131 Songs Numbers 96 to 102

These are seven of my favourite cover versions.

Number 96 - Absolutely Sweet Marie by Jason and The Scorchers

They are not really a punk band, but this cover of Bob Dylans song from his 1966 album Blonde on Blonde is a great punk version of not one of Bob's strongest tunes. I found it on an album of Bob Dylan covers called "The Songs of Bob Dylan" and this is the stand out track. Recorded by the band as a bonus track on their otherwise self penned album "Fervor", at the time it was said to be a ground breaking cover. Because it is such an original, but obvious, take on this song. Isn't YouTube great? First time I have seen what the band looks like.

Number 97 - Promised Land by Johnny Allan

I first heard the Johnny Allan version when it was played regularly on Terry Wogan's breakfast show in the late seventies and eighties and has always been one of my favourites. Originally composed and recorded by Chuck Berry on his 1964 album "St Louis to Liverpool", Allan's Cajun version was released in the UK in 1974. To own his recording, I had to buy an album called "Alligator Stomp". This is a collection of Cajun and zydeco music originating from Louisiana, the latter famous for Clifton Chenier who is referenced on Paul Simon's album "Graceland". Again, thanks to YouTube, I can see Johnny for the very first time. The live recording on the excerpt from Jools Holland's "Walking to New Orleans" is brilliant.

Number 98 - Always On My Mind by The Pet Shop Boys

Originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972, this song was written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson Thomson. Her version was not successful, but it was soon picked up the same year by Elvis to become one of his standards. I have to admit (not being a great Elvis fan) that this is a terrific recording. But not as good as that by The Pet Shop Boys. In 1987, on a TV programme to honour the tenth anniversary of the death of Elvis, they presented their version of his classic. It was so well received that they released it as a single, and it became the Christmas number one for that year. In 2004, The Daily Telegraph had it as number two of the top fifty cover versions of all time. Agreed.

Number 99 - The Day Before You came by Blancmange

When I first heard this on the radio, I didn't know it was an Abba song. Now I have heard the original, the cover still sounds better. The song was recorded by Abba in 1982 during their last ever session in the studio. Blancmange's version did slightly better in the charts when it was released two years later. It is the vocal of Neil Arthur and the rhythmic synth of Stephen Luscombe that makes their recording so originally poignant. The lyrics are some of the best in popular music, but only Arthur captures the the mood so well.

Number 100 - Put the Message in the Box by Gina Villalobos

After leaving Mike Scott's Waterboys, Karl Wallinger formed World Party and released their first album in 1986. It was on their second album "Goodbye Jumbo" that they included "Put the Message in the Box". But it is the track from the album "Rock "N" Roll Pony" by Gina Villalobos that I found this wonderful cover version. All the other tracks on the album are written by Gina, but I have to say that the cover is the stand out song. Just superb.

Number 101 - This Old Skin by The Beautiful South

Although I love listening to all their earlier material, I just feel that the Paul Heaton penned songs lack a certain emotional punch that would take them straight into my 131 songs. But on "Golddiggas Headnodders and Pholk Songs", an album of covers by The Beautiful South comes the terrific "This Old Skin". Composed by Bobby Cristiansand and Barry Klein of the band The Heppelbaums, (fictional characters in fact, the song was actually written by Paul Heaton and Dave Rotheray - so not really a cover), it has a fabulously amusing country folk sound, not least for the additional vocals of Chip Taylor. Check out "The Heppelbaums" on YouTube with Paul in a wonderful blond wig.

Number 102 - Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall by Brian Ferry

Written by Bob Dylan in the summer of 1962 and recorded for his second album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", it appeared on "These Foolish Things", a 1973 album of covers by Bryan Ferry. This was his first solo effort after Roxy Music disbanded. But it is no surprise that what gives this track something special is the guitar of Phil Manzanera, who was also lead guitarist with Roxy Music. It sounds just like a track from this group's recordings.