Musicians and covers - opinion

[palinurus]

I get so fed up with seeing acts that trot out the same covers. I'd prefer a set of original material almost anytime.

Obviously if an act covers something unexpected and in an original way I'm very happy. I find it doesn't happen often.

 

[Riverman]

Speaking of Nick Drake, Claire Martin did a nice cover of Riverman with Noel Gallagher on the guitar.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGlZSr9A0Y0


He messed up the beginning though.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I've just played a fantastic improvised cover version of 'Four' by Miles Davis on my Sax, so stick that up ya jumpa!














... and with a bit more practice I'll play it properly...

 

[alecstilleyedye]

I think you need all the bits of the jigsaw, if the songs are weak you're missing a part.

Artists have always covered other people's songs, done correctly there's no harm in it. At least until she gets enough backing to employ decent songwriters.

Having said that, I would never underestimate the public appetite for bland s***! ;0)

dido and phil collins covers all round then

 

[Amanda P]

As a bit of a jazzer, I think I may have the best of both worlds.

A lot of what we play is covers/standards - call them what you will. But there's something original every time we play, since every solo in every song is different to the last time we played it.

Our horns can each turn out a standard, screaming solo when required, but when appropriate, can really surprise you with something totally original and melodic. Or quote a musical phrase from some totally unrelated and unexpected genre in a way that makes you laugh out loud.

I do feel some of our covers are better than the originals. (But then I would say that, wouldn't I?)

 

[Cranky]

Someone should tell the singer to stop messing with her hair - it's very distracting.

As a bit of a jazzer, I think I may have the best of both worlds.

A lot of what we play is covers/standards - call them what you will. But there's something original every time we play, since every solo in every song is different to the last time we played it.

Our horns can each turn out a standard, screaming solo when required, but when appropriate, can really surprise you with something totally original and melodic. Or quote a musical phrase from some totally unrelated and unexpected genre in a way that makes you laugh out loud.

I do feel some of our covers are better than the originals. (But then I would say that, wouldn't I?)

 

[Amanda P]

She gets nervous.

Bass player does too. He always disappears five minutes before we're supposed to start playing, and only re-appears five minutes late. No-one knows if he's praying, having diarrhoea, phoning his girlfriend or just having a fag. One of life's great mysteries - Where Does Dave Go?

 

[Amanda P]

We have a lot of fun and occasionally make some pocket money.

Me, trombone. I've recently become enamoured of this rather splendid 70s 3B Sliversonic.

 

[Amanda P]

B)

 

[tyred]

I like to hear mostly original material I have to say. I don't mind covers if the band/singer can do something original with them but many just seem to try and do it exactly the same as the original but I don't see the point in that. Okay, if you're performing in pub, you will probably get more response from the crowd if you play all the old hits/favourites that everyone knows which is fair enough but why anyone would buy an album of cover versions is beyond me. Of course the other thing is, how do you define an original artist? They've all taken different influences from the performers they like, even the likes of Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash who are considered originals. I would imagine it very difficult to do something genuinely original as someone has probably done something similar before.

 

[tyred]

I'd say the majority of Johnny Cash's recordings were covers. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that!

Absolutely. But he covered songs in a way that made them all sound like Johnny Cash originals. In fairness, he wrote a huge amount of great songs himself as well and I don't suppose he released very many albums which didn't contain at least a few of his own compositions, maybe some in the 70s but Columbia tried to turn in him into an easy listening cabaret act at that stage, hence the split in the 80s.

 

[Black Sheep]

my take on it (having read just the first page) is that doing covers is ok but if thats all you do then you'll always be there doing cover versions.

however, if you do covers then slip in a couple of your own songs people will stay and listen and gradually recognise you and your music and start to like it etc

 

[very-near]

my take on it (having read just the first page) is that doing covers is ok but if thats all you do then you'll always be there doing cover versions.

however, if you do covers then slip in a couple of your own songs people will stay and listen and gradually recognise you and your music and start to like it etc

She does refuse to cover any others though citing 'it isn't where she is at'

 

[tyred]

She does refuse to cover any others though citing 'it isn't where she is at'

She may strike it lucky but artists like that from what I see usually play to a very specialised group of fans who would appreciate songs of the more intellectual kind. The vast majority of the record buying public want cheap and cheerful pop music like Westlife or something.

 

[mikeitup]

re

When I was in a classic rock/metal covers band. We did 2 gigs a week.
Also WE used to LOVE to play the stuff we did. The fact that the punters enjoyed it was just a bonus.

Cover bands don't earn half as much as "Tribute" bands. That's where the money is.

Anyone interested in forming a Tesla tribute band?

Thought not