There is certainly plenty to read up about in regards to this week’s selection, The Beatles’ Tomorrow Never Knows. From the origin of the title to the revolutionary vocal recording techniques to the LSD inspired lyrics, the whole thing is quite interesting. Also of note is that while it is the closing track on the album, TNK was the first song recorded for Revolver.

Cover Wars

My favorite quote regarding the recording comes from legendary engineer Geoff Emerick. Sometimes I forget just how much The Beatles revolutionized the recording process as we know it…

It meant actually breaking into the circuitry. I remember the surprise on our faces when the voice came out of the speaker. It was just one of sheer amazement. After that they wanted everything shoved through the Leslie: pianos, guitars, drums, vocals, you name it!

Checking on last week, Grace Potter finished in first and Built To Spill came in second with another big chunk of votes in the Cortez The Killer Cover Wars. Checking in on two week’s ago, moe. and Umphrey’s are still battling it out over Can’t You Hear Me Knocking without a clear winner.

801: Technically, 801 titled this track TNK when they first released it in 1976. The lineup for 801 is: Phil Manzanera (guitar), Brian Eno (keyboards), Bill MacCormick (bass), Simon Phillips (drums), Francis Monkman (keyboards), Lloyd Watson (slide guitar). This shit is bad-ass. Source: 801 Live

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READ ON for the rest of this week’s Cover Wars contestants…

Brain Damaged Eggmen: Since this song has been covered by lots and lots of artists, I am obviously leaving off a number of covers. Since Umphrey’s McGee and the Disco Biscuits have both covered it, I figured I could cover that base by including the Brain Damaged Eggmen, a collaboration that features members of both bands exclusively playing Beatles and Pink Floyd tunes. Source: 1-10-2006 [no current link]

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Garaj Mahal: Listening to this extremely long rendition, I kept waiting for some lead vocals to pop in. It did not happen. Listen in, it’s quite clear that lead guitarist Fareed Haque is no stranger to the sitar tones. Source: 9-30-2005

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Grateful Dead: Starting in 1992, The Dead droped this song into their repertoire and it was always coupled with The Who’s Baba O’Riley (a song overdue for its own Cover Wars). This combo was played twelve times and Vince Welnick handled the lead vocals. The current touring edition of The Dead still has the song in their repertoire, as well as Ratdog and Phil Lesh & Friends. Source: 5-21-1993

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Phil Collins: Phil Collins released his first solo record in 1981. In addition to his hit single In The Air Tonight, Collins also included this Beatles cover. At the tail end of the track, listen for a quick snippet of Collins singing Over The Rainbow. Source: Face Value

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The Radiators: The growly lead vocals make for an interesting interpretation here. The song seems to speed up considerably throughout this rendition, which is probably good – ’cause it starts out reeeeaaaal slow. Source: 4-3-2005

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The Waybacks: Bob Weir sits in for this entire show at Merlefest 2006. It’s an FM broadcast and a great set. Source: 4-28-2006

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