Best Rock versions of traditional songs

Subject: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Nerd
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 09:14 PM

Given the current thread on Rolling Stones' 500 top rock songs, I thought it might be fun for members to list their favorite rock arrangements of traditional songs. I would go with the following (in no order):

Tony Sheridan and the Beatles: My Bonnie
Nirvana: Where did you Sleep?
Bo Diddley: Bo Diddley (which is a version of "hambone," etc)
Grateful Dead: Samson and Delilah
Cordelia's Dad: Jersey City
Ritchie Valens: La Bamba (or maybe the Los Lobos remake!)
John Wesley Harding: Edward
Bill Haley and his Comets: The Saints Rock and Roll
David Bromberg Band: Mrs. Delion's Lament
Beach Boys: Sloop John B.
Dr. John: Iko Iko
Led Zeppelin: Gallows Pole
Steeleye Span: All Around My Hat (They did better songs, but none rockier)
Otis Clay: Banks of the Ohio
Snatch and the Poontangs: The Great Stack-a-Lee (really a traditional "toast" set to music, offensive as all hell to boot!)


Anyone want to add their own favorites? Maybe you'll steer me toward new CD purchases!

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Peace
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 09:22 PM

CCR: Cotton Fields

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Peace
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 09:39 PM

Simon and Garfunkle: PSR+T

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Nerd
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 12:39 AM

I'll have to listen again to the Creedence. The only reason I didn't mention S & G is that it isn't all that different from a non-rock version! But it IS a great track!

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Sooz
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:05 AM

Thin Lizzie - Whiskey in the jar
Pogues - Irish Rover

still thinking.......

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:52 AM

Fairport Matty Groves

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Big Tim
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:57 AM

John Barleycorn, by Traffic.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:58 AM

Boston Burglar - Cat Mother And The Allnight Newsboys
If I Was A Carpenter - Bobby Darin
Muleskinner Blues - The Fendermen
Shanendoah - James Taylor
Stacko-O-Lee Lloyd Price

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 06:09 AM

And of course,, House Of The Rising Sun - The Animals

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:13 AM

Jim Moray + The Oysterband - Cuckoos Nest

Its like the version sung by Barry Dransfield on Morris On, but with added guitar solos!

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: 12-stringer
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:50 PM

"If I Was a Carpenter" was composed by Tim Hardin in the 60s, so it's hardly a "traditional" song!

"Rain and Snow" by the Grateful Dead, derived from Obray Ramsey, definitely a traditional piece.
"How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live" by Ry Cooder, from Blind Alfred Reed, who may have composed it.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 07:38 PM

Also by Creedence, "Midnight Special."

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:04 PM

True... If I was a Carpenter isn't a traditional song. Not sure that Jersey City is, either. Don't even know for sure if Boston Burglar is.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 08:54 PM

In addition to the two or three songs referenced above, a *lot* of the Grateful Dead repertoire consisted of traditional covers (e.g., "I Know You Rider," "Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie). They were originally a jug band, after all.

However, many of their other songs whose titles quote from traditional sources are in fact newly composed Hunter-Garcia pieces (e.g., "Shake Sugaree"). Like many more "purist" folkies, they were making an honest effort to write within, and contribute to, a time-honored tradition.

Then there are the many not-quite-folk songs they did: folk-revival-era originals, like Bonnie Dobson's "Morning Dew"; and blues/R&B standards, like Bobby Bland's "Lovelight." Well, maybe the Libba Cotton song I mentioned above is not truly traditional, but falls into this category.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 01:58 AM

I've always thought the Byrds' version of Wild Mountain Thyme the prettiest version I've heard because of the rich harmonies. Unfortunately, the recording suffers from over-production as did many mid-sixties folk-rock efforts, with lots of strings dampening the impact of the vocal.I also think they had excellent versions of John Riley and The Bells of Rhymney, if Rhymney can be called traditional.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: rich-joy
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 06:47 AM

Stonecutter Boy : the Oyster Band, springs to mind ...

... but now me mind has sprung off too.



Cheers! R-J

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST,mollycat
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 07:36 AM

Canadee-I-O by The Duncan McFarlane Band

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Den
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 09:21 AM

I like the Thin Lizzy version of Whiskey in the Jar and then that version was also covered by Metalica. Horslips did a great version of The King of the Fairies.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:05 AM

Jerry, Jersey City is a version of "The Butcher Boy" or "Died For Love" that happens to be set in Jersey City instead of Oxford City, etc. It's a nice Americanized version: "There is a tavern in the town, where my love goes and hangs around..."

The Boston Burglar is also considered a trad song (Laws L16B to be precise!)

But If I was a carpenter isn't.

mollycat, I don't know the Duncan McFarlane band. Are they generally worth looking into?

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: M.Ted
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:25 AM

Not to forget the Beach Boys versions of "Sloop John B" "Cottonfields"--

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:58 AM

Copper Kettle was done by a rock band, Maybe Led Zepelin?

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Splott Man
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:03 AM

So nobody rates Van Morrison's attempts, then?

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:04 AM

Kaleidoscope [US 60's band.. not 60's UK band with same name]

"Oh death"

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:05 AM

Ricky Nelson - My Bucket's Got a Hole In It and Get Along Home, Cindy
Gene Vincent - Frankie & Johnny

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:15 AM

The Home Service: On Alright Jack, John Tams' original song "Sorrow" (words here) is followed by a short, ominous instrumental reference to "Dies Irae", segueing into an amazing, rocked-out "Babylon Is Fallen." The whole arrangement is brilliantly crafted, and "Babylon Is Fallen" is WONDERFUL!

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:26 AM

'Ace of Spades' by Motorhead.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: JulieF
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:32 AM

You may jest with Motorhead but when I saw them a couple of weeks ago Lemmy did a rather good Blues track as part of the encore including blues harmonica. ( then they played Ace of Spades)

J

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 12:03 PM

" Best Rock versions of traditional songs"

**null category--does not compute**

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Once Famous
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 12:22 PM

The Lion Sleeps Tonight by the Tokens (wimoweh)

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST,Terry K
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 12:47 PM

The Beef Can Close by Five Hand Reel. I guess it's really electric folk, but where do you draw the line, particularly with an arrangement like that.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST,DMcF
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 12:48 PM

Hello Nerd. You say...

Mollycat, I don't know the Duncan McFarlane band. Are they generally worth looking into?

...she's a fan, so one would expect her to say something nice.

Are you in the USA Nerd? This from Dirty Linen, The USA's magazine of folk and world music (#113, August/September '04)

The world can always use more good English folk-rock, and the Duncan McFarlane Band from West Yorkshire is off to a promising start on its inaugural recording, Woodshed Boys.
This is loud, fast music, based on the rhythms of English country dance music and reminiscent of some incarnations of the Albion Band with sharp-edged electric guitar leads, electric fiddle, and gutsy, gritty singing.
The power chords in the traditional nautical tale 'Bring 'Em Down' crash like surf on rocks, and there's a strong rocking arrangement of Nic Jones' version of 'Canadee-i-o', plus potent instrumental sets like the 'Twohey Step' with duelling electric guitar and fiddle as leads.

...so Canadee-I-O gets mentioned in despatches by that independant source.

If you UK based, try this from one of our 'nationals'.....

Review from fRoots, June 04 issue
The Duncan McFarlane Band "Woodshed Boys" (Dunx Music CD016)
Full-throated folk rock with as much attack as the Charge of the Light Brigade. Could have done with a bit less throttle at times, but at least McFarlane and crew are eager and put some determination into proceedings.
Guests include Maggie Boyle (flute) and Alistair's Hulett and Russell (vocals). A loud party animal and totally unashamed.

...even the BBC have noticed something...
BBC Radio Two Folk & Acoustic Website [14/07/04]
TOP SOAP FEATURES DUNCAN McFARLANE BAND
They may be fairly new to the scene, but English folk-rockers The Duncan McFarlane Band are already media stars: tracks from their debut CD Woodshed Boys are currently being featured as background music in ITV's Emmerdale*; tune in on August 3rd for a scene where their tune Jigolo issues loudly from a shed and causes complaint! Though the band is flying the flag for full-on electric folk, front man McFarlane also plays traditional music, writes songs and tunes, and has recently accompanied Margaret Walters of Sydney-based duo Walters & Warner on tour. The band is receiving top reviews in the UK and US for both their CD and live appearances

...generally not doing too bad for a semi-pro band not many folk have heard yet. We just enjoy it man! www.duncanmcfarlane.co.uk
No management, no agent - having to do all our own publicity - hence this episode! Come see us! Or ask any of the festival organisers that've put us on so far - see website, www.duncanmcfarlane.co.uk
All the best - Duncan

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Steve-o
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 01:16 PM

Geeezzz, nobody's talking about the Byrds......the originators of what we call "Folk-Rock"??? Their version of "Old Blue" is fabulous. And how about "You Don't Miss Your Water". "Turn, Turn, Turn", of course.....yeah, Pete wrote it, but its credentials are sure folky. There are a few others of theirs, too. The Band's version of "Long Black Veil" is superb- although it's not traditional, it's surely in the folk song bag. BTW, I take exception to the identification of "How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live" by Ry Cooder as a rock'n'roll version. NOT R&R....definitely folk-style (Ry at his best).

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 01:19 PM

Good one, MG -- that's a great exaample from The Tokens, perhaps the very first "folk-rock" record. I'm surprised no one had mentioned it earlier -- disappointed in myself for not coming up with it.

I didn't know "Wimoweh" WAS a folk song until years after that rock/pop recording hit, when I heard Pete Seeger perform. Had he recorded it as a members of the Weavers? That would have been well before my time.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: John C.
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 01:51 PM

Call me old-fashioned, and a purist (I'm sure someone will), but I have never believed that 'rock' and 'traditional song' go together - any more than 'comedy (&) thriller' or 'liver and strawberry'.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:00 PM

Actually, wimoweh is not exactly a folk song, which is why I didn't mention it in the first post. I do think it's a great track though.

I'll explain: "Wimoweh" is an original composition called "Mbube" by a South African choral singer/arranger named Solomon Linda. Linda was working in a tradition similar to that of Ladysmith Black Mambazo. So while the tradition is one an ethnomusicologist would study, the song itself isn't exactly traditional.

The way it got to American audiences was through Alan Lomax and Pete Seeger. Lomax worked at the Library of Congress, and at some point got a load of ethnic recordings to play with, including this one. He introduced the song to Seeger, who made it into Wimoweh, a wordless chant that he performed with the Weavers. The word "Wimoweh" was simply Seeger's misheard version of "Mbube," but Seeger did not understand any of the other words, so just made it into a chant. Later, the English words were added for the Tokens' version.

So: the music was composed by Solomon Linda, the word "Wimoweh" was added by Pete Seeger, and the other words written by a third party--I'm not sure who.

I don't mean to split hairs, MG and PoppaGator, and I do like the song a lot. It's definitely in the same vein as many of these others. But I wouldn't call it the first folk-rock record!

Duncan, thanks. I'll check you guys out. I'm a Dirty Linen reader, but must have missed that review!

The Byrds is a great one, Steve-o. I'm surprised no one got to them before!

Jerry, I'll have to see if i can find the Rick Nelson and Gene Vincent songs! Your suggestion of Lloyd Price's Stack-O-Lee is an excellent one, too, because that version has been covered by everyone from Wilson Pickett to Ike and Tina Turner. Actually, I think it was itself a cover of a record sung by Archibald and produced by Dave Bartholomew.

I'm also going to look for the Kaleidoscope version of "Oh Death." By the way, Camper Van Beethoven did a pretty good "Oh, Death" as well.

Splott Man, all the Van Morrison versions I've heard have been with the Chieftains, so the arrangements don't sound like rock to me.

This is fun! Keep the suggestions coming!

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:12 PM

Nerd:

I had both My Bucket's Got A Hole In It and Frankie And Johnny on 45 rpms. Don't have them anymore... Frankie and Johnny was on an ep -- extended play album on 45..

Jerry

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:16 PM

i think Kaleidoscope also did

a heavyish rendition of "cuckoo"..

most probably other old songs as well..

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:32 PM

Jack the lad.. [Lindisfarne splinter group]

cant remember any individual tune titles right now..

but when I was an impressionable teenager,
me and my mates watched them play a live gig
on saturday lunchtime childrens TV.. [Geordytime..???]
they were an astonishing noisily irreverent
and very exciting 'missing link'
between folkrock
& the soon to explode musical anarchy of punk..

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:36 PM

Well, lots of stuff from way back in the day I'm not too clear on, but a few faves that spring to mind right now:

Delaney & Bonnie's "Come on in My Kitchen" (later ripped off by the Dead--and I mean ripped off affectionately)

The entire Jeff Beck catalog! You know, "Morning Dew" etc etc

Yes, I loved the Beach Boys version of "Sloop John B" because they made it sound so hippy dippy!

The Everly Bros "Songs Our Daddy Taught Us" completely charmed me when I discovered it at the time of Rhino re-release.

The Band/Burritos/Byrds were faves of mine, but there isn't any of their covers of trad tunes that stand out for me. Maybe "Night they Drove Ole Dixie Down". I preferred Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for the rocked up trad versions they did.

Being a big rockabilly fan, I also loved the older rockers like Carl Perkins and Gene Vincent (god I loved Gene Vincent!). More recently, it's been the revivalists extraordinaire: Stray Cats. Sheer joy.

Pentangle and Steeleye more than Fairport for me. Planxty, Moving Hearts, Paul Brady, Davy Spillane.

Bonnie Raitt's live duet with Sippie Wallace "Woman Be Wise" on her greatest hits CD. Lots of Bonnie's country blues stuff.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST,DMcF
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 02:46 PM

Aye - check us out Nerd - a wee band the noo - hence the wee review in Linen which was easily missed - but was a good 'un!

I don't know which bit of that big place over there you hail from, but we've been played a lot by Anne James, program director for KZIN-fm, a radio station in Shelby, Montana!
Strange how we get about!
We've likely been aired by Prairie Ceilidh radio in Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Canada on CKJS Radio 810 every Sunday night from 9:00-10:00pm - a chap called Lyle Skinner emailed asking for my solo CD a while back - so I took the trouble to send him this year's band CD too.
Hell - we're on Radio Voce Spazio, Italy too thanks to interest from one Massimo Ferro.
It's wonderful (to us, anyway!) that the internet has helped spin our brand of folk-rock around!
Must dash - band arriving any second to learn a couple of Fairport Convention songs for a benefit gig this Friday to raise money for Dave Swarbrick.
All the best - Duncan

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 09:36 AM

c c Rider by Chuck Willis...wow

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: PoppaGator
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 11:18 AM

Lloyd Price's "Stagger Lee" is a cover of the long-established New Orleans boogie-piano song of that name. To me, it's an entirely different song from the other "Stagger Lee" or "Stack-O-Lee" usually played on the guitar that is more familiar within the folk tradition (e.g., John Hurt's). The melodies, chord progressions, etc., of the two songs are entirely distinctive, even though the lyrics tell the same basic story. There are plenty of versions and variations of *both* these Stagger Lees.

Is the New Orleans jazz/R&B/brass-band tradition a "folk tradition"? I'd say "probably," but I understand that others may not always agree.

Nerd, point taken in re "Wimoweh/Lion Sleeps."

Rock and traditional-folk may be *very* different from each other, but any song (any combination of words and melody) can conceivably be played in any style. There can be a "rock version" (rearrangement) of *any* song originally from *any* genre, just as they can be a reggae version, a jazz reinterpretation, etc.

I understand that some may not *like* rock, or jazz or whatever, and may despise most or even all rocked-up remakes of their favorite traditional songs, but it can't be denied that such reinterpretations exist.

The original quesion asked for "best" rock remakes of "traditional" songs. We may have strayed a bit by mentioning non-traditional folk songs, but it's been interesting to make note of so many well-loved remakes, or updates, or bastardizations -- whatever you want to call 'em.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 02:30 PM

IMO, Runrig's version of Loch Lomond ain't too shabby.

s

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Nerd
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 06:14 PM

I agree with everything you said, PoppaG! When I said a cover of Archibald's version, it's just that Archibald's was the first recording I knew of. As you say, the New Orleans version is a traditional song in its own right.

And there's a third stack-o-lee/stagger lee also, which is the "toast" or spoken-word version, an entirely different set of words with lots of graphic sex and violence. This has been set to music by Johnny Otis, Nick Cave and others.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Stu
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:02 AM

Anything by Rambling Syd Rumpo

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: TS
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:47 AM

Here's a Van Morrison one...he did a great version of "Star of the County Down" with the Chieftains.

Also like the Rolling Stones' " Long Black Vale" and Dave Matthews' version as well.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Davetnova
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:50 AM

Elvis used quite a few traditional tunes if not words, do they count.

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Splott Man
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:58 AM

Long Black Veil was written in the 1950s

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Wotcha
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 12:36 PM

"Wild Colonial Boy" as sung by Mick Jagger in the long forgotten movie about the outlaw Ned Kelly.

"General Taylor" by Canadian Maritimes band Great Big Sea ...

Cheers,

Happy Thanksgiving auf Stuttgart!

Brian

Subject: RE: Best Rock versions of traditional songs
From: Steve-o
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 02:14 PM

"My Bucket's Got a Hole in it" is a great one....I remember that Ricky Nelson had a huge hit with it. I'm sure he changed the "can't buy no beer" part, though...BTW, "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" is a trad song??? I don't think so.