Yeah, I've got it. It's actually pretty good, even if there are very few versions that challenge the originals. But I have a weakness for tribute albums. They're easy to rag on, because they seldom hold up as a singular listening experience - but if you're they type of person who doesn't mind using the skip button there's some great ones out there.

The best:

Brace Yourself - the tribute to Otis Blackwell
Turban Renewal - tribute to Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs
Adios Amigo - tribute to Arthur Alexander

All of the above are hard to beat. Almost every version either matches or exceeds the originals and when they don't at least they're lots of fun. The Alexander and Blackwell tribs benefit from the fact that they're saluting songwriters more than performers. And the Alexander trib includes a duet between Frank Black and Gary US Bonds - see you in Attica.

The Good:

Satisfaction Guaranteed - trib to the Boys
Right To Chews - tribute to AM bubblegum pop
Sandanista Project - trib to the Clash album
I'm Your Man - trib to Leonard Cohen
Super Bad @ 65 - trib to James Brown
Hard Headed Woman - trib to Wanda Jackson
Avalon Blues - trib to Mississippi John Hurt
Sing Hollies in Reverse - trib to the Hollies
I'm in Love with That Song - Aussie trib to the Replacements
Por Vida - trib to Alejandro Escovedo
Real - trib to Tom T. Hall
Sweet Relief I and II - benefit/tribs to Victoria Willams and Vic Chesnutt, respectively
Jet Boys of Babylon - trib to the NY Dolls

I've got way too many of these things... but they make for good additions on covers mixes.

Seeing as how I am on such a huge Nilsson kick recently, does anyone have this?:


How is it?

The Late Great Daniel Johnston

1. "My Life is Starting Over Again", Teenage Fanclub with Jad Fair
2. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Your Grievances", Clem Snide
3. "Impossible Love", Gordon Gano
4. "Living Life", Eels
5. "Walking the Cow", TV on the Radio
6. "Good Morning You", The Rabbit
7. "Sorry Entertainer", Calvin Johnson
8. "Devil Town", Bright Eyes
9. "Dream Scream", Death Cab for Cutie
10. "True Love Will Find You in the End", Beck
11. "Go", Sparklehorse with The Flaming Lips
12. "Blue Clouds", Mercury Rev
13. "Love Not Dead", Thistle LLC
14. "Like a Monkey in the Zoo", Vic Chesnutt
15. "Dead Lovers Twisted Heart", Starlight Mints
16. "Story of an Artist", M. Ward
17. "The Sun Shines Down on Me", Guster
18. "King Kong", Tom Waits

I thought it sucked and sold it back. And considering all the ones I've kept, that should say something. The highlight (as I recall) was Peter Wolf's version of "You're Breakin' My Heart".

I imagine you'd like it quite a bit, though. And I'm not trying to be a dick, just think it'd be something you'd tolerate more than me.

I'd mentioned that one above already todd. its good.

the other day i downloaded, "Are We Rolling Bob? - A Reggae Tribute to Bob Dylan"

about half of it is really boring, but there are a few gems. Sizzla

best. title. ever.

I'm shocked you didn't mention Return of The Grievous Angel, which is almost good all the way through.

I'll second that Timeless - I think because it's established artists doing versions of songs that definitely influenced, but whatever the reason, it's pretty high quality.

That's another good 'un. I believe Ms. Crow is on that as well?

The Blankket's Be Your Own Boss EP has some of my favorite Springsteen covers around.

On par with these is Shangri-La, A Tribute To The Kinks

Other worthwhile mentions:

Welcome To Our Nightmare - Alice Cooper tribute on XXX, includes covers from Pretties For You
The Song Retains The Name - killer Zep covers
Stoneage Cameos - bunch of Aussies recreating the HG album
and the 7" Bananamen Play Songs Made Famous By The Cramps

I picked up A Means to an End: The Music of Joy Division a few years back and have listened to it on and off since then.

This is the only one that has stayed in my CD rack.



But I have heard good things about Beat the Retreat.

I would have to say the compilations of artists are far worse than the whole record/one artist ones.

Does anybody have Screeching Weasel doing Ramones s/t? Bort, I'm looking your way...

Isn't that every album they ever did?

Oh, I forgot about the Beat Happening tribute:



Superchunk, Velocity Girl, The Cannanes, members of Sonic Youth, Scrawl, Unrest, and others.

Du Huskers: The Twin Cities Replay Zen Arcade

Tracklisting:
1 Hammerhead (2) Something I Learned Today (2:40)
2 Mighty Mofos, The Broken Home, Broken Heart (2:20)
3 Prest Asbestus Never Talking To You Again (3:06)
4 Muskellunge Chartered Trips (2:48)
5 Lies Incorporated / TVBC Dreams Reocurring (1:45)
6 Superball '63 Indecision Time (2:07)
7 Dogfight Hare Krsna (3:29)
8 God's Favorite Band Beyond The Threshold (2:03)
9 Pseudonymphs Pride (1:40)
10 Salbando I'll Never Forget You (2:50)
11 Dylan Hicks / 3 Pesos The Biggest Lie (3:02)
12 Janitor Joe What's Going On? (4:54)
13 Vertigo (12) Masochism World (2:46)
14 Zuzu's Petals Standing By The Sea (3:53)
15 Walt Mink Somewhere (2:15)
16 Flour One Step At A Time (1:53)
17 Blue Up?, The Pink Turns To Blue (1:56)
18 Balloon Guy Newest Industry (4:29)
19 Willie Wisely Trio Monday Will Never Be The Same (1:09)
20 Arcwelder Whatever (3:22)
21 Teenage Larvae The Tooth Fairy And The Princess (3:59)
22 Big Trouble House Turn On The News (4:59)
23 TVBC Reocurring Dreams (9:13)
24 Hang-Ups, The Eight Miles High (4:07)

This one's more of a collection of standards than a tribute:
Latin Side of John Coltrane
Conrad Herwig

1. A Blessing - Conrad Herwig, Traditional
2. Love Supreme
3. Blue Train
4. Afro Blue - Conrad Herwig, Santamaria, Mongo
5. Naima
6. Satellite
7. Africa
8. After the Rain
9. Impressions
10. The India
11. Drum Thing
12. Blessing - Conrad Herwig, Traditional

And Dub Side of the Moon, by the easy all stars is also great, its available on emusic.

I was just reminded recently how great Sweet Relief (the first one, I've never heard the second) is. Lou Reed, Victoria Williams, Soul Asylum, Even Dando (!), Maria McKee all have worthwhile contributions, and the Jayhawks' song is my favorite thing they've ever done.
This album also gave birth to my loathing of both Giant Sand and the Waterboys, which I'm also grateful for.

As far as the worst ever, I'm thinking that recording of The Wall in Berlin that Waters did in 1990 might be up there.

For a couple years, Uncut magazine was putting out 2 volume cover discs that I was always entertained by. The Dylan, Stones, and Clash ones in particular could be whittled down to make an incredible single disc for each. I still look around for Paul Westerberg's cover of "Positively 4th Street"

I've been thinking and I can't think of any I've really liked enough to listen to more than once.