Happy Old School Friday, folks. This weeks theme is Something Old, Something New. It’s funny that this is the theme for this week, because I was just complaining yesterday with BlackAmazon over on Facebook about Scarlet Johannson’s gawd awful cover of Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye.” Really, unless you are as brilliant, if not more brilliant, than the artist whose work you seek to cover (or you’re covering something that was mediocre to crap to begin with), you need to just leave it alone. Some things are sacred.
First off, “All Along the Watchtower.” First by Bob Dylan, then by Jimi Hendrix.
Bob:
Now, Jimi:
Here’s a good example of when the cover trumps the original. Aretha Franklin takes a mediocre song by Otis Redding and turns it into a classic.
Otis Redding – “Respect”:
Now watch the Queen kill it!
Does it count as a cover when the original musicians join another group to redo a song?
Public Enemy – “Bring the Noise”:
Anthrax with Public Enemy:
Ok, I’m done. Happy OSF Y’all! Thanks for playing, and as always, much love to all the other OSF participants.
Electronic Village | Fresh And Fab | Danielle | Kim | Ms Grapevine | Quick| Marcus LANGFORD | Cassandra |iriegal | Mahogany | Hagar’s Daughter | Lisa C | Chocl8t | DP | Dallassouth | John | CC Groovy | Kreative Talk | Marvalus One | Regina | Clnmike | Vivrant Thing | AJ | Sharon | The Creole Pimp | Invisible Woman | Beleiver 1964 | Cooper | SJP | Bria | BklynQueen 86 | Hey Shae | From the Battlefield | Thembi | D Spot | Malcolm | Pop Art Diva | Pjazzypar | MsLadyDeborah
OK I’m seriously biased on song #1. I know Jimi turned it out but Prince’s Super Bowl cover of it was my favorite. I wish I could get a full version of Prince doing this song.
And yes, Aretha made that song hers. No one else should ever admit to recording it.
Ahhh, the days when Flava Flav seemed to be almost really about something…
I was looking at this post and thinking what a clever way to start black history month (seriously). These are great not only for the music but the reminder. (And yes, I know I just included Bob Dylan in Black History Month but he was played by a black kid in that movie right?! ;P )
I like both by Jimi and Bob – depending on the mood. Gotta go with Aretha on the respect tip.
Definitely Aretha on the R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
Good choices!
I agree with Shae! I saw Prince KILL that song!
And I love, love, love Otis Redding BUT this song definitely belongs to Aretha!
I was told that a tower I pass by every day on my way to work is THE watchtower. Apparently it inspired Dylan. I learned this last summer, which is when I learned that Hendrix’s version wasn’t the original. Today, on your blog, is the first time I ever heard Dylan perform it.
Here’s one of those that perhaps shouldn’t have been covered:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_35F8jLFjW0
Where did you go, do you have blogger’s fatigue???
Do you usually take February off, or should we be worried?
Because I am worried, a little.
Jimi included all of those air-siren noises of his, so not fair! OF COURSE it was better than a damn harmonica. It SOUNDED like the freaking apocalypse. (Meant as very high compliment, of course.)
And echoing thebewilderness: where ya BEEN?!
@everyone: I’m good. No need to worry. I just needed to step away from the intertubes for a minute. It happens.
tbh, i only recognized “Queen” out of your selection, the other were probably way b4 my time, but nevertheless great choices
have a nice weekend