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Need cover ideas (southern/blues rock)

invader3k

invader3k

Feb 12, 2004
2,851
51
46
Fort Atkinson, WI
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#1
Hey everyone. I haven't posted on here much lately...but have been fortunate to have found a new band that seems like it has some potential. It's a five piece cover band, specializing mostly in blues and southern type rock. It's not going to be strictly limited to that, but the majority of stuff will be in that vein. Right now we are doing some covers like "Beer Drinkers" by ZZ Top, "Godzilla", "Blue on Black" by Kenny Wayne, "You Wreck Me" by Tom Petty, "Got a Line on You" by Blackfoot, etc. You get the idea.

Anyway, we're supposed to come up with five song ideas for next time, and I could use some help. We are trying to avoid doing the really cliche stuff ("Sweet Home Alabama" and "Brown Eyed Girl" are definitely out).

Any ideas for good, at least somewhat danceable, cover songs?
 
#4
Off the top of my head, trying to remember the old set list from the last band I was in....

Anything by The Allman Brothers notably, "Southbound", "One Way Out", "Blue Sky". Allmans is mandatory for a Blues\Southern Rock band! :)

Marshall Tucker Band - "Take the Highway" is IMHO, really cool. Has a really groovy break down\solo section. "Can't You See" for all the slow dance lovers out there (or not really considering the lyrics).

Molly Hatchet = "Flirtin With Disaster"

Blackfoot - "Train Train" is a barn burner. Albeit a short tune.

Skynyrd - "Saturday Night Special", "Gimme 3 Steps". I believe Skynrd is also mandatory! ;)

"Mustang Sally" - I know it's uber overplayed but the chicks love getting nasty to it! ;)
 
#12
rappa29 said:
"Can't You See" for all the slow dance lovers out there (or not really considering the lyrics).
Click to expand...

I really do not like this song at all (booorring), but it's one of our go-to numbers as far as getting people on the floor. They love it.

Skynyrd - "Gimme 3 Steps". I believe Skynrd is also mandatory! ;)
Click to expand...

This one always gets our people moving. "Simple Man" also goes over and is dead easy (albeit pretty darn boring - dynamics are a must). Just try to keep the Skynard to about 3 songs per show, max. Almost every Skynard "classic" is way overexposed by now. There's so many other good bands of that ilk out there that have some good stuff you can do instead

"Mustang Sally" - I know it's uber overplayed but the chicks love getting nasty to it! ;)
Click to expand...

Agree 100% on this. If your band can cop the right groove on this, it's a layup.

Other ideas:

"Hands to Yourself" - again, way overplayed but gets people going.

"Copperhead Road" - we used to do this one, don't do it anymore but still have people ask for it sometimes.

"Black Betty" - if your band has the chops to play this song well, then go for it... but definitely not something you want to just hack your way thru. It is not as easy as it sounds. Bonus points for doing the full length (album) version.
 
#14
My bland plays the same type of music. We find the following are the ones people really like/dance to:

No One To Run With - Allman Bros
One Way Out - Allman Bros
Hold On Loosely - .38 Special
Long Train Runnin' - Doobies
Train, Train - Blackfoot
Living In The USA - Steve Miller
Take the Money & Run - Steve Miller
Get Out Of Denver - Bob Cigar (Seger)
Let It Ride - BTO
 
#17
Good Morning Little School Girl - The Johnny Winter And live version, that's a real burner. His version of 'Its All Over Now'
isn't too shabby either.

Big Boss Man - Jimmy Reed (actually written by Dixon iirc)

Travelin' Shoes - Elvin Bishop

Dixie Chicken - Little Feat

C'mon - Hendrix if your frontman has the chops.

Lousiana Blues - Muddy Waters

And bassist and composer Willie Dixon

Wang Dang Doodle (All Night Long)
I Just Wanna Make Love To You
Back Door Man
Hoochie Coochie Man
I'm Ready
Seventh Son

(I think the songs are credited correctly. )

Even though those are out of the Chess records legacy, the
feel is all from the South.
 
#18
We used to do 2 Doobie Songs till our singer/guitarist that was good at them quit. They were "China Grove" and "Listen to the Music".

Word of caution, if you are also singing backing vox and your band wants to do Doobie Bros covers, you have serious woodshedding ahead because those bass lines are not easy to play while you're singing over top. And Doobies is the type of stuff where you really can't cheat on either the bass line or the vocals and have it go over.
 

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