Heart - STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN

Ann and Nancy Wilson

Arguably, the greatest Rock'n'Roll song of all time.   I was very fortunate to see Led Zeppelin perform Stairway to Heaven live - Earl's Court in London for the Physical Graffiti tour - 1976

I have always thought there were a few songs that you just shouldn't cover and this song was definitely on the top of that list.

Then I saw the Kennedy Center Honours and Heart to this great tribute to ZEP. 

Stairway to Heaven - HEART

And a complete Spotify playlist of Unsolicited Song Recommendations can be found here ( click here for Spotify playlist)

Foy Vance - MAKE IT RAIN

Make it Rain was written by, and performed here by Foy VANCE.  This version is from Live at Bangor Abbey which is located in his home town in Northern Ireland.

This song was made famous by Ed Sheeran.  As the story goes, Foy was touring and opening for Ed Sheeran a few years ago and at that time  Ed, who is a big fan of Sons of Anarchy connected with the producers and agreed to do a song for the show. Ed immediately thought of Make It Rain, which Foy performed often as part of his opening set..  Arguably it was the first two lines of the sang that made Ed think it would fit the show perfectly. - 

"When the sins of my father 

  weigh down my soul" 

Foy VANCE - Make it Rain

This song went on to be a hit for Ed Sheeran after being included in SOA.  - and nothing against his version - I prefer Foy's original

This version is from Live at Bangor Abbey - an old monetary in Northern Ireland.  

Make it Rain - Live at Bangor Abbey

The Record Company - HARD DAY COMING DOWN

The Record Company 

From the album Give it Back to You, which was nominated for a Grammy.


Rock 'n' Blues - Acoustic guitar, electric bass, drums, some good ol' hand clapping and a harmonica... what else do you need for a tough on your luck song like this.

If you like this then you might also want to listen to On The Move from the same album

The Record Company is a three piece band that keeps it pretty basic.  I first heard them on the tv show SUITS, and then as an opening act for John Mayer.  


This link is to a 'living room concert' version

Click here

DISTURBED - The Sound of Silence

Marshall suggested this one. Over the years he has sent me a few recommendations and this is my favourite. I like covers or alternative versions of songs by their original artists, especially when they respect the original but put a different spin on it. This one is powerful, emotive and very very well done. It was new to me but I see that it's had over 600million views so I guess I was very late to the party.

David Draiman, the lead singer for Disturbed noted that marriage and having a child normally mellows people out. In his case it made him angrier at the what he saw going wrong in the world.

This is one of the few covers of Simon and Garfunkel songs that Paul Simon commented on. He is a big fan of this version. Paul Simon has been pretty open about song origins and I find it interesting to see where artists get their inspiration. I, like many of my generation, associated this song with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. It always seems to be connected as the song came out around that time and could easily be interpreted as a commentary for the time.

In an interview Simon said he wrote it long before that. He claims that he needed a quiet place to write.  He used to go into his bathroom, turn on the water faucet for background and then turn off the lights and play in the dark. He felt at peace in that environment and looked forward to his time alone writing songs.... and so it started..”Hello darkness my old friend... I’ve come to talk with you again”

Click here for The Sound of Silence

Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa - NUTBUSH CITY LIMITS

While this is a duet with Joe Bonamassa, it really is just a showcase for Beth Hart's vocals.  

This cover of the classic Nutbush City Limits is unlike a lot of the other duets Beth does with Joe there isnt' a lot of back and forth, or guitar answering the vocal (a la their fantastic version of I'd rather go blind)

This one just just flat out fun Rock 'n' Roll


Click HERE

Vintage Trouble - BLUES HAND ME DOWN

I have been a fan of these guys for a couple of years now.  Would love to go to one of their shows if they ever come this way.  While the song is a little more laid back than their usual stuff I decided to post this one. If you want some upbeat Soul/Classic R&B/Rock energetic performances go check these guys out.

Shows What you Know is another great track. And I do recommend the Bomb Shelter Sessions.

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Click here to watch