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1. Erik

   Jun 25th, 2005 at 2:29 am

   I really enjoy Them featuring Van Morrison’s cover of “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” In fact, I think I prefer it to the original.

   Normally, I don’t like to rank covers over the original, but since Van Morrison has proved he can write great songs, I don’t feel guilty about this one.

   I like when great songwriters do covers because it’s like “Yeah, I couldn’t say this any better — and I’m an awesome songwriter to begin with.” This doesn’t apply as much to tribute albums, where it’s more like saying “This is my favorite song by this person, if I had to choose.” But when someone makes an album with 10 great original songs and then they throw in a cover, that’s what I like. Especially when the cover isn’t one of the better songs on the album.*

   That said, I have a bootleg of Bob Dylan doing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” live and I’ve never been able to listen to the whole song, because it’s pretty bad.

   *For example, David Bowie’s cover of “Try Some, Buy Some” on Reality. Or Lucinda Williams’ “Which Will” on Sweet Old World. Or Mary Chapin-Carpenter’s “Passionate Kisses” on Come On Come On (to follow the Lucinda thread). Also, James McMurtry’s “Rex’s Blues” on Walk Between the Raindrops. And Gordon Lightfoot’s “Me and Bobby McGee” on If You Could Read My Mind.

2. whines

   Jun 25th, 2005 at 10:06 pm

   Coming from you Erik, I take these as all serious recommendations. I’ve heard the Them cover of “Baby Blue” and I still prefer Dylan’s, but the cover IS great. And your point about the compliment of a great songwriter covering another song is well taken. I wish I knew enough music to cite as interesting a selection as you have. All that comes to mind is how The Beatles covered Buddy Holly and Smokey Robinson for their first 3-4 albums, and those artists were almost contemporary.

   I don’t know enough, or really any, Leonard Cohen.

3. Erik

   Jun 27th, 2005 at 1:24 am

   Although I like the artists, I wouldn’t recommend McMurtry’s Walk Between the Raindrops if you were going to listen to him — I think his album Where’d You Hide the Body is much better. And Gordon Lightfoot’s Sundown is better than If You Could Read My Mind.

   Leonard Cohen’s pretty great, although his recent albums have been horribly produced - all electronic keyboards instead of instruments. It sounds like he’s singing over a Casio keyboard. But his songs are great.

   Back to Dylan, though, I also really enjoy “She Belongs To Me” off of Bringing It All Back Home. It sounds a bit like a Velvet Underground song (maybe “Pale Blue Eyes”).

   Also, I love all the versions of the Bringing It Back Home songs on the Live 1966 bootleg. Have you heard that?

4. whines

   Jun 27th, 2005 at 9:17 am

   I’ve got to get some Cohen. I don’t want to get the Greatest Hits though.

   I will get Live 1966. That’s pre-motorcycle accident, right? Basically, I love everything he touched before that accident. And afterwards, I love maybe 2 songs per album and get bored with the rest. Bringing it All Back Home and Freewheeling are two my most favorite albums, ever. “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” is so beautiful. And in general, I prefer Dylan’s versions of his songs to anyone else’s.

5. Erik

   Jun 29th, 2005 at 1:07 am

   There’s a new Dylan Bootleg CD and concert coming out, according to the NYTimes.

   The concert (from ‘62 I think) will only be available at Starbucks.

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