Otis Redding - Hard to Handle b/w Amen (ATCO, 1968)

I have to admit it, "Hard to Handle" is a song the Black Crowes taught me. It's not unusual that the first cover I listen, that'll be my favorite. But sometimes... it's just not in that way. Dear friends and subscribers, Otis Redding was the man. Crap, he IS still the man. Originals or covers, it doesn't matter, this man appropriated every song he put his hands on. Listen to his "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" cover and dare to say me no —by the way, when the cover came up there were a lot of jokes about who was covering who, and we are talkin' about the fuckin' Stones in their most glorious era! So, screw the Crowes, guys, this is the real material! This one was one of the multiple posthumous recordings that appeared after Redding's death in 1967. "Hard to Handle" b/w "Amen" was released in June 1968 and reached the #51 in pop US charts. Don't forget to listen "Amen" too; if you think that sacred music is boring, just look what a real good performer could do with it. Awesome.

Solomon Burke - Maggie's Farm b/w Tonight's the Night (Atlantic, 1965)

When I start bothering my wife about what Bob Dylan did, what Bob Dylan means... —you know the kind of crap I'm talking about—, she always cut the conversation with this conclusive assertion: "I always like more the covers other musicians do than his originals". Crap, folks, that kind of categorical shit always drive me crazy! I do love Dylan! But regarding the cover I'm presenting you today, I just can say yeah. Because the Solomon Burke's cover of "Maggie's Farm" blew my mind the same instant those horns star blowin'. Back in 1965 Dylan was turning over the electrical sound that would make him a living legend. And "Maggie's Farm" was the first single that came out from Bringing It All Back Home, so, it was kinda the song which started all! And this very same year, the Reverend Burke came out with this catchy cover that will made you jump from your coach and start dancing in front of your stereo. And if you just wanna chill out and start wooing your couple, friend, pet or whatever, turn over onto "Tonight's the Night" and light some candles. It'll work, that's guaranteed.