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Beatles covers: better than originals?

Anybody know any artist cover performances of Beatles tunes that are better than the originals?

Most covers of Beatles tunes fall way short compared to the originals, in my opinion.

I can't think of too many that stand out in my mind.

On American Idol, during the two Beatles weeks recently, two performances stood out that I recall: "Let It Be" by Brooke White was very heartfelt and right on and "The Long and Winding Road" by the young 17 year old kid (David ???) was as good as anything I've ever heard. Watch that kid...he is extremely talented....when he is on, he is right up there with the best!
128x128mapman
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Hard to beat The Beatles doing The Beatles, but here are a few of my favorites...

Fiona Apple, Across the Universe

Tori Amos, Happiness is a Warm Gun

Elliot Smith, Blackbird

Wilson Picket, Hey Jude

Eddie Vedder, You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

Johnny Cash, In my Life

Joe Cocker, With a Little Help from my Friends
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I have always loved Emmylou Harris's Here There and Everywhere...better So there''''
gfroman's avatar
gfroman
142 posts
 
Any one see the new movie, "Across The Universe"?
Just got it on BluRay - great flick!

Also Allison Krauss does several nice covers on her CD's.
madhf
170 posts
 
In the Boston area there's a band named "Beatlejuice" that was headed up by Brad Delp ( of "Boston" fame). Great covers live. You could close your eyes and swear you were listening to the Beatles live, right there. They are still giving limited performances (pretty good), but it's just not the same without Brad doing the vocals. I don't believe there are any recordings out. Maybe they have material that can be issued in the future!!!
jhold
116 posts
 
"Better" than originals? Nothing comes immediately to mind. But I do very much like Rufus Wainwright's cover of "Across the Universe," from the soundtrack for the movie "I Am Sam," which features lots of other covers of Beatles songs.

As for the new movie, "Across the Universe," directed by Julie Taymor -- sorry but I have to disagree with the previous post in favor of this movie. I found it charming for about ten minutes, then it started to take itself too seriously and lapsed into wretched excess. The director kept trying to force the Beatles' songs to fit her concepts, and too often it just didn't work. The cover of "Come Together," transformed into a hallucinogenic "Uncle Sam wants you" recruiting fantasy, went so far over the top that it hit bottom.
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