5 top-notch covers: From "Black Betty" to "Filthy/Gorgeous"
I LOVE A good cover. And more often than not, I find them to be as good, or a damn good nod to the original.
“Black Betty” - Larkin Poe
Recorded at the LR Bagg’s studio in Nashville, blues-rock sister duo Larkin Poe present a fresh, contemporary twist to this century old African-American folk song. Also famously covered by Ram Jam, Larkin Poe combine vocal harmonies, rhythm guitar and lap-steel guitar to reinvent the classic in a way that spotlights their abilities.
“Ain’t No Sunshine” - Saint Chaos
Berlin alternative rock duo Saint Chaos present us with a heavier take on the 1971 hit by Bill Withers. Similar to Gary Clarke Jr’s cover of “Come Together” for the 2017 film Justice League, Saint Chaos dip into gritty electronic textures and rough guitar tones to give the song a more anthemic rock sound.
“The Well” - Ryan Sheridan
Unlike Saint Chaos’ heavier take on “Ain’t No Sunshine”, Monaghan solo-artist Ryan Sheridan takes a lighter approach to Marcus King’s blues-rock hit, “The Well”. Sheridan gives the 2020 track a taste of his signature acoustic, folk-rock driven style, that strips the music back down to its bones. Though not as vocally soulful as Marcus King, Sheridan has the clarity of a storyteller, which adds a unique allure to the lyrics that is not as prevalent in the original.
“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” - JC Stewart
Derry born singer-songwriter JC Stewart spins iconic 80s pop track “Girls just want to have fun” into a nostalgic, heartfelt ballad. Pairing his strong vocal tone with a delicate keyboard accompaniment, Stewart beautifully reworks the track and truly makes it his own.
“Filthy / Gorgeous” - Pandas
Scottish quartet Pandas manage to make this Scissor Sister’s track even more playful. The free-spirited, cheeky character of the original seems to shine through even more in Panda’s take, as each member turns the energy up a notch. Panda’s bassist grants the iconic ostinato the attention it deserves, and the guitar-driven feel paired with the vocalist’s grittier tone adds a flavour that the original doesn’t have.
