ThaBombShelter UnderCover Day Three: The Fab Four

I apologize that this list is kind of cheating, but that's only because there have been two really great Beatles cover albums released in the past few years. I've still never seen "I Am Sam", but the soundtrack is amazing. In fact, I think Ben Folds' version of "Golden Slumbers" can totally hang with Paul's, no question. The second album most of these songs come from, "This Bird Has Flown" was a tribute to "Rubber Soul" released in 2005. I originally thought that we had Michael Jackson's failing finances to thank for these cover albums (which might still be true, but I'm not so sure), but I just read this article, which leads me to believe that the folks could have covered the songs with or without his permission. Regardless, the albums are out there, artists I love covering songs by one of the best bands to record music, how could I go wrong?

"Blackbird" The Beatles
"Blackbird" Sarah McLachlan

I love Sarah McLachlan's voice, and this song is perfect for her. I hadn't heard the original before this, but man, is it good (both of them!)

"Girl" The Beatles
"Girl" Rhett Miller

Lead singer of Old 97's singing the Beatles? Yes, and yes.

"Golden Slumbers" The Beatles
"Golden Slumbers" Ben Folds

This is the best Beatles cover I've ever heard. Ben Folds is such a fantastic artist, and when you give him the raw material of such a great song, it's no wonder the results are as good as they are.

"Happiness Is a Warm Gun" The Beatles
"Happiness Is a Worn Pun" Super Furry Animals

The only song that wasn't on "I Am Sam" or "This Bird Has Flown". The song is suitably bonkers and unhinged, as can only be expected by SFA. This track was on the bonus disc for "Rings Around The World", along with another great tune, "Tradewinds".

"In My Life" The Beatles
"In My Life" Ben Lee

Pretty spot on cover, but with more youth in the vocals, as you'd expect from someone like Ben Lee.

"Michelle" The Beatles
"Michelle" Ben Harper

With lap steel in tow, Ben Harper lopes out a great version of this French flavored song.

"Revolution" The Beatles
"Revolution" Grandaddy

Probably the biggest departure from the original, Grandaddy knocks the tempo down and hunches underneath an overpass to set this one to wax.

"Think For Yourself" The Beatles
"Think For Yourself" Yonder Mountain String Band

If you close your eyes and ignore the banjo, you might be allowed to think this might actually be those lovable Liverpudlians.

"Two of Us" The Beatles
"Two of Us" Aimee Mann and Sean Penn

Such a fantastic duet, you'd be hard pressed to think Sean Penn can't sing, even if his character wasn't fit to have a daughter (at least that's what I think the plot was about, right?)

"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" The Beatles
"You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" Eddie Vedder

It's like the Beatles with a flannel shirt tied around their waist. In fact, I think I've heard this exact recording coming from the mouth of a down-on-his-luck hippy at Goodale Park. Eddie does the song justice, but he adds little to the conversation.

Buy "I Am Sam"
Buy "This Bird Has Flown"
Buy "Rings Around The World"

photo- My future father-in-law, gotta love the eye-patch...Yarr!