SHEL released their new album Just Crazy Enough last week and to celebrate the band has put together an EF Playlist.
Collecting 10 of their favourite cover versions, the siblings have offered up a diverse range of tracks from a wide variety of artists. There’s sure to be something for everyone in their selections.
Keep reading to find out what covers they’ve picked and why…
1. Led Zeppelin covers Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie – When the Levee Breaks
One of our all-time favorite Led Zeppelin tracks with its revolutionary drum sound is actually an old blues ballad by one of the most powerful husband and wife duos of all time, Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. Inspired by the Great Mississippi flood of 1927, the original recording is unbelievably soulful, and Led Zeppelin’s reinvention of it adds a powerful feeling of foreboding.
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2. Jimi Hendrix covers Bob Dylan – All Along the Watchtower
We grew up listening to this one on repeat while playing with Legos, I think this could only happen in a house with hippie parents. This song is the complete definition of epic in the Holbrook family.
[brid video=”39920″ player=”531″ title=”The Jimi Hendrix Experience All Along The Watchtower (Official Audio)”]
3. Johnny Cash covers Nine Inch Nails – Hurt
Johnny Cash inhabited one of Trent Reznor’s most personal songs and as a result a whole new audience was touched by the power of it. I still cry when I watch this video. The humble acknowledgment of frail humanity is something you just can’t fake.
[brid video=”39921″ player=”531″ title=”Johnny Cash Hurt HD 720p”]
4. The Band covers Bruce Springsteen – Atlantic City
My whole soul is moved by the sound of genuine grit, and Levon Helm’s voice and mandolin playing makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, especially on this flavorful take on one of our favorite Bruce Springsteen songs.
[brid video=”39922″ player=”531″ title=”Atlantic City (Remastered)”]
5. Johnny Cash’s cover of the traditional folk song God’s Gonna Cut You Down
This song haunts us, because when I hear Johnny Cash sing those words I believe him.
[brid video=”39923″ player=”531″ title=”Johnny Cash God’ Gonna Cut You Down”]
6. Emmylou Harris covers Townes Van Zandt – Pancho & Lefty
Obviously Emmylou Harris could sing anything and anyone listening would stop breathing, but this cover in particular is one of our favorites.
[brid video=”39924″ player=”531″ title=”Emmylou Harris O Come Angel Band live with Angel Band 1987″]
7. Sarah Jarosz covers Bob Dylan – Ring Them Bells
When you hear such a stunning voice sing such a stunning song not crying is once again a challenge.
[brid video=”39925″ player=”531″ title=”Sarah Jarosz “Ring Them Bells” The Americana Sessions”]
8. Sleeping At Last covers The Proclaimers – I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
I promise we don’t just like covers that make us cry… but a fragile take on such a powerful anthem brings more focus to the beauty and the meaning of the lyrics
[brid video=”39926″ player=”531″ title=”Sleeping At Last I’ Gonna Be (500 Miles)”]
9. Emiliana Torrini covers Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit
First introduced to us in the film Sucker Punch, this song was on repeat in mom’s car. She loved driving to it, taking sharp corners at high speed, blaring it with the windows down at stop lights… this went on for months.
[brid video=”39918″ player=”531″ title=”Sucker Punch (OST) 03 White Rabbit Emiliana Torrini”]
10. Rockabye Baby! covers the Pixies – Where is My Mind
If you don’t play this for your baby, you are clearly not a hipster.
[brid video=”39917″ player=”531″ title=”Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Pixies Where Is My Mind”]
SHEL’s new album Just Crazy Enough is available now.
