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Covers Better Than The Original

#1,206
definenredefine said:
I'm not sure this is better than the Stranglers, but it is really good -
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That doesn’t really count, since it’s the guy who co-wrote and sang it originally, therefore not a cover. Just different musicians backing him up, the same as David Byrne doing Talking Heads material, or Sting singing Police songs with more than two other people.
There’s a vast number of covers, ranging from string quartets and harps to straight-ahead folk style versions, which is funny since the song is about heroin.
 
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#1,207
Michedelic said:
That doesn’t really count, since it’s the guy who wrote and sang it originally, therefore not a cover. Just different musicians backing him up, the same as David Byrne doing Talking Heads material, or Sting singing Police songs with more than two other people.
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Did not know it was the same guy. I stumbled across Golden Brown completely at random. The first version I heard was this one -

...which wasn't even played by Dave Brubeck, but by the guy who made the video (his process is in the description.) From there I found the original and the mariachi version. All of them are fantastic.
 
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#1,208
definenredefine said:
Did not know it was the same guy. I stumbled across Golden Brown completely at random. The first version I heard was this one -

...which wasn't even played by Dave Brubeck, but by the guy who made the video (his process is in the description.) From there I found the original and the mariachi version. All of them are fantastic.
Click to expand...

I’ve been a Stranglers(and JJ Burnel in particular)fan since ‘78.
 
#1,210
definenredefine said:
Ever since hearing Golden Brown, I think I may need to become a fan myself.
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Well, be aware that the tune is from a later era, after they had somewhat mellowed out, and not typical of a lot of their work.
They were part of the British punk movement, although they had been around for a few years; in fact, they were derided by some for being “too old”, although their aggresive sound and bad attitude helped them fit in. The secret weapon that set them apart was keyboardist Dave Greenfield, who had a Ray Manzerek/Doors style(he actually came up with most of the “GB” music). Here are a couple of my fave tunes from the early days…



Into the 80’s they turned a corner stylistically


Frontman Hugh Cornwell left the band eventually, going solo, and sadly Greenfield died from Covid last year. But bassist JJ was always a driving force…
 
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#1,213
Michedelic said:
Well, be aware that the tune is from a later era, after they had somewhat mellowed out, and not typical of a lot of their work.
They were part of the British punk movement, although they had been around for a few years; in fact, they were derided by some for being “too old”, although their aggresive sound and bad attitude helped them fit in. The secret weapon that set them apart was keyboardist Dave Greenfield, who had a Ray Manzerek/Doors style(he actually came up with most of the “GB” music). Here are a couple of my fave tunes from the early days…



Into the 80’s they turned a corner stylistically


Frontman Hugh Cornwell left the band eventually, going solo, and sadly Greenfield died from Covid last year. But bassist JJ was always a driving force…
Click to expand...

Thank you for this. I'm gonna check all of that out.
 
#1,214
definenredefine said:
Thank you for this. I'm gonna check all of that out.
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I went off on that tangent, and forgot to mention a cover they did; not better or anything like that, but just an interesting take as it was an unlikely song…


But another tune from early 60’s pop where the cover resonates with me more…


I remember the original from when I was a little kid, my mom loved Andy Williams, so the idea was pre-sold(that intro left an impression)…


It’s funny, I’m around Dave Wakeling’s age, I wonder if he got it from his mom(or mum); I run into him every great once in a while, and I’ve never asked him. Their “Tears Of A Clown” ain’t too shabby either.

Speaking of unlikely covers…
 
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