PopTodd Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 As we near the end of 2011, and an album perches near (possibly at) the top of my year-end list that consists of almost entirely cover songs (Yep - Once), it got me thinking about albums - NON-COMPILATION ALBUMS - that a single band has filled up with cover songs.Not talking about multi-band tribute records or other compilations, but instances where ONE band has decided to do a bunch of tunes that they did not write, and that were not written for them.What are some of the good ones out there? The ones that are worth picking up? A few that come to mind for me:All Hank Williams covers. And a pretty good listen. I've talked this one up before and I still stand by my recommendation. Just a great rock band playing the hell out of the songs that they love. Never heard that GnR one, so I can't recommend it, but I know that it exist. Others that are worth hearing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Elf Power has a good one. there are a few bands that have done covers of entire LPs (Japancakes, Clawhammer, Pussy Galore, etc). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Off the top of my head, the John Hammond Jr, album of Tom Waits covers was really good. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dustbowler Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Cracker - Countrysides Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Oh, and this is the album that is perched near (possibly at) the top of my best of 2011 list:Mark Caputo of Belleville and Al Chan of The Rubinos bringing new life and new perspective to a bunch of already amazing songs. Finding new melody, harmony, and emotional depth in songs that you already know and love. Seriously. A really great album.A bunch of videos here: http://yepsongs.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Bowie - PIn Ups is very good. Circle Jerks - Golden Shower of Hits. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GtrPlyr Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western MusicJennifer Warnes - Famous Blue RaincoatEmmylou Harris - Wrecking BallRosanne Cash - The ListJoan Baez - Baez Sings Dylan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Almost forgot this one:All Portugese-language, Brazilian takes on Bowie songs.Haven't heard the whole thing, but what I have heard allows me to recommed this one wholeheartedly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Oil Can Boyd Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Japancakes (from Athens GA) did a a cover of MBV's Loveless album a few years ago. It's pretty good, if you like that sort of thing. There is a lot of cello and pedal steel guitar and little/no distortion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dustbowler Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 the flaming lips take on dark side of the moon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Ray Charles - Modern Sounds in Country and Western MusicJennifer Warnes - Famous Blue RaincoatEmmylou Harris - Wrecking BallRosanne Cash - The ListJoan Baez - Baez Sings DylanI agree all are great, but only two meet the qualifications of this thread I think (correct me if I am wrong), that being the Warnes/Cohen disk (super great) and Baez which is called Any Day Now, (which I love but isn't to everyone's taste.) Several Dyaln cover albums including Tim O'Brien's Red on Blonde. Also newly found for me Barbara Jungr's caberet versions of Dylan songs. I have two and both are good. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Why don't the others meet the criteria? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tinnitus photography Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Bryan Ferry - These Foolish Things Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 AMG: Robyn Hitchcock has covered a multitude of artists throughout his career, wowing concert audiences with his ability to spontaneously recall obscure songs and a penchant for making such numbers seem like his own. While his voice and songcraft have usually led to quick comparisons with Syd Barrett and the Beatles, his surreal lyrics and acoustic bent are both the exclusive offspring of Bob Dylan's mid-'60s work. Robyn Sings is a two-disc tribute to this influence, albeit with much more melody aboard than one would normally associate with Dylan's material. As mentioned, the first disc is the keeper of the two and includes live versions of some of Dylan's most well-known acoustic songs, recorded on tour at various American locales in 1999 and 2000. Without sounding sacrilegious, Hitchcock's voice is more pleasing than Dylan's and his acoustic guitar playing is also better, making his versions, much like the Byrds' and Jimi Hendrix's before him, arguably superior to the Dylan takes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shakespeare In The Alley Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Technically not all covers, but John Legend and The Roots' Wake Up! is a great collection of covers and one unfortunate original. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Why don't the others meet the criteria?Ray Charles, Emmylou, Rosanne Cash all sing songs from many different artists. I thought the topic was albums by one artist covering one other artist only. Many many people have covered numerous artists on one album, in fact most singers who are also not songwriters, cover numerous artists. If we are going there then all those artists doing "standards" albums also apply. But it does look like we have gotten off the topic. In that case nearly ALL of Emmylou's albums would apply. Meanwhile the Robyn Hitchcock is another fine Dylan covers album with the additional conseptiual idea of covering songs sung at a concert (although not exactly the same songs.) And suprisingly Pop Todd didn't yet mention the Nillson sings Newman album. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 No, Louie... it's an album featuring just one artist as performer, but they can cover as many bands as they want. So those Ray and Emmylou albums would, in fact, qualify.I see how there could be confusion, though. Sorry. And, yeah, I can't believe that I forgot the Nilsson Sings Newman record, either! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LouieB Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Okay well then it is open season then isn't it. Pick a singer and you got an album of covers. Back in the good old days singers did nothing BUT cover other people. I truly did misinterprete the thread. My bad. I thought we were going for something unique here, instead we are looking at business as usual. So Rod Stewart, Cat Power, Brian Ferry, Tony Bennett, Frank Sintatra, Judy Colins, Joan Baez, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, etc. etc. etc etc. LouieB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 Okay well then it is open season then isn't it. Pick a singer and you got an album of covers. Back in the good old days singers did nothing BUT cover other people. I truly did misinterprete the thread. My bad. I thought we were going for something unique here, instead we are looking at business as usual. So Rod Stewart, Cat Power, Brian Ferry, Tony Bennett, Frank Sintatra, Judy Colins, Joan Baez, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, etc. etc. etc etc. LouieB instances where ONE band has decided to do a bunch of tunes that they did not write, and that were not written for them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 Phosphorescent's To Willie. Best tribute album I've ever heard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PopTodd Posted December 12, 2011 Author Share Posted December 12, 2011 And, for that matter:Willie Nelson's To Lefty From WillieAll covers of Lefty Frizzell songs. Great record. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 One / One: The Loner: Nils Sings Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
howdjadoo Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 The Neil Young-Uncle Tupelo Connection: "The Neil Young-Uncle Tupelo Connection" 01. Motion Pictures (Uncle Tupelo)02. Everybody Knows This is Nowhere (Uncle Tupelo)03. Powderfinger (Uncle Tupelo)04. Burned (Wilco)05. Revolution Blues (Golden Smog)06. On the Beach (Golden Smog)07. Get Back to the Country (Coffee Creek)08. Are You Ready for the Country? (Coffee Creek)09. Sugar Mountain (Uncle Tupelo)10. Cinnamon Girl (Uncle Tupelo)11. Looking for a Love (Jeff Tweedy)12. Almost Cut My Hair (Golden Smog)13. C'mon Baby, Let's Go Downtown (Son Volt)14. Powderfinger (Golden Smog)15. Down by the River (Uncle Tupelo)16. Mr. Soul (Uncle Tupelo)17. Roll Another Number (Coffee Creek) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jcroach Posted December 12, 2011 Share Posted December 12, 2011 These are both technically EPs. Rush and Metallica, I'm coming off like a heavy metal lover! Which I haven't been since high school Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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