Covers that you consider the definitive version

Jimi Hendrix' own outtake of Little Wing as heard on Disc 2 of the 4 CD set "The Jimi Hendrix Experience" shows that SRV was listening to bootlegs - Jimi easily reclaims the throne with this version.
Ball and Chain by Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company.

 

'Black Magic Woman'- by Santana
'I Hear You Knocking'- by Dave Edmunds

 

Laura Branigan??

 

Leaving On A Jet Plane-Peter, Paul & Mary

 

Woodstock - CSN&Y
This Masquerade - George Benson
Love Ballad - George Benson
Someone to Lay Down Beside Me - Linda Ronstadt
I Didn't Mean to Turn You On - Robert Palmer
Hello Stranger - Yvonne Elliman

 

Midnight Hour (and many more) by the Grateful Dead. Jeffrey, I'm surprised you haven't jumped in here yet.
The Pusher - Steppenwolf
Woodchopper's Ball - Ten Years After
Little Queenie - Rolling Stones
Who Do You Love - Quicksilver Messenger Service
Bullfrog Blues - Rory Gallagher
Disney Girls - Art Garfunkel
Crossroads - Cream
Further On Up The Road - Clapton

 

Roll Over Beethoven

I reckon "No!" Stick with the Chuck Berry original.

The Beatles did a lot of great covers, but I don't think they claimed "Roll Over Beethoven." As for ELO, I'm just going to shut up right now.

 

CCR - "I Put A Spell On You"
Otis Redding - "Shake" (Live at Monterey)
Derek And The Dominoes - "Little Wing"... Doesn't top the original but it still is great.
Beatles - "Long Tall Sally"
Hindu Love Gods - "Rasberry Beret"
Mott The Hoople - "All The Young Dudes"
Rod Stewart - "Tomorrow Is A Long Time"
Rod Stewart w/ Faces - "Wicked Messenger"

 

Ian, have you checked out John Fogerty's I Put A Spell On You from his live Premonition album. IMO it smokes the early CCR version!

By the way the Canadian government wants Maine back!!

 

I like Sandy Denny's version of this song.

 

The Cowboy Junkies - 'Sweet Jane'

 

There was a version of "Birthday" by Underground Sunshine that outrocked The Beatles version.

 

Great version but there is something special about the simple majesty of the original.



CM,

I'd give more than an hono(u)rable mention to CCR's Grapevine. It has to be one of the all time greatest white cover versions.

 

Do you think the rest of the U.S. would even notice?

 

I like the All Saints version best.

Yes!!

I'll also add:

Tequila Sunrise/Allan Jackson
New Kid In Town/Suzy Boggus
Strawberry Fields/ Sandy Farina

 

Maybe if you're having trouble sleeping.

Rock & Roll Music--Beatles
Heart Full of Soul--Chris Isaak
And When I Die--Blood Sweat and Tears
Hazy Shade of Winter--Bangles
Get Ready--Rare Earth
Heaven Must Have Sent You--Bonnie Pointer
Please Mr. Postman--Carpenters (no I'm not kidding)
Dock of the Bay--Michael Bolton (OK, now I am kidding!)

 

What about "Love Has No Pride"? Any opinions on that one since it's been covered a few times? Actually I quite like the version by Libby Titus on one of her solo albums. Doesn't really count as a cover I guess since she co-wrote it. I also like the version by American Flyer. Eric Kaz (the other writer of the song) was a member of that band, but Craig Fuller handled the vocals on it.

 

Gimme A Pig Foot - Billie Holiday
Border Song - Eric Clapton
Bird On A Wire - Leonard Cohen

 

What? You don't like the Cowboy Junkies version of 'Sweet Jane'? I think it's quite moody and dark, a lot more pensive than the VU version on Loaded. It's actually more like the unreleased demo(?) version that appeared on that VU box in the silver coloured case, I don't remember the name of it right now.

 

The Junkie Cowboys (just kidding!) version is a bit too soporific for me. I'd say the ultimate version is the live take from Lou's Rock'n'Roll Animal album, featuring the intertwined guitars of Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter. In fact, I shoulda listed that in the "Turn It Up" thread!

 

You know, I'm a huge VU and Lou Reed fan, but that album just never agreed with me. It always just sounded too '70's 'arena rock' to me, pretty well removed from the real sound of Lou Reed.

 

GoldenBoy,

Lou needed a hit after Berlin (which I like) did not sell well. It was a bit 'arena rock', but it was real allright. And very commercial and did well in the record stores and won him some new fans. Lou Reed took on the apparent personas he appeared to display with gusto and lived them out to the very fullest; no facade, no pretense. The band was as tight as a drum on "Rock and Roll Animal" and Lou was in superb touch. Sorry you don't like it that much.

Regards,
Geoff

 

Yeah probably not. But if Maine ever decides to leave the U.S. we would welcome an 11th province.

 

I'm kinda partial to Linda Ronstadt's version (DCC of course).

 

Sorry Larry but Cohen's version IS the original. Looking for covers.