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hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 605
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 11:41 am:   Edit Post

So I started playing with a cover band a few months back, and I've been having a heck of a good time playing some of my old favorites. However, since this is such an enlightened, and tasteful bunch, I thought I would see if anybody had suggestions for good cover songs. We tend towards classic rock, though I wouldn't count us out for more modern stuff, or a bit of country (Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash etc.). Anyone have any suggestions for songs that aren't too difficult, and are fun to play? Any cover band experiences anyone would care to share? My thanks to all who contribute.
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3951
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 12:39 pm:   Edit Post

The combo of Townes Van Zant and Willie Nelson brings to mind a great Townes song that Willie covered: "Pancho & Lefty". Also a classic fun song my band does is the Kinks' "Apeman"

Bill, tgo
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 506
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 12:51 pm:   Edit Post

Bill: "a great Townes song"? I would like to suggest that that's repetitive & redundant. Damn, what a writer!

Kevin: Or you could combine genres - here's a version of Townes's "Lungs" done hard. It could just as easily work a la Uriah Heep - speaking of whom, how about "Stealin'"?

Peter
alembic76407
Senior Member
Username: alembic76407

Post Number: 617
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 2:20 pm:   Edit Post

Bill, Apeman is one of my favorite Kink songs
and my band plays Poncho & lefty

love those songs

Sir David
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 606
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 2:50 pm:   Edit Post

Bill,

"Pancho and Lefty" is one of my all time favorites (both the original and the Willie/Merle version). Repetitive and redundant Peter? Bite your tongue sir! (Okay maybe a little, but still some of most touching lyrics I've ever heard). That was a very nice version of Lungs by the way. I also love Townes' cover of "Dead Flowers" on the Big Lebowski. I'm going to definitely check out that Kinks tune as well. I always felt my classic rock education was lacking for not exploring their music further. Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
dnburgess
Senior Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 631
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 3:02 pm:   Edit Post

"Wishing Well" by Free. Killer riff. Nice arrangement - and Andy Fraser is one of my favourite bassists from the era.
dnburgess
Senior Member
Username: dnburgess

Post Number: 632
Registered: 1-2003
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 3:08 pm:   Edit Post

"Rebel Rebel" by Bowie. If your guitarist can cut it. Great basss line - Herbie Flowers I think.
keith_h
Senior Member
Username: keith_h

Post Number: 1311
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 3:19 pm:   Edit Post

Most anything by Thin Lizzy. I always thought Foghat Fool for the City or Slowride would go over well also. I don't run across either band being played by the local cover bands.

Keith
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 507
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 4:08 pm:   Edit Post

Methinks you misunderstood, Kevin - I was commenting on "great" & "Townes song" being redundant, not the song - it's one of my all time favorites (as soon as I'm done posting, I think I'll pick up my guitar & sing it to my dog - she being the only one here).
Secondly, The Big Lebowski is the greatest movie ever made.
Thirdly, I've heard several people (including Ray Davies) make the argument that Dave Davies defined the rock guitar solo on "You've Really Got Me." They may have a point.

Peter
kenbass4
Advanced Member
Username: kenbass4

Post Number: 358
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 4:09 pm:   Edit Post

We do "Jailbreak" by Thin Lizzie, and it ALWAYS goes over well.
fmm
Advanced Member
Username: fmm

Post Number: 268
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 4:42 pm:   Edit Post

"Charlemange", Burton Cummings.
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 608
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 4:50 pm:   Edit Post

Peter,

My sincere apologies, clearly you have excellent taste. I would agree (not that it would matter), that the Big Lebowski is the pinnacle of cinematic craft, to date. I'm going to devote myself to finding some Kinks stuff immediately. Aside from the radio classics, and the odd soundtrack, I must admit ignorance.

David,

I'm on lead guitar, so you definitely should be suspicious of my abilities :-).

Keith and Ken,
I'll definitely revisit some Thin Lizzy tracks. Slow Ride has been a favorite since I first saw "Dazed and Confused."


Thanks for the suggestions guys.
sonicus
Intermediate Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 143
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 5:09 pm:   Edit Post

Here's a mix of tunes _____
Lonesome On'ry and Mean--Waylon Jennings
Come Back Baby--- Hot Tuna
Truckin'--- Grateful Dead
Dark Star --- Grateful Dead
Rock and Roll Hochie Coo--- Johnny Winter
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 725
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 5:29 pm:   Edit Post

Alot of Neil Young might fit the bill, not too complicated with lots of energy.
sonicus
Intermediate Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 144
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 5:34 pm:   Edit Post

Ok here's set # 2
I've Always been Crazy--- Waylon Jennings
Searching--- Lynyrd Skynyrd
Born to be Wild--- Steppenwolf
US Blues--- Grateful Dead
Dinos Song--- Quicksilver Messenger Service
Who Do You Love ---Quicksilver Messenger Service

(Message edited by sonicus on June 25, 2009)
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2550
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 6:02 pm:   Edit Post

Some real fun songs to play with great basslines and are easy to learn,
Delbert McClinton- Shakey Ground
Wilson Pickett- Mustang Sally
ABB-One Way Out

They always get a great response from the crowd too.

OO
sonicus
Intermediate Member
Username: sonicus

Post Number: 145
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 6:05 pm:   Edit Post

OH yes_ Mustang Sally is a good one!

OO you got some good ones there!
cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member
Username: cozmik_cowboy

Post Number: 509
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 6:15 pm:   Edit Post

"Who Do You Love ---Quicksilver Messenger Service"

Yeah! All 24.5 minutes of it!
"Fresh Air" would be good, too.

And on the subject of Waylon, just about anything off Honky Tonk Heroes (which are all, of course, actually Billy Joe Shaver songs).

And I've been listening to Pure Prairie League a lot lately - "Woman" off the proverbial eponymous debut is great.

And, if you're playing bars, just about anything off the first 3 albums by Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen should go over well.

Peter (who's starting way too many sentences with "and" tonight)

(Message edited by cozmik_cowboy on June 25, 2009)
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 609
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 6:20 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks to everyone. I appreciate all your comments.
elwoodblue
Senior Member
Username: elwoodblue

Post Number: 726
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 6:31 pm:   Edit Post

...and don't forget 'Rawhide' if your ever stuck in the boonies with folks who like 'both' kinds of music...just make sure they have chicken wire fer the stage.
bsee
Senior Member
Username: bsee

Post Number: 2376
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 7:45 pm:   Edit Post

Here's our set list for a cancer benefit we're playing in a couple weeks:

Get Down Tonight
Dirty Little Secret
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
Plush
The Middle
I Need to Know
Come As You Are
This Love
I Feel Good
White Rabbit
Somebody to Love
Tie Your Mother Down
Rock and Roll

plus a few originals tossed in...
Guitar/bass/drums plus a female vocalist.

-bob
57basstra
Senior Member
Username: 57basstra

Post Number: 1018
Registered: 4-2005
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 7:47 pm:   Edit Post

Try "Walk Away" by the James Gang. Great live song.
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8255
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 7:53 pm:   Edit Post

Interestingly, in 1988 REM released an album called .. Eponymous.
crgaston
Senior Member
Username: crgaston

Post Number: 555
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 8:13 pm:   Edit Post

Here are some of my current faves...

The Linda Rondstat version of "Willin'" (although the Little Feat version is OK, too)

Deirks Bentley's "Got a Lot to Leavin' Left to Do" segues nicely into "Are you sure Hank Done it This Way" by Waylon Jennings

"Castanets" by Reckless Kelly

"Jealous Again" by the Black Crowes

"Cuts Like a Knife" by Bryan Adams

"Copperhead Road" by Steve Earle

And lastly "The Boys from Oklahoma" by Cross Canadian Ragweed

Mr. Panzer, Flax, Keavin, et al., if you aren't familiar with that last one I must insist that you have a listen immediately. :-)
bracheen
Senior Member
Username: bracheen

Post Number: 1468
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 6:49 am:   Edit Post

Wow a lot of great songs listed here. I'll add "Hot Smoke and Sassafras" by Bubble Puppy
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2551
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 6:59 am:   Edit Post

You know one I've never got to do but always wanted to,
Last Child by Aerosmith. Great bassline and groove in that song.

Tom Hamilton has always been underated as a bassist to me. He has some great lines and grooves.

OO
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3954
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 7:45 am:   Edit Post

Charles:

Loved "The Boys From Oklahoma".

By the way, I know the one limit placed on this request was "No Freebird", but if you haven't heard The Toyes reggae version of Freebird, you're really missing out. Hilarious AND it works! (The Toyes did the original "Smoke Two Joints").

Bill, tgo
gtrguy
Advanced Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 219
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 9:33 am:   Edit Post

Gawd help you, but I have been down this road a few times.

Brown Eyed Girl, never fails to get them dancing
Brick House
Play that funky Music
Mustang Sally

There are top requested songs for DJ's listed by year on the net. You can't go wrong using those lists since that is your competition. Just pick songs from the top 150 or so that the crowd will dance to and you will have a band that is booked!

Avoid the temptation to play just songs the band really likes if you are going to play out. The top dance clubs will have several bands that rotate through and they will play 60 - 70% the same material. You can go and take notes.

Good Luck,
Dave
eligilam
Intermediate Member
Username: eligilam

Post Number: 183
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 9:34 am:   Edit Post

My band does a Blink 182-esque version of "Any Day Now" by Ronnie Milsap, and it really gets them jumping. Cool, chromatic progressions (and written by Burt Bacharach to boot).
white_cloud
Senior Member
Username: white_cloud

Post Number: 702
Registered: 11-2007
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post

"Alright Now" - by Free...classic rock tune with nice bass part by Andy Fraser!

John.
olieoliver
Senior Member
Username: olieoliver

Post Number: 2553
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 10:46 am:   Edit Post

SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL....

....bass, drums and vocals...what else do you need?!
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1188
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 4:25 pm:   Edit Post

A witness?
:-)
Mike
byoung
Senior Member
Username: byoung

Post Number: 1223
Registered: 12-2004
Posted on Friday, June 26, 2009 - 10:01 pm:   Edit Post

Since you said Willie, I'd suggest:

On the Road Again (everyone knows it, great lyrics)
You were always on my mind
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
hydrargyrum
Senior Member
Username: hydrargyrum

Post Number: 610
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 3:54 am:   Edit Post

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful.
garethnh
Member
Username: garethnh

Post Number: 56
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 7:48 am:   Edit Post

This our setlist for tonight. English audience so songs by the Jam and a few other british bands in there, but plenty of Who and Jimi!

1. I PREDICT A RIOT
2. I CAN’T EXPLAIN
3. ETON RIFLES
4. DAYTRIPPER
5. SEVEN NATION ARMY
6. PURPLE HAZE
7. DOWN IN THE TUBESTATION
8. BEHIND BLUE EYES
9. TAXMAN
10. FIRE
11. SONG 2
12. TAKE ME OUT
13. SHOULD I STAY...

1. CHELSEA DAGGER
2. TEENAGE KICKS
3. EVER FALLEN IN LOVE
4. TURNING JAPANESE
5. START
6. SUNSHINE OF YOUR LOVE
7. PINBALL WIZARD
8. 5.15
9. LITTLE WING
10. GOING UNDERGROUND
11. SHAKIN’ ALL OVER
12. SUPERSTITION
13. BE MY GIRL

1 HEY JOE
2 MY GENERATION
3 HUSH
4 MY SHARONA
garethnh
Member
Username: garethnh

Post Number: 57
Registered: 5-2008
Posted on Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 8:00 am:   Edit Post

Oops....double post!

(Message edited by garethnh on June 27, 2009)
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 8262
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 7:50 pm:   Edit Post

Here's one we used to do quite a few years back. Great bass line, and people love the tune.
Me'Shell and John, Wild Night

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