Soulful Covers

[Davebanks]

Being a bit of a soul snob and purist in my youth, I usually dismissed soul artists covering other artists songs, especially hits as "not soul"

Oh dear what a fool.

anyway things have changed a bit now and many of these tracks find their way onto my ipod playlist or my late night record playing.

Recently though I was blown away by rediscovering Bobby Blands version of Aint no Sunshine on Malaco.

Boy this has grabbed me like no other track I've heard this century.

I cannot understand it as before, the original of this song grated something awful with me. But Bobby just makes this track his own and the production is superb. It reminds me of the job his mate B B King did on the old song the thrill is gone, raising the song to another level.

What covers have caught you unawares and headed up your favourites list?

dave banks

[Roburt]

Jose Feliciano did a few really guduns. Reffa of course lived on covers, most being the best.

Loving Curtis M songs as much as I do; there are some really good covers of his compositions ... & a few not so guduns. If the Imps cut a version of a Curtis M song, I always class this as the original ... even if the likes of Major Lance, Gene Chandler, Walter Jackson, etc had the hit 45 version.

For the worst soul covers, you need look no further than any one of 100's of UK 'beat group' versions of fine soul songs .... but the real murderer of the best of soul songs was Janis 'I can't sing for toffee' Joplin.

[Pete S]

Jose Feliciano did a few really guduns. Reffa of course lived on covers, most being the best.

Loving Curtis M songs as much as I do; there are some really good covers of his compositions ... & a few not so guduns. If the Imps cut a version of a Curtis M song, I always class this as the original ... even if the likes of Major Lance, Gene Chandler, Walter Jackson, etc had the hit 45 version.

For the worst soul covers, you need look no further than any one of 100's of UK 'beat group' versions of fine soul songs .... but the real murderer of the best of soul songs was Janis 'I can't sing for toffee' Joplin.

It's unbelievable but I had no idea that "I'm The One" by Jerry Butler on VeeJay was the original version of "I'm the one who loves you" by The Impressions, until I played it the other night!

[Daz Mc]

Swing Out Sister - Am i the same girl , another great cover.

[Guest Dave Turner]

[Guest Soulatthedale]

Otis Leavill's version of Glad I Met You, Willie Hutch's cover of I'll Be There and Freddie Hughes Youre My Everything

[Guest Dave Turner]

[binsy]

Always loved Ralfi Pagan's versions of 'Baby I'm a want you' and 'I didn't want to have to do it' both superb songs anyway but i love his take on them.

[maslar]

I'm not really a big fan of covers unless there's been an attempt to do something really different or interesting with the song, There have been some great soulful covers of Beatles songs. E.g I really like Gene Chandler's version of Eleanor Rigby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Newz73qRPP0

Edited July 16, 2012 by maslar

[Guest Dave Turner]

Hard to pick an absolute fave soul cover of a non-soul record but this would be up there.

James Carr's cover of the Bee Gees

[Ceejay]

Otis Redding's cover of..................Sattisfaction....................awesome!!!!

[Ceejay]

Hard to pick an absolute fave soul cover of a non-soul record but this would be up there.

James Carr's cover of the Bee Gees

Couldn't agree more!!!

[Mike Lofthouse]

Hard to pick an absolute fave soul cover of a non-soul record but this would be up there.

James Carr's cover of the Bee Gees

But Dave is it a 'non-soul' record ? Written for Otis by all accounts. Mike

[Ceejay]

Agree this is better than the Archies, lol.....................but let's face it................it's crap whoever sings it!!

Absolute bollocks!!!l

Edited July 16, 2012 by Carol J

[Mike Lofthouse]

I guess this is a guilty pleasure but I've always liked it, back in the days when all sorts of mad records were played and there was less naval gazing

[Guest sharmo 1]

I really love Bobby Womacks version of the carpenters "We've only just begun" regards simon.

[Mike Lofthouse]

Love this by the writer Fred Neil and Tim Buckley - but this is a great Soul cover....

[Guest Dave Turner]

Agree this is better.....................but let's face it................it's crap whoever sings it!!

Absolute bollocks!!!l

So that's YOUR opinion Carol but I disagree with ya, Admittedly not Pickett's best but I like it so your post is IMO is "absolute bollocks!!!"

[Ceejay]

I guess this is a guilty pleasure but I've always liked it, back in the days when all sorts of mad records were played and there was less naval gazing

Nice one Lofty.....................would get me on the dance floor, no problem!!!

[Ceejay]

So that's YOUR opinion Carol but I disagree with ya, Admittedly not Pickett's best but I like it so your post is IMO is "absolute bollocks!!!"

Yes Sugar, it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it just the same as you!!!

Bye, bye Sugar, lol............

Edited July 16, 2012 by Carol J

[Paul R]

I love most of the Billy Stewart "Teaches Old Standards New Tricks" stuff. "Summertime", "Old Man River", "Secret Love" etc. What a voice.

Paul

[Mike Lofthouse]

So that's YOUR opinion Carol but I disagree with ya, Admittedly not Pickett's best but I like it so your post is IMO is "absolute bollocks!!!"

Wexler did lumber Pickett and Franklin with some right 'turkeys' in an attempt to 'crossover' IMHO, Mike

[Guest Dave Turner]

Yes Sugar, it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it just the same as you!!!

Bye, bye Sugar, lol............

Yeah your opinion but we don't always have to voice our opinion. Your post was ok until the "absolute bollocks" bit which was unnecessary. Let's face it we all hear stuff on here that folks like but personally "think" is a loada bollocks but most have the manners to either keep stum or simply state they don't like it.

Anyway I don't come on here to fall out with folks so we'll leave it at that.

I'm out

Edited July 16, 2012 by Dave Turner

[Ceejay]

Yeah your opinion but we don't always have to voice our opinion. Your post was ok until the "absolute bollocks" bit which was unnecessary. Let's face it we all hear stuff on here that folks like but personally "think" is a loada bollocks but most have the manners to either keep stum or simply state they don't like it.

Anyway I don't come on here to fall out with folks so we'll leave it at that.

I'm out

Me neither......................but if you can't stand the heat........................not my problem!!! Takre a CHILL PILL!!!

I'll get me coat!!!!

Edited July 16, 2012 by Carol J

[Roburt]

Don't like the hit version of "California Dreaming" but love 2/3 of the soul covers of the song (Womack & Marlena Shaw in particular).

[Autumnstoned]

Nice cover of a standard - he also does a good cover of Ain't That Peculiar on the same album but couldn't find a clip of that.

Edited July 16, 2012 by autumnstoned

[Ian Dewhirst]

Great duet cover of Earth, Wind & Fire....

Dionne Warwicke & Isaac Hayes "Can't Hide Love"

Ian D

[Roburt]

The Paramounts (who evolved into Procol Harum) cut a version of the Coasters "Poison Ivy" in 1963

YEARS LATER ... after some early Procol Harum members quit the group, old members of the Paramounts were recruited to fill the gaps in the group's line up. This change in personnel seemed to trigger a swing back more to the original group's R&B beginnings ....

............ Here's a Procol Harum fans thoughts on what the group were up to in the mid 70's ....

.... Further exploring the roots of rock, Procol Harum now allied themselves with the legendary writing team of Leiber & Stoller. They produced the follow-up album, 'Procol's Ninth.' Again, despite the Beethoven allusion, this was rock, not a symphonic roll. Released in April of 1975, the album gave Gary a chance to show off the old PARAMOUNTS enthusiasm for Leiber & Stoller's writing. Instead of a Coasters cover, this time he sang a Chuck Jackson number: 'I Keep Forgettin'' An improvement on the original thanks to Gary's vocals and the absence of novelty percussion, it should've been a hit single.

OF COURSE the group's version of "I Keep Forgettin" was much better than Chuck's original ... I mean, Chuck hardly had a decent vocal style did he !!!!

Edited July 17, 2012 by Roburt

[Dave Moore]

Great song sung by two great singers. Totally different interpretations but equally fantastic. ALMOST as good as Elvis' classic version.

Regards,

Dave

[Guest espo]

Couple of nice ones for me are 5Th Dimensions "Harlem" and O C Smiths "Baby i nee your loving" oh and Hal Fraziers "Walk on by" incredible voice he,s got

Edited July 17, 2012 by espo

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

For the worst soul covers, you need look no further than any one of 100's of UK 'beat group' versions of fine soul songs .... but the real murderer of the best of soul songs was Janis 'I can't sing for toffee' Joplin.

How can one person be so wrong and so right in the same sentence.

There are many, MANY great beat group covers/revivals of soul and R&B songs - to say otherwise is to speak complete and utter tosh.

Indeed, there are several that are considerably better than the soul originals. I'd list a few of those for you now but I don't think this thread should veer off topic so soon in its gestation...

Janis Joplin, however, mangled every great song that she ever sung and should never have been let near a microphone, let alone Jerry Ragovoy's back catalogue...

The best soul revival of a soul classic? Probably impossible to choose just one, but I'm always very partial to these for starters (original version in parentheses):

Otis Clay - Do Right Woman Do Right Man (Aretha Franklin)

Donny Hathaway - What's Going On (Marvin Gaye)

Etta James - Tell Mama (Clarence Carter)

The Staple Singers - The Dock Of The Bay (Otis Redding)

Millie Jackson - (If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right (Luther Ingram)

Aretha Franklin -Until You Come Back To Me (Stevie Wonder)

Freddie Scott (or Jackie Wilson) - Open The Door To Your Heart (Darrell Banks)

Toussaint McCall - Let's Do it Over (Joe Simon)

...and probably a few hundred more.

The worst soul revival of a soul classic as is and always will be Aretha's truly abominable version of 'Respect', a record that deserves no such thing.

[Pete S]

Yes Sugar, it's my opinion and I'm entitled to it just the same as you!!!

Yes you are, you can say what you like if that's your opinion, it's nobody else's business.

[binsy]

I really love Bobby Womacks version of the carpenters "We've only just begun" regards simon.

I also love George Jackson and Charles Brimmer's versions too.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

The Paramounts (who evolved into Procol Harum) cut a version of the Coasters "Poison Ivy" in 1963

YEARS LATER ... after some early Procol Harum members quit the group, old members of the Paramounts were recruited to fill the gaps in the group's line up. This change in personnel seemed to trigger a swing back more to the original group's R&B beginnings ....

............ Here's a Procol Harum fans thoughts on what the group were up to in the mid 70's ....

.... Further exploring the roots of rock, Procol Harum now allied themselves with the legendary writing team of Leiber & Stoller. They produced the follow-up album, 'Procol's Ninth.' Again, despite the Beethoven allusion, this was rock, not a symphonic roll. Released in April of 1975, the album gave Gary a chance to show off the old PARAMOUNTS enthusiasm for Leiber & Stoller's writing. Instead of a Coasters cover, this time he sang a Chuck Jackson number: 'I Keep Forgettin'' An improvement on the original thanks to Gary's vocals and the absence of novelty percussion, it should've been a hit single.

OF COURSE the group's version of "I Keep Forgettin" was much better than Chuck's original ... I mean, Chuck hardly had a decent vocal style did he !!!!

I can assure you that I was not thinking of the Paramounts when I poured scorn on your rash asserion that all beat group covers of soul songs were and are inferior to the originals.

Their version of the Impressions' 'I'm The One Who Loves You' is truly among the very worst artefacts of its era. I didn't think that there's any point on the song where Gary Brooker connects with Curtis Mayfield's original lyrics apart from the opening two words, 'Little Girl'...

I do like his voice, though, and I think he made a pretty credible stab at 'I Keep Forgettin'' with Procol Harum - although it's definitely not in the same league as Chuck Jackson's despite what that obviously-biased Procol fan might have thought.

Edited July 17, 2012 by TONY ROUNCE

[Kevin Jones]

I just love the following two covers

Esther Phillips version of The Originals classic - Baby I'm For Real ( so soulful )

Four Tops unreleased cover of Gary Puckett & The Union Gap's - Woman ( Levi Stubbs at his sublime even on a pop record )

Kev

[John Reed]

Is Mr Rounce too humble to use this thread to blatently plug this, shame there's some cracking covers on this.

Edited July 17, 2012 by John Reed

[Guest woody no1]

marlena shaw has got to be the best version of looking thru the eyes of love better than gene pitney me thinks!! https://youtu.be/zcVtdhnwNGM

[Sebastian]

Loving this at the moment. Lou Rawls making The Box Tops "The Letter" his own:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5-AFch7t0M

[Guest woody no1]

ronnie dysons doing" make it with you " https://youtu.be/uytkK-ZxL1A

[Guest aintgotit]

get down with it by slade. the bobbettes it all over now. everything by alton ellis.going back to my roots by ritchie havens.

[Mark S]

I guess this is a guilty pleasure but I've always liked it, back in the days when all sorts of mad records were played and there was less naval gazing

As Johnny Jones and the king casuals were Hendrix,s band isnt this the original ? then Jimi covered it as a solo artist . Or have I just confused myself trying to be a smartarse

[boba]

Isn't the original of "ain't no sunshine" a soul song? Either way, I posted this in another thread recently but this is the best cover ever:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNKXCRGmQcE

[Mike Lofthouse]

As Johnny Jones and the king casuals were Hendrix,s band isnt this the original ? then Jimi covered it as a solo artist . Or have I just confused myself trying to be a smartarse

Think you probably have Mark :o) I was aware of the connection but I thought Hendrix was circa '66 whereas Johnny Jones was an early William Bell Peachtree effort '68? Mike

[Mike Lofthouse]

Someone mentioned Esther Phillips - I don't normally like covers of Van Morrison songs - too many words!!! - but she has a good go at one or two.

[John Reed]

Isn't the original of "ain't no sunshine" a soul song? Either way, I posted this in another thread recently but this is the best cover ever:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNKXCRGmQcE

It is if you consider Bill Withers a soul artist. Apart from Withers writing it and it being on Sussex, its a Stax record.

Edited July 18, 2012 by John Reed

[Mike Lofthouse]

sticking with Esther - a great Beatles cover..

[Mike Lofthouse]

and J J Barnes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhUprjHHtUE

[boba]

It is if you consider Bill Withers a soul artist. Apart from Withers writing it and it being on Sussex, its a Stax record.

Is he not a soul artist? that was what my question was about. he got played on R&B radio.

I don't understand your comment about it being a stax record, can you clarify?

Also, it would be funnier if you just called my post "bollocks".

[Roburt]

Bob, your posts are pure bollocks !!!!

Do you feel better now ??

[John Reed]

Is he not a soul artist? that was what my question was about. he got played on R&B radio.

I don't understand your comment about it being a stax record, can you clarify?

Also, it would be funnier if you just called my post "bollocks".

I'd call him a soul artist, but I've also heard people call him a folk singer, so it's down to personal interpretation and the original poster feels he isn't soul. Saying that, you could say that about a lot of black Singer-Songwriters such as Nolan Porter, Terry Callier, Richie Havens or Joan Armatrading.

It was recorded in Memphis, produced and arranged by Booker T Jones (for his own production company). It was engineered by Terry Manning who worked for Stax and Ardent. Duck Dunn was on Base and Al Jackson was on drums. There's a lot of Stax in there for a non-Stax record.

Not too sure where the bollocks part comes in, though?

Edited July 18, 2012 by John Reed