If you’re a bluegrass band or a country and western band, it can be pretty easy to cover just about any song. Almost as easy as doing a reggae cover. There are certain rules for these musical forms, and you can reduce them to a formula if you don’t want to work too hard.
That’s why it’s nice to find some good ones.
The Bad Livers “Lust for Life” (Iggy Pop cover)
I went to the first Intonation Festival with my brother-in-law Mister Squid. We sought refuge from the blazing sun in the tent full of music purveyors. We came out with this brand-spanking-new British EP pressed on bright orange vinyl called The Golden Years. It seems to be a live recording (maybe done in a radio studio) from early in their career.
It also includes a great medley of “Jailbait” by Motorhead and “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash. Truly they were the bluegrass band from Hell. Banjo picker Danny Barnes is still making music if you’re interested.
The Meat Purveyors “S.O.S.” (Abba cover)
Another great band that’s just recently called it quits. They were always good for a cover or two when they played live, along with original songs about trucker speed. They had some great titles for their CDs too. This one’s from “All Relationships Are Doomed To Fail.”
Two Tons of Steel “Sedated” (Ramones cover)
According to the band’s website:
Two Tons’ rockabilly-style cover of The Ramones’ “I Wanna Be Sedated,” which it started playing in 1998 and just as quickly became a fan favorite, is also on the new album. “A lot of guys think that they have to write everything. I take my hat off to them when they do,” says Geil. “But I think it’s great to find old songs and play them. People dig it.”
I like his attitude.
Luther Wright and the Wrongs “Another Brick In The Wall” (Pink Floyd cover)
From the famous CD that covered all the songs on Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” album as country songs. You have to admire the ambition, but I don’t know if I can listen to Luther’s whole album. It’s like when Camper Van Beethoven covered “Tusk” by Fleetwood Mac. It’s more interesting in concept than in execution. But I’ve never been a big fan of “The Wall” or “Tusk” so maybe I’m just missing something.
Sally Timms “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (Sons of the Pioneers cover)
Quite different from her work with the Mekons, eh? She’s done a couple of CDs of country music but I read an interview where she said that she’s not ashamed of them but she never listens to them. Her loss, I guess. Her last CD was a real depressing chore to listen to. But her voice is amazing regardless of the material she’s singing.
And for your trivia fans, Sally Timms used to be married to Fred Armisen of Saturday Night Live fame. I actually saw him open for the Mekons as his annoying-guy-with-the-timbales character. I was unimpressed.