Who covers LW’s song, "Joy?"

Bettye Levette

Palefire – I share your enthusiasm for Bettye LaVette’s cover of Joy. By the way, it’s on her CD I’ve Got My Own Hell To Raise. I love the title too. Bettye turns Joy on its ear, gives it a dark funky vibe, and adds a whole new meaning to the song. I’m always impressed when an artist can do this. A few other notable covers that come to mind are:

Cat Power’s cover of The Stones’ Satisfaction
Rodrigo y Gabriela’s acoustic guitar cover of Led’s Stairway to Heaven
Marianne Faithfull’s version of Lennon’s Working Class Hero
Patty Griffin doing Bruce’s Stolen Car
Lucinda’s cover of Gram Parson’s Return of The Grievous Angel
And more recently, Lu’s concert cover of Fat’s, I Live My Life (I’ll say it again, please, please release her recorded version of this ASAP!!)

I’d be most interested to hear what other members of this forum consider to be transcendent covers….

I was fortunate to see Bettye do “Joy” live earlier this year — It was a performance that just killed. The entire audience was swept into it, and after that song the shouts and applause seemed to go on forever. Bettye is an amazing blues singer who really has paid her dues over the years. When she sings, you feel it in your soul and in your bones.

I agree with you, PitBull, about Lu’s version of that Fats Domino song, too — just great. Needs to be released. I’m with you and Spyder on most of the others (and I need to listen to a few versions I don’t know — thanks! 8) ).

Another great Lucinda cover by a gospel/blues singer is Ruthie Foster’s spiritual, soulful version of “Fruits of my Labor” (on her disc “The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster”).

I think authenticity is the essential quality here. Everyone mentioned transmits a deep emotion and honest experience to the music. Makes you feel alive.