Christine Singing Other People’s Songs

[aleuzzi]

We generally regard Christine as a songwriter who sings her own material. That’s certainly what she’s best known for. But the YMLF cover thread that popped up today got me thinking about the songs she has covered.

For the most part, she’s a pretty persuasive interpreter of songs written by others. Her readings of Dan Perfect’s “Northern Star” and “Calumny” are outstanding. But has she ever improved on better-known versions of songs? Her “I’d Rather Go Blind” and “Crazy Bout You Baby”—are these better than the respective Etta James and Ike-Tina Turner interpretations?

On the other hand, I think her version of Tony Joe White’s “I Want You” is superior to his. And her performance of Bobby Bland’s “I’m On My Way”
is, to my ears, pretty much equal.

On her 1984 album, I think the weakest songs are the covers…

Thoughts about Christine covers?