Covers that surpass the original *masterpieces*

**The Dark Elf** · 08-08-2018

**3LockBox** · 08-08-2018

Originally Posted by rcarlberg

Yes

**3LockBox** · 08-08-2018

Originally Posted by Trane

yup, it looks like a lot of poster forget to read the thread title correctly and overpass the word "surpass"

and the word masterpiece as well.

**fiberman** · 08-08-2018

Originally Posted by Shadow

There are not many people around now that are going to tip a hat to this fantastic album and band. thanks for the memories, those were the days.

**Nashorn** · 08-09-2018

I don't know if the original is a masterpiece, but for my taste this version surpasses it:

And for those who like it more prog-related:

**flowerking** · 08-09-2018

Originally Posted by Mike D

I don't know about surpassing the original versions, but there are two Joni Mitchell tunes that I can think of. One is Nazareth's version of 'This Flight Tonight'. Yeah, Joni wrote the tune, but her recording of it is a bit rambling. The Nazareth cover rocks, despite it's numerous edits.

Also 'Woodstock'. That's not an easy call. I always thought I preferred CSNY's version, but upon listening to both just now, I think I like Joni's better. They are both great.

Good call on these. I love Joni Mitchell but agree that the Nazareth and CSNY versions are better. And in a close call, Stewart/Gaskin's version of Amelia is every bit as good as Joni's, maybe better.

**walt** · 08-09-2018

While on the subject of Joni Mitchell....

I love her original of "Urge For Going" but i also love Tom Rush's cover.YMMV.

**mbsquire** · 08-09-2018

The best cover ever!

Pain of Salvation's Hallelujah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfxScuK3Qy4

**Chain** · 08-10-2018

**Progbear** · 08-11-2018

’Cause I don’t think this one’s been posted yet:

**Progatron** · 08-12-2018

I'm late to this one, but I need to strongly disagree with regards to that cover of The Sound Of Silence. Good lord, no. Just... no.

There are a lot of covers I like a lot, but rarely does one come along that I think surpasses the original. Here is the only one that I can think of:

**Guess Who** · 08-12-2018

Fleesh are busy working on their Marillion tribute album.

At the moment, I liked this great version of "Seasons End" even more that the original.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiEUtra9HJc

**MJBrady** · 08-12-2018

Aerosmith cover of The Yardbirds - Train kept a Rollin
April Wines cover of King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid Man.
Dirty Loops covers of Brittney Spears "Circus"
Project RnL's cover of Taylor Swifts 22
Lee Ritenour's cover of "You make me feel like Dancing" ( Leo Sayer)

**Shadow** · 08-12-2018

I like this version because it is instrumental.

**Mister Triscuits** · 08-12-2018

Originally Posted by MJBrady

Aerosmith cover of The Yardbirds - Train kept a Rollin

Cover of a cover of a cover: Tiny Bradshaw did the original, covered by the Johnny Burnette Trio, who inspired the Yardbirds, who inspired Aerosmith.

**Paulrus** · 08-13-2018

I didn't realize forever that this was originally an Everly's tune:

And I agree with the opinion that Santana's "Black Magic Woman" surpasses FM's. So there.

And this...

**Mr.Flower** · 08-14-2018

I'd heartily recommend seeking out Common People (originally by Pulp) and covered brilliantly by William Shatner (with the help of Joe Jackson and Ben Folds). It shouldn't work, but it does ... and works really, really well. Shatner's acting comes into play here with him spitting out some of the lines with a real venom.

Also, The Divine Comedy's cover of No-One Knows by Queens of the Stone Age is genius too.

**Sturgeon's Lawyer** · 08-15-2018

Gary Green. Alan White. Colin Moulding. Billy Sherwood. Robby Krieger. Jay Schellen.

**progholio** · 08-15-2018

Better than the original? Quite possibly.

**tormato** · 08-15-2018

Frisell really takes to the jazz ethos of making a song your own, IMHO.

His version of "Heard it Through The Grapevine" is a favorite.

Originally Posted by proggy_jazzer

Frisell's been mentioned already in this thread, but given that many Beatles compositions are rightfully considered masterpieces (IMO), and that the idea of "surpassing" them is infinitely debateable, I have to say I enjoy the hell out of his album of Lennon covers. Here's a "making of vid with plenty of snippets:

**spiderfeathers** · 08-15-2018

Another Dylan cover..

Edit: phaser lead at 6:04. holy crap.

**The Dark Elf** · 08-15-2018

It may or may not surpass Hendrix, but it's certainly the most brutal version of this song ever:

**flowerking** · 08-16-2018

Originally Posted by The Dark Elf

It may or may not surpass Hendrix, but it's certainly the most brutal version of this song ever:

Speaking of Frank Marino, he also has a really good version of All Along with Watchtower. Here's a live version.

And another Marino cover, Norwegian Wood from Tales of the Unexpected.