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Cover versions are a funny beast. On the one hand they're a way for youngsters to learn their craft, whilst also seeming talented to your average pub gig going idiot. On the other hand they can be a refreshing reinterpretation-as-tribute or expose a different dimension to a tired old song.
Blogs seem to be jam-packed with covers, be they ripped off of daytime Radio 1_ from Jo Whiley's Live Lounge (evidence), bootlegged from gigs (people seem to like covering Postal Service's 'Such Great Heights') or simply recorded for fun/b-sides (Rihanna's 'Umbrella' is a popular choice; I quite like this Au Revoir Simone covering 'Paris' by Friendly Fires).
I was just reading Aussie radio station Triple J's news feed and saw a story about Patti Smith and The Drones covering 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. It's an intriguing concept, so I fired up _YouTube (home of loser generated content) and found this dodgy bootleg of Patti doing it on her own:
Seriously? Patti is two thirds otherworldly genius but one part crazy lady who reminds me a helluva lot of my old science teacher who was into caving and growing turnips. I can't grasp why she'd want to do it. I'm not sure I can listen to Horses in the same light again but hopefully my curiosity won't completely kill her for me.
It got me thinking, in an age where anyone can (and does) do a cover and upload it to the internet, what's the worst thing you've come across on YouTube? Or seen live? Be it by a 'professional' or even legendary musician or just someone firing up iSight on their Macbook. Has a cover ever ruined a song for you? Has a cover ever quashed your love and respect for an artist? And has a cover ever made you laugh this much...
