A Conventional Playlist - Reggae Stylee

Introduction

I just shared a story about alternative Elvis Presley experiences which you can check out at the end of this story, but one of thesongs I featured in that piece was Dead Zeppelin's cover of Led Zeppelin's "Your Time Is Gonna Come" featuring Tortelvis on vocals in a really fun video, and thought why not create a playlist with a theme of mainstreamish songs done reggae style. So even though they are not Jamaican Reggae we will kick of with Dread Zeppelin.

Dread Zeppelin cover "Your Time Is Gonna Come" originally by Led Zeppelin

With Tortelvis (Greg Tortell a three hundred pound Elvis impersonator) on Vocals and a supernaturally based fun video this a brilliant start to this playlist.

Toots and the Maytals cover "Take Me Home Country Roads" originally by John Denver

This excellent cover references West Jamaica rather than the West Virginia of the orginal. Toots Hibbert is sadly missed and produced a lot of great original music.

The Dubwood Allstars cover the introduction to "Under Milk Wood" the tone poem by Dylan Thomas with music from King Tubby

On this 2012 single, the vivid poetry of Dylan Thomas, the expressive baritone of Richard Burton and the legendary Jamaican producer King Tubby seem naturally connected in rhythm.

Under Milk Wood is an amazing poem and try and find a full version if you can. There is information about it on the BBC.

Tony Tribe's cover of "Red,Red Wine" by Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond write so many great songs, but to a lot of people, they will only know this song from the UB40 cover on their first "Labour of Love" album, but that was a cover of the Tony Tribe song which was a Neil Diamond original that you can track down yourself if you are so inclined.

King Tubby's Dub cover of "Take Five" originally by Dave Brubeck

King Tubby's music was used for the "Under Milk Wood" cover but this is a far out dub cover of the Brubeck instrumental, which was also covered by The Specials more conventionally.

"Dirty Old Town" was written in 1949 by Ewan MacColl (Kirsty's dad) and was popularised by The Dubliners and The Pogues but the folk song got the reggae treatment by The Specials and whichever version you listen too, the song is brilliant.

Easy Star All Stars cover "Karma Police" originally by Radiohead

Easy Star All Stars specialise in covering classic rock music in a reggae style have also covered The Beatles' "Sergeant Pepper" and Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" in their entirity. Their web site is here if you would like to find out more.

John Holt covers "Help Me Make It Through the Night" originally by Kris Kristofferson

This is a pleasant cover of Kris Kristofferson's original which appeared on his eponymous 1970 album.

Apple Gabriel covers "The Times They Are A Changin'" orginally by Bob Dylan

This is taking from an album called "Is It Rollin' Bob?" which is a whole album of Bob Dylan reggae covers.

Nicky Thomas covers "Let It Be" originally by The Beatles

Nicky Thomas is probaly most famous for his "Love of the Common People" (covered, and a hit for Paul Young), but I like this cover of one of my favourite Beatles songs. The Easy Star All Stars also have done many Beatles covers.

Little Roy produced by Prince Fatty covers "Come As You Are" originally by Nirvana

This is the final song on this playlist and it maintains the dynamics of the original although it is far less aggressive, but this is from a whole album of Nirvana covers.

Conclusion

I hope you have enjoyed this and I have introduced you to something that you like but have never heard before.