Friday, May 27, 2011

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding — Brinsley Schwarz (1974)

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" was written by Nick Lowe and originally recorded in 1974 by Lowe's band Brinsley Schwarz. Lowe also produced Elvis Costello's version which was originally credited to "Nick Lowe & His Sound" and issued as the B-side to Lowe’s 1979 single, “American Squirm”. When the song became a hit, Costello added it to his "Armed Forces" album.




Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1979)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

All Along The Watchtower — Bob Dylan (1967)

"All Along The Watchtower" was written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan for his 1967 album, “John Wesley Harding”. It was released as a single but did not chart. However, Jimi Hendrix recorded it for his “Electric Ladyland” album 6-months later and his version peaked at #5 in the UK and #20 in the US. It is usually hailed as the greatest cover song of the rock era.




Jimi Hendrix (1968)



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Dave Mason played 12-string acoustic guitar on the Hendrix version and recorded his own cover in 1974
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Monday, May 23, 2011

City Of New Orleans — Steve Goodman (1971)

"City Of New Orleans" was written and originally recorded by Steve Goodman for his 1971 debut album. The best-known version is by Arlo Guthrie - recorded for his 1972 album, “Hobo’s Lullaby”. It is Arlo's only Top 40 hit. The song has been covered many times since – most notably by Willie Nelson, who took it to #1 on the Country Charts in 1984.




Arlo Guthrie (1972)


Nice live version from Arlo in 1993:
Arlo Guthrie (1972)



Willie Nelson (1984)

Friday, May 20, 2011

When The Levee Breaks — Memphis Minnie (1929)

"When The Levee Breaks" was written and originally recorded by husband/wife team Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. The song is a reaction to the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. It was famously reworked by Led Zeppelin as the last song on their 1971 album, Led Zeppelin IV. It is credited to all four band members and Memphis Minnie. The original version is in the public domain.




Led Zeppelin (1971)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Fire — Robert Gordon (1979)

"Fire" was written by Bruce Springsteen in 1977 specifically for Elvis Presley. He had even sent Elvis a demo, but The King died soon after. Bruce's friend Robert Gordon would record it first - but it got little radio play and it didn’t chart. It would become The Pointer Sisters first Top 10 hit - stalling at #2 in early 1979.

Bruce’s original demo with the E Street Band was finally released on his 2010 album, The Promise.




The Pointer Sisters (1979)
Live on "The Midnight Special"


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Bruce Springsteen (1978):
From the album "The Promise" released in 2010

Monday, May 16, 2011

Since You Been Gone — Russ Ballard (1976)

"Since You Been Gone" was written and originally recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album, “Winning”. It never charted. The most famous version is the 1979 cover by Rainbow which became a Top 10 hit in the UK. The video was in regular rotation during the early days of MTV. The song has often been misspelled as "Since You've Been Gone".




Rainbow (1979)

Friday, May 13, 2011

Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody —
Louis Prima (1956)

"Just A Gigolo” was written by Irving Caesar in 1929 and "I Ain't Got Nobody" was written by Roger Graham and music by Spencer Williams in 1915. Individually, the songs were recorded many times before Louis Prima combined the two for his 1956 Las Vegas stage show. The recording jump-started his career and became his signature number. A popular MTV video helped David Lee Roth chart it at #12 in 1985.




David Lee Roth (1985)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Louie Louie — Richard Berry & The Pharaohs (1957)

"Louie Louie" was written by Richard Berry in 1955 and originally recorded by his group The Pharaohs in 1957. The song was a flop and Berry sold his publishing and songwriting rights for $750. In 1963, The Kingsmen would spend $36 at a local studio and, in one take, turn it into a rock 'n roll classic. It is ranked #55 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time".

The Kingsmen's version was also the subject of a 31-month FBI investigation about the supposed obscenity of the lyrics. The song was analyzed at a variety of speeds and nearly everyone connected with the song was interrogated. The investigation ended without prosecution with FBI concluding that they were "unable to interpret any of the wording in the record."




The Kingsmen (1963)

Monday, May 9, 2011

The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore) —
Frankie Valli (1965)

"The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)" was written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio and originally released as a single by Frankie Valli in 1965. It failed to make the charts. A year later, The Walker Brothers version became a world-wide hit. It topped the UK charts and became their biggest song in the US – peaking at #13. The song would later be a minor hit for Neil Diamond, Cher and the group Keane.




It seemed fitting to use this Lost Original today. John Walker, lead singer and guitar player for The Walker Brothers, passed away on Saturday, May 7th 2011. Their version defines the sound of 60's AM radio.
The Walker Brothers (1966)

Friday, May 6, 2011

Feelin' Alright — Traffic (1968)

"Feelin' Alright" was written by Dave Mason and originally recorded in 1968 by his band, Traffic. The song has been covered by many artists - but, the best-known version is by Joe Cocker. His 1969 version only reached #33 on the US charts but would become a certified classic rock standard. If you catch Dave Mason in concert, even he performs his song using the Joe Cocker arrangement.




Joe Cocker (1969)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Alabama Song — Weill & Brecht (1927)

"Alabama Song (Whiskey Bar)" was originally published in Bertolt Brecht's 1927 collection of poems, "Hauspostille". It was set to music by Kurt Weill for the 1927 mini-opera (or Songspiel) "Mahagonny". It was used again in Weill and Brecht's controversial 1930 full opera "Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny." The song was covered by The Doors for their 1967 debut album.

Here is Lotte Lenya (Kurt Weill's wife) singing Alabama Song in 1958



The Doors (1967)