Discovering earlier versions of songs

[Richard A Thackeray]

The original and still the best ...

What about the version by Dave Philps & The Hot Rod Gang???


As for Willie Nelson, & 'Always On My Mind', didn't he write it???
He wrote 'Crazy' & 'Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain'


Jerry Reed ('Snowman' in Smokey & The Bandit) wrote/first recorded 'Guitar Man' (Elvis heard him play it & liked it)

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

What about the version by Dave Philps & The Hot Rod Gang???

I know it's quite a bit post Jones (my 45 dates from 1982), but still cool......



The utterly gorgeous Imelda May recently covered it too

Jerry Reed ('Snowman' in Smokey & The Bandit) wrote/first recorded 'Guitar Man' (Elvis heard him play it & liked it)

 

[craigwend]

 

[marzjennings]

I know it's quite a bit post Jones (my 45 dates from 1982), but still cool......



The utterly gorgeous Imelda May recently covered it too

Both utterly weak versions, Gloria Jones was good, but I'm sorry Manson owns this song now...

 

[Chromatic]

What about the version by Dave Philps & The Hot Rod Gang???


As for Willie Nelson, & 'Always On My Mind', didn't he write it???
He wrote 'Crazy' & 'Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain'


Jerry Reed ('Snowman' in Smokey & The Bandit) wrote/first recorded 'Guitar Man' (Elvis heard him play it & liked it)

Not according to Wiki: "Always on My Mind" is an American country music song by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson,

Anyway, this is the best version of that song:

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2aMaMkDwTA

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've always liked the Cream number Spoonful


But didn't realize the original was done by Howlin Wolf

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The Rolling Stones version of Little Red Rooster

Howlin Wolf's original

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The Etta James hit I just Want To Make Love To You



Is another Willie Dixon song first performed by Muddy Waters

 

[Asa Post]

Saw the Sutherlands do this in Sheffield after Rod the Mod had made it famous.
When they finished, someone in the crowd called out "Royalties!".
Got a good laugh, especially from the band.

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDsaFY3ScsU

 

[Cyclist33]

I consider Ray Davies to be right up there with, if not the best of, 'English' songwriters. I use inverted commas because whilst he's a top notch songwriter full stop, I think he's a master of observation and portrayal of an English sensibility. Others have it too, to varying degrees and perspectives; Paul Weller, Suggs, Richard Ashcroft, Jarvis Cocker, even young Alex Turner, etc etc etc etc

As to unknown originals, I'll give it some thought and come back to you. I think I've always been aware that a cover is a cover, even if I've not heard the original.

what do you mean exactly? "english sensibility"... have you compared these artists' lyrics to any in another language to see how they compare? im just curious where you define the english thing. are we the only country with the things those artists describe? possibly not. "a metropolitan marathon" for instance...

stu

 

[Rapples]

Both utterly weak versions, Gloria Jones was good, but I'm sorry Manson owns this song now...

Can't agree I'm afraid, but each to their own.

BTW has anyone mentioned Gloria Jones was "Mrs Marc Bolan"?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The House Of The Rising Sun from 1933



The Animals version from 1964

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Not according to Wiki: "Always on My Mind" is an American country music song by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson,

I stand corrected, I always thought it was one of his.

 

[Chromatic]

I stand corrected, I always thought it was one of his.

So did I.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Elliot Smith, 'Thirteen':


The original by Big Star:


But actually the best version I've heard is from The Abrams Brothers, who are mainly a bluegrass band but were persuaded by their producer, my mate Chris, to rock out a bit...