General Chat

Hiya Jen, I'm a Dusty fan but did not know any versions of the song I had a look on the Dusty site: http://www.dustyspringfield.*co.*uk The only people mentioned there are: Elaine Paige, The Blow Monkeys and Lesley Gore. Sorry can't help anymore than that, me answering this will bump it up and maybe someone else will know. Pat x

Was listening to a Best of Morrissey album on the way into work and came across Morrissey's cover of The Jam's 'That's Entertainment'. Prefer the original but Morrissey's version isn't bad.

The best cover version ever is Tom Robinson's version of Dylan's 'I will be released' After nearly thirty years, it still sends shivers down my spine.

Thank you for that Maureen Davex

Bella, Isn't there a lot by Elvis Presley that weren't originally his? Blue Suede Shoes was Carl Perkins too, weren't it? Hound Dog was Big Mama Thornton I thought That's Alright Mama was Marty Robbins? Too many to name and I ain't a Presley fan, so leave it for someone else. Pat x

That's all right Mama, Elvis.............Carl Perkins(i think)

Louise, Yes you are right, those groups were paying respects to the originals of Jamaican Music, I suppose an example of how it can work out good is UB40’s version (very close to the original) “Kingston Town” the royalities from UB40’s massive hit enabled Lord Creator the writer (Kentrick Patrick) to buy a little house (I mean little), in Jamaica. I bought UB40’s first album “Signing Off” on that album they do an OK version of Randy Newman’s “I think its’ gonna Rain Today” also their second album “Present Arms” not quite as good but still ok. As I have grown up listening to Jamaican Music it is very difficult for me to accept others trying to copy it :-( Louise think you may have to ask someone else who may know better than me about those two songs they are ancient, “Ain’t what you do” I think is a 1920’s song maybe it’s even earlier, “It ain’t necessarily so” as far as I know is from “Porgy & Bess” written by the Gershwin Brothers (George & Ira). David, Thanks for the info on Jimmy Young :-) Pat x

who did the original of 'it aint what you do, its the way that you do it' by Bananarama and fun boy 3? and 'it aint necessarily so' by the communards/Bronski Beat I like those as well.

can't get used to losing you by the Beat, original - Andy Williams. both are brilliant. Anyway Pat the Ub40's , madness and Specials are all paying tribute to the ska and reggae classics. They love the music. I listened to it all when I was a teenager and only discovered the originals when i met my husband who can remember them first time round being a slightly older git than me lmho

at the risk of making Pat laugh yet again, I love UB40's version of strange fruit.

Paul, I think Rufus Wainwright did a cover of 'Hallelujah' that features on the Shrek soundtrack, the song features in the film as well but it's not that version.

Pat not sure whether Jimmy Young was original but he sang it a lot before Righteous Brother's was'nt too bad but he was a big band singer! He made it in 1955 and was theme from a film the Balladeer but think he was covering US version not sure who made it? Dx

Christine, Pat, do you remember Sam Fox's version of 'I only wanna be with you' worse than the BCR. How about Kim Wildes awful version of 'Stop in the name of love'...........D R and the Supremes.

I tell you this thread could go on and on as many that are being mentioned I remember well. Christine Do remember the Tourists featuring Annie on Top of the Pops LOL. thought it was a dire cover version, well I was a Dusty fan. I will not bother commenting on the Bay City Rollers LOL Paul Chunks I am not Bob Dylan's greatest fan but he writes terrific songs, I like listening to his earliest stuff but can't listen to his later stuff his voice is pretty awful. But I don't think a lot of great writers can sing very well Neil Diamond, Bacharach and a few more. I find a lot of Leonard Cohen depressing to listen to, but I know others think he is brill to listen to :-( I don't know Chris Martin so I can't comment on him. Night Paul I am off too, night all, this was a bit of fun, cheers Lou :-) Pat x

I have to defend Chris Martin here, he might very well be a tosser (don't know him personally, can't say), but he writes very good songs... other covers... prefer Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah to the original by Leonard Cohen. I like his version of strange fruit too, although the original version of obviously fantastic (Billie Holiday) off to bed now.. night all Paul (ps... don't really like Dylan... horribly whiney voice)

You just reminded me of another couple Pat! I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself...The White Stripes, original Dusty Springfield I Only Wanna Be With You.....The Tourists(Annie Lennox) and The Bay City Rollers, original Dusty Springfield Christine

Bella Christine said it was the Communards what a terrible version it was too LOL. Thelma Huston had a version of that song on Tamla Motown at the time of Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes hit. Oh before I forget Housemartins 'Caravan Of Love' originally the Isley Brothers Lulu's 'Shout' originally The Isley Brothers Breakfast In Bed Dusty Springfield (From Dusty In Memphis LP) Shirley Bassey and Lorna Bennett did versions of that one. How about all the Bacharach songs sung in the U.S. by Dionne Warwick and covered in the UK by Sandie Shaw and Cilla Black Anyone who had a heart, Alfie, Always something there to remind me and others. Oh I am very impressed Christine the wonderful late Dennis Brown, although I am not a fan of that song hubby likes it :-) Pat x

Snap Bella! Just put that one above...The *Communards and the lead singer was Jimmy Sommerville Christine

Sorry Christine you did type Communards, i didn't see it. maybe i need Laser Treatment.

Pat, the young ones at work are just starting to get the new Dr John and Randy Newman song on radio 2 'under the Apple Tree' that tips metaphors at sexual incounters as every blues/reggee song as for years, old music, but hope it pricks new ears