Bjcorbin's Blog

1. Heard it Through the Grapevine (Marvin Gaye) This Motown classic was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles and was a smash hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips, before Marvin Gaye’s version was ever released. Soon after that, Creedence Clearwater Revival’s (CCR) eleven minute take on the song (from the album “Cosmos Factory”) also gained significant national attention. Despite all of these popular renditions, it is Gaye’s recording that stands out as the quintessential version of this soulful classic.

2. Black Magic Woman (Santana) Many fans of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” era material may not be aware of the bands 1960’s blues band beginnings; but in 1968 group leader Peter Green penned a minor UK hit called “Black Magic Woman”. Two years later, legendary guitarist Carlos Santana (& future Journey vocalist Gregg Rolie) recast the song with a scintillating Latin flavor. It went on to become one of the most successful recordings of Santana’s long and illustrious career.

3. Summertime Blues (The Who) Written and originally recorded by rockabilly artist Eddie Cochran back in the late 1950’s, this song became a concert staple for the Who in the mid 1960’s. Though Cochran’s record achieved a higher chart position, it was the Who’s numerous live recordings that cemented the song’s status as a rock & roll standard.

4. You’re No Good (Linda Ronstadt) Though this had been a Top 5 R&B hit for Betty Everett in 1963 and a Top 5 UK hit for The Swinging Blue Jeans in 1964, it wasn’t until 1974 that Linda Ronstadt recorded what is generally regarded as the definitive version of the song. Combining Ronstadt’s signature vocals, with the haunting accompaniment of the talented Andrew Gold, turned out to be the perfect recipe for a pop music gem.

5. Blueberry Hill (Fats Domino) This song was originally recorded in the 1940’s by the likes of Gene Autry, the Glenn Miller Orchestra and Louie Armstrong. Though it had been a significant hit for both Miller and Armstrong, it was Fats Domino’s 1956 recording that branded the song as a classic. It went on to become the biggest hit of his highly successful career, selling over 5 million copies.

6. Because the Night (Patti Smith) Because of the odd way this record came together, it could be argued that it doesn’t really qualify as a remake; but the original version of the song was written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen, for the “Darkness on the Edge of Town” album. When he decided not to include it on that album, his producer (Jimmy Iovine) shared the tape with Patti Smith, who reworked it for her album “Easter”. Springsteen was impressed enough with Smith’s changes that he subsequently gave her a co-writer credit when he released a live version of the song in 1986.

7. You’ve Got a Friend (James Taylor) Carole King wrote and recorded this song as part of her phenomenally successful “Tapestry” album. At the same time, James Taylor was working with many of the same musicians in an adjacent studio. Upon hearing King’s recording, he decided to include a version on his new album as well. Though the albums were released almost simultaneously, it was Taylor’s version that was first issued as a single. Not only did it reach #1, it went on to win Grammy’s for both Taylor (vocal performance) and King (songwriter). Within the following year, the song had been remade by the likes of Barbara Streisand, Dusty Springfield, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin.

8. All Along the Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix) First written and performed by Bob Dylan, Hendrix put his unique stamp on the song, making it his own. It was not unlike what The Bryds had done (a couple of years before) with Dylan’s, “Mr. Tambourine Man”. While Jimi’s guitar playing was legendary, this was perhaps the most fully realized recording (i.e. writing, singing, playing and production) of his short and spectacular career.

9. Blinded by the Light (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band) In its original form, first released as part of the 1973 Bruce Springsteen album “Greetings from Asbury Park N.J.”, this song had a somewhat laidback, acoustic sound. But Mann’s 1976 radical reworking of the arrangement (from the album “The Roaring Silence”) gave it the driving electric feel that eventually landed it at #1 on the pop charts. A few years later, Mann’s Earth Band enjoyed some significant airplay with their remake of yet another early Springsteen tune, “For You”.

10. Respect (Aretha Franklin) This pop music classic was written and originally recorded by R&B legend Otis Redding, back in 1965. Though his version was a Top 5 hit on the Soul charts, it was a young Aretha Franklin (with her sisters singing backup) who recorded what many consider to be one of the greatest singles of all time. Not only did her version hit #1 on the Pop charts, it won two Grammys and was eventually named one of the “Songs of the Century” by the Recording Industry of America.