I listened to the South African band Suck's version (1970) of this song today - a very nice aggressive take. This inspired me to listen to the other versions I have. It may be the song that I've seen covered live the most number of times at prog shows. Here's what I have.
21st Century Schizoid Band - Official Bootleg Volume One
After Crying - Elsõ évtized
Crimson Jazz Trio - King Crimson Songbook Volume One
David Cross - Alive in the Underworld
District 97 with John Wetton - One More Red Night (Live in Chicago)
Dokaka - (free download from his website)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer - Return of the Manticore
Flower Travellin' Band - Anywhere
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Gavin Harrison and Guthrie Govan - Plays Prog Rock Classics
Greg Lake - In Concert
Ozzy Osbourne - Under Cover
Par Lindh Project - Live In America
Pressurehead - Schizoid Dimension- A Tribute to King Crimson
ProjeKct Two - Live Groove
Roto Rooter Good Time Christmas Band - Roto Rooter Good Time Christmas Band
Suck - Time to Suck
Syrius - Anno - Live (Official Bootleg)
The Crimson Jazz Trio's version is probably my favorite - a brilliant rearranging as a jazz song. As a matter of fact, both of their albums are 5 star albums for me (out of 5 stars) - King Crimson Songbook Volume One and King Crimson Songbook Volume 2.
The most unique version is probably by Dokaka - a Japanese beatboxer who performs music solely by multitracking his own voice, generally with one instrument per track.
I actually witnessed the gonzo performance by the Par Lindh Project on "Live in America" at Progday 1998. Incredible!
Orchestral versions of rock songs are usually pretty lame, but I really like this version by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Gavin Harrison and Guthrie Govan being featured prominently certainly helps!
Ozzy does a nice job with his version.
Maybe I spoke too soon in declaring Kokaka the most unique version. The Roto Rooter Good Time Christmas Band's version is bonkers - sort of a cabaret take. Apparently they were a favorite of Dr. Demento.
I've never heard of Pressurehead aside from this. Their take is very psychedelic - a nice change of pace.
Do any of you have any favorite cover versions of this song?
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