Cover Versions-How To Do Them Right

I've been tossing around the topic of cover songs for a little while. There are those who believe that unless a song is done by the original artist, it's gonna suck. There are those that tend to think that it's an easy way to fill the content of an album. Keep in mind that many of the greats covered their contemporaties both very early in their careers and others that continue to include cover versions of songs as part of their work throughout their careers. The Beatles covered Twist and Shout and Roll Over Beethoven. The Stones covered Not Fade Away and Route 66. The Byrds practically built their career by covering Dylan songs like Mr. Tamborine Man, Chimes of Freedom, My Back Pages and others. Obviously, not all cover versions should be made. Just try listening to William Shatner's Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds or Behind Blue Eyes by Limp Bizkit.

There are some really fine albums of cover songs worth a listen. These albums usually come in two catagories: One artist who covers a variety of written by others or compilation albums of one artist's songs covered by a variety of artists. Here are some that I think are notable and worth a listen.

David Bowie-Pinups

There are some very fine versions of some great songs. Bowie is as much as a song stylist as a singer and and one of the most unique performers rock music has ever seen. Don't expect Pinups to have the flash of earlier works such as The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, or Alladin Sane. Bowie treats songs like Friday On My Mind (Easybeats), See Emily Play (Pink Floyd), Shapes of Things (Yardbirds), Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere (The Who) with respect then adds his usual flair. There more songs originally done by artists like The Kinks, Them (Van Morrison's original band), and The Pretty Things. This album also is the last studio album featuring members of Bowie's band The Spiders From Mars which features the great Mick Ronson on guitar.

Todd Rundgren-Faithful

Really, only side one features cover songs. On this album, Rundgren, the studio wizard, turns to Rundgren, the musician, who gives us spot-on versions of some great music. Try distinguishing his version of Good Vibrations from the Beach Boy's original. The other songs on side 1: Rain and Strawberry Fields (Beatles), If 6 Was 9 (Jimi Hendrix), Happenings Ten Years Ago (Yardbirds), Most Likely You Go Your Way (Dylan) are all performed with meticulous care, making sure he stays true to the original version. For me, this an enjoyable listen.

Dwight Yoakam-Under The Covers

While I'm not a fan of much of country music, I am a fan of Dwight Yoakam. This album shows that Yoakam is far from just a country artist. He runs the gamut; performing songs by artists as diverse as Roy Orbison, Sonny Bono, The Rolling Stones and The Clash. The album leads off with Orbison's Claudette then follows with Train in Vain (Clash). Other highlights for me are Things We Said Today (Beatles), Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb), and The Last Time (Stones). Dwight really is a fine singer and does a great job with these and the rest of the songs on this album.

Enjoy Every Sandwich: The Songs of Warren Zevon

I recently wrote about Zevon's Exitable Boy album. As I said there, I think Warren Zevon was a unique and great songwriter. Just as really notable artists showed up to help with the recording of Zevon's final album, The Wind, they also showed up for Sandwich. How's this for a lineup...Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me (Jackson Browne/Bonnie Raitt), My Ride's Here (Springsteen), Lawyers, Guns, and Money (Wallflowers), Reconsider Me (Steve Earle) and...wait for it...Werewolves of London performed by Adam Sandler. I hate to keep repeating myself but there are great songs performed by great artists (Yes, even Sandler does a great job). Warren's son Jordan gets to perform the previously unreleased compsition, Studebaker and other artists such as Don Henley, Bob Dylan, and long time friend Billy Bob Thorton make contributions. This is a fine compilation album that highlights songs from a cross section of Warren Zevon's career.

One Step Up, Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen is a prolific song writer who (like him or not) is right up there with people like Dylan, Paul Simon, and Lennon/McCartney as the greatest of the last 50 years or so. It's well known that he writes more songs than can ever make it to his albums. There's even been a multiple disc cd issued of great songs that just didn't make the cut on other albums issued. Well, One Step up is a 28 song, 2 disc compilation of Springsteen songs performed by a wide variety of artist both well known and obscure. With all the songs on this album, I can only mention a few here. Just like the Zevon compilation noted above, the diversity of artist is truly a tribute to the songs and artist that wrote them. The lineup of artists is staggering and includes John Hiatt, Joe Cocker, David Bowie, Richie Havens, Nils Lofgren, The Knack, Marshall Crenshaw, Ben E. King, Gary "U.S." Bonds, Donna Summer, Gene Clark, and more. Some of my favorites are Johnny 99(John Hiatt), Don't Look Back (The Knack), and Protection (Donna Summer). Just give it a listen.

Covers can be really bad...what could be worse than Shatner's spoken word version of Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds...or they can be great. There are plenty of the "great" variety mixed in on the albums mentioned here.