In class 3, we will do our in class writing, do peer review on the CD Review assignment, and we will talk about cover songs. We’ll define what a cover song is and read excerpts from both positive and negative opinions of covers.
Homework:
Pick a song that was covered and write your opinion about if the new version is any good. Post your work to this blog by Tuesday (Jan. 29) at 9am. Re-write of your CD Review is due (not posted to blog – email or give me a hard copy) by the beginning of class on Wednesday (Jan. 30).
Links:
Wiki Definition/Origin of Covers: http://tinyurl.com/yhmkgo
NY Post 100 Best Cover Songs: http://tinyurl.com/39cjmp
Cracked.com 20 Worst Cover Songs: http://tinyurl.com/37mj9n
100 Greatest Cover Songs: http://tinyurl.com/de948
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8 comments:
Come to Daddy
by Dillinger Escape Plan (Genre: Mathcore)
Original Version by Aphex Twin (Genre: Drill N’ Bass)
The original version of this song was preformed by Aphex Twin, who is widely considered to be one of the most innovative electronica artists around today. The Dillinger Escape Plan is the only band, let alone musical act; I know of to even attempt a cover of an Aphex Twin track. The DEP are a highly experimental band however and with a vocalist like Mike Patton at the forefront, they are capable of anything. The original version is extremely fast paced and disjointed, jumping from beat to beat with no warning; it is also unique for Aphex Twin seeing as how he uses his voice in it, a rare occurrence indeed. Considering the high speed and bizarre time signatures of the track, it is impressive to realize that the DEP recreated it flawlessly with real instruments at speed. The only structural difference between the two is the last 20 seconds; where the original continues to bleep and bloop, the DEP version abruptly stops at 4:00 and a creepy ambient hush descends. Another thing that makes the DEP’s version interesting is Mike Patton, who both sings the lyrics and uses his own particular brand of voice music to enhance the spooky feel of the song. You can hear his roaring, hissing and breathing (yes, even his breathing is scary) throughout the song, intermixed with the dentist drill guitars. This cover far outstrips the original, though Aphex Twin purists are probably gagging at the thought of it.
4 Non Blonds vs Led Zeppelin
Song, Misty Mountain Hop
Led Zeppelin originally wrote Misty Mountain Hop. It was a hit song. The 4 non-blonds did a cover of the song and it was good, but not as good. But the lead singer Linda Perry enjoyed listening to Led Zeppelin a lot. I watched a BIO thing on You-Tube about Linda Perry and she said that when they first started they didn’t know what to come up with so the did a cover of Misty Mountain Hop. I listened to them both at the same time and the Zeppelin version was faster and shorter and the 4 non-blonds one was slower and longer.
The times were for Led Zeppelin it was 4:39 and the 4 non-blonds was 5:35. I have noticed a lot of bands that cover this song like to play it longer then they should. So yeah you decide Led Zeppelin or 4 Non Blonds? And if you would like to listen to the songs and compare the two just come to me at any point in school and ask to listen.
Miles
Cover Song: Sweet Child ‘O Mine
Originally By: Guns ‘n Roses
Covered By: Sheryl Crowe
I would say that no matter what I love this band.
But this cover is just a disgrace.
First of all, this version does not include the classic opening riff that lets us know that this is Sweet Child ‘O Mine.
Also, I would have to say that the magical words of Axel Rose can only be sung by Axel Rose.
She adds a new folk-like sounds to this song that song could have gone without
The original Sweet Child ‘O Mine had a great sound that if anything, added brilliance to the band Guns ‘n Roses as one of their greatest and most famous hits
The band itself recorded the album Appetite For Destruction, their debut album featuring this song and many great other songs such as Welcome to the Jungle, Night Train, and others
A catchy 80’s rock feel with a sound as if from the 70’s, this song is defiantly one of the untouchables
Johnny Cash brings life and feeling to this song, which is needed, compared Trent Reznor. Not to take away from Reznor’s work but Cash stole the show completely in this one. Cash turned this song inside out from something almost sounding like a poetry jam gone wrong and it becomes meaningful with listeners able to relate easily. Additionally, the acoustic guitar adds another element of feeling that brings you in deeper. Johnny shows that the song has a strong purpose and feeling that the song needed. Cash’s Folk version of this song is on of the best covers ever.
"Killing Me Softly"
By The Fugees Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
Original by Roberta Flack Genre: R&B/Soul
Lauren Hill's voice is more energetic than Roberta Flack in the original. I think thats a big difference in between the two. Also The original has more instruments playing and sounds live, more natural that real feeling. The cover version is just a bass and other voices in the background. The Fugees brings back "killing me softly" in a deeper, emotional way. Hill's voice makes you feel like she actually went threw what shes singing about. She makes it sound personal. The fugees has done one other cover song "no woman no cry" so they do have experience on cover songs. i really like their version of "Killing Me Softly", i actually like it a lot better than Flacks. I think they did well.
Killing Me Softly by: the Fugees
genre: Hip-hop/rap
Originally by: Roberta Flack
Soul/Jazz/R&B
I usually hate album covers because it's not original. however, the Fugees version of "killing me softly" I really loved. When I first heard Lauren Hill sing this I couldn't stop listening to it. I was in 8th grade. I remember my middle-school graduation so clearly everytime I hear this song by the Fugees. What really gets me about it is how it starts out with voices singing in harmony and than catches a rhythm and beat. Lauren Hill has so much talent, and so much attitude. I love her voice because she can sing like a gospel singer in church, but she can also rap like no other.
Roberta Flack won the 1974 Grammy for "Killing Me Softly With His Song" as record of the year. This is a very heart warming song. I don't think any other band could pull of an album cover of it but The Fugees.
“Soul Kitchen”
Originally by the Doors, covered by X
X takes the Doors’ somewhat laidback 1967 song “Soul Kitchen” and strips it down, speeds it up, and pumps it full of punk rock energy on their landmark 1980 album, Los Angeles. The album was produced by Ray Manzarek, the former keyboardist for the Doors, so it’s interesting to think what it was like recording the song with him. He also played all the organ parts on Los Angeles, although keyboards are absent on X’s version of “Soul Kitchen.”
The mildly Santana-ish guitar on the original is reduced to loud and fast power chords by Billy Zoom. Likewise, John Doe reduces the melody of the original bass line to a simpler line, mostly sticking to root notes. The song is a good one for X to do because it lends itself well to their eerie harmonies, which are yelled as much as they are sung by Exene Cervenka and John Doe. Ultimately, I think it’s a successful cover. X did a good job making the song their own without just messing it all up.
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