Covers that are arguably better than the originals:

[chrisb]

I’m pretty sure more than a couple of us have comfy hoodies older than the cumulative age of these musicians.
Ellen was 11yo, I think at this session.

And yah, apologies for posting this one twice

 

[chrisb]

Thoughts?

 

[stv]

Thoughts?

Huge challenge, they mastered it very well!
Not better than the original though, but I guess that was not the intention...

 

[patrickblue]

Huge challenge, they mastered it very well!
Not better than the original though, but I guess that was not the intention...

That applies equally to this.

 

[chrisb]

Huge challenge, they mastered it very well!
Not better than the original though, but I guess that was not the intention...

Take note of the name of the project and the average age of the members; while I’m no musicologist, those two factors, plus that this seemed to an unbroken single live take, made it stand out.
Then of course there’s the whole “Playing for Change” project, of which I think I have insufficient words to do Justice.

 

[stv]

it is outstanding, indeed.

this seemed to an unbroken single live take

it's not, at least not entirelly. some video parts of vocal recording show the same singers in different groupings. but that's completely authentic, as freddy mercury also recorded several tracks.

 

[chrisb]

My bad in missing that. To be honest I’m still a bit discombobulated after being in hospital for about a week suffering a sudden onset UTI that initially presented as a crippling sciatica attack - which I’ve had before and are no fun either. Lots of meds, IV A/B and disruption of sleep cycles thanks to a very difficult ward mate.

Back to the performance itself; I was caught up in what appeared a genuine enthusiasm and almost reverence for the material.

 

[Netlist]

52 years old Roundabout, picked up by young talent.
They do not shy away from difficult compositions. Love it.

Hugo

 

[chrisb]

What are those damned kids doing in the Walgreens parking lot?
Wait, WTF?

 

[Doghouse Riley]

 

[mhenschel]

@Doghouse Riley
MLT does a very nice version but it doesn't have the buzzing that made the original great.

 

[GeoffMillar]

The twins are entertaining and can actually sing and play; their covers are really enjoyable. They make a nice change from all the manufactured drivel which populates the airwaves and charts. They do a good 'Wish You Were Here', as well as their Beatles and 60s covers.

Geoff

 

[mhenschel]

(..." It was you buzzing!")

I don't know about "better" but I really liked Richard Thompson's cover of Season of the Witch" and French Frith Kaiser & Thompson's Surfing USA

 

[GeoffMillar]

There was a nice version of 'Season of the Witch' on the 1969 (?) "Super Session" album by Al Kooper, Steven Stills and Mike Bloomfield, worth a listen or two. The re-issue has the track without the horn overdubs.

Geoff

 

[Juhazi]

Enily Linge is a very talented and skillful young singer with very intimate voice. She plays piano and guitar too. Please check her other covers of old classics!

 

[Juhazi]

Anna Eriksson

 

[Juhazi]

I am the Walrus ?

 

[soundbrigade]

Absolutely crazy but WOW!!!!

I do really love this version by Swedish ex-punker Fredrik Wadling and the Flesh orchestra.

 

[Juhazi]

Actually not cover, but a clone of late The Beatles pieces.

The author is a media student who has cloned many national stars previously. At first he tell what are typical features of the band's music and lyrics, but video starts now at 7:30 just before the new piece.

 

[chrisb]

Each in their own way CCR and Heart are a pretty high bar, but settling into an afternoon of School of Rock, I found these

And I doubt anyone could accuse Scott Bradlee of “covers” - more like complete deconstruction and reimagining genre swaps that simply shouldn’t work, but almost invariably do. Very deep catalog to sink your ears into.