Cover weekend (Heartbreak Hotel)

I'm not sure if i should make it a weekly, monthly or irregular returning item, but I'm thinking  to post on a more or less regular basis about cover versions together with the original. Every now and then I run into cover versions of songs that sometimes brings back interest in the original or shows a complete new perspective on the original. And sometimes there are cover versions that I find better than the original. An example that I always use is Joe Cocker's version of "With a little help from my friends", which I find way better than the Beatles original.

In this post I want to give you another example of a cover version that is IMHO better than the original. It's John Cale's (solo) version of Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" Although I consider this song as one of Elvis Presley's better ones and a classic Rock "n Roll song, I think the musical setting of Elvis' original doesn't do justice to the pretty dark lyrics, also when you know that the inspiration for the song came from an article in the newspaper about a lonely man who committed suicide. 

John Cale's solo version is way darker, especially his live version with only John Cale singing and playing the piano. The version I'm referring to is the live version from John Cale's 1992 live-album "Fragments of a Rainy Season". Later I found out that John Cale already covered this song in 1975 on his album "Slow Dazzle". From this version there is also a haunting and disturbing live version on YouTube from 1981 where you also can recognize Police guitarist Andy Summer.

I have embedded the original and the different John Cale versions, so you can judge for your self. The sound level on the 1992 live piano version (second embedded video) is unfortunately quite soft, so you have turn up the volume quite a bit to be able to hear it properly. But I think it's worth it. I personally find this the best version of "Heartbreak Hotel".

I finish with another live version that was broadcasted at Night Music, a late night music show that ran for two seasons at the late eighties. In this (also) pretty haunted version John Cale plays with musicians like Richard Thompson, David Sanborn and others. I also can recommend this version.

Below the last video I put a short poll where visitors can vote for their best version of "Heartbreak Hotel". Enjoy the videos and I probably return soon with other cover versions.

Which "Heartbreak Hotel" do you like best?

R.I.P. Gerry Rafferty

Last night I heard the sad news that Gerry Rafferty died at the age of 63. With his decease the world loses a very skillful songwriter with a distinctive slightly hoarse voice which I always easlily recognize during his Stealers Wheel time, but also in his solo work.

I don't like talking about my all time top 10, 25, 100 etc.. music albums, because these list are always under influence of time, my state of mind, and feelings of strong or less stronger nostalgia. These lists change all the time, but Gerry Rafferty's solo album City to City probably would be in my top 10 or 25 music albums. Music wise and production wise I think it's an excellent album.

For the backgroundinformation you can read his Wikipedia page. I think it's better to let the music speak for itself. I leave you with a selection of my favourite Stealers Wheel- and solo Gerry Rafferty-songs. 

R.I.P.