Unlikely cover versions – Edwyn Collins '1977'
This one knocked me for a loop – Edwyn Collins formerly of Orange Juice does a ‘different’ version of 1977. The good news, it’s a free mp3 if you just click here. I don’t know what to say and that’s rare for me. It’s the wrong voice, the wrong pace, it’s acoustic and yet it doesn’t completely fail. I just am not sure what the point was. I’d love to hear Edwyn sing Bankrobber for example, that might work.
There’s also a cover of Clampdown by The National on the same page, if you are already there than why not? Both tested, virus free so please have a listen.
I’m going to start a series of posts comprehensively looking at songs the Clash covered and also Clash songs covered by others. It’s a prickly subject but I’ll try and be objective. I know there are so many out there I’ve never heard so it might be fun, worrisome, sad or a little of each. As a resource I’ll also bury a page on the site with links to everything I stumble upon so you can search as you see fit. I’d planned this from the start but had been putting it off until I heard Edwyn Collins do his thing.
I liked Orange Juice, quite a lot, but now I’m thinking about skipping citrus for a while. I’d love to know what you think.
No Ellllvis, Beatles or Orange Juice…..
Also…I updated the very popular Global A Go-Go page…12 new nations welcome aboard..up to 55 now!
Tim
I picked Edwyn’s version up in 2003, on a 2 volume freebie from Uncut magazine. The National’s “Clampdown” also features. I’m fond of EC’s “1977″ but can’t recall the said version of “Clampdown”.I’ll give it a spin later and get back to you. I seem to remember that most of the tracks are ok, but very few that’d make me go and pay good money for full length/priced albums by the covering artists.
Covers from other sources I’ve heard lately include Casbah on http://www.theclash.com (Click on Blog), which gets 0 out of 10, Springsteen doing LC (3 out of 10) and Sharleen Spiteri with SISoSIG (2 out of 10)
I’ve heard all but the one you linked so I’ll check it…or maybe not based on your rating. Sharleen Spiteri…I was behind her in a queue buying a sausage roll once, and that’s the best I can say about her cover version! Thanks Karl.