July's Cover Songs!

From the start of the Song Writing Game, July has just been too busy of a month for me.  Summer is just in full swing and I find myself struggling to have time for most anything, let alone thinking about, writing and recording a song.  So, it's been an annual tradition to dedicate July to Cover Songs!  Not just cover songs, but a significant change must be made to the original song.  Here are the songs, take a listen and vote for your favorite below!

Danny Imig - My Way (Frank Sinatra Cover)

The Original Song:

My comments:  Danny took this classic Sinatra tune and stripped it bare.  Building up from soft, pretty guitars which stay true to the original, he burst that acoustic guitar forward full blast for the rest of the song.  It's a nice and simple take on the song, contrasting the big, orchestrated original, and a cool way to hear it performed.

Brian Salapek - Melon Collie Reprise (Smashing Pumpkins Cover)

The Original Song:

My comments:  It is crazy to realize that the album this song is from is turning 20 years old this October.  Ever since it came out and I had it, this brief ending of Thru the Eyes of Ruby has always stuck with me.  It turns out that it is titled Melon Collie Reprise and I decided to turn it into it's own song.  In Smashing Pumpkins tradition, I tried to make it a legitimate rock song.

Rene Zansman - Everybody Loves a Clown (Gary Lewis and the Playboys Cover)

The Original Song:

My comments:  I had never heard this song before so I am thankful to Rene for exposing me to it!  Rene took the song and really made it his own.  I think it really improves the song to speed it up a little and add that pop punk edge to it all.  Great job, Rene!  I think you picked a great song that fit you really well!

Jeff Coral - I Won't Cry (Oasis, Jack Johnson, Bob Marley, Gotye, Bon Iver, The Calling Medley)

The Original Songs:

Sorry, but there are too many to embed all the videos.  Here are links:

Oasis - Wonderwall  Jack Johnson - Sexy Plexi  Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry  Gotye - Hearts a Mess  Bon Iver - Skinny Love  The Calling - Wherever you Will Go

My comments:  Jeff took a different route than everyone else with this medley, and it really worked out great!  It's cool to hear each distinctive song flow into one another.  The guitar is constant throughout, but Jeff changes his vocal melody with each song, and they all work great over the chords he plays on guitar.  This was a very welcome change of pace for July!

Jack Eggleston - Creep in a Remix (DJ Jazzy Jack Remix) (Portugal. The Man Cover)

The Original Song:

My comments:  Along with Jeff, Jack did something different than everyone else.  His song falls more into the remix realm, which I guess I should have realized by the title.  Again, like Rene's song, I hadn't heard the original song here until after listening to Jack's remix.  And hearing the original was almost lack-luster.  Jack's remix really does add a lot to the song and makes it just cooler.  I like it!

Vote for your favorite!