Cover songs done well part 2(the Robert Palmer edition)...

I will start this off with a little ditty written by 2 of the greatest music producers of all time. Former members of the Time, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Great producers and top notch song writers. This track was originally recorded in 1984 by Cherrelle the covered by a man with a golden voice, Robert Palmer a year later in 1985. Check it...

Let's look at T. Rex and The Power Station doing Bang a Gong(Get it On). Andy Taylor has  a guitar riff that starts around 3:06 of the Power Station version that rocks my world every time i hear it.
A little about the Power Station, 80's supergroup, Half of Duran Duran(Andy and John Taylor), Robert Palmer and Tony Thompson from Chic. So good!!!

Robert Palmer did a tremendous job covering my favorite Marvin Gaye song ever. I Want You sounded different than anything else he released prior and that was a good thing. Robert Palmer's version isn't your typical cover as he did a medley of Mercy Mercy Me and I Want You. Awesome nontheless...

 

Coming soon, Vanilla Fudge, Devo and the Isley Brothers...

Cover songs done well, really well...

Cover songs done well, really well...

First, the original, then the cover. Many times people express opinions about this version is better than that version and i never buy into that logic. If it wasn't a great song to begin with, why would performers go out and add their personal touch to the track. The comparison that initially pops into my head is the NIN/Johnny Cash comparison. I am sure JC and Rick Rubin looked at Trent's version and said, That is one heck of a song, let's do it!

 Staring of this cover version fest we have Pulp - Common People/Bill Shatner and Joe Jackson(OG Mack, in my opinion) covering. I actually missed the whole BritPop phenomenon and didn't have a clue about Pulp. But after I heard the William Shatner song, I was amazed by the talents of Jarvis Cocker and crew. 

Next up, Blinded by the Light. Half the people I talk with about this track have no idea that it is a Bruce Springsteen original. Manfred Mann's Earth Band's version may be the greatest headphone song ever recorded. Strap on a pair of quality over the ear headphones( I use Sony MDR-7506's) and prepare to have your mind blown.

David Bowie and Iggy Pop wrote a little ditty named China Girl in the mid 70's during the Berlin Years(Bowie peeps know what i speak of). Iggy recorded it for his The Idiot album in 1977 and David Bowie recorded it for his Let's Dance album. I guess this doesn't meet the requirements of being a cover but any way, both versions rock my world. Let it rock your's too...

I have a ton more I plan to share soon. Wait until I post some Isley Brothers cover Seals and Croft, good times, I promise.