Recommend me alternative singers/albums better than the originals

[Peugeot306]

Well, as I hang out in many pubs with live music, I have been impressed with some bands playing live music which I feel better than the original songs played played by the original singers in their recorded albums.

For example, I like Gloria Gaynor's "I will survive" a lot and this song is very popular in our pubs here in Jakarta. I start to think whether there is an album in which "I will survive" is played by another artist and give me different feeling of the song.

Other examples are some Cat Stevens' songs which I prefer to listen to Mr BIG or Rod Stewart playing Cat's songs.

I am trying to search such albums, does anybody have some recommendations? Thanks.

 

[Jahn]

I will Survive? No Contest - "Cake" takes the cake!

as for cat stevens, I HIGHLY recommend the album "In My Tribe" by 10,000 Maniacs, because after you hear Natalie Merchant sing Peace Train...well, 'nuff said. Plus, Natalie swore never to perform it again after Cat (now yusef islam) approved of the fatwa against salman rushdie, so enjoy this once and only performance. there have been a billion versions of Peace Train since, but none i enjoy as much or that seem as honest.

far lesser covers of Cat's songs are Maxi Priest covering "Wild World" and Sheryl Crow covering "The First Cut is the Deepest." a bit too much "of the times" if you know what i mean, and get dated quickly.

 

[Jahn]

Oh, plus you MUST get this compilation of Carpenters covers - you haven't lived until you've heard Sonic Youth's cover of "Superstar" - move over, Ruben Studdard!

 

[Peugeot306]

Great Jahn, thanks. Very helpful especially the links to cover vs original!

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jahn I will Survive? No Contest - "Cake" takes the cake!

I second that nomination, I remember first hearing that when it came out in 1996....When I first heard about it, I was thinking there is no way anyone could take on Gloria Gaynor singing that song, well cake did

There is quit a few other fun tracks on that cd

 

[GRhodes]

I don't know about being better than the original (because I always loved the original), but the Foo Fighters do one hell of a version of Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty.

 

[fishlips]

A cd I highly recommend if you enjoy soulfull/jazz/r & b is the Dana Owens album. This is a cd sung by Queen Latifah. This is a cd of great recognizable songs that she has done in her own style and is backed by a great band.

 

[Uncle Erik]

You want interesting covers? Check this out:

http://www.dreadzeppelin.com/

Led Zeppelin covers by a reggae band with an Elvis impersonator singing lead.

Really.

And they're good. Not serious, deep listening, but great for parties and they always cheer me up.