Tune du Jour: “I Feel Fine” – The Beatles
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Chet Atkins vs. The Iguanas vs. The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo
“If you want to get paid while not working, you should have to run for Congress just like everyone else.”
President Barack Obama
Broccoli Fields Forever …
The Original
The Beatles:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Chet Atkins vs. The Iguanas vs. The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo Combo
Chet Atkins:
The Iguanas:
The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo:
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?!!?
cover me impressed 
Let me get straight to the point: All 3 of these covers suck. The real appeal of the original is the wonderful vocals and harmonies. Chet does some fine pickin’ indeed. But alas, no vocals. The Iguanas: Boring. The Ugly Dog Skiffle Combo must be named after their lead singer because the vocal sound like an ugly dog. Keep the covers. I’m going with the original all the way. And I’m tellin’ all the world.
I went with Chet. So shoot me …
As much as I admire and respect the talent and historical significance of Chet Atkins, the solo material I’ve heard isn’t terribly compelling.
The skiffle combo lays the humor on a little too thick. A little kazoo goes a long way.
The Iguanas by default!
After these underwhelming renditions I blame myself for choosing this song. I do think The Beatles perform this with energy, verve and charisma. But after feeling saliva drenched from homemade kazoos and befuddled by the laconic indifference of The Iguanas performance, only Chet could rate a vote. If The Iguanas chose this take to record, what takes did they dismiss? Iggy was apparently so frustrated and disturbed that he swore to never wear a shirt again.
Pete-o – This is a great song. What amazes me sometimes is that it was written in 1964, as I often find myself thinking that is sounds like prototypical 1966, a testament to how far ahead the Beatles were from all their contemporaries. It’s also noteworthy as the first deliberate use of feedback in a pop song recording.
Had to go back and listen for the feedback … choice tidbit Dougie
If there’s a tidbit out there on the Beatles then you could be sure Doug knows it!