featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music
Dec 31, 2023
Scott Foley, purveyor of dust
We're declaring an end to 2023 with something sorta new (and sorta not): This list of our thirty favorite covers for the year. Cover songs have always been appreciated here at R&B HQ, a regular feature of nearly every Episode. When we decided to track our favorites for a year-end list, we starting pulling worthy candidates into a long playlist, ending up with over one-hundred to consider for our final roll.
You might (or might not) be surprised that we harbor strong opinions about what constitutes a quality cover. Each song featured on this Episode's ROUTES-cast checks at least one of these boxes (typically more):
- Surprise: We might also call this "novelty", when an artist tries their hand at a song or genre that's outside their usual musical territory. While a roots artist covering another roots artist won't check this box, perhaps a bluegrass musician tackles and reinterprets a familiar pop hit.- Creativity: We appreciate it when an artist drags a familiar tune into the artistic sandbox, dicing and seasoning the song until we hear it differently. Otherwise, is there really a reason to record a literal, by-the-book cover?- Perspective: A quality cover song might remind us of an artist or a song about which we'd forgotten, or perhaps never known. In the case of an already familiar artist, we might be introduced to a deeper, less familiar track. A well-executed cover will point us back to that original artist.
In this light, a country artist with a faithful cover of Willie Nelson probably won't make our list. We hear at least a couple new Dylan covers every month, but these generally won't check any of the above boxes. These might be fine renditions, but at R&B HQ we're wanting more.
You can't open a new browser these days without landing upon a cover song. Aquarium Drunkard offers their excellent Lagniappe Sessions, and Spotify encourages their Singles artists to record at least one cover. Australia's Triple J broadcasting and BBC do the same. The ubiquitous and sometimes unnecessary trend of issuing deluxe editions of records a couple months after the original, or anniversary packages, gives an artist the space to consider a cover. And, of course, several songs in our list found the light of day as self-contained singles.
Before we launch into our Favorite Covers list for 2023, we'd like to highlight a couple things that maybe aren't included, but which merit mention. Worthy various artists collections were released this year in tribute to folks like Doc Watson (I Am a Pilgrim: Doc Watson at 100), Willie Nelson (both Next Waltz's One Night In Texas and the live broadcast Long Story Short: Willie Nelson at 90), and Leon Russell (Song For Leon: Tribute to Leon Russell). Teddy Thompson issued both a solo collection of classic country covers, as well as a full-length assortment of classic country duets with Jenni Muldaur, and Son Volt celebrated the great Doug Sahm with Day of the Doug. Something called the Lower Colorado Record Authority exceeded expectations with Texas Wild, a series of Texas artists covering Texas classics. And if you're going to cover Dylan, you might as well go all in, as Cat Power did on her terrific Sings Dylan: the 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert.
Extra Special Merit this year goes to Rounder's More Than a Whisper: Celebrating the Music of Nanci Griffith, which presented an assortment of often wonderful takes by high profile artists. But my favorite covers project this year is one that will continue well into 2024. Said the Firefly To the Hurricane: Celebration of the Oeuvre of Kevn Kinney will ultimately compile three full LPs of Kinney's friends, admirers and co-conspirators, paying due tribute to the songwriter's often overlooked catalog. We'll definitely continue to showcase songs from this series as they appear.
While we genuinely enjoy these special year-end wraps, we'll also be grateful to return next Episode to our usual faire, resetting our lists for the New Year and doing it all over again. With gratitude.
WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT 2023
or FAVORiTE COVERs
1. Elizabeth Moen, "Nobody Wants a Lonely Heart" For Arthur EP (Moen, Jul 28)
Rising songwriter-guitarist Moen dedicated this five-song EP to the music of the late, under-known musical polymath Arthur Russell. Her takes are phenomenally soulful, providing a great complement to her 2022 full-length original, Wherever You Aren't. Interestingly, John Andrews & the Yawns also offered a nicely shambling take on this song in 2023.
2. Lydia Loveless & Jason Hawk Harris, "Portions For Foxes" single (Bloodshot, May 19)
This one-off collaboration between a couple of Bloodshot Records artists marks the perfect pairing of performer and song. Loveless especially embraces the bright colors and sharp edges of the song from Rilo Kiley's 2004 More Adventurous.
3. Alex Lahey, "Make Your Own Kind of Music" single (Australian Broadcasting, Sep 8)
The great Cass Elliot's forgotten 1969 classic was catapulted back into the spotlight for its inclusion on a trailer for the Barbie movie. Australia's Lahey commits herself enthusiastically to the soaring track, adding a tongue-in-cheek spoken bridge that breaks the musical fourth wall: Anyway, here comes that key change ...
4. Sunny War, "Baby Bitch" Anarchist Gospel (New West, Feb 3)
Sunny War's collection flirted with our year-end favorites list for its appealing mash of folk and punk. Her unexpected take on Ween's 1994 underground highlight earns special merit for incorporating a studio-generated children's chorus delivering the profane message: Baby Bitch / I'm better now, please fuck off.
5. Shannon Lay, "Angeles" Covers Vol 1 (Sub Pop, Apr 14)
The songwriter-guitarist's covers collection includes her shannonization of tunes originally by the Velvet Underground, Vashti Bunyan, and Arthur Russell (see above!). Her acoustic run through Elliott Smith's 1977 dismissal of the LA music scene distills the song's hushed beauty, adding a lovely piano outro.
6. Ana Egge, "Last Day Of Our Acquaintance" Sharing In the Spirit (Storysound, May 2024)
Sinead O'Connor's 1987 debut was nothing short of a revelation. Her tragic passing this year inspired a handful of worthy covers (see boygenius' "Parting Glass"), none more accomplished than Ana Egge's run through this song from her 1990 record. Following O'Connor's lead, Egge sings over a lone acoustic guitar, impactfully giving way to electric guitars and tumble of drums only as the tune unspools.
7. Al Green, "Perfect Day" single (Fat Possum, Aug 21)
The Reverend Green returns from an extended hiatus with this perfectly eloquent delivery of Lou Reed's 1972 masterpiece. Reed always insistent that the song was literally about feeding animals in the zoo and hangin' in the park with a loved one, and Green's lightly soulful touch convinces us: You made me forget myself / I thought I was someone else / Even someone good.
8. Julia Jacklin, "Shivers" single (Polyvinyl, Jun 13)
Jacklin pays tribute to an early, early 1979 single from fellow Australians Boy Next Door, who would soon evolve into Nick Cave's Birthday Party. Jacklin invests the tune's infamous opening lyric with a perfectly dark melancholy: I've been contemplating suicide / But it really doesn't suit my style. A welcome reminder of this forgotten classic, written by a sixteen year-old Rowland S Howard
9. Joshua Ray Walker, "Cuz I Love You" What Is It Even (JRW, Aug 4)
Texas belter Walker's 2023 LP was one of the year's cover highlights, an ode to infamous pop divas. Alongside tributes to Mariah, Whitney, and Christina (Aguilera), Walker applied his crazy capable pipes to this cut from Lizzo. Fascinating, earning Walker his own diva status in a year that's seen him play admirably with his own image.
10. Brother Marshall & Choir of Fire, "All the Gold In California" single (Rough House, Jul 27)
This terrific a cappella run through the Gatlin Brothers' 1979 country smash hails from Sturgill Simpson and a chorus of hooting, hollering believers. The credited Brother Marshall is Simpson's snake-handling character from HBO's Righteous Gemstones series, recited like a transcendent, reverent hymn.
11. Nicole Atkins, "1880 or So" 3Sirens Presents: With Love Pt 2 EP (3Sirens, Dec 2)
The Grahams' 3Sirens studio has been releasing sporadic singles in addition to a pair of EPs featuring artists' takes on songs originally by Tears For Fears, Crowded House, the Church and more. Here Atkins smooths and updates the 1992 original from Television's final record, released on the occasion of their brief reformation. Especially meaningful at the close of a year that saw Tom Verlaine's passing.
12. Sam Blasucci, "Linger" Off My Stars (Innovative Leisure, Jun 2)
In addition to sharing his first solo record, 2023 also featured a satisfying release from Blasucci's day band, Mapache. The singer-instrumentalist included a cover of the Cranberries' "Linger", accompanied by a strummed acoustic and unadorned piano. While his voice never approaches the heights of Dolores O'Riordan's original, there is a sweet and simple immediacy to Blasucci's take.
13. Molly Tuttle, "Good 4 U" Spotify Sessions EP (Nonesuch, Jan 30)
With her Golden Highway band in tow, Tuttle shines on the first of a couple bluegrass reimaginings of current hits. She comments: I think there is this kind of crossover of bluegrass music and that kind of high energy punk spirit that Olivia Rodrigo brings to the song. The band invests their cover with an instrumentalism and energy that honors the original, replete with a banjo solo not featured on Rodrigo's original ...
14. Shelly Fairchild & Shamir, "Fist City" single (Kill Rock Stars, Mar 15)
Fairchild recorded her run through Loretta Lynn's signature 1968 slam after learning of the legend's passing last Fall. The unexpected collaboration of gender-fluid indie artist Shamir cements the cover's impact as the duo alternate verses in surprisingly similar voices.
15. Infamous Stringdusters, "As It Was" single (Americana Vibes, Jul 14)
There's always been a progressive element to the Stringdusters' strain of bluegrass, as enjoyed on their tribute to Harry Styles' ubiquitous 2022 hit. Bonus points for the interplay of Jeremy Garret's fiddle and Andy Hall's dobro, carrying the indelible signature line throughout the recording.
16. Ryan Bingham, "Possum Kingdom (ft Texas Gentlemen)" Texas Wild (LCRA, Oct 27, Toadies)
Walker Lukens produced this better-than-it-needed-to-be compilation of Texas artists crossing genre lines to cover other Texas artists. Shakey Graves and Jess Williamson offer their version of Daniel Johnston's "True Love Will Find You", The Suffers present a soulfully reimagined "My Maria" (Brooks & Dunn), and the Toadies try their hand at Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone". Each of these was in consideration for our favorites list, but we awarded the spot to Ryan Bingham. Backed by Texas Gentlmen, Bingham tears off-kilter through the Toadies' own "Possum Kingdom", vocals and guitars just this side of unhinged.
17. Johanna Samuels, "Real Emotional Girl" Lagniappe Sessions EP (Jealous Butcher, Sep 22)
For her Aquarium Drunkard Lagniappe Session, Samuels chose to cover standards like Dylan and the Beatles. She also gave a faithful piano rendition of this 1983 Randy Newman ballad, sometimes overlooked on an album that also featured "I Love LA" and "My Life Is Good". Samuels manages to masterfully draw out the song's jazz and blues nuance.
18. Austin Lucas, "Just a Girl" single (GrindEthos, Oct 27)
2023 saw Austin Lucas release a strong collection reinventing songs from Against Me! While we'd initially represented that album here, it's the gender-fluid artist's tender, personal version of No Doubt's "Just a Girl" that's earned the spot. From Lucas: The story of how I decided to
record this song is one that is deeply woven into the fabric of my coming to
understand myself to be a non-binary trans person… Over the many years spent,
both as a human being and artist, I sometimes deliberately and often
accidentally sought to express those things through the lyrics that I wrote and
the songs I chose to cover. An example of which I proudly present to the world
here in the form of a song (whose) true sadness may have been hard to fully
grasp when first presented to the world as an up-tempo ska song.
19. NQ Arbuckle, "All Apologies" Love Songs For the Long Game (Six Shooter, May 19)
Neville Quinlan's Canadian cohort performs what is undeniably Nirvana's most covered tune. The alt.country act conducts themselves admirably, with booming percussion and shredded, angst-driven vocals. As strong an arrangement as can be imagined from a primarily acoustic act on this thirtieth anniversary of the original.
20. Aoife O'Donovan, "Drover" Apathy Sessions (Yep Roc, Jan 27)
This deluxe edition of 2022's Age of Apathy added covers of both Sharon Van Etten's "I Love You But I'm Lost" and this 2011 pastoral Bill Callahan number. As her full-scale cover of Springsteen's Nebraska from last year reminded us, O'Donovan has a special way with her covers. Under her guidance, "Drover" becomes lushly beautiful, as reassuring as Callahan's original was overcast: One thing about this wild wild country / It takes a strong strong / It breaks a strong strong mind.
21. Lillie Mae, "Razor Love" Festival Eyes (s||c, Sep 8)
Here at R&B HQ, I've mentioned my relative aversion for Neil Young, even as I recognize his worth to our kind of music. So I'm very grateful for Lillie Mae's recording of the man's 2000 track, her expressive vocal and engaging arrangement that splits the difference between acoustic and contemporary.
22. Taylor Ashton, "Running Up That Hill" Pizza Tickets (Signature Sounds, Mar 24)
Kate Bush stands as one of the cornerstone artists in my own personal musical edifice, her 1985 Hounds of Love still as perfect a record as I've heard. The last couple years have been very kind to Bush, crossing the threshold to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame as her "Running Up That Hill" took a very unlikely place in our popular pantheon. I've heard several covers of the song, but Taylor Ashton's is one of the few that boldly strip back the theatricality of the original, leaving just banjo and voice.
23. Lake Street Dive, "Can't Help Falling In Love (ft Monica Martin)" single (Fantasy, Jun 20)
Of course, there is no shortage of covers of this song made famous by Elvis. Our own favorite is the wonderfully upbeat take by the obscure Irish band, Lick the Tins, featured on the 1987 soundtrack to Some Kind of Wonderful. That said, we have a weakness for Rachael Price's smoky jazz delivery, and Lake Street Dive have shared a great variety of superb covers over the years. This one features barely more than a guiding bass line and the voices of Price and Monica Martin.
24. Margo Price, "Stranger In a Strange Land" Song For Leon (Primary Wave, Sep 8)
Price's Strays earned a place atop our year-end favorite albums list. Her busy year has also included a pair of companion records, in addition to a handful of appearances on tribute collections like this rewarding paean to the great and sprawling career of Leon Russell. Price's version embraces much of the original arrangement, the churchly backing chorus and the gradual build, with her soulful vocal a suitable complement.
25. Bria, "By the Time I Get To Phoenix" Cuntry Covers Vol 2 EP (Sub Pop, Feb 24)
Bria Salmena and her band (FRIGS) spent much of the year supporting Orville Peck on his ambitious tour. She also found time to release a second EP of left-of-center runs through familiar cuntry classics. Jimmy Webb's "Phoenix" is given a excellent treatment here, perfect for the band's unique mix of psychedelic and country, atmospherics and acoustics. Now we're ready for a solo project!
26. Rosie Thomas, "Eternal Flame (ft William Fitzsimmons, Denison Witmer)" Every Drop Counts EP (Singalong, Mar 29)
I'll be honest about the very soft spot I harbor for the Bangles' 1988 "Eternal Flame", an will acknowledge my feelings that Susanna Hoffs' original will never be surpassed. That said, Rosie Thomas and friends offer a welcome cover, cushioning the song in a cloud of angelic electronics.
27. Caitlin Rose, "Nashville Moon" CAZIMI (Deluxe Edition) (Pearl Tower, Jun 23)
While his time with us was relatively brief, the late Jason Molina stands as one of the foundational artists for R&B. For the deluxe edition of last year's CAZIMI, Caitlin Rose included an appropriately languid, pedal steel-kissed edition of a tune from 2007's Magnolia Electric Co watermark, Sojourner box set. Rose remixes "Nashville Moon" admirably, growing the song with expansive instrumentation and a gorgeous vocal.
28. Sierra Ferrell, "Coat Of Many Colors" single (Rounder, Jul 7)
Here's the rare example of a cover that succeeds despite not really checking any of our essential boxes. Ferrell's run through Dolly Parton's classic "Coat" earns its place in large part because it's a reverently restrained, lovingly delivered take on a beloved original. So sue us.
29. Deer Tick, "Dancing In the Dark" single (ATO, Oct 11)
After so many years on the scene, Deer Tick succeed on the simple virtue of their loose, fun rock spirit. While John J McCauley and the band have adjusted their approach here and there, this Big Dumb Take on Bruce Springsteen's 1984 career highlight returns Deer Tick to their rough-and-ready basics.
30. Elliott BROOD, "Rise Up With Fists" Town (Six Shooter, Nov 3)
2023 witnessed the Canadian trio releasing a strong Town LP, and promising a second companion record (Country) for the New Year. Elliott BROOD also shared a three-track Covers Collection that included a spirited run through Rodney Crowell's "Bluebird Wine" and this quality cover of a highlight from Jenny Lewis' 2006 solo debut, Rabbit Fur Coat. As our favorite covers do, it lures the band just outside their musical comfort zone while dragging the original into a new light.
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To enjoy our weekly Spotify ROUTES-cast, just open Spotify and search for "routesandbranches" to access this most recent playlist, as well as many others from past months. Or click here for a preview:
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