Covers

[dxtr]

Hey Guys

I apologize if this has already been talked about, I couldn't think of a way to search for this.

But basically the question is.

Do you guys play covers verbatim or do your own thing?

My cover band tends to play songs pretty loosey goosey. as long as the melody, groove, and changes are there.

What do you guys do?

dxtr

 

[bolweevil]

In my main band (blues, funk and R&B )it depends on the song. In those genres we are sometimes covering a cover of a cover, so to speak ('Take Me to the River', for example: the vocalist sings more like the Susan Tedschi version, the band plays more like the Al Green version, and I fall somewhere in between). On 'Voodoo Woman' the vocalist sings it more like Koko Taylor but the band plays it like the live version by Susan Tedeschi's group (on steroids).

Some songs I or another band member have special feelings for and want to keep the drum part close to the original (or the song dictates that I should), while on other songs I do whatever I want to keep it chuggin' along--'Proud Mary' is an example that comes to mind

In my rock band those guys play it pretty close to the vest in terms of trying to sound like the original, so I follow suit.

My .02

 

[rikkrebs]

For years I played in bands that did the covers pretty close to the original......then it all changed. I put together a band that played half covers and half originals. When we played the covers they were absolutely our own thing. For example we did "Have A Cigar" as a high speed acoustic funky rock song and "Mother" as a slow laid back ballad.

I found out that people were sick of hearing the same song done the same way over and over and over.........

The more obscure we took it, the more popular we became.

 

[tbart16]

Currently we play the covers however we want ,we may throw a punk spin on them or a jazzy swingy feel all depends on the song. In past bands played thing both ways as close to the original as possible and in other bands we kept it loosey goosey. The audience did'nt seem to mind either way

 

[mcjaco]

We play covers pretty loose. Parts are right on, parts are way off. It's our interpretation of a song, which is how it should be, unless you're in band emulating another band.

 

[fun2drum]

For years I played in bands that did the covers pretty close to the original......then it all changed. I put together a band that played half covers and half originals. When we played the covers they were absolutely our own thing. For example we did "Have A Cigar" as a high speed acoustic funky rock song and "Mother" as a slow laid back ballad.

I found out that people were sick of hearing the same song done the same way over and over and over.........

The more obscure we took it, the more popular we became.

I have always believed that people would rather hear a band play a song as if it's their own. Going extremely different like your "Have a Cigar" is just the kind of thing I like to see in a cover. I want to see a band's creativity at work, plus I think a band is more likely to be criticized for playing it "almost" exactly. It won't be exactly the same in sound even if it's done perfectly live. On the other hand if it's so different that it's obviously played that way on purpose, then the cover accuracy police won't have a legitimate criticism.

 

[tommykat1]

We're a cover band trying to play covers close to the original. Our audience likes to hear it that way. Obviously, the lead singer doesn't have the range of every rock singer out there, so he has to make it his own.

 

[TheBeachBoy]

If there's a signature guitar hook or drum fill we try to play it close, but other than that, we do it our own way.

 

[xsabers]

I appreciate bands that can play a song as originally recorded.

I also appreciate bands that take a song and make it their own.

However, I do not enjoy cover bands that play a song in such a way that they miss the mark due to laziness, making it just "good enough" to please the general audience. I think there is a distinct difference in these last two approaches.

 

[Bonzoholic]

If there's a signature guitar hook or drum fill we try to play it close, but other than that, we do it our own way.

+1

 

[bolweevil]

I appreciate bands that can play a song as originally recorded.

I also appreciate bands that take a song and make it their own.

However, I do not enjoy cover bands that play a song in such a way that they miss the mark due to laziness, making it just "good enough" to please the general audience. I think there is a distinct difference in these last two approaches.

Absolutely +1

 

[gryphon]

I appreciate bands that can play a song as originally recorded.

I also appreciate bands that take a song and make it their own.

However, I do not enjoy cover bands that play a song in such a way that they miss the mark due to laziness, making it just "good enough" to please the general audience. I think there is a distinct difference in these last two approaches.

+1 If I want to hear the original I'll stay home and play the recording. Not many bands get it perfect when live, not even the original artists. Signature riffs, fills and bass lines are important, and serve as a launch point for intrpretation. Being a jazzer at heart, I get bored to death doing a song the same identical way every time. In my present band we play loose with some tunes and cover others tightly. I think as we get more comfortable with a tune the more we tend to jam on it.

jim

 

[Lee]

Make it our own, and the ability to improvise when warranted is easier.

 

[Lee]

Work computer is not liking this new version of the forum, hence removal of a duplicate post. Move along....nothing to see here...

 

[bolweevil]

To add to my own previous post: a couple of my bandmates are sticklers for songs being played like the orginals, but only certain songs.

Tempo is of more concern relative to the song we're covering than stylistic approaches, though for me tempo is often affected by style.

 

[chetatkinsdiet]

ha...a lot of ours are so obscure to most audience members, they think we wrote them anyway. The reality is, if it was ever done by Ray Charles, Dr. John or a few others, we tend to follow their lead as it really can't get any better than those cats versions. If it's a random thing....we'll make it our own. Example, we do a fun version of You Got The Silver and make it ours.

Here you go:

 

[Bunnyman]

The one thing I love about my band king is that I don't have to be dead on. But the band court jester wants it closer. I tell the court jester that he has to copy Eddie Van Halen note for note and then I will cop the song note for note. I will end up kicking that little pip squeek's ass if he doesn't get off it.

 

[andrewro]

I don't normally weigh in on the whole covers debate, as there are so many ways to go, and to do it right or wrong. It depends on your band's sound, and on the song itself. However, having played Bad Company's "Oh, Atlanta" for the first time last night, my band kept it simple and swampy, with a four on the floor drum part throughout. We do a Jason Isbell tune, "G D Lonely Love," also with a simple sort of Neil Young "Harvest" era sound. Very very simple drum part. Some of us grew up in Muscle Shoals, and we're going for that 70s Shoals vibe with our material, and this approach works well for covers too.

Actually, for both of these songs, I didn't hear the originals until after we'd played them some, and I like our versions better! Not trying to toot the proverbial horn either. I just think I go in for simpler production than on either of the originals, especially in the case of our band.

 

[cruddyeye]

The one thing I love about my band king is that I don't have to be dead on. But the band court jester wants it closer. I tell the court jester that he has to copy Eddie Van Halen note for note and then I will cop the song note for note. I will end up kicking that little pip squeek's ass if he doesn't get off it.

Oh man, you playin hardball. LOL!

 

[drawtheline55]

We play covers the way we play...meaning we don't try to be a tribute band etc. And when we try a new cover if it isn't starting to gel
pretty quickly, we put it on the shelf and move on. I am in a 3 piece and the choices are limited. Bruce, Yes etc..aint gonna happen.