Last week the blogosphere went apeshit when footage of David Lee Roth performing “Jump” bluegrass-style hit YouTube. I’ve actually been searching for MP3 from Strummin’ With The Devil for weeks. But no luck (UPDATE: Thanks Seth! See below). So watch the video if you’re one of the ten people who haven’t seen it. Stare in awe at the stupid grin on Roth’s face. No one loves DLR more than DLR.
Bluegrass versions of pop tunes are always welcome on my iPod. Some notables:
Can you believe there’s even a bluegrass tribute to Lifehouse?
Dolly’s track’s sort of a cheat ’cause the original tune is pretty bluegrass itself. Special thanks to Moody Bluegrass for sparing us Late Lament. First time I heard that on the radio, I thought it was the DJ. On acid.
Anyway, ever since DJ Diamond Dave was fired, he’s been telling reporters a Van Halen reunion is “inevitable.” Dave, we love ya, but Eddie can’t stand to look at your face. Start sendin’ out those resumes!
A couple of “Jump” covers after the, um, jump.
If you haven’t heard Mary Lou Lord’s acoustic take you’re in for a treat.
Mary Lou Lord – “Jump” (MP3 Expired)
If you haven’t heard Paul Anka’s swing version, you’re in for a laugh.
Paul Anka – “Jump” (MP3 Expired)
Got any “Jump” covers? Send my way. (No Pointer Sisters please.)
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You haven’t heard Pickin’ on Modest Mouse?
http://www.cmhrecords.com/web/page.asp?pgs=product&catid=1&id=613
Dolly Parton doing “Shine” by Collective Soul is waaaay better. And didn’t you give us the ever so good “Toxic” by Nickel Creek?
You posted the original “Knights”…I think
Bluegrass tributes are nearly always fun to listen to the first time; the second and third time around you realize it’s complete shit, including the Modest Mouse one Ian mentions above.
But Nickel Creek’s cover of Britney Spears’ “Toxic” is fun over and over again.
Aw, Brendawg – its not COMPLETE shit.
Granted, its not brilliant, but its good fun. I’m glad I have it to dig out every once in a while.
the house band in one of my local pubs is called rodeohead.
i have no idea whether they’re any good or not cos i don’t go in that pub.
that’s 12 seconds of your life you won’t get back, then.
cheers.
I saw Nickel Creek doing the Toxic live. Words fail to describe the greatness of that moment. And no I’m not being dramatic. Okay maybe a little.
Nickel Creek (awesome in their own right) play a lot of covers live, and they are uniformly great. Often better than their originals. I’m waiting for their cover album. Yeah.
I’ve never heard Nickel Creek before, but after listening to “Spit on a Stranger” I can say with confidence: That band needs to be wiped off the face of the earth quickly, and with extreme prejudice.
I’d have to say that I have a huge grin on my face listening to “Kelly Watch the Stars”.
Genius!
The Franz Ferdinand one is from the aforementioned Pickin’ on series…which was posted about on Stereogum last August.
that bluegrass “float on” cover was kinda weird. when it comes to modest mouse covers i’ll stick with kidz bop, thanks.
I take it, on the subject of covers, we’re all familiar with Hayseed Dixie, and the mighty Richard Cheese?
Roth’s great on The String Quartet Tribute to Van Halen.
“C’mon guys, stand up! You can’t jump if yer sittin’!”
Re: “Jump” . . . Absolutely retched. The arrangment isn’t bad — it’s almost clever, actually — but the only moment when the song even approaches a bluegrass rhythm is when Roth stops singing and lets the fiddle play. And the way he warbles and draws out the ends of his phrases — just goes to show how thin the line is between heavy metal and Broadway.
No mention of The Gourds cover of Gin and Juice?
Check out the Nickelcreek webcast at Bonnaroo if you’re not convinced….
http://blueroom.att.com/events/bonnaroo.php
(Yes this is a tip from a PR chick but since you’re talkkkkking about it…)
Aztec Camera’s cover of “Jump” is the definitive cover version. And Nickel Creek rocks.
check out van hayride – http://www.myspace.com/vanhayride
country versions of van halen….so much better than that contrived bluegrass rendition DLR tried to pull off.
I’ve always enjoyed the Meat Purveyors (Bloodshot Records) excellent Madonna bluegrass medley.
http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artists/themeatpurveyors/
Anyone know if there are existing bluegrass covers of either Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” or Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me”? If so, I’d love to get them.
Pine Mountain Railroad also has a fun cover of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” – there’s a WMA clip available on their website at
http://www.pinemountainrailroad.com/cd_infopage.htm#the%20old%20radio
Nickel Creek’s “Spit on a Stranger” is too awful for words, forever linked with Leann Rimes’ awful rendition of “Purple Rain.”
I don’t even like Van Halen, but I liked this song and now I’m really depressed…this shit was embarassing. Simon Cowell would have a fit. What is with all the fucking play by play and commentary??!?!!??! This is totally fucking ridiculous. I am so angry right now. What a way to start the day. God Damn’t.
If you don’t want to think the “Pickin’ On” series is complete crap, you’d better stop listening now. Bluegrass is pretty myopic for a reason!
There’s a mighty bluegrass version of PE’s Bring the Noise, by some guys calling themselves The Unholy Trio, that I found somewhere. Thanks for the Mary Lou Lord, always looking for more of her stuff.
oh my god
I just realized that’s my uncle Rob playing dobro with DLR. World’s greatest dobro player backing up diamond dave. Still working it out
Kelley…
I have the bluegrass version of Sweet Emotion…
Contact me?
Have you ever been on a stage in front of a lot of people, trying to perform something difficult [or something difficult to do with a straight face]? I think we should cut DLR some slack, because it’s not easy. I got the feeling from that show that DLR was nervous, scared that people wouldn’t like him, and that’s why the big grin. It’s like trying to hold yourself together.
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