:

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.

Jimi Hendrix: “Can You See Me”

Posted: June 17, 2016 in THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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Tune du Jour: “Can You See Me” – Jimi Hendrix
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Scott Morgan Band vs. Samonikli vs. Thee Hypnotics
VOTE, COMMENT, then SEE IT MY WAY
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Broc 3 - Cover Me Impressed

Everybody’s Dressin’ Funny … Cover Me Impressed!

 

The Original

 

Jimi Hendrix:

 

THE CLASH of Cover Tunes

 

The Scott Morgan Band vs. Samonikli vs. Thee Hypnotics
The Scott Morgan Band:

Samonikli:

Samonikli was formed in 1963 by four Belgrade high school students, initially performing primarily at school proms and college dance parties. By 1965 they were playing regularly at dances at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Technology, which greatly expanded their fan base and led to wide popularity throughout Serbia. The band covered rock hits, as well as traditional songs, while their own songs were mostly instrumentals inspired by Cliff Richard’s band, The Shadows.

Thee Hypnotics:

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.

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