Some very good links in this thread
Possibly the greatest cover version of all time was recorded by the Animals. The song had been sung for many years by many people but it was eventually recorded by Tom Clarence Ashley & Gwen Foster in 1928.
Enjoy.
Totally with that sentiment, BigLad - and I'm sure Zilzal and everybody else on this thread feels the same way; whatever our opinions, we hold them passionately and, as a result, they are all equally valid.
I'm glad you brought up the Animals version of The House Of The Rising Sun. Technically it's a cover version though it's origins are lost in the mists of time and the tune and lyrics - even the song title - have gone all over the place. Dylan and Joan Baez did versions before the Animals but they also sound quite different and, compared with these, the version by Burden and the gang is definitely commercially superior. When you hear the arpeggiated chords of Hilton Valentine's electric guitar opening (Am, C, D, F, Am, E, Am) you know exactly what's coming...
I always thought the Joan Baez version was a bit hit and miss, I dont think Joan new weather to sing it as a folk song or a blues song so decided to both at the same time and it just did not knit very well. Dylans version is pitiful to my ears. Sorry if anyone out there liked Dylans version but it's not for me.
A song that I like a great deal but may be too sentimental for some is Raul Malo's version of the Stephen Foster ballad Beautiful Dreamer. It's a song which has resonances from my childhood which may partly explain my attachment.
That poster reminded my sister of when she was a ****ager, she went to the Attic in Hounslow and saw Jimmy Hendrix perform there.
That guy jamming and playing a few bars.....the one with his foot on the Vox....it's not you is it monty ?
Animals - House of the Rising Sun, never get fed up of listening to that one.
Must check some of these tracks out that people have mentioned.