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Should Covers be performed note-for-note, just like the album?
Yes 10%  10%  [ 3 ]
No 47%  47%  [ 14 ]
Yes, if the band is a tribute band. 43%  43%  [ 13 ]
Total votes : 30
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Post subject: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 5:34 am
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I was recently playing some music with family, and I got to thinking: Why do some people get wrapped around the axel about how a song is played?

I remember being in a band and our leader who was very keen to get every note were played just like the album.

"But that's not how it's played on the album." or "That not how (insert name here) does it."

I will say that there is a big difference between playing something badly and interpreting song in such a way that it becomes a new creation. There are plenty of famous people who did covers which, "do not sound like the original."

Cream and Jimi Hendrix immediately jump to mind. Jimi's version of, "Killing Floor" sounds nothing like Hollin' Wolf's. On the other hand, I've heard countless butchered versions of, "Sweet Home Alabama." I will say that most poorly performed covers have more to do with the band’s abilities or its makeup.

Any thoughts on this?


Last edited by paris on Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 6:25 am
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Could not vote...because; depending on the situation/venue, I go either way in my head.

I feel, if a band is just doing random cover tunes, by various bands...by all means, embrace your own feel, and make it unique to how one feels it.

BUT, if a "Tribute Band", is covering one specific band...I think they should try their best to get it note for note. Of course it is difficult and takes a lot of work----but if you wanna PRETEND like you're AC/DC....you better SOUND like AC/DC.

That is just my opinion of course---don't hate.

Actually, you know what? I am gonna go back and vote 'yes' they should play note for note, just based on the Tribute Band example above.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 6:47 am
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As an artist I feel that if you're not bringing something new to the song then you're wasting your time. Which is why I always pass on offers to play in cover bands. They make decent money locally in the culturally bankrupt backwater I live in. However, it's weird. Whenever we do a benefit with other local bands and one of them is a cover band it's just hard to watch. Not that they aren't good musicians. They are. Some are very gifted. It's just kind of sad to me. Music is my life's work. It's what I leave behind. It's not like I could just stop creating. It's like breathing. I can't imagine being in a note for note cover band. Turning something I love into punching a clock playing songs I hate. That seems like hell to me. However, whatever floats your boat. Personally, if I wanted to hear a note for note cover I'd stay home and listen to the original on vinyl. However, the casual barfly wants to hear you "Play Freebird!". There needs to be someone to give it to them. So I think there's room for everyone, and people should do what makes them happy. As someone who spends a lot of time at shows. Nothing bores me more than a note for note cover.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 7:16 am
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I voted "no" - if you're playing covers it's always fun to change things and make it your own version, IMO.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:17 am
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White Dog wrote:
Could not vote...because; depending on the situation/venue, I go either way in my head.

I feel, if a band is just doing random cover tunes, by various bands...by all means, embrace your own feel, and make it unique to how one feels it.

BUT, if a "Tribute Band", is covering one specific band...I think they should try their best to get it note for note. Of course it is difficult and takes a lot of work----but if you wanna PRETEND like you're AC/DC....you better SOUND like AC/DC.

That is just my opinion of course---don't hate.

Actually, you know what? I am gonna go back and vote 'yes' they should play note for note, just based on the Tribute Band example above.


I totally agree about the tribute band thing. If you are going pretend to be a specific band, you better kill it.

I've heard many, many, many bad covers of songs by The Police, and I've often thought, "Only Sting, Andy and Stewart should do these songs." But you know what, apparently there is a tribute band out there that does some dead on Police.

Based on your comment, I think I'm going to update my pole. Thanks for contributing.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:22 am
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Some good replies. It got me thinking. Even the original artists don't play their own music note for note. With very talented artists, the live versions are better than the album.

Having played live, and I believe lots of other performers will attest to this, I know that the music can take a life all its own.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 8:50 am
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I don't think they need to be played note for note, unless in a Tribute Band situation.
I have been in 2 cover bands and we learn pretty much the whole song, but I never play the same solo unless its a signature solo.
Main riffs and hooks are there, but the groove or tempo may differ. Its a lot more fun to put your own spin on a cover tune, than try to copy one.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:39 am
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I went with the Tribute Band, nailing the the songs. Otherwise, taking some liberties is fine on a cover. Hendrix did some great covers. One of his best covers, Bob Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower".

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:49 am
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Quote:
Based on your comment, I think I'm going to update my pole. Thanks for contributing.
Based on your 'update' I have changed my vote to reflect said change. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:56 am
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sort of agree, tribute, sort of a bit more of a requirement..

but if you're in the ball park. and cover some of the KEY areas well enough.. for 98% of the stuff out there --ya.. "close enuff for rock and roll"

it's always easier, and in the end sounds better if you go for your own thing. (play like YOU)

If you just feel the groove and let it go, you're there.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:10 am
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I don't think note-for-note is necessary but there should be enough of the original elements present that it is recognizable.

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 12:54 pm
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I voted yes, unless you are Adam Sandler :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 1:23 pm
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I voted, but here are my thougths...

In my earlier years I played in Blues bands in and around Chicago, Grand Rapids, South Bend, etc., and we almost never played any song the same way on any two nights. But then again the blues do lend themselves to that improvisation.

I have also played in top 40 bands/classic rock band I would also say, depending on the song you need to play it pretty straight forward as the artist originally did since some songs just can't be improved upon. Can you imagine trying to improve on Layla, Purple Haze, or even as mentioned earlier Sweet Home Alabama? Nope probably ain't going to happen. Lastly, if it is a cover band you GOT to play it correctly, it is why they are paying to see you play!

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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 10:39 pm
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Some people try to mimic the original to perfection, including buying the same gear and fine-tuning settings on amps and pedals.
When I hear anyone trying that hard, I wonder why they don't just play the original through a PA and mime to it - it won't get more original sounding than that.
Sorry, but if you don't have anything of yourself to add, you're just a bad jukebox.


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Post subject: Re: Covering over people's music
Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:41 pm
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I personally try to get the "spirit" of a cover song somewhat accurate (ie: riffs, etc), but I don't try to play a cover precisely. I probably couldn't play someone else's song perfectly if I tried, so I do the best version of me playing the song. Playing someone else's song(s) perfectly would bore the living daylights out of me.

Oftentimes the person who puts their own stamp makes a good (or even great) song better (such as Nazareth's cover of "Love Hurts", the Stones covering "Love In Vain" and "Stop Breakin' Down", Hendrix's covers of "Hey Joe" and "All Along the Watchtower", Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain", Waylon Jennings' "Honky Tonk Heroes" all spring to mind)...and that's no offense to the original artist or original author of the song.

Sometimes I like the original and the cover equally--I love both the Kinks and Van Halen's versions of "You Really Got Me"...Chuck Berry and The Rolling Stones both did "Carol", "Little Queenie" and "Round and Round" equally well (but then again, Keef was a hardcore disciple of Mr. Berry)...I love Nat King Cole's version of "Route 66" just as much as Chuck's or the Stones--and all three of them were covering Bobby Troup's original!

However, this can go south on you real quick, too. I dislike ELO's version of "Roll Over Beetoven" and detest what Devo did to "Satisfaction".

Ultimately, I don't really like cover bands (even though a good friend is the leader of one) and if I am watching a cover band, I'm going to see one that does their own thing with the songs.

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