We used to have a section on the main site which I edited called "Versions" in which our writers identified and sequenced three (or more) versions of the same tune as done by different artists. It was quite popular and garnered quite a few comments. It will, no doubt, return but for now I'm re-introducing it here giving everybody a chance to contribute. No particular rules but I'd suggest sticking to three tunes. Top tip: you can put all three clips in the same comment. Moreover you can paste YouTube clips directly rather than using a 'link'.
First up "Gentle On My Mind"
The original version by the original writer:
What everybody thinks is the original (or originator):
(Fun fact which you all knew anyway - Glen Campbell played bass and did backing vocals for The Beach Boys as a session guy)
Love this version but would have liked to have seen Billy tap-dancing John Hartford style:
Next up: "Sugaree"
The original which, contrary to popular belief, is a Jerry Garcia solo effort rather than a Grateful Dead thing produced for his first sans Dead album (although the lyrics are Robert Hunter's):
This is by Graham Parker (yes that Graham Parker without any rumours). Love this from his 2004 album 'Your Country'. Possibly one of the unluckiest musicians in British music history who was, simply, in the wrong place at the wrong time. Gilson Lavis was his one time drummer:
This by my new favourites The California Honeydrops.
Band leader Lech Wierzynski can sing, play guitar and blow on a trumpet. Not all at the same time, sadly. What a voice:
Supplementary: Yes I know I said three versions but this is what Garcia/Hunter's tune is based on. Too good to miss:
We used to have a section on the main site which I edited called "Versions" in which our writers identified and sequenced three (or more) versions of the same tune as done by different artists. It was quite popular and garnered quite a few comments. It will, no doubt, return but for now I'm re-introducing it here giving everybody a chance to contribute. No particular rules but I'd suggest sticking to three tunes. Top tip: you can put all three clips in the same comment. Moreover you can paste YouTube clips directly rather than using a 'link'.
First up "Gentle On My Mind"
The original version by the original writer:
What everybody thinks is the original (or originator):
(Fun fact which you all knew anyway - Glen Campbell played bass and did backing vocals for The Beach Boys as a session guy)
Love this version but would have liked to have seen Billy tap-dancing John Hartford style:
Love this version as well. R.E.M recorded it at KCRW in Los Angeles the day after John Hartford passed. It was later included on a KCRW compilation called The Covers Project that consisted of other live in-studio performances.
*I’m unable to paste the link for some reason but it can be found on YouTube.
Bedroom rising from an old growth tree
Bringing out the sawmill, cutting the 12 inch beams
Building a pattern, the reservoir to fill with dreams
Rings like Saturn telling their old story…
Big Thief “Red Moon”
🎙️ Each Saturday morning, David Nixon and I co-host an Americana music show on Vintage Radio Birkenhead. One of our regular features involves a fascinating musical exchange: I select a song and David presents a different version of the same piece, which we then play back-to-back. The following week, the roles reverse — David chooses the original, and I offer an alternative interpretation.
It’s a compelling way to explore how different artists approach the same material, and it often sparks lively discussion and discovery. For anyone seeking inspiration or struggling to find alternative versions of songs, I highly recommend the website SecondHandSongs. It’s an invaluable resource for tracing songwriting credits and uncovering a wide array of covers.
In fact, I’m proud to be listed there myself, with my rendition of Townes Van Zandt’s haunting song “Kathleen” — one of 15 recorded versions currently catalogued.
@johnjenkins have you got a link to your radio show? Presumably its available on line? Might be useful for me to post a link on these forums
@paul-villers Thanks Paul. This is the Link https://www.mixcloud.com/GP2025/
@paul-villers Thanks Paul. This is the Link https://www.mixcloud.com/GP2025//p >
Ok - Leave that with me thanks. I'm thinking of a specific forum area for links to radio and other interesting stuff that doesn't fall within present categories.
3 versions of Driver 8 for you, one of my favourite REM songs from what I've always considered their most "Americana" album.
We have the original, a cover by a fellow Georgian and, as a special weekend thank you to our Editor for all he does, a live take by some west cost jangle pop band I believe he is quite keen on
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Thanks for these Mark. Something seems to have gone awry with the posting/formatting but an excellent selection nonetheless.
We used to have a section on the main site which I edited called "Versions" in which our writers identified and sequenced three (or more) versions of the same tune as done by different artists. It was quite popular and garnered quite a few comments. It will, no doubt, return but for now I'm re-introducing it here giving everybody a chance to contribute. No particular rules but I'd suggest sticking to three tunes. Top tip: you can put all three clips in the same comment. Moreover you can paste YouTube clips directly rather than using a 'link'.
First up "Gentle On My Mind"
The original version by the original writer:
Robert Ellis and Courtney Hartman did a whole album for John Hartford covers and their version is lovely.
Catfish John I had this set up a while ago but never got there write up done. Incredibly adaptable song with versions in a whole lot of styles.
First hit version Johnny Russel
Jerry Garcia Band
Toots !
AJ Lee and The Tuttles
Allison Krauss and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
It keeps blanking out one video, First Krauss now Toots. So here he i
You'll like this:
I interviewed the geezer when on his first very low key English tour. He played a venue in Coventry (just up the road) called Taylor John's House (since renamed). I knew the gaffer so got back stage access prior to the show (under the auspices of americana-uk) to do interview/pictures/video and a review of the gig. In the song he sings about being tanked and subsequently 'pissing gin' so I assumed he was a fellow connoisseur of my favourite poison. Given that information I turned up pre-show with a bottle of...think it was Tanqueray (so as not to look cheap). When I got there he said he didn't actually like gin and had a bottle of Jack Daniels on his rider. So we set to it. Did a Q&A thing (which quickly went south), did some outside photographs and stuff, someone might have come up with an exotic cigarette or two (not him in fairness)...that kind of vibe. Anyhow let me tell you that I was badly twisted out of shape come show time. How the fuck he managed to play his set is beyond me but to his great credit he did. I'd taken my very close friend Natt (Natt The Lesbian - sorry for the nomenclature but this was several years ago) with me to act as B-Roll camera woman. He played this song and dedicated it to me. For reasons best known to herself (she was a cider drinker at the time) Natt pressed the wrong button on the camera and we missed the thing. Which sucked. Post show he was doing his own merchandise (low key as I say) so I bought a T-shirt. I neglected to pay for a copy of his first CD saying that I would review it for the site in lieu any money changing hands. Bidding farewell Natt and myself stepped out into the cold, harsh Coventry night (it was probably midsummer-ish but its always cold in Coventry) and went for a Ruby Murray. God knows where the pictures and videos went. I think I managed to write the gig review up so it could possibly be available...somewhere.
Years later he was featured on The One Show playing with his band. Which was bizarre. I don't normally watch The One Show.
This is not that show but gives a flavour of how he performed (without the very annoying audience chatter - just shut up FFS):
This, however, remains for me the definitive version for me. Tune.
@paul-villers A tale of Gonzo proportions indeed. I was always bemused by Nathaniel's reinvention as a soul singer of sorts and somewhat repulsed by the album cover of the first Night Sweats album.
