Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Goin' Bananas for VU Covers

While catching up on posts over the weekend, I was deeply drawn into Drew's appreciation for 'The Velvet Underground & Nico.' As we continue to celebrate the album's importance in rock history 50 years after it flopped, I thought of the bevy of bands through the generations that have been influenced by the 11 songs on the album. Here are a few from the '80s who dared to put their own spins on perfection.

Strawberry Switchblade - "Sunday Morning"
("Since Yesterday" 12" B-side)

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - "I'm Waiting For The Man"
("Messages" 10" B-side)

Tracey Thorn - "Femme Fatale"
(from 'A Distant Shore')

Echo & the Bunnymen - "Run Run Run (Live)"
(from 'Crystal Days' box set)

R.E.M. - "There She Goes Again"
("Radio Free Europe" B-side, 1983 version)

The Primitives - "I'll Be Your Mirror"
("Sick of It" 12" B-side)

Slightly off the topic of 'The Velvet Underground & Nico,', but I can't resist playing my favorite VU cover. Probably helps that I love the original to bits.

The Feelies - "What Goes On"
(from 'Only Life')

7 comments:

JTFL said...

http://popdose.com/keep-it-to-yourself-banana-polemic/

The Swede said...

I always had a soft spot for Primitives b-sides and this one is no exception. Nice collection Brian.

drew said...

Spent the weekend trying to put together a Velvets ICA for JC. I think after this weekend I may have it done. But have gone down the rabbit hole and am now starting on compiling a best of live versions which means revisiting all the bootlegs, the Matrix Tapes etc.

Brian said...

JTFL, A story only a lawyer could love. Ha! Did you get the new Spoon album yet?

Swede, Right with you there, especially the B-sides from the Lazy era. This one was a little later.

Drew, Looking forward to that ICA. Sounds like you are about to make it a whole lot more difficult for yourself. Best of luck.

JC said...

Sunday Morning by James is also a fine version.

And big shout out to the OMD cover...one of my favourites as it took a great original and made it sound very contemporary at the time of its release.

JC said...

and i just took a break to read Jonny's piece. Hilarious!!! He's a smart cookie is our country bass player....

Brian said...

Yep, that country lawyer is a renaissance man, JC.