Favorite Tribute Albums?

@immatthewj 

Linda Ronstadt?

 

Can’t argue with that!

And of course, L.R. and Emmylou have been long-time friends and recording/performing partners.  

@ezwind 

Don’t believe anyone has mentioned the Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert recording. 

 

I liked this one especially:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_dHVf4KH1I

I have to say, though, that as a rule I find the Tribute genre pretty uninspiring. How often does a cover truly equal an original performance, let alone surpass it?  Not that often, to my ears. Emmy Lou Harris is pretty consistently satisfying in this regard but I can’t think of anyone else, off-hand. 

@densely 

It’s often enjoyable to hear a different approach to a song without judging whether it surpasses another performance in some way.

Sure. But afterwards, for better or for worse, it’s my nature to compare and contrast. 

@immatthewj 

I’d agree there are instances where a cover version becomes the definitive interpretation. Poor Poor Pitiful Me and Blue Bayou are good examples.  

If memory serves, Willie Nelson did an album of Kris Kristofferson covers that was pretty good.  Have you heard Aretha Franklin’s cover of Eleanor Rigby?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8NQ8YJj8N8

OK. the more I think about it, the more examples of individual tracks are coming to mind.

Bonnie Raitt;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpuzE6t7_Js

Taj Mahal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp0lTFsolcQ

Ry Cooder:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2Mx9npkNlI&list=OLAK5uy_l7BVY9DP7fNU0KhCbuSY-GDTNURidBUX8

Whether these are definitive is open to interpretation. They're ones that I happen to like. 

@wncrob 

I always thought NG had written "More Than A Whisper". 

I especially enjoy this version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd79mrNr9oM

@unreceivedogma 

Note I said "not that often". I didn’t say "never".  

@immatthewj 

Glad you enjoyed Aretha’s version. 

Given that her arrangement is so different from the original, perhaps it doesn’t  make sense to compare them. Perhaps Paul might say they're "chalk and cheese". 

@onhwy61 

I will have to look for Brother Ray’s version!  

@ezwind 

I’ve enjoyed Garcia’s Dylan covers as well.  

@charlespearcw 

My personal favorite performance from Way To Blue: I love the gospel flavored arrangement highlighted by the vocals of Krystle Warren and Jazz pianist Zoey Rahman. 

I can see how hard-core Drake fans might find it diverges too much from the original but the soulful quality is one I very much relate to: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzkzQ8J_dyg