DBT #358 Beatles Covers Vol. 1
I may not be a huge Beatles collector but I was smart enough to buy this 13 record set early after it's release in 1978. I have no idea what I paid for it, but I would never part with it. All the records are English releases (EMI/Parlophone) so they end up with more songs on it then the American releases at least in the early records. I don't take them out to much (even in this picture quickly Pete was thinking about walking on them) but here's what they look like.
So recently after I bought Mary McCaslin's rookie release, I was so impressed with her two Beatles covers that it sent me on a journey deep into the record, CD, and digital downloads to find all the covers I own. Currently it's at 92 songs or 4 hours and 41 minutes. So let's start busting it into small bites, and the first dozen looks like this; and hang in there this playlist has a bonus video at the end.
1) Blackbird - Mary McCaslin
This version off the 1969 recording is outstanding rich in acoustic textures from banjos and dulcimers, and contrasts nicely to her more familiar recording from a 1977 Old Friends release. You might suspect I like the first version better; and while I do both are perfect with Mary's unique vocal style.
2) Revolution - Sarah Peacock
Of course these volumes will and should only put one cover of the song, so now 7 other Blackbird songs from my 92 can not be played HA! We can play music from a friend who played our house concert series, Sarah Peacock. She put out a great little EP of covers, many I had to check to see who really was the original artist. She owns this song, and I love the bass line in the song.
3) Lady Modonna - Greg Bennett
Ok having Greg's 18 song cd called "Acoustic Beatle Covers" ensures he'll be in every volume. Why not they are all incredible. I'm still totally trying to figure it out, but I believe he also played guitar for Laura Nyro and ended up being known for his guitar building. I think this is his obituary.
4) Help - Dolly Parton
I bought her "Great Balls of Fire" album recently because it had this song. Ricky Scaggs and Herb Peterson sing with her on this bluegrass version. Herb shows up again later in this playlist.
5) I Will - Ben Taylor
This one took my friend Tim Kolek to explain it was Jim's son Ben and that's why I could not find it anywhere in James library. Right I might have been given this version by Tim ages ago as we learned the song for a wedding gig. Ok I couldn't help but share this clip because it shows Ben, but the sound quality is studio in the next. You would swear that it's James.
6) Penny Lane - Kenny Rankin
Ok remember the deal, no song repeats so Kenny's version of Blackbird that inspired Paul McCartney to have him play it when Paul was inducted to the Songwriters Hall of Fame can't be on this playlist. So glad he also put Penny Lane on Silver Morning too. (Hard to pick but Silver Morning might be my favorite Kenny Rankin album.)
7) Can't Buy Me Love - Hot Soup
Of course I recently got this cd and was surprised and enthralled by this cover arrangement. While you could listen to the studio version here, when you can give love to the ladies live- YOU DO IT!
8) In My Life - Dreamsicles
In My Life has five spots in my 92 songs, so here's a more rare one from an album Cary Cooper and Tom Prasada-Rao put out. (Rest in peace Tom) Such tasteful guitar work on this while Cary takes the vocal lead.
9) Yesterday - Willie Nelson
Here's to old minds that sometimes still works. I used Discogs to search writer of songs within my vinyl / CD collection but when the publisher of the album doesn't add credits than you can miss songs. Luckily I remembered I had Willie doing this song by this fairly little known country group. Boy I just found this YouTube page called Beatles covers.... could come in handy finding more I want in my library. Yes it has Willie's priceless intro.
10) Paperback Writer - Herb Pedersen
Herb a fantastic studio musician (remember he was with Dolly in track 4) opened his 1976 rookie solo release with this country pedal steel cover. It kind sounds like if Poco would have covered it.
11) Getting Better - Sons Of The Never Wrong
Wow ... this 2000 released song really shows off the Sons creativity too. Sadly I couldn't find it anywhere to share, so I imported it and put it into YouTube as an audio video. Of course if I'm told to, I might have to take it down, until then WATCH IT NOW!
12) Rain - Gregg Allman
When my Discogs search brought up my Allman Brothers 4 CD set, I was puzzled. Even more so when I listened to the song. I had to look up the original Beatles version which was recorded during the Revolver sessions and never made it on to the record. It did show up as a B Side to Paperback Writer (pretty sneaky of me to have that one as track 10 eh?) Gregg's version is so bluesy, and of course I was compelled to put it in Volume one for the story.
BONUS) - Taxman - Taylor Rae, Sydney Gorham, & Colette Menezes
I was so thrilled these ladies posted their 3rd Beatles cover video this week for April 15th, and I'm on record (in the comments) that I would so love them to put out an album of these covers; I would buy it... Yes this was also the week Taylor's new vinyl "The Void" showed up on my doorstep. Love it, and it's safely put away because my silly cats bit the edge of the signed rookie vinyl "Mad Twenties" of hers in the collection.
Of course here's your ONE-Click YouTube Playlist
Next steps:
- Stop over to the Review page to my other most spinned and loved albums.
- Browse the rest of the blogs by stopping at this "Theme Page."
- Enjoy Tune Tuesday which brings you one song from a past blog post.
- See what other post have been most popular recently with our Stats Page.
- Find out who in the world thinks he has the authority to write this blog in the About.
- Let me answer why you won't find the playlists on Spotify here.
- Finally, the Mission page explains why there is no advertising cluttering the page.
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