Best Rock versions of traditional songs

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 07:38 PM

Also by Creedence, "Midnight Special."

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: 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: 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: 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: Big Tim
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 05:57 AM

John Barleycorn, by Traffic.

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: 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: 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: Peace
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 09:39 PM

Simon and Garfunkle: PSR+T

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

CCR: Cotton Fields

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!