The Unwound Third > Other Musical Interests

Covers that are better than the original.

<< < (4/4)

Steve W:
Thanks, Lignite. I didn't know about that William Harris one.  Great. Agreed it beats the original.

In a different musical field, I find Joe Ely's versions of 'Gallo Del Cielo' better than Tom Russell's versions.  On Joe's 'Letter To Laredo' and 'Live @ Antone's' recordings

MarkC:
I agree with both the William Harris cover and Joe Ely’s. Gallo del Cielo is a really great song, and Ely’s recording is one of my all-time favorites. There are a lot of stories in that song.

lindy:
Truth be known, I *don't* think this cover is better than the original, to say that any recording of C.C./See See Rider is better than Ma Rainey's 1924 original would probably be considered sacrilegious in this neighborhood.

But I was reading an obituary of Gene Barge, who played sax on Chuck Willis's 1957 version, and I was reminded that the '57 version of the song made it to #1 on the R&B chart. Pretty amazing considering all of the country blues and Chicago-electric versions we're familiar with:



Here's a link to the obit, worth a read:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/arts/music/gene-barge-dead.html

Then take a listen to the original of "Quarter to Three" and dance around the kitchen, there's a link in the obit, play it loud . . .

Lindy

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page