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When A Cover Version Is Better Than The Original?

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There must be so many and I have to admit it's a bit of an obsession of mine. Find one version, then have to track down the others! And it all started with The Beat's version of Tears of A Clown (me being 15 at the time) and my dad saying "that's an old record". Hence my foray in to Motown lol

Two which stand out for me (clips from youse guys would be good) are:

Original

Cover

Bunny just ADDS something to an already classic and makes it his own - imho.

original

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnvJ6LE4f2I

cover (option one) ¹ :D

(option 2 woulda been Jackie Trent - good but not quite as good as Baz)

In my box all originals and covers are stored together inside plastic sleeves, rather than separate! How sad eh.

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  • John Reed
    John Reed

    1. Maxine Brown (Robert Dobyne) - I Can't Get Along Without You - CUR 2. Jessie Butler (Lonnie Youngblood) - Let Me Bring out The Woman I You - Bound Sound LP 3. Hoagy Lands (Ronnie Mitche

  • Garethx
    Garethx

    Interesting John. I've never heard the Etta James version of Jesse James but it sounds like it may be right up my street. That aside, while all the covers you mention are very good record

  • Dazdakin
    Dazdakin

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R_wOlfVLu0 There you go soulboy. Enjoy it!!

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I say no way on the gypsy woman cover! They're not even in tune.

my contributions:

Tomorrow's Edition - million dollars - mel-o (cover of soul generation, amazing record actually from the late 80s)

Invincibles - Crystal Blue Persuasion - Rampart (one of my favorite records of all time)

There must be so many and I have to admit it's a bit of an obsession of mine. Find one version, then have to track down the others! And it all started with The Beat's version of Tears of A Clown (me being 15 at the time) and my dad saying "that's an old record". Hence my foray in to Motown lol

Two which stand out for me (clips from youse guys would be good) are:

Original

Cover

Bunny just ADDS something to an already classic and makes it his own - imho.

original

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnvJ6LE4f2I

cover (option one) ¹ :D

(option 2 woulda been Jackie Trent - good but not quite as good as Baz)

In my box all originals and covers are stored together inside plastic sleeves, rather than separate! How sad eh.

Two fantastic choices there from the same production team, they both sound almost identical backing wise as it's the same musicians and arrangers etc, I love both of those.

Invincibles - Crystal Blue Persuasion - Rampart (one of my favorite records of all time)

Kelly Brothers on Excello for me on that song. Loved it since I heard it on the Kent "Uptown Down South" compilation

Kelly Brothers on Excello for me on that song. Loved it since I heard it on the Kent "Uptown Down South" compilation

have you heard the invincibles version? it's got this folksy guitar and awesome falsetto lead.

have you heard the invincibles version? it's got this folksy guitar and awesome falsetto lead.

Just listened Bob. It's nice for sure but I guess I've lived with the Kelly Brothers for quite some years now...

I say no way on the gypsy woman cover! They're not even in tune.

bob, for me it gives the record that bit more umpth!!!!....agree the backing singers are a bit squeely though!!!!

Kelly Brothers on Excello for me on that song. Loved it since I heard it on the Kent "Uptown Down South" compilation

for me the joe bataan version....

although both invincibles + kelly bros both nice!!

Edited by cobbles

fab peps "gypsy woman" version of impressions

4 gents or fab peps "i've been trying" version of impressions

emperors soul 69 "sad girl " version of jay wiggins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoihOD1CE6o

You're having a laugh, aren't you?

Pleasant though all three are, none of these is even slightly better than the original. Not in this or any other lifetime...

However, here are three soul records where the cover/revival is better than the original:

Otis Redding - (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher

Jackie Wilson - (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher

(...both miles better than the Dells version, with Otis' being the best of all)

The Dells - Stay In My Corner (Cadet)

(miles better than the Dells' version on Vee Jay, although I don't like either very much I must confess...)

...and before anyone accuses me of having a pop at the Dells, don't - they are one of my favourite groups and everyone's entitled to make a so-so record now and then...

You're having a laugh, aren't you?

Pleasant though all three are, none of these is even slightly better than the original. Not in this or any other lifetime...

However, here are three soul records where the cover/revival is better than the original:

Otis Redding - (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher

Jackie Wilson - (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher

(...both miles better than the Dells version, with Otis' being the best of all)

The Dells - Stay In My Corner (Cadet)

(miles better than the Dells' version on Vee Jay, although I don't like either very much I must confess...)

...and before anyone accuses me of having a pop at the Dells, don't - they are one of my favourite groups and everyone's entitled to make a so-so record now and then...

Stay In My Corner is a shocking record!

The version!

No, "a" version, you can't compare that to the original, even if it is half decent..

When it's Guitar Ray I reckon...then again not adverse to a bit of Howlin' Wolf!

Much as I love The Temptations in every way.

The obvious candidate here is The Van Dykes-Save My Love for A Rainy Day.

Tony

Stay In My Corner is a shocking record!

just want to confirm that i'm not misunderstanding you -- you think stay in my corner is not good?

Stay In My Corner is a shocking record!

I wouldn't go that far, mate, but it's quite possible - probable, even - that you and me are the only two soul fans in the world who really dislike it.

Actually, although I absolutely adore Tommy Hunt's 1960s original of 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself', I have to say that I think Cissy Houston's uptempo 1970 revival of the song is even better...

just want to confirm that i'm not misunderstanding you -- you think stay in my corner is not good?

That is correct. Well the one on my itunes is terrible anyway, I'm presuming it's the 1968 Chess release.

I wouldn't go that far, mate, but it's quite possible - probable, even - that you and me are the only two soul fans in the world who really dislike it.

Well at least we're not afraid to say so!

A few IMO;

Original First Edition (Kenny Rogers) Just Dropped In. Cover Betty Lavette

Original Barbara Lewis - Hello Stranger. Cover Capitols

Original Mary Wells You Beat Me To The Punch. Cover Alpha Zoe

Original Isaac Hayes Shaft. Cover 20th Century Steel Band!!

Original Timi Yuro What's The Matter Baby. Cover LJ Reynolds

Original Eddie Floyd Never Found A Girl. Cover(s) Al Green & Esther Phillips

Original Carol King Too Late. Cover Bill Deal - rousing typical Bill Deal treatment.

Original Wilson Pickett If You Need Me. Cover Solomon Burke

A few IMO;

Original First Edition (Kenny Rogers) Just Dropped In. Cover Betty Lavette

Original Barbara Lewis - Hello Stranger. Cover Capitols

Original Mary Wells You Beat Me To The Punch. Cover Alpha Zoe

Original Isaac Hayes Shaft. Cover 20th Century Steel Band!!

Original Timi Yuro What's The Matter Baby. Cover LJ Reynolds

Original Eddie Floyd Never Found A Girl. Cover(s) Al Green & Esther Phillips

Original Carol King Too Late. Cover Bill Deal - rousing typical Bill Deal treatment.

Original Wilson Pickett If You Need Me. Cover Solomon Burke

Bill Deal over Carole King and Alpha Zoe over Mary Wells.

Interesting.

But like you say, IMO

No, "a" version, you can't compare that to the original, even if it is half decent..

Totally agree Pete - superb cover, but nowhere near The Marvs! Mind you their version of Shadows & Reflections is by far the best (that I've heard to date) imho (Although I love The Lownly Crowde's instrumental version too)

I just thought of a really good one. The vanguards "somebody please" is amazing, way better than the billy keene original.

A few IMO;

Original First Edition (Kenny Rogers) Just Dropped In. Cover Betty Lavette

Original Barbara Lewis - Hello Stranger. Cover Capitols

Original Mary Wells You Beat Me To The Punch. Cover Alpha Zoe

Original Isaac Hayes Shaft. Cover 20th Century Steel Band!!

Original Timi Yuro What's The Matter Baby. Cover LJ Reynolds

Original Eddie Floyd Never Found A Girl. Cover(s) Al Green & Esther Phillips

Original Carol King Too Late. Cover Bill Deal - rousing typical Bill Deal treatment.

Original Wilson Pickett If You Need Me. Cover Solomon Burke

Seriously not agreeing with you with you on almost all of these...

...apart, oddly enough, from Alpha Zoe! I also really like her version of Hello Stranger, possibly as much as Barbara Lewis but definitely not more so.

But while I'm here, let;s throw these old, returning SS faves into this new pot and start another riot of words!:

Go Now - The Moody Blues is better, no make that miles better, than Bessie Banks

Sitting In The Park - Georgie Fame is better than (or, at the very least, as good as) Billy Stewart

...How ya like them apples?

1. Maxine Brown (Robert Dobyne) - I Can't Get Along Without You - CUR

2. Jessie Butler (Lonnie Youngblood) - Let Me Bring out The Woman I You - Bound Sound LP

3. Hoagy Lands (Ronnie Mitchell) - A Man Ain't No Stronger Than His Heart - Specrum. But this flips back and forth all the time. Could be recorded at same time but came out after RM.

4. Ella Washington (Clarence Carter) - Too Weak To Fight - SS7

5. Willie Johnson (Clarence Carter) - I Don't Want To See Myself - Future Stars, but I do love CC

6. Spencer Wiggins (Etta James) - I'd Rather Go Blind - Fame, I know a complete belter but personally SW does it for me.

7. Etta James (Jessie James) - I Never Meant To Love Him - MCA CD, previously unreleased Fame production

8. Margie Joseph (Supremes) - Stop In The Name Of Love - Volt LP, the 7minute LP version with the talkie bit at the beginning.

9. Candi Staton or Laura Lee (Jeanie Green) - Sure as Sin - Fame or Jap Chess LP

10. Debbie Taylor (Mavis Staples) - I have Learned To Do Without You - Polydor. Also flips back and forth all the time.

When you track down ALL the versions of

I Can't Wait to see my Baby's Face

let us know :yes:

Heard for the first time this week

Pat Thomas

&

Madeline Bell

Both great, but different..

T

The first version of Of All The Hearts (To Break) was done by the Deceptions on Brooks. This was then covered by Black and Blue on Game and was then covered by Peace, Justice and Equality which is my favourite (love the talkie intro), who I believe happened to be a rebranded Deceptions.

I Prefer Lee Bates Ichiban re-working of his Instant recording What Am I Gonna Do.

Seriously not agreeing with you with you on almost all of these...

...apart, oddly enough, from Alpha Zoe! I also really like her version of Hello Stranger, possibly as much as Barbara Lewis but definitely not more so.

But while I'm here, let;s throw these old, returning SS faves into this new pot and start another riot of words!:

Go Now - The Moody Blues is better, no make that miles better, than Bessie Banks

Sitting In The Park - Georgie Fame is better than (or, at the very least, as good as) Billy Stewart

...How ya like them apples?

Richard Chorley, this is your life :lol:

the circle is complete...

Presume Sam Williams was first, but I really love the Towanda Barnes and Ohio Players version of Love slipped through my fingers. I now prefer Towanda.

No, "a" version, you can't compare that to the original, even if it is half decent..

Can and have, so there! post-2216-0-14199900-1321539672.gif

I'll probably be in the minority here but I prefer his version

to theirs!!

1. Maxine Brown (Robert Dobyne) - I Can't Get Along Without You - CUR

2. Jessie Butler (Lonnie Youngblood) - Let Me Bring out The Woman I You - Bound Sound LP

3. Hoagy Lands (Ronnie Mitchell) - A Man Ain't No Stronger Than His Heart - Specrum. But this flips back and forth all the time. Could be recorded at same time but came out after RM.

4. Ella Washington (Clarence Carter) - Too Weak To Fight - SS7

5. Willie Johnson (Clarence Carter) - I Don't Want To See Myself - Future Stars, but I do love CC

6. Spencer Wiggins (Etta James) - I'd Rather Go Blind - Fame, I know a complete belter but personally SW does it for me.

7. Etta James (Jessie James) - I Never Meant To Love Him - MCA CD, previously unreleased Fame production

8. Margie Joseph (Supremes) - Stop In The Name Of Love - Volt LP, the 7minute LP version with the talkie bit at the beginning.

9. Candi Staton or Laura Lee (Jeanie Green) - Sure as Sin - Fame or Jap Chess LP

10. Debbie Taylor (Mavis Staples) - I have Learned To Do Without You - Polydor. Also flips back and forth all the time.

Interesting John. I've never heard the Etta James version of Jesse James but it sounds like it may be right up my street. That aside, while all the covers you mention are very good records I'd go with the original in each and every case, with the marginal exception of the Laura Lee version of Sure As Sin. Jeanie Greene's version is one of the greatest genuine Blue Eyed Soul 45s. If Laura's had been released on a single I might find myself playing it more as it's a scorcher too.

I'll throw one in which may be controversial but I think Laura Nyro & Labelle's version of "The Bells" makes The Originals reading of the song almost one dimensional by comparison even though it is a true classic in its own right.

Darrell Banks' versions of several great songs on his Volt album are so good as to be definitive. His reading of "Only The Strong Survive" is truly magical, as is his version of J.J. Barnes' "Forgive Me".

Interesting John. I've never heard the Etta James version of Jesse James but it sounds like it may be right up my street.

Gareth,

I posted it on my YouTube channel, if you fancy a listen.

Gareth,

I posted it on my YouTube channel, if you fancy a listen.

Cheers John. Just had a listen. Very very good but maybe misses the spontaneity of Jesse James vocal.

Bill Deal over Carole King and Alpha Zoe over Mary Wells. Interesting. But like you say, IMO

Carol King is a dreary dirge I think. I did feel guilty about Mary Wells. I saw her in a Toronto night club, The Speakeasy, in 1987 with a couple of dozen others and I thought she was great. Plus I got to hear Cecil Womack, her husband at the time, sing solo! What a voice he had.

Seriously not agreeing with you with you on almost all of these... ...apart, oddly enough, from Alpha Zoe! I also really like her version of Hello Stranger, possibly as much as Barbara Lewis but definitely not more so. But while I'm here, let;s throw these old, returning SS faves into this new pot and start another riot of words!: Go Now - The Moody Blues is better, no make that miles better, than Bessie Banks Sitting In The Park - Georgie Fame is better than (or, at the very least, as good as) Billy Stewart ...How ya like them apples?

Sorry Tony but the Moody Blues was a typical UK bland, note for note attempt on quality Soul stuff regularly being issued by UK artists at the time, hoping very few people would get to hear the original. And they were right, few ever did because of the stranglehold 'Tin Pan Alley' had on the radio playlists at the time. It was only possible to hear obscure soul on the pirate stations, if you could receive them, which was very difficult where I lived, in the welsh mountains. Nevertheless, I bought Bessie Banks 'blind' and it oozed soul then and still does, whereas The M.B. version is a pleasant oldies radio filler. Georgie Fame did at least 'know' his Soul and was very good live ( I saw him in the Tamla Motown tour of 65) but didn't usually hit it on vinyl for me, EXCEPT for his version of Last Night (the flip of 'Sitting') which I should have put on my list!

The first version of Of All The Hearts (To Break) was done by the Deceptions on Brooks. This was then covered by Black and Blue on Game and was then covered by Peace, Justice and Equality which is my favourite (love the talkie intro), who I believe happened to be a rebranded Deceptions.

I Prefer Lee Bates Ichiban re-working of his Instant recording What Am I Gonna Do.

peace justice and equality is a different group than the deceptions, the group just had the same lead singer dan goldstone. someone was telling me that dan was selling an unreleased album on ebay (I think from the 80s?) that had a 3rd version of "of all the hearts to break" and that it was really good. I think black and blue stole the song as I think the writing credits are different (I have to look at the record to check but i think it credits producer duke hall).

peace justice and equality is a different group than the deceptions, the group just had the same lead singer dan goldstone. someone was telling me that dan was selling an unreleased album on ebay (I think from the 80s?) that had a 3rd version of "of all the hearts to break" and that it was really good. I think black and blue stole the song as I think the writing credits are different (I have to look at the record to check but i think it credits producer duke hall).

Thanks for the correction Bob :)

I'll throw one in which may be controversial but I think Laura Nyro & Labelle's version of "The Bells" makes The Originals reading of the song almost one dimensional by comparison even though it is a true classic in its own right.

I have a couple cool covers of "the bells". One is by an ohio group called Alias Funk and Soul, not as good as the original. But another one is a really cool kiddie version by the philly group the beck brothers from 1972 (they became the beck family), I don't know if it's better than the original but it definitely is different.

Have no idea which came first but for me Alice Clark's "You Hit Me" knocks the living sh** out of Kim Weston's version.

And while we are at it Four Seasons "I'm Gonna Change" over the Velours for me/ Prophits over Creation/Jimmy McFarland over Mavin Gaye.

heres some betty swann "make me yours".......z.z hill "make me yours"......tough call

billy butler "right track"................denise La Salle "right track"..........no contest denise every time

just like the weather...........nolan over mill for me

crazy baby......coasters for me over tuther version

IMO There are some truly strange choices going on here :facepalm: , but that's what makes this fun!

Here are a couple from me

Linda Jones & The Whatnauts and THe Escorts over what is a great O'Jays doublesider but for me the covers really do it!

Ojays , god now i'm not sure!

https://youtu.be/0tzgl5gfV_0

https://youtu.be/CUcF1Et_09Q

Edited by Preems

I'll probably be in the minority here but I prefer his version

to theirs!!

And it looks great :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Have no idea which came first but for me Alice Clark's "You Hit Me" knocks the living sh** out of Kim Weston's version.

And while we are at it Four Seasons "I'm Gonna Change" over the Velours for me/ Prophits over Creation/Jimmy McFarland over Mavin Gaye.

Any chance you've got an audio of The 4 Season's version? Never heard it!!

The embedding of youtube clips within the topic is a massive pain. Can people not just provide an external link?

Also quoting a post with an embedded clip and leaving in the clip really slows the pages down.

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