Favorite cover?


As a (minor) film buff, I almost invariably prefer originals. But when it comes to audio, I  have found more than a few covers that I prefer to the originals. So, to kick things off, and with all due respect to Boz Scaggs, I absolutely LOVE this live Incognito version of Lowdown:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH%E2%80%A6

What's on the top of your lists?
whipsaw

frothy
11

Credits at end of movie 'Cadillac Records' say that Willie Dixon sued Led Zep and was awarded $1 million. Didn't say what song they didn't pay for.

It's a darn good movie.
Cassandra Wilson, Van Morrison's Tubelo Honey

studio version from her amazing 'Blue Light til Dawn' album

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJuKHy64inE

music video version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py0LYQEAs4k

terrific musicians, and recording on that album.

Also, her version of 'Strange Fruit'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKJ3MU6tx6Y

Billie Holiday original

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Web007rzSOI


@elliotbnewcombjr  Which one do you prefer: The Live or Studio version? (Tupelo Honey)
+1 for elliotbnewcombjr's pick of "Famous Blue Raincoat" by Jennifer Warnes.

I don't think Jennifer or that album got enough credit for reviving interest in Leonard Cohen's music. While there are a lot of great Leonard Cohen covers out there, my two favorites are Lloyd Cole's versions of "Chelsea Hotel" (from the "I'm Your Fan" tribute CD) and "Famous Blue Raincoat" (from the "Rare On Air - Volume 2" CD).
Rickie Lee Jones’ cover of Hendrix’ Up from the Skies on her album, Pop Pop.
Speaking of Rickie Lee Jones... I love her cover of Steely Dan's Show Biz Kids.
Where to start...oh yes, Aaron Neville's "Everyone Plays the Fool", "It Feels Like Rain", well, the entire "Warm Your Heart" album is a sonic treasure trove!
Another surprise for me was the "Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles" from about '93. A Who's Who of country stars of the time do a bang-up job on a selection of Eagles toons. Clint Black on "Desperado" stands out as does Vince Gills take on "I Can't Tell You Why". All quite well executed both creatively and technically.
Stormy Monday- Lee Michaels
Human Nature- Miles Davis (You’re Under Arrest)
All Along The Watchtower- Hendrix, then Bob Dylan and The Band versión. 
God Bless The Child- BS and Tears
t-bone burnett, diamonds are a girl's best friendthis mortal coil, i am the cosmostommy keene, kill your sons
Here are a few I thought of:

I HEARD I THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE (Gladys Knight ....). Marvin Gaye, Creedence ...
PEOPLEGET READY (The Impressions). Chambers Brothers Live
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN (Mommas ...). Jose Feliciano
GOING OUT OF MY HEAD (Little Anthony ....) Wes Montgomery
TEQUILA (The Champs). Wes Montgomery

Carpenters' Ticket to Ride (as a kid I hated them. What can I say? Tastes change. Rarely, but they do.)
Surprised nobody has mentioned this along with Superstar. 

5th Dimension's Never My Love. That was quite an unexpected wow.

While admitting I’ve never heard Grant Green’s version of "Moon River", I can’t imagine a version better than that of Henry Mancini.

Regarding Dylan’s take on "The House Of The Rising Son", the reason The Animals’ pianist Alan Price is in Don’t Look Back is because Bob loved version their of the song, and invited Alan to join him on the road.

Lovesick Blues--Hank Williams
Cold, Cold Heart--Lucinda Williams
Wild Thing--Jimi Hendrix
You Really Got a Hold on Me--The Beatles
Stand by Your Man--Lyle Lovett
Do Wah Diddy--Ry Cooder

Do Wah Diddy Diddy--Manfred Mann (not the same song as Ry C.)
david_ten3

Without a doubt, sound only for initial discovery and repeated listening of any song, both the sounds, and especially the meaning of the words.

Each individual gets their own mental interpretation of a Bob Dylan song, or, in this case, Van's Tupelo Honey. You might discover after several listenings that it is the 'Taste of Freedom' that is Sweet.

When MTV was new, I was horrified to hear one of my son's friends ask him: "Pete, did you SEE that song yet?"

Any Music Video takes away the possibility of individual interpretations, locks the song to that singular presentation for initial experience. 

...............................................

Now, after being fully familiar with both Cassandra and her cover, this studio video, the type showing the real musicians actually playing, is terrific, a treat to see who makes such wonderful sounds. If it was your initial introduction, it is wonderful, but, .......................

mitchagain
6

I agree, that album re-energized my interest in Leonard's writing.

Her version of 'Joan of Arc' is incredible. Making love to the fire, holy smoke.
Disturbed's version of Simon & Garfunkel's "The Sound of Silence".

Johnny Cash's version of Trent Rezner's "Hurt". (The YouTube video is great)

Led Zeppelin's version of The Yardbirds' "Dazed and Confused".

Of course Jimi Hendrix' Watchtower must be on the list.

Marilyn Manson’s cover of Eurhythmics’ Sweet Dreams (are Made of This)
Neil Young and Crazy Horse doing the Beatles "I Saw Her Standing There". I saw this on a Paul McCartney Tribute night and it brought the house down.
Dirty old Town by the Pogues
Lots of covers of Dylans songs were better than his versions imho - "All along the Watchtower" and "A hard rains gonna fall" as just 2 examples off the top of my head
When Aretha Franklin covers Carole King's 'You make me fell like a natural woman' she just tears it up and makes it her own.
@allShould be Jumping Jack Flash by Alex Chilton.....

Not sure previuos link worked.....
When I was composing my post in the ongoing "One Hit Wonder" thread I was reminded of the cover of "Harlem Nocturne" by The Viscounts, which was released in both 1959 and 1966. A totally unique and IMO fantastic cover of an old jazz standard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfAv8yAaHps

(I suspect that the speaking which follows the recording is from the soundtrack of the 1983 film "Christine," which used The Viscounts’ recording in its soundtrack).

Regards,
-- Al

I'm pretty sure that Aretha's version of YMMFLANW pre-dated Carole's by years so that's not really a cover as I understand it. 
In no particular order-
Rolling Stones - Cherry oh Baby
David Grey - One With the Birds
What a Wonderful World - The Ramones
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley

This is a fun thread and a source for a lot of good music!
Cassandra Wilson: Wichita Lineman
Richard Thompson: Season Of The Witch
Post removed 
I saw the Golden Palominos in Boston in the late 80s, and they did Led Zeppelin's The Ocean with Syd Straw on lead vocals. Best cover I've ever heard.
I dislike Jimmy Eat World on a massive scale but their cover of The Prodigy’s Firestarter is straight amazing.

https://youtu.be/qyR27LnGC0s
Warren Zevon's cover of Knockin on Heaven's door (youtube) is very powerful--he was dying of cancer when he performed it.
Warren Zevon also covered Back in the High Life Again on his album Life’ll Kill Ya