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George Harrison takes the lead on this offering from the Beatles - Here Comes the Sun. The more I wander about in the realm of artists covering Beatles music, the more voices and instruments I find taking up with the boys from Liverspool. This tune has another wide range of one off presentations.

Paul Simon, David Crosby and Graham Nash in a tribute to George Harrison at the 25th anniversary of the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. I like George Benson and I particularly enjoy this piano and vocal take. A very James Taylor orchestral presentation at the Kennedy Center, take note of Yo Yo Ma's reaction near the beginning. There are several Bon Jovi videos out there, this one to me has the most energy. Richie Havens has released several versions of Here Comes the Sun, this is the original from 1971. And finally George Harrison backed by Eric Clapton, Jeff Lynn, Phil Collins, Elton John and Ringo Starr.

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I looked at several top 100 lists of rock songs and what I found was there are just too many that simply can't be done by anyone but the originals. Can you imagine anyone other than the Beach Boys singing Get Around? How about the Kingsman and Louie, Louie or When A Man Loves A Women by anyone except Percy Sledge.

But then I looked a bit further like with Have You Ever Seen Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Seems fairly iconic. But . . .

Others voices fit the melody, like for instance Rod Stewart. Even more on the vocal mark - Joan Jett. And one I wasn't expecting from R.E.M.

image from YouTube CCR

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The Beatles released Magical Mystery Tour in 1967. Years later among the songs from that album A Day in the Life stood out as perhaps the single signature track of Fab Four's career. The range of artists who have taken a shot at covering A Day in the Life is truly amazing, I have picked a few who really made the song their own, if that is even possible after the Beatles had put their unique print on the melody.

A truly innovative take from Jeff Beck's guitar. And by contrast a more melodic riff from Sting. Another guitar fueled version from Lee Ritenour. A Day in the Life with Phish. An eleven minute exploration by Eric Burdon & War. Finally, a magnificently over the top live offering from Neil Young.

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Apparently there are some songs that can't be covered or perhaps shouldn't be. Not being a musician I don't really know which it is, but I have found several rock classics that just didn't have any covers or at least none worth singing about.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road might be one of these completely unique tunes that just doesn't lend itself to a jazz or hard rock rendition. I would have passed on this completely except that a few years ago I found a very unique cover by Sara Bareilles, it was one of the YouTube covers that gave me the idea for this little series.

For a little fun you also might look at the Elton John original with a very unique video tribute to the motion picture - The Wizard of Oz.

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Eleanor Rigby, I think you're going to like the wide selection of artists who have covered this Beatles classic. First, the boys from Liverpool.

Aretha Franklin in her own style.

A very Joan Baez version.

Making it their very own - Screaming Broccoli.

How about Booker T & the M.G.'s.

Lots of variations on this song, this one by Ray Charles.

This may be my favorite: Chick Corea and Gary Burton.

The Jerry Garcia Band a good mix with Chick Corea.

And finally, a most interesting take by Rare Earth.

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There are anthems and there are anthems. Uncle John's Band may well be my personal almost #1 from The Dead. Here is a studio version from 1970.

One of my favorite covers of any song at any time, this from The Indigo Girls.

And the Dead one more time from Halloween 1980 @ Radio City Music Hall.

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Speaking of rock anthems, perhaps the most notable is Led Zeppelin's Stairway to Heaven. Surely the most recognized guitar lead-in in rock history. The original version.

How about the London Symphony Orchestra.

Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart) at the Kennedy Center honoring Led Zeppelin.

The Triple Door Cello Quartet, this one really builds.

And a truly classic and long version with Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton.

There's a feeling I get when I look to the West.

art by zOh3

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Most covered group ever? Easy question actually - The Beatles. For that reason and because I'm of the right age, several of these cover compilations will be music from the Fab Four. Today's offering: Blackbird from the White Album released in 1968. First the boys themselves performing.

Next, Crosby, Stills and Nash because anytime I can listen to CSN singing A capella I will.

There are dozens of covers of Blackbird on YouTube to choose from, here a couple of my favorites:

Dave Matthews Band live

Herbie Hancock & Corrine Bailey Rae at the White House honoring Paul McCartney

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Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas (original here) would not make my list of great rock 'n roll songs, but I just had to include this cover done with four trombones. Hang in until 45 seconds when the brass bones really rock out. Of course, the boys in the band have a website.

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Queen produced several classic rock 'n roll anthems, perhaps none as memorable as Bohemian Rhapsody. There are several different videos of Freddy Mercury and the boys performing this classic, this one seems the most compelling.

Now how about an inspiring cover from a woman on an upright piano right out on the street in New Zealand. A hidden gem listen here.

And a truly amazing if bizarre arrangement with Queen, Elton John, Axl Rose (and a vocal assist from the entire audience) at Wembley Stadium.

Finally, I couldn't leave you without a rendition from TED 2010 played on the ukelele.

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Some of the greatest rock music over the years has been covered in some very interesting ways. I've been kicking around the idea of exploring some of the most delicious covers and bringing them to you in this little grey space. Today I begin with what I feel is one of the most beautiful renditions of a classic rock song - A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum.

Here's the original, in case you need to refresh your memory from 1967.

And here is the brilliant rendition by Annie Lennox. Another by Eric Clapton and final gripping version from Joe Cocker.

Killer Queen

In 1974 the rock band Queen released their third album - Sheer Heart Attack. This was when I discovered the band. A year later their fourth album - A Night at the Opera and the stunning hit single Bohemian Rhapsody made Queen a worldwide sensation and Freddie Mercury a rock god.

I was reminded of the single hit from Sheer Heart Attack recently - the song was Killer Queen. The version I saw was on You Tube of course and featured a young man doing all the singing and instrumental parts. You can see and hear that video here it's worth a look and a listen. For the original version with Freddie and the boys here is Queen delivering one of their many renditions of Killer Queen.