10 well covered covers.
All can be heard for free at thegreatunheard.com where a similar version of this text appears.
“White Rabbit” by The Damned [via Jefferson Airplane]
This great cover, recorded in 1980, is one of many many many excellent songs that the underrated Damned never released on a proper album. Captain Sensible’s storming psych-punk guitars thrill and drummer Rat Scabies is as generous with his fills as a restaurant with a free drink refill policy.
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by Devo [via The Rolling Stones]
I always preferred Devo’s fresh 1977 take to the Stones’ more blunted and pedestrian version. Just hearing Mark Mothersbaugh sing “baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby” more than 30 times in 10 seconds (could Mick do that?) is reason enough to be properly satisfied.
“Walk on By” by The Stranglers [via Dionne Warwick]
This 1978 cover is Exhibit A for anyone who might doubt the Stranglers’ musical prowess. JJ Burnel’s bass and Dave Greenfield’s keyboard playing are inspired and the mix allows you to hear all the instruments super clearly. The Stranglers, which formed in 1974, released in February an extremely solid new single titled “Retro Rockets.” The venerable British institution apparently is working on its 17th studio album.
“Shipbuilding” by Robert Wyatt [via Elvis Costello]
Robert Wyatt, with his plaintive, melancholy and vulnerable voice, gives this already tremendous song a tender treatment that adds to the song’s already considerable gravitas. (Note: In researching this song, I learned that while the song was co-written by Costello, Wyatt apparently first recorded the song in 1982 and then Costello recorded his version a year later.)
Stiff Little Fingers, one of Ireland’s greatest bands, is best known for its fiery music, socially conscious lyrics, can do optimism and pragmatism. This 1977 song, found on the group’s incendiary and hot as a torch debut “Inflammable Material,” shows the band slowing down but injecting Marley’s classic with palpable pathos and indignation.
“My Little Red Book” by Love [via Burt Bacharach]
Love truly did do it all. Here they royally pissed off Burt Bacharach! At least that’s the generally accepted story. This stripped down raw 1966 version, which changes the original significantly, apparently sent a spider scurrying up Burt’s neck. As for Love, they soon were playing this on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand of all places!
“I Can’t Get Next to You” by Thee More Shallows [via Al Green]
On this 2006 cover, the whispered, murmured words and late-night shadowy ambience do little to suppress the powerful lyrics that speak to an ability to move (quite literally) heaven and earth but not win the love of someone.
In 1966, the black glove wearing members of the little known and much underrated Music Machine kicked out a version of “Taxman” that didn’t stray far from the original but is worth hearing nonetheless.
“The Wind Blows Your Hair” by Naz Nomad & The Nightmares (actually The Damned) [via The Seeds]
The Damned recorded this in 1984 as part of an all sixties cover album under the auspices of it being the soundtrack to a film titled “Give Daddy the Knife Cindy.” The group did a masterful job of keeping its identity a secret. In fact, I remember in the 80s seeing this at record stores filed under the “N” section instead of under “The Damned.”
“Message in a Bottle” by Leatherface [via The Police]
Leatherface, which just played a cracking North American tour (and is returning to Brooklyn this week), uncorked a hell of a version of the Police’s hit in 1991. It also played the song fiercely when I saw them in March at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. Though I never liked the Police’s version or for that matter much of anything that the band released, this, due largely to Leatherface singer Frankie Stubbs’ impassioned and gravelly singing, gives the tune the spit and passion it so desperately needs.
