Covers That Are Better Than the Original

[strat-0]

Good call, Ken. Can't believe it didn't come to me - we covered that tune in the Mojos for years, inspired by that version.

[upinkzeppelin2]

One of the best for sure, Ken. Can't believe I forgot about that one. I just listened to it sometime last week.

[strat-0]

I feel compelled to say something about "Dreams." Molly Hatchet did a righteous cover of that classic Allman's tune.

But this is a unique circumstance, I think. The original tune is a masterpiece - a deeply spiritual experience for me at times. My god; between Gregg Allman's whiskey vocals and Duane's inspired slide guitar work, if it doesn't give you goosebumps... Duane's work seems exploratory - perhaps even naive at times. They were just kids then, after all. But if it doesn't move you...

Molly Hatchet took the original tune, which was in 3/4 time, and put it into 4/4 time. This is no small feat in itself (to make it work so well that way, as they did), and they turned this spiritual R/B tune into a balls-out rocker, and they did it up brown. They made it their own -- it was a tribute to the Allmans and a working rock and roller in its own right, all at once. I'll tell ya: we had a pretty good cover of the Molly Hatchet version worked up with DNA, but I would never presume to try to cover the Allmans' version. That would be sacrilege.

So, is the cover better? They are in different classes. I love 'em both, too.

"Cause I've a hunger for dreams I'll never see. Aw, help me, babe, or this will surely be the end of me."

[skovrecky]

I'm a huge fan of Primus' version of "Have a Cigar". I love that.

I also forgot about the Guns N Roses cover of "Live and Let Die". That's pretty awesome as well.

Today is the Day also did an awesome cover of "Wicked Game", the Chris Issak song.

[bowiglou]

I like that ded..."greatest worse bands"!!......yeah, first time I saw them they were drunk, raucous, funny, etc.....in front of a Hollywood crowd..next time (Pleased to Meet Me) tour they were serious, somewhat dour, professional, and completely noninteractive with the crowd...

ded said:

I have five really great sounding Mats bootlegs. Two shows when they were almost too drunk to play, they run through a hours worth of covers they don't really know (it's rare song, even originals, that they play more then half of) and three when they were gods. Both types of shows have their charm too. Even drunk off their asses the mats were one the greatest worst bands ever.

[bowiglou]

really!!..actually, I can see that, especially from younger fans......in fact, there were more than a few that were unaware this was a Bowie song.......................but I gotta remain faithful to the original (1970?)

skovrecky said:

I'm going to say it and admit that I actually prefer Nirvana's "Man Who Sold The World" to Bowie's.

[bowiglou]

well, I agree with you (i.e, "He sings it like he's never heard the original") though of course he had heard it and was working with Lennon at that time on 'fame'....wonder if he had some hidden discussion with Lennon about covering it.....and plummelling it in the process!!!!

kenholzman said:

Bow -- I actually really like Bowie's "Across the Universe." He sings it like he's never heard the original, and in some sections like he has no idea what it's supposed to mean.

[upinkzeppelin2]

admin said:

I feel compelled to say something about "Dreams." Molly Hatchet did a righteous cover of that classic Allman's tune.

But this is a unique circumstance, I think. The original tune is a masterpiece - a deeply spiritual experience for me at times. My god; between Gregg Allman's whiskey vocals and Duane's inspired slide guitar work, if it doesn't give you goosebumps... Duane's work seems exploratory - perhaps even naive at times. They were just kids then, after all. But if it doesn't move you...

Molly Hatchet took the original tune, which was in 3/4 time, and put it into 4/4 time. This is no small feat in itself (to make it work so well that way, as they did), and they turned this spiritual R/B tune into a balls-out rocker, and they did it up brown. They made it their own -- it was a tribute to the Allmans and a working rock and roller in its own right, all at once. I'll tell ya: we had a pretty good cover of the Molly Hatchet version worked up with DNA, but I would never presume to try to cover the Allmans' version. That would be sacrilege.

So, is the cover better? They are in different classes. I love 'em both, too.

"Cause I've a hunger for dreams I'll never see. Aw, help me, babe, or this will surely be the end of me."

I dig the Molly Hatchet version too, strat-o. But in comparison to the original. No. Freaking. Way. It could be my favorite Allman Bros tune. Something about the organ in that song that really grooves me. I remember it coming to an end and going, "Damn, don't end. Oh well. [pressing repeat]."

[Kensterberg]

bowiglou said:

well, I agree with you (i.e, "He sings it like he's never heard the original") though of course he had heard it and was working with Lennon at that time on 'fame'....wonder if he had some hidden discussion with Lennon about covering it.....and plummelling it in the process!!!!

kenholzman said:

Bow -- I actually really like Bowie's "Across the Universe." He sings it like he's never heard the original, and in some sections like he has no idea what it's supposed to mean.

Yeah, I can just imagine the discussions between Bowie and Lennon on this. Then again, they were probably both coked out of their minds. I'd love to hear Bowie talk about recording this one. Think it'd be something like "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time" ? ? ?

I still like it, though it's definitely something of an acquired taste.

[strat-0]

upinkzeppelin2 said:

admin said:

I feel compelled to say something about "Dreams." Molly Hatchet did a righteous cover of that classic Allman's tune.

But this is a unique circumstance, I think. The original tune is a masterpiece - a deeply spiritual experience for me at times. My god; between Gregg Allman's whiskey vocals and Duane's inspired slide guitar work, if it doesn't give you goosebumps... Duane's work seems exploratory - perhaps even naive at times. They were just kids then, after all. But if it doesn't move you...

Molly Hatchet took the original tune, which was in 3/4 time, and put it into 4/4 time. This is no small feat in itself (to make it work so well that way, as they did), and they turned this spiritual R/B tune into a balls-out rocker, and they did it up brown. They made it their own -- it was a tribute to the Allmans and a working rock and roller in its own right, all at once. I'll tell ya: we had a pretty good cover of the Molly Hatchet version worked up with DNA, but I would never presume to try to cover the Allmans' version. That would be sacrilege.

So, is the cover better? They are in different classes. I love 'em both, too.

"Cause I've a hunger for dreams I'll never see. Aw, help me, babe, or this will surely be the end of me."

I dig the Molly Hatchet version too, strat-o. But in comparison to the original. No. Freaking. Way. It could be my favorite Allman Bros tune. Something about the organ in that song that really grooves me. I remember it coming to an end and going, "Damn, don't end. Oh well. [pressing repeat]."

Might be my favorite Allman Bros tune as well, Mellon. Yes, Gregg on that classic Hammond B-3 organ -- what a distinctive sound! Especially through a pair of Leslie speakers (rotating cabinets that produced a real acoustical "phase shift" effect upon which the electronic effect was based). I wonder what a pair of those in good shape brings nowdays. Or a B-3. Or a real Fender Rhodes electric piano -- you don't hear that sound anymore either...

[bowiglou]

favorite allman song of mine is Blue Sky..never tire of that chestnut from Eat a Peach

[upinkzeppelin2]

The other two that would seriously contend with "Dreams" for me would be "Whipping Post" and "In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed."

[RocDoc]

trouble no more.

looking up some alman's reminded me of THE powerhouse rendition of ray charles' 'i don't need no doctor' by the immensely great humble pie.

and their cover of dr john's 'walk on gilded splinters is fuckin' great too.

[Kensterberg]

My favorite Allman Bros. track would probably be the playout groove on any of their albums. Love the sound of the needle picking up and turning off the stereo.

[skovrecky]

^ Well, there's just no accountin for good taste.

*winks*