| Author | Message | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 605 Registered: 3-2004 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
"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 |
"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 |
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 |
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 |
We do "Jailbreak" by Thin Lizzie, and it ALWAYS goes over well. | ||
| fmm
Advanced Member Username: fmm Post Number: 268 Registered: 6-2002 |
"Charlemange", Burton Cummings. | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 608 Registered: 3-2004 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
"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 |
Thanks to everyone. I appreciate all your comments. | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 726 Registered: 6-2002 |
...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 |
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 |
Try "Walk Away" by the James Gang. Great live song. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8255 Registered: 5-2002 |
Interestingly, in 1988 REM released an album called .. Eponymous. | ||
| crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 555 Registered: 11-2005 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
"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 |
SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL.... ....bass, drums and vocals...what else do you need?! | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1188 Registered: 6-2002 |
A witness? Mike | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1223 Registered: 12-2004 |
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 |
Thanks everyone, this is really helpful. | ||
| garethnh
Member Username: garethnh Post Number: 56 Registered: 5-2008 |
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 |
Oops....double post! (Message edited by garethnh on June 27, 2009) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 8262 Registered: 5-2002 |
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 |
