Dave: Midland Michigan

Anthem: Cool! I went to Alma College, 30-ish miles WSW of Midland. I'm originally from downstate (10 Mile & Woodward area). So, now you know there'll be no apologies when I shamelessly promote Michigan music, like what's gonna happen in my next post.

OK, so no apologies, here's a shameless plug for some great Detroit rock and roll that, yes, I think is timeless. While I enjoy cover tunes, rarely do they shed much light and define the tune in a new or different way. But these two are different...

"Oh Well" by Fleetwood Mac as covered by the Rockets



and "Rock and Roll" by Lou Reed as covered by Detroit



Reed has even said that he liked this cover of "Rock and Roll" better than his original. I guess it's no surprise that he took Steve Hunter (guitar) out on the road with him for the tour that recorded 'Rock and Roll Animal.'

Anyone remember the Rockets? They reformed (sort of) a few years back, calling themselves the Hell Drivers. Jim McCarty and John Badanjek are still there but new bass player Marvin Conrad and singer Jim Edwards fill things out nicely (of course, both are Detroiters). Here's a youtube video of them covering "Oh Well." In a bar. Yes, this is the power and ferocity of Detroit rock and roll bands. Again, in a bar.



There's only one Hell Drivers CD release, a live record. Take a look at the song list here (& you can buy it, too!):

www.amazon.com/Live-From-Detroit-Hell-Dr...eywords=hell+drivers

You'll see covers of the Rockets, Iggy & the Stooges, Detroit, the Detroit Wheels and classic R&B. McCarty and Badanjek were original members of the Detroit Wheels with Mitch Ryder. That band, as well as many at the time, performed a lot of covers. But this was true blue-eyed Soul. When the Wheels broke up, Badanjek went on to Detroit with Mitch Ryder while McCarty went on to Buddy Miles Express, then to Cactus. Marvin Conrad is a stellar local Detroit bass player who worked with McCarty in a blues band called Mystery Train. Jim Edwards was the singer for a (sadly) unknown Detroit band called See Dick Run.

And a blast from the past:



Fortunately the albums sound much better than this video, but it's fun to watch because they were so young here!

Sorry for the wordiness but I feel I should at least explain some of my choices, shed some light on them, and hopefully make you feel there is at least a little method to my madness!

Dave

Thanks Dave for those good recommendations and comments. I did not know any of that, never heard of any of those guys.
Good stuff.
Thanks, Wayne

Thanks Dave:

Especially enjoyed Mitch Ryder & Detroit - Rock 'n' Roll video

Here is one (I happen to be listening to it right now):
Eric Clapton's Unplugged. The guitar work is mesmerizing.