And one original that blows the cover away:
THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR - Rod Stewart. Back in 1986, this song was recorded by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight as an anthem for the fight against aids. It went on to win the Grammy for "Best New Song of the Year." However, the song certainly wasn't new. Back in 1982, the song served as the theme for the Ron Howard directed comedy, "Nightshift." Stewart's version, available on the soundtrack, is a very simple song about friendship and love. Stewart's smoky vocals only make the words more sincere, something the overblown remake failed to do.

Honorable Mention: Richie Havens--covering The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun"--Performed at the original Woodstock,This version is a prime example of bettering the original..With his spare arrangement of his battered acoustic guitar,and some hand drums,Richie Havens proves that less is more...A very emotional rendition of an already great song.

Honorable Mentions: "I Will Always Love You", Whitney Houston, possibly the most irritating record of all time, previously recorded by Dolly Parton, but worth mentioning... "Spider-Man Theme" to the cartoon series performed by The Ramones, formerly performed by a studio group for the 1960s cartoon... "96 Tears", originally performed by Question Mark and The Mysterions, was covered by somebody (a black artist?) in the '70s, a very faithful remake, but I can't remember who it was a couldn't find info on the internet... "La Bamba" by Los Lobos, the Richie Valens hit remade for the bio-pic about his life... "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles, covering an Isley Bros recording... Alien Ant Farm's cover of Michael Jackson's "Annie Are you OK?" is a hoot! (Oops again! Mike Smith says that last one is actually called "Smooth Criminal". Thanks, Mike.--N). UPDATE: 6-23-02, "Blinded by the Light" Manfred Mann, originally a Bruce Springsteen song (thanks Mack!--N)

Top Ten Cover Songs Of All Time (in Order)
1. Preachin' the Blues: Robert Johnson-- What can I say except that 20th century music began here. Johnson's atmospheric take on the Son House classic is unequaled. A haunting experience. The best and most important cover song ever!
2. All Along The Watchtower: Jimi Hendrix-- The 2nd best cover song of all time. It sets out to do everything a great cover song should do. It tops Dylan's original and sounds so far removed that it stands alone as a great song. Once you top Dylan you are automatically god (the almighty god of holy scripture?!).
3. Where Did You Sleep Last Night?: Nirvana-- As readers will know Nirvana (a.k.a. Pixies cover band) is not in my list of the best bands of the 90s but with their unplugged version of Leadbelly's murderous folk tale they more than made up for their countless mediocore moments. They also topped the original (this coming from a blues fanatic) as Kurt Cobain wails his final gasps just a month before his suicide. Prophetic, frightening, classic.
4. Dust My Broom: Elmore James-- Another great blues cover except that this take was not only a truimph of early electric blues but also the birth of rock 'n roll. James' update of Robert Johnson's classic proved that Johnson's genius was still potent 20 years later and, of course, beyond.
5. Into the Groove(y): Sonic Youth-- Believe me you get a new appreciation for Madonna when you hear her song covered by art-punk deconstructionists. What can I say--it's one of a kind.
6. Iron Man: The Cardigans-- Who would've thunk it? Black Sabbath's classic in the form of a cocktail lounge number. Ozzy's penetrating vocals replaced by Swede Nina Peerson's soft croon. This by the way is Ozzy's favorite cover of the song.
7. Landslide: The Smashing Pumpkins-- Billy Corgan somehow manages to cover Fleetwood Mac's hit with out nostalgic cheese and comes off with an emotional release that is in my opinion more potent than the original.
8. Rockin' In The Free World: Pearl Jam-- Eddie Vedder and Co. take their idol worship one step to far and prove that Neil Young is indeed the Godfather of Grunge.
9. Backdoor Man: The Doors-- Willie Dixon reimagined as a lizard king backed by an acid blues band. "I eat more chicken than any man ever seen".
10. In Heaven: The Pixies-- One of the greatest bands ever covers a song from one of the greatest movies ever, Eraserhead. Frank Black and Kim Deal meet a composition by David Lynch himself. Yeah, it's loud and abrasive and far from their greastest song yet, but you gotta give it points for its originality.

So there it is, my list, and if I see any of you putting The Beatles' "Roll Over Beethoven", you better be ready to answer for it.

Oh yeah, and to Hell with you all
Terence Nuzum

1. Frank Zappa --doing a hilarious Beatles medley (he changed all the lyrics to be about Jim Baker, Jerry Fallwell, Jessica Hahn, and that TV evangelist fiasco --- for instance, "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" became "Louisiana hooker with herpes") That same tour he also did great covers of "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zep (the whole guitar solo is done by the horn section, it kicks butt) and "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash and "Sunshine of your Love" by Eric Clapton/ Cream and "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix and some TV theme songs amongst others.
2. Metallica ---They have done tons of covers and they are all awesome, But I think my favorite is "the Mercyful Fate medley" on the Garage Inc. album that is the heaviest song they've done in ten years.
3. The Red Hot Chili Peppers ---they also have done tons of covers but my favoites are "Sub-Terranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan ( off Uplif Mofo Party Plan)and "Why don't you Love Me" by Hank Williams (on the first RHCP album) and "They're Red Hot" by Robert Johnson (off blood sugar sex magik)
4.Concrete Blonde ---"Everybody Knows" By Leonard Cohen they also did a cool version of "Simple Twist of Fate" by Bob Dylan.
5. Ann and Nancy Wilson --"The Battle of Evermore" by Led Zeppelin They also did a good version of "Ring them Bells" by Bob Dylan (I like Dylan covers.. can you tell?)
6.Faith No More ---"Easy" by Lionel Richie, it is a great one.
7. Slayer ---"In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly (off the Less Than Zero s.track) it is just killer.
8. Kate Bush ----- she guested with David Gilmour's band and sang "Comfortably Numb" (it's supposed to be released on a live DVD later, but we'll see) She's also done a few Beatles covers and cool version of "Rocket Man" by Elton John.
9. Sonny Rollins --- "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder, he does the vocal / melody lines on tenor sax. And it is beautiful.
10. Anthrax---They too have done tons o' covers but my favorite is "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" by the Beastie Boys
11. Henry Rollins ---"Earache MY Eye" by Cheech and Chong. He also did a great verson of "Four Sticks" by Led Zep. and "Ghost Rider" by Alan Vega.
12. Judas Priest ---"Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez (you all KNOW how cool that is) and they should NEVER have done "Johnny B Goode" by Chuck Berry. (Agreed. I meant to mention that in my Top 10 list: that while two of Priest's covers are awesome, their version of "Johnny B. Goode" is arguably the WORST cover known to man.--Nolan.)
13. Strapping Young Lad -- "Exciter" by Judas Priest (This is a great cover)
14. Miles Davis --- "Time After Time" by Cindy Lauper (very cool).
15. Johnny Winter --- "Highway 61 Revisited" by Bob Dylan (again).
16. Johnny Cash -- "the Time of the Preacher" by Willie Nelson, this is a really cool song made even better by Johnny's incredible voice.
17. White Zombie --- "God of Thunder" by Kiss a super-heavy version of an already heavy song.
18. Primus --- they've done a lot of cool covers but I guess my Favorites are "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels and "The Thing That Should Not Be" by Metallica and "Have a Cigar" by Pink Floyd.
19. Ani DiFranco --"Hurricane" by Bob Dylan a cool version of one of Bob's best songs.
20. When Nolan would play the "Popeye the Sailor" Theme and then segue it into "The Immigrant Song" by Led Zep (as Popeye was ending the whole band would kick into The Immigrant Song, it was so cool).
(That is so sweet! I forgot about that. Thank you.---Nolan)

I guess that's not exactly a top 10, maybe I could say I turned in two lists in one, but I'm going to stop myself here, even though I could go on and on (just on Bob Dylan covers alone). And I know in a minute or two I'll be kicking myself for forgetting something that I really love but...

Thanks,
Count Poffula

1. Rod Stewart's cover of Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind"
2. Keb' Mo' 's covers of two great Robert Johnson songs: "Come on in my Kitchen" and "Kindhearted Woman Blues"
3. Bonnie Raitt's covers of "Women be Wise" by Sippie Wallace and "Angel From Montgomery" by John Prine
4. Siouxsie Sioux's covers of "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday and "Trust in Me" from the Disney Jungle Book soundtrack.
5. Ann and Nancy Wilson/Heart's covers of Led Zeppelin's "Goin' to California", (live on an episode of Rockine circa 1982 I am forever kicking myself for taping over) and Nazareth's "Love Hurts"
6. Stevie Ray Vaughn's covers of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" and "Voodoo Chile"
7. Nine Inch Nails' cover of the Pigface song "Suck"
8. Concrete Blonde's cover of Cheap Trick's "Mandocello"
9. Cheap Trick's cover of Fats Domino's "Ain't that a Shame"
10. Kate Bush's cover of Elton John's "Rocket Man" and yes, her duet with David Gilmour on "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd (want that DVD. Gimme Gimme!!! ;o))
11. Queensryche's cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair"
12. Metallica and friends' cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday's Gone"
13. Charlie Daniels' cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man"

And last but not least .. does my dad singing the Doors' "Hello I love you" count? (Absolutely! LOL!---N)

As for honorable mentions...I could go on for days..so I'll stand by my Top 10.

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Johnny Cash – I See a Darkness (Bonnie Prince Billy)
Crooked Fingers – Solitary Man (Neil Diamond)
Faith No More – Easy (The Commadores)
Jimi Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan)
Lovage – Sex (I’m A…) (Berlin)
Monster Magnet – Evil (Is Going On) (Muddy Waters)
Elvis Presley – Blue Moon (written by Rogers and Hart, but I first heard it by the Marcels)
Michael J. Sheehy – Mystery Train (Elvis Presley)
16 Horsepower – Bad Moon Risin’ (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Testament – Nobody’s Fault (Aerosmith)
White Zombie – Children of the Grave (Black Sabbath)

Nolan and the PCR gang,
The whole Sousa family would like to thank all of the PCR contributors who had such kind words to say after the passing of my brother Steve, 1 year ago. (June 18, issues 65 and 66). Maybe I'm getting more introspective as that time draws near, but we all wanted to say from the bottom of our hearts how much that meant to us last year...I'm taking that Tuesday off from work, my dad and I are going to have lunch, but later, we will raise a glass for Steve.

Once again, all of your comments made a difficult time a joy to remember...

Love to all the PCR gang.
Mr. and Mrs. Sousa, Richard and Janet Sousa, Kim Sousa and Mark Sousa

Richard, my boy, it means a lot to ME to know we were able to help. I was delighted to devote the space to such a worthwhile cause. Stevie meant a lot to all of us and we offer our support to you and your family at getting thru this time of year.---Nolan

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Re: Kreskin See Kreskin banned on Art Bell, PCR #116!

New reader! Subject line: Other Art Bell fakers, morons and worse

Hi there,

I am new to your site having been directed here via a link on Art's pages. (That's interesting...I'll have to take a look!---N. UPDATE: 6-20-02 I did. It's there! See "Announcements", this issue---N) I am FORCED to listen to Art Bell a few nights a week if I haven't encoded enough old time radio programs to listen to. (The Shadow, Amos N Andy.. that sort of thing) My local radio stinks in general so Art is the best of what is out there for me while I work away on the night shift. There are several peole who are regulars on Art's show that just give me the hysterical heebie jeebies when I have the misfortune to hear them. Chief among these is that bozo Richard Hoagland. Him and that stupid face on Mars and the govt. is in a conspiracy to keep us in the dark. You guys don't believe that nonsense do you? I mean if NASA or JPL KNEW there were artifacts on Mars they could not wait to tell us so they would be funded to the gills for a hundred years. Then there are the planet X people... Pulease..... If there there were a planet on such a long odd orbit and if it ever had a tendency to come close to earth it would long ago have done so and I would not be writing this. The laws of science say that a rogue planet would have to have been swallowed up by one of the gas giants even if it could somehow have a elliptical orbit.

Some of the stuff on Art's show makes a small amount of sense and I have to confess that I have enjoyed some programs. For instance I like hearing people relate their near death experiences and I don't entirely discount the possibility of ETs for that matter. Let's say I am an agnostic on those matters. But when it comes to "The Psychic Sasquatch ....." Or the Hollow Earth... It takes all kinds for sure and it is nice that Art provides a non critical place for people to air their views no matter how whacaroon they are. While I am ranting, give me a small break on the whole Creation vs. Evolution debate, too. Both are theories and neither is proven conclusively. I tend to think evolution is sound but there is no concrete absolute proof. Why can't both theories co-exist? If the big bang was not creation it sure sounds like it. In The Big Bang Theory, everything we know was "created" from a single particle with a decimal point and about 15 zeros and a one in a millisecond. In my mind that is simply Cosmologists' way of saying God created everything from nothing except they can't handle the concept of "nothing" and hence the zeros. Truth is I can't prove that and neither can either side of the argument.

All of these subjects are to varying degrees fun to discuss and one man's nonsense is another man's wisdom I suppose. (Well maybe...) Then again my blood runs a little cold when I hear Art say that we should consider just nuking certain parts of the world if we are attacked again. People listen to him and some (God help us) take his word as gospel. I know that no government decision will be influenced by Art, except in so much as if the public as a whole will tolerate things then the government might just slip a tactical nuke in there. Remember the Thermobaric bomb from a month ago that was being touted? That's a fancy word for a tactical nuke is it not? If I know one thing I know this: violence leads to more violence and hate makes hate. I know that sounds simplistic and possibly impractical but I gotta tell ya, until there is a fundamental change in the way humanity treats each other there will be no peace or security for any of us worldwide. Is that likely to occur? No it is not, but it is our only hope in the long run. In the meantime we have to respond when we are attacked, but it should be in accordance with international law and a measured response--not a crime against humanity justified by an act of barbarism.

Art should stick to recorded voices from the grave and the other flotsum and jetsum he covers.

But these are my opinions and we all have them now, don't we?

Well, thanks for letting me rant a little about the folks I feel are a clown short of a circus... I myself have been accused of being a egg roll short of a combo platter. Go figure!

Kreskin indeed! Ha!
Ya yoo betcha,

Don

Whew! That's a whole lotta ground to cover, podnah! I really appreciate your writing, tho. While I agree that a lot of Bell's show is carnival-like in nature, I wasn't very clear in last week's diatribe about Kreskin, that I AM a very big Art Bell fan. That doesn't mean I agree with everything on his show, just that I'm tremendously entertained by it.
   Richard Hoagland, author of "The Monuments of Mars", is one guest I always get a kick out of because he has a way of turning everything into a conspiracy about Mars! (His current movie plans have kicked him into an even higher gear on that.)
   I confess that I, too, am a little mystified at all this "Planet X" talk. I don't see how a "rogue planet" can stumble into our solar system in less than a year and not be detected...I don't care WHAT famous psyhic predicts it!!
   The political content of the show I take no more or less seriously than any other part---Art's appeal is his homeboy nature and fan's feel like they know him. ---Nolan

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New reader! Subject line: Kreskin

Nolan,
You know everybody is harping on the fact the masses were duped and hypnotized and Kreskin was trying to show how stupid we all would be if terrorist fooled us, but I don't think that was it at all. If someone says there will be a pink elephant in the parking lot at 3 pm, name me one person that wouldn't go see it? They wouldn't be duped, drugged, stupid or the participants of mass hysteria. We would just like to see the dumb elephant. It's called curiosity, no more, no less. Kreskin has to be the idiot in all this. He is 70? That sucker is just senile is all.

Cheri

There's no doubt people's curiosity can be exploited. It's Kreskin's basic motivation I questioned. He raised the stakes ridiculously high and, yes, he looks a little foolish now.---Nolan

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New reader! Subject line: The Amazing Kreskin

Nolan,
Kreskin is a fake and a fool! He claims that he has not failed to find his paycheck in his audience. This stunt is his big finish. Well, I can testify that he did not find the check during the performance I attended 20 or so years ago at the Montgomery County Community College in Pennsylvania. I have a witnessed receipt for the check after Kreskin and the whole troop could not find the check!!

During the performance the audience was asked to hide the check so Kreskin could find it. During the performance it became obvious how Kreskin using a confederate would find the check. If Kreskin was a physic as he claims logic says he could find the check even if it were moved! So two of us moved the check to my boot. When Kreskin could not find the check he uttered that a curse should befall the persons or persons who may have disturbed or moved the check. The audience was almost falling out of their seats by this time and Kreskin took an immediate break claiming the stress of attempting to find the check took too much out of him and he had to rest. When he came out on the stage 20 minutes later he repeated his veiled threat of a curse befalling the individuals who disturbed his trick. The Security department of the College was in total disarray and had no idea the location of the check! I let them sweat for the rest of the show and after all had left auditorium I looked up the security office and told them I knew where the check was but a receipt had to made available to me before I would reveal the location of the check. They were most receptive to giving me a receipt, just to get Kreskin off their back.

We all know that all magic is deception but the attempt by Kreskin to cast a spell or curse on myself and my accomplice was the last straw. I considered destroying the check and let Kreskin figure out how to get the college to give him another check. But my better half insisted that I not destroy the check but return it intact. I should have kept it, not cashed it but every time Kreskin shot his mouth off about never failing to find the check, produce the check to disclose his fraud.

When I heard Kreskin issue his first offer to donate $50,000 dollars to charity regarding a significant UFO sighting I told my wife then that Art Bell had better get ready to be hoaxed. Kreskin is a fraud and he proved it on Art Bells' show.

As I have attached the receipt for the check and HAVE REMOVED names of individuals who may not approve of their publication, I would request that you only reference my email as unnamed but authentic, and not reveal my name or those who appear on the receipt.

Thank You.

An Art Bell Fan.

To send an email to Letters to the Editor write to: Crazedfanboy1@aol.com.  Any emails sent to this address will be assumed intended for publication unless you specifically instruct me not to. I can and do respond privately, if that is your preference. Frequently, it's both ways.---Nolan