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Some of the greatest songs have been covered by more recent artists. Many are only so-so, or worse than the original. Some are as good, and a few—very few—are better.
Here is an attempt to find some great songs that fit the latter description.
Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger album had several good songs, especially the title song.
I introduced Canadian singer Colter Wall on Morning Open Thread a few weeks ago. This is Colter Wall with Red Headed Stranger.
There is no way any artist can match the genius of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. However, Mike Masse comes so close, one can easily mistake him and his group for an original GD performance.
It is hard to imagine anyone wanting to cover Yngwie Malmsteen’s Arpeggios From Hell. Yet, 16-year-old French guitarist Tina S does exactly that. I am in awe.
One of the most unlikely covers was done by Johnny Cash when he covered Hurt, by the Nine Inch Nails.
Socks wants to include Bob Dylan’s All Along the Watchtower. If somebody is going to cover your song, it should have been Jimi Hendrix, who could show up anyone.
Kris Kristofferson wrote and recorded Me and Bobby McGee. Janis Joplin covered Kris’s version. Does it get any better than this?
Who can forget the great performances of Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel. This is another of the most unlikely covers I could never have imagined. I was gobsmacked the first time I saw this video.