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Last night when I was at home I went searching for some new music. It had been quite some time since I had actively gone looking for songs I have never heard of before, and my friend suggested a cover of Zombie by Bad Wolves to me. As you all probably know, Dolores O'Riordan from the Cranberries died in January of this year. That same day she was set to reprise her vocals with Bad Wolves' cover of Zombie. Bad Wolves decided to move forward with the cover and donated all proceeds to Dolores' children.
I had no idea that any of this had happened. Knowing this going in to the cover, watching the messages about what had happened cross the screen, and then listening to the song gave me chills, just like the song did the very first time I heard it.
Although it was a cover of an old favourite and not actually a new song for me, it definitely left its mark on me. It was just as much of an impact ( to me ) as the one I had listened to a million times before.
Does anybody else have an experience with a good cover like this? I know that "good" is decided by the individual listeners, but I am curious if anyone else has found covers that really resonated with them, just like the original did. If so, which ones?
Cheers,
Ember
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Gregg Allman’s live cover of Neil Young’s “The Needle And The Damage Done” is very powerful. Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” stands out as does Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along The Watch Tower.” Enough showing my age! Much more recently, we’ve enjoyed Joan Osborne’s latest album of all Dylan Covers. Of course being a big fan of her vocals helps 
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
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You hit it right there, Ember. The Bad Wolves cover strikes a real emotional tone because of the timing of Dolores passing. You can imagine her vocals when they perform the song.
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Gregg Allman’s live cover of Neil Young’s “The Needle And The Damage Done” is very powerful. Janis Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” stands out as does Jimi Hendrix’s “All Along The Watch Tower.” Enough showing my age! Much more recently, we’ve enjoyed Joan Osborne’s latest album of all Dylan Covers. Of course being a big fan of her vocals helps Those are some very poignant songs. I'll have to give those covers a listen later when I'm home. I also wouldn't say those artists are specific to any age group -- Janis, Hendrix and Neil are still known by or listened to by people of just about every generation. 
Cheers,
Ember
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You hit it right there, Ember. The Bad Wolves cover strikes a real emotional tone because of the timing of Dolores passing. You can imagine her vocals when they perform the song. It was a very moving cover. I was a little taken aback by how emotional of a response I had towards it. I shouldn't have been surprised; music is powerful.
Cheers,
Ember
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This is always an interesting topic for me There are some fantastic covers out there, no doubt. I find it amazing when a cover outdoes the original so well that people don't even realize it is a cover in the first place. A good example of this is "Nothing Compares 2 You" by Sinead O'Connor, which many people don't realize was originally released 6 years earlier by a side project of Prince called The Family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZlzN0Gtpp8Another example is "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell - an 80's pop classic that a lot of people don't know is a cover of a 60's soul song. In this instance I prefer the older, less famous version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJKe2j9Wjh4Yet another example is the incredibly famous "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston, which was originally by Dolly Parton. Slightly older folks might be aware of this one, but I was floored when I found out. For me, I always so strongly associated that tune with Whitney. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDqqm_gTPjcThen, my all time favourite cover is "Hurt" by Johnny Cash, originally by Nine Inch Nails. He transformed a dark and experimental 90's grunge tune into a heart wrenching country ballad. What made him feel compelled to cover it in the first place, I have no idea - but boy, am I glad he did. The cover so intensely surpasses the original that Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails himself says it is forever a Johnny Cash song now, despite the fact he wrote it 9 years before Johnny had his way with it. Nine Inch Nails' version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPz21cDK7dgAnd then Johnny Cash's version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pcVery interesting topic of discussion! I'm excited to hear other people's personal favourites, or ones they deem notable
Cheers,
Deryk
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There is a pretty good backstory to the song "I Will Always Love You". +++ HERE +++ is a Wikipedia article that provides the backstory.
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Really interesting, Jim! I had no idea.
Cheers,
Deryk
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It was a very moving cover. I was a little taken aback by how emotional of a response I had towards it. I shouldn't have been surprised; music is powerful.
The Cranberries are probably my favorite group of the 1990's. "Dreams" is one of my all-time favorite records. I was really shocked and saddened to learn of Dolores O'Riordan's passing. She was an amazing vocalist, and brought me so much joy. The cover I mention here is quite obscure; I hope by posting here others will come to enjoy it. The "Hill Country Theme" was written for a TV program about President Lyndon B. Johnson, who lived on a ranch in Johnson City, a little more than 30 miles from Austin, Texas. Texas is, generally speaking, a very flat state. The only real mountains are way out in west Texas. The area around Austin, particularly to the west, is known as the "Hill Country"; there are mini-mountains and even smaller rolling hills. Austin is in central Texas, probably why it was chosen as the state capital (huge state). The song (Willie Nelson recorded it) was OK, but it has (IMO) a great tune. In the hands (and mind) of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, the "Hill Country Theme" is a work of art. I finally got the "The Pops Goes West" album on CD in the last 5 years; I was euphoric, as I had hunted for the record album for years. It is my only Boston Pops album. I think Buddy Hodges' youtube video is a work of art. He has some beautiful, even stunning photographs of Texas scenes. Only a few are from the Austin area, including the Capital (modeled after the Tennessee capital) and the bluebonnets that flourish every spring. There's a great shot of a longhorn; a longhorn is the mascot of the University of Texas at Austin. That's fitting, because cattle ranching was initially the pillar of the Texas economy, enabling people to live here. In the same vein there's a great shot of 2 horses. The San Jacinto monument is shown. Near Houston, it was built on the site where Sam Houston, after the Alamo massacre, defeated Santa Anna's massive Mexican army, allowing Texas to become a country, the Republic of Texas. The ship is the USS Texas. Ember, you spoke of the "power of music". I couldn't agree more. I love this instrumental; it gets to me because this is where my wife and I chose to live after we graduated from UT Austin. But when I watch Buddy Hodges' youtube video while listening, I marvel, I get sentimental, I get choked up. I recommend headphones. Also, I recommend full-screen viewing on your computer; some of the photographs are exquisite. If you listen closely, you can hear the "hill country" awaken early in the morning, and after the bustle of the day, retire at night. Arthur Fiedler's arrangement is the stuff of genius. "Hill Country Theme" Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTnNUEp8Kek
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Here is the story of Save the Last Dance for Me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Save_the_Last_Dance_for_MeThe lyrics were written by a groom in a wheelchair while his bride, a professional dancer, danced. A very interesting read.
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It was a very moving cover. I was a little taken aback by how emotional of a response I had towards it. I shouldn't have been surprised; music is powerful.
The Cranberries are probably my favorite group of the 1990's. "Dreams" is one of my all-time favorite records. I was really shocked and saddened to learn of Dolores O'Riordan's passing. She was an amazing vocalist, and brought me so much joy. The cover I mention here is quite obscure; I hope by posting here others will come to enjoy it. The "Hill Country Theme" was written for a TV program about President Lyndon B. Johnson, who lived on a ranch in Johnson City, a little more than 30 miles from Austin, Texas. Texas is, generally speaking, a very flat state. The only real mountains are way out in west Texas. The area around Austin, particularly to the west, is known as the "Hill Country"; there are mini-mountains and even smaller rolling hills. Austin is in central Texas, probably why it was chosen as the state capital (huge state). The song (Willie Nelson recorded it) was OK, but it has (IMO) a great tune. In the hands (and mind) of Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops, the "Hill Country Theme" is a work of art. I finally got the "The Pops Goes West" album on CD in the last 5 years; I was euphoric, as I had hunted for the record album for years. It is my only Boston Pops album. I think Buddy Hodges' youtube video is a work of art. He has some beautiful, even stunning photographs of Texas scenes. Only a few are from the Austin area, including the Capital (modeled after the Tennessee capital) and the bluebonnets that flourish every spring. There's a great shot of a longhorn; a longhorn is the mascot of the University of Texas at Austin. That's fitting, because cattle ranching was initially the pillar of the Texas economy, enabling people to live here. In the same vein there's a great shot of 2 horses. The San Jacinto monument is shown. Near Houston, it was built on the site where Sam Houston, after the Alamo massacre, defeated Santa Anna's massive Mexican army, allowing Texas to become a country, the Republic of Texas. The ship is the USS Texas. Ember, you spoke of the "power of music". I couldn't agree more. I love this instrumental; it gets to me because this is where my wife and I chose to live after we graduated from UT Austin. But when I watch Buddy Hodges' youtube video while listening, I marvel, I get sentimental, I get choked up. I recommend headphones. Also, I recommend full-screen viewing on your computer; some of the photographs are exquisite. If you listen closely, you can hear the "hill country" awaken early in the morning, and after the bustle of the day, retire at night. Arthur Fiedler's arrangement is the stuff of genius. "Hill Country Theme" Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTnNUEp8KekBeautiful rendition. I can't believe the slideshow didn't include at least 1 picture of a oil well pumper, tumbleweed, prairie dog, tornado or incoming dust storm. What can I say, I was stationed near Lubbock, Texas and everything I listed was as common as dirt!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
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Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
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Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
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Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
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- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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