I sometimes share my love for established songs being covered by other artists. Well done or not so well done, it’s always interesting to hear a different singer or band’s take on a song we know so well by the originator. Here are a few more of my favorite covers.
“Driver 8” by REM and covered by Jason Isbell. This train song is my very favorite by the quartet from Athens, Georgia. Jason Isbell is a major REM fan and it shows in his take of this track which was originally issued on 1985’s “Fables of the Reconstruction” album.
“Drive” by REM and covered by Eddie Vedder. While I was lukewarm to most of 1992’s “Automatic for the People” record, this haunting track is one I never get tired of hearing. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder does a solid job interpreting this cut adding his on the verge of a breakdown tone to it that I actually like better than the way Michael Stipe sang it.
“Shine”, originally recorded by Collective Soul and covered by Dolly Parton. “Better Now” will always be my favorite Collective Soul song but this one is well repped by Dolly from her 2001 record “Little Sparrow.” Dolly is finely backed up by country bluegrass group Nickel Creek as they countryfy and bluegrass this cut.
“Lost Highway” originally written and recorded by Leon Payne then made popular by Hank Williams Sr. and years later covered by Tom Petty. Outside of nursery rhymes, the first music I ever listened to was Hank Williams because that’s who my mom and dad loved and played on their stereo. Many years later, on a whim, the late great Tom Petty laid down this track with his players and it’s excellent. When the song ends, listen to Tom and his bandmates discuss the merits of “Lost Highway.” ‘Just fucking great.’
“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” by Elton John and covered by The Who. This was The Who’s contribution to the “Two Rooms” Elton John/Bernie Taupin tribute record from 1991. One of the best lines Taupin ever wrote was “Get about as oiled as a diesel train” and Roger Daltrey belts it out just fine. I also like how Pete Townsend tossed in a segment of Elton’s oldie “Take Me to the Pilot” in the midst of this cover. Well done mates!
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