Covered Favorites

Pete Seeger wrote this song based on a 1938 poem by the Welsh poet Idris Davies, who lived in the town of Rhymney, Wales. The poem was written in protest of a pay cut the British government imposed on the coal industry as an austerity measure after WW I. Pete turned it into a protest about mine safety as is evidenced by his changing the line "who robbed the miner" to "who killed the miner". The Byrds then turned it into one of the most quintessential (and best) folk rock songs ever recorded, releasing it on their 1965 debut album "Mr. Tambourine Man".
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"The Bells Of Rhymney" (Seeger/Davies)

Oh what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney
Is there hope for the future 
say the brown bells of Merthyr

Who made the mine owner 
say the black bells of Rhondda
And who killed the miner 
say the grim bells of Blaina

Throw the vandals in court 
say the bells of Newport
All would be well if, if, if, if, if 
say the green bells of Cardiff

Why so worried sisters why 
say the silver bells of Wye
And what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney

Oh what will you give me 
say the sad bells of Rhymney
Is there hope for the future 
say the brown bells of Merthyr

Who made the mine owner 
say the black bells of Rhondda
And who killed the miner 
say the grim bells of Blaina

The Byrds "Mr. Tambourine Man" Columbia Records 1965

“The Bells Of Rhymney” (Byrds cover)

"Walk Right Back"
By James Lawrence Nesser (2021)

Yesterday I heard that Don Everly passed away.  This is a tribute to the Everly Brothers.  The song was written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets fame.  When the Everly Brothers recorded it the second verse hadn't been written yet so they just repeated the first verse.  My version is raw, unproduced, and "unplugged".
July 2022 Update: After one year, I added some percussion and tweaked the sound slightly.

"Walk Right Back" (Everly Brothers cover)

Another Beatles cover.  This is a re-mix of a track I had posted a few years ago.  It isn’t very different though I hope I improved it somewhat.

"Things We Said Today" (Beatles cover)

"I Knew I'd Want You" by James Lawrence Nesser

A very romantic love song written by Gene Clark and recorded and released by The Byrds in 1965 for their first album, Mr. Tambourine Man.  It's a great album and Gene Clark is one of my favorite writers so I'll be doing some more covers of his songs.

I Knew I'd Want You

"I Knew I'd Want You"  (Byrds cover)

"If I Needed Someone" 
Words & Music by George Harrison 
From The Beatles' 1965 album "Revolver" (1966 "Yesterday & Today" in North America).  I always liked George songs.

"If I Needed Someone" (Beatles cover)

This is a cover of a cover, so to speak.  The original by The Marvelettes from 1961 was covered by The Beatles in 1963 on their second album, "With The Beatles", and it is The Beatles' version that I am covering here.  It's a repeated four-chord, doo wop progression from the Motown era. Although the lyrics revolve around snail mail  it's still a good, fun song and I like it.

Please Mr. Postman

"Please Mr. Postman"

"I Am A Rock" (P. Simon) 
performed by
James Nesser

An unplugged version of the Simon & Garfunkel classic.

I Am A Rock

"I Am A Rock" (Unplugged)

An great old Johnny Horton song I got to thinking about one day.  It's from 1953, so even older than I thought.

All For The Love Of A Girl

"All For The Love Of A Girl"

"Lonesome Town" -  All vocals and instruments performed by James Lawrence Nesser.  

A 1958 hit by the then 18-year-old Ricky Nelson with backing by The Jordanaires.  Written by Baker Knight, it seems a strange song to give to an 18-year-old in that the quite dark lyrics seem to be more suited to a more mature person who has lived long enough to have experienced heartache, disillusionment, and regret.

Lonesome Town

"Lonesome Town" (Ricky Nelson cover)

Jan. 2023 - A tribute cover of a Yardbirds song to honor Jeff Beck, who passed away unexpectedly a few days ago.  This song was on their 1965 album "Having A Raveup With The Yardbirds”.   This is most likely the simplest guitar riff Jeff ever played, so even I could try my hand.  It was one of the first uses of a fuzz pedal and was influenced by sitar music, which was in vogue at the time.  My version features a Telecaster recorded direct with digital effects.  The acoustic guitar is an Epiphone EJ-160e.

"Heart Full Of Soul" (Yardbirds cover)

Today is May 1st, so I’m posting my cover of "First of May", a poignant and beautiful song by the Bee Gees.  All vocals and instruments, including the virtual strings, are mine.

"First Of May"

Since hearing the sad news of the great Gordon Lightfoot's passing a few days ago I decided, as a tribute,  to re-mix and re-post my cover of this song.

Go-Go Round

"Go - Go Round" (Gordon Lightfoot cover)

"Route 66" by James Lawrence Nesser

There are hundreds of covers of this classic, written by Bobby Troup in 1946 and first recorded by Nat King Cole that same year.  Here is one more, a version that is influenced by a number of different artists, but mainly by The Rolling Stones on their self-titled 1964 album.

Fender Tele
Epiphone Casino
Epiphone Viola Bass
Addictive Drums 2

Route 66

"Route 66"

A cover of The Cars' biggest hit.  From 1984, I believe.

"Drive"  (Cars cover)

"All I Have To Do Is Dream" (Everly Brothers cover)

A Buddy Holly classic.  I leaned heavily on The Hollies version for this cover.   So, a cover of a cover mainly.

"Take Your Time" (Buddy Holly/The Hollies cover)

This song was on the first Beatles album I ever got.  My cover features an Epiphone EJ-160e and an Epiphone Viola Bass, both recent acquisitions, both of them used, and both of them with flat-wound strings.

"This Boy" (Beatles cover)

One of my favorite Beatles songs.  Epiphone Casino (2016) and Epiphone Viola Bass.  Virtual drums, but with a real tambourine.

"And Your Bird Can Sing" (Beatles cover)

A Beatles classic with Lennon & McCartney providing a bit of genius melody writing on this one.  Much more than a lead vocal with a harmonized descant, rather there are two counter melodies that create an ever shifting set of intervals making the harmony seem much richer than one might expect from a two-part vocal.  I put a 15 ips tape echo on the vocal intro at the last minute. 

I had posted an earlier version of this cover a few years ago.  This one has been re-mixed and also had a number of errors corrected.

"If I Fell"  (Beatles cover)

Although I love just about all types of music, the biggest influence on what I write and record is the pop, rock, folk, and country music of the 60s, 70s, and 80s.  All vocals and instruments are performed and recorded by me and, except where otherwise noted, all songs are original compositions.  I often post the lyrics to my compositions as an aid to listeners who do not have English as their first language.  Thanks to all who stop by and listen to any of my songs.  I appreciate your time and attention, and I hope you enjoy listening.

Covered Favorites

James (Lawrence) Nesser