Haven’t done one of these posts in a long time, but really feeling like it’s time to give these guys the shout that they deserve. (And maybe you need a little something to listen to before the list goes up.) For starters, because not just anyone can take on the Midnight Rambler and do it justice.
What makes these guys such great cover artists? Well, you start with a southern boy with pipes to die for, (and Chris Robinson certainly has them) a definite requirement if you want to take on the likes of Mick, Joe Cocker, Stevie, Plant, etc. But you don’t do great Stones covers with pipes alone, and the band is more than up for the job. Brother Richie on guitar, and Chris on harp, do the Stones proud on this and many, many other Stones covers. (If i’m missing Mick and Co. at all here, it’s only because i’ve become addicted to the coke fueled live bootleg versions.)
Not everyone could do a convincing cover of Ann Peebles, took a Stevie Marriott to make a good go of it. But to take on both Ann and Stevie? Well done guys, i don’t miss either of them on this one.
So you’re Jimmy Page, you’re getting bored with itchy fingers sitting home staring at pictures of the queen, and you have few charity concerts you want to do to clear up your karma. Problem is, you’ve been spoiled rotten by having Plant as your vocalist, so what on earth do you do? You recruit the Crowes, of course, who do Bob proud. (Awesome Page solo on Heartbreaker, he must have had a lot pent up.)
So Dave Mason may not be so hard to cover, Joe Cocker a bit trickier. No problem. Actually betters both of them imho. The band kills it too.
Dylan? Southern classics? Almost too easy.
Deadhead Chris (yes, there is another one) does a beautiful cover of Comes a Time without the Crowes (who apparently aren’t Deadheads), although the opened for the Dead once (in Tampa on April 7, 1995) a few months before Jerry died. If it doesn’t have the poignancy and delicacy of Jerry’s cover, there’s a restrained sort of yearning that breaks my heart. (They’ve also played Sugaree with Phil Lesh a few times i think, but I’ll take Jerry hands down on that one.)
I have the Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes at the Greek CD, it’s absolutely fabulous and I do love their cover of Too Hot to Handle, but I’ve never been inspired to buy any of their albums, I shall watch these later and see if they inspire me.
I think for the most part their covers are better than their own stuff.
Ooh, can’t agree with that, Amy, but not sure I’ll get the chance to explain why. Props for the post though. Ta.
DsD.
I’m more than willing to be convinced otherwise, DsD. I like a lot of their songs, but i think a lot of them are a bit more meh than they ought to be.
and btw, I’m awfully glad that you showed up here, i know you do like your southern rock.
That I CAN agree with.
Off for me bath. Hope to make TOFF.
See ya.
D’oh!
My agreeing was to your ‘meh’, not seconding my own preferences.
I think to do a cover (really) well is almost impossibly hard. Quirky, silly ones are a bit easier ones, but serious ones or those that are really fun much harder. And I think that good taste in covers–picking smart and well–is also a tall task. I had heard most of these and think they are quite good and also think by and large better than their own stuff, they they are fun. I’m guessing y’all have done lists before of best covers, best cover artists (some folks it’s pretty much all they got; consider my Baton Rouge homeboy Johnny Rivers), and the like?
Eric, if you’ve got a candidate(s), feel free to do a post! I remember i’ve done the Four Tops and Government Mule before. The very missed May put up Frankie Goes to Hollywood i think, an excellent shout too.
I did not know the Black Crows before so it was very interesting to read about them.
I enjoyed the post very much, I think it is interesting to see how different artists interpret the original song and make something new of it.
Glad you enjoyed it! Again, feel free to do your own post if you have cover artists you want to make a case for.
I think I could make a case for Goose House as the greatest cover artists ! ! !
I will definitely make a post about them soon ! ! !
If you do not know them check out their version of the K-POP dance hit Mr Taxi originally by Kara.
Never get enough new rock http://bit.ly/XQnJRb
Hey, that was pretty good, sir!
Many thanks for applying free time to post “Best Cover Artists Ever?
Black Crowes « The ‘Spill”. Thanks a ton once more ,Leonor