Covers Compilations

As a keen connoisseur of cover versions, Peel cast his net widely for unusual takes of songs originally recorded by other performers. One reliable source of such material was various artists (v/a) covers compilations, which offered themed collections for the DJ to explore. Favourite albums included the Imaginary tribute series from the Manchester label of the same name, which inspired an outbreak of similar indie anthologies in the late 80s and early 90s, while the first 'Exotic Beatles' CD focused on radically different interpretations of tunes by the Fab Four. He later took huge delight in the Trikont label’s four-volume 'La Paloma' series, featuring nothing but recordings of the popular nineteenth-century Spanish song by different artists.^[1]

Listeners responded with Festive Fifty places for 'Superstar' (originally by the Carpenters) by tribute-album regulars Sonic Youth and the Fall cover of 'Legend Of Xanadu' (Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch), from the collections 'If I Were A Carpenter' and 'Ruby Trax', respectively.^[2]

The list below features known plays by Peel of v/a covers compilations, released on that basis and therefore excluding multi-artist albums that happened to contain covers alone because none of the performers wrote original material. It also ignores any releases featuring a single musician claiming to be multiple artists, such as the 'Hybrid Kids' album of Morgan Fisher. Releases should feature only covers, making ineligible the many seasonal compilations that also included original songs.

Plays

(The following list of v/a covers compilations is chronological, in order of first known play by Peel. Please add more information if known.)

1980s

(LP - Beyond The Wildwood - A Tribute To Syd Barrett) Imaginary ILLUSION 001

03 June 1987: Mock Turtles: No Good Trying
09 June 1987: SS-20: Arnold Layne

(LP - Christmas Soul Special) QAG

25 December 1987: Wilson Pickett: Jingle Bells

(LP - Sgt. Pepper Knew My Father) NME

09 February 1988: Fall: A Day In The Life
09 February 1988: Sonic Youth: Within You Without You
09 February 1988: Wedding Present: Getting Better
09 February 1988: Triffids: Good Morning Good Morning
10 February 1988: Fall: A Day In The Life
12 February 1988 (BFBS): Wedding Present: Getting Better
12 February 1988 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Within You, Without You
19 February 1988 (BFBS): Fall: A Day In The Life
29 February 1988: Sonic Youth: Within You Without You
19 December 1988: Fall: A Day In The Life
13 July 1991: Sonic Youth: Within You, Without You
13 July 1991: Wedding Present: It's Getting Better
14 July 1991: Fall: A Day In The Life
10 August 1992 (BFBS): Fall: A Day in the Life
02 December 1998: Fall: A Day In The Life
18 March 2003: Fall: A Day In The Life

(LP-A Tribute To Andy Warhol) Crazy Mannequin

15 April 1988 (BFBS): Twiggy & The Aliens: There She Goes Again

(LP / CD - Fast 'n' Bulbous: A Tribute to Captain Beefheart) Imaginary ILLUSION 002

18 May 1988: Sonic Youth: Electricity
18 May 1988: Primevals: China Pig
31 May 1988 (Radio Bremen): Sonic Youth: Electricity
07 June 1988: Primevals: China Pig
13 July 1991: Sonic Youth: Electricity
31 July 1992: Sonic Youth: Electricity
23 July 1993: Sonic Youth: Electricity
01 August 1993 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Electricity

(LP / CD - Til Things Are Brighter...A Tribute To Johnny Cash) Red Rhino

09 August 1988: Peter Shelley: Straight 'A's In Love
09 August 1988: Cathal Coughlan: Ring Of Fire
10 August 1988: Tracey And Melissa Beehive: Five Feet High And Risin'
15 August 1988: Mekons: Folsom Prison Blues
16 August 1988: Marc Almond: Man In Black
16 August 1988 (Radio Bremen): David McComb: Country Boy
30 August 1988: David McComb: Country Boy

(LP / cassette / CD - The Melting Plot) SST

17 April 1989: Sonic Youth: I Am Right
18 April 1989: Algebra Suicide: Tales Of Brave Ulysees
21 April 1989 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: I Am Right

(LP / CD - Shangri-La - A Tribute To The Kinks) Imaginary ILLUSION 003

15 May 1989: Thanes: Who'll Be In The Next Line
22 May 1989: Cataran: Days
26 May 1989 (BFBS): Thanes: Who'll Be The Next In Line
31 May 1989: Wolfhounds: I'm Not Like Everybody Else

(LP / CD - Time Between - A Tribute To The Byrds) Imaginary ILLUSION 004

06 June 1989: Dinosaur Jr.: I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
15 June 1989: Dinosaur Jr.: I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
07 July 1991: Dinosaur Jr.: I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better

(LP / CD - The Bridge - A Tribute To Neil Young) Caroline

07 August 1989: Dinosaur Jr.: Lotta Love
Early August 1989 (BBC World Service): Pixies: Winterlong
08 August 1989: Pixies: Winterlong
09 August 1989: Sonic Youth: Computer Age
10 August 1989: Flaming Lips: After the Goldrush
15 August 1989: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Helpless
19 August 1989 (BFBS): Pixies: Winterlong
26 August 1989 (BFBS): Dinosaur Jr.: Lotta Love
31 August 1989: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Helpless
02 September 1989 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Computer Age
02 September 1989 (BFBS): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Helpless
02 September 1989 (BFBS): Loop: Cinnamon Girl
02 September 1989 (BFBS): Soul Asylum: Barstool Blues
03 November 1991: Dinosaur Jr.: Lotta Love
24 November 1991: Pixies: Winterlong

1990

(LP / CD - Stoned Again - A Tribute To The Stones) Imaginary ILLUSION 006

01 February 1990: Inspiral Carpets: Gimme Shelter
08 February 1990: Family Cat: Rocks Off
24 February 1990 (BFBS): Inspiral Carpets: Gimme Shelter
03 March 1990 (BFBS): Family Cat: Rocks Off
13 July 1991: Family Cat: Rocks Off

(2xLP / CD - Every Band Has A Shonen Knife Who Loves Them) Giant

28 March 1990: Sonic Youth: Burning Farm
29 March 1990: Sonic Youth: Burning Farm
12 May 1990 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Burning Farm
27 January 1991: Babes In Toyland: Watching Girl
16 February 1991 (BFBS): Babes In Toyland: Watching Girl
07 September 1991: Babes In Toyland: Watching Girl

(2xLP / 2xCD - The Last Temptation Of Elvis) NME

04 April 1990: Jesus And Mary Chain: Guitar Man
04 April 1990: Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
04 April 1990: Vivian Stanshall & Big Boys: (There's) No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car
05 April 1990: Cramps: Jailhouse Rock
12 April 1990: Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
30 April 1990: Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
12 May 1990 (BFBS): Cath Carroll & Steve Albini: King Creole
12 May 1990 (BFBS): Jesus And Mary Chain: Guitar Man
19 May 1990 (BFBS): Viv Stanshall & The Big Boys: (There's) No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car
19 May 1990 (BFBS): Pop Will Eat Itself: Rock-A-Hula Baby

(LP / CD - Alvin Lives (In Leeds)) Midnight Music

17 April 1990: Wedding Present: Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
18 April 1990: Cud: Bohemian Rhapsody
24 April 1990: Siddeleys: Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
25 April 1990: Wedding Present: Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
09 May 1990: Wedding Present: Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
24 May 1990: Lush: Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep
26 May 1990 (BFBS): Wedding Present: Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
26 May 1990 (BFBS): Siddeleys: Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
22 August 1990: Wedding Present: Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
14 July 1991: Popguns: Bye Bye Baby

(LP / CD ‎– !!!Here Ain't The Sonics!!!) Popllama, Estrus Records

25 April 1990: Surf Trio: Strychnine
26 May 1990 (BFBS): Surf Trio: Strychnine
26 May 1990 (BFBS): Thee Headcoats: You've Got Your Head On Backwards
29 May 1990: Surf Trio: Strychnine
09 June 1990 (BFBS): Screaming Trees: Psycho

(LP / CD - If 6 Was 9 - A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix) Imaginary ILLUSION 008

08 May 1990: Shamen: Purple Haze
29 May 1990: Shamen: Purple Haze

(LP / CD - Smiles, Vibes & Harmony: A Tribute To Brian Wilson) Demilo

04 June 1990: Sonic Youth: I Know There's An Answer
18 June 1990: Sonic Youth: I Know There's An Answer

(LP / CD - Heaven And Hell Vol 1 - A Tribute To Velvet Underground) Imaginary ILLUSION 016

14 October 1990: Wedding Present: She's My Best Friend
14 October 1990: James: Sunday Morning
20 October 1990: Ride: European Son
20 October 1990: Nirvana: Here She Comes Now
03 November 1990 (BFBS): Ride: European Son
03 November 1990 (BFBS): Wedding Present: She's My Best Friend
03 November 1990 (BFBS): James: Sunday Morning
04 November 1990: Wedding Present: She's My Best Friend
29 December 1990: Wedding Present: She's My Best Friend
06 July 1991: Ride: European Son
07 July 1991: Wedding Present: She’s My Best Friend
13 July 1991: James: Sunday Morning

(2xCD - Rubáiyát (Elektra's 40th Anniversary)) Elektra

03 November 1990 (BFBS): Happy Mondays: Tokoloshe Man
03 November 1990 (BFBS): Billy Bragg: Seven & Seven Is
03 November 1990 (BFBS): Pixies: Born In Chicago

The Cure - Hello i love you
10 November 1990: Billy Bragg: Seven & Seven Is
10 November 1990: Happy Mondays: Tokoloshe Man
06 July 1991: Happy Mondays: Tokoloshe Man

07 July 1991: Cure: Hello, I Love You
07 July 1991: Billy Bragg: Seven And Seven Is
07 July 1991: Pixies: Born In Chicago
14 July 1991: Sugarcubes: Motorcycle Mama

1991

(LP / CD - Rutles Highway Revisited) Shimmy Disc

26 January 1991: Galaxie 500: Cheese & Onions

(LP / CD - Through The Looking Glass - 1966) Imaginary ILLUSION 023

26 January 1991: Ride: Eight Miles High
26 January 1991: Levellers 5: Eleanor Rigby
26 January 1991: Family Cat: Bus Stop
09 February 1991 (BFBS): Ride: Eight Miles High
13 July 1991: Family Cat: Bus Stop
13 July 1991: Ride: Eight Miles High
13 July 1991: Levellers 5: Eleanor Rigby
14 July 1991: Barbel: Winchester Cathedral

(CD, 2xLP - Where The Pyramid Meets The Eye - A Tribute To Roky Erickson) WEA

09 February 1991: Julian Cope: I Have Always Been Here Before
10 February 1991: Butthole Surfers: Earthquake
21 February 1991 (Radio Mafia): Butthole Surfers: Earthquake
23 February 1991 (BFBS): Jesus & Mary Chain: Reverberation (Doubt)
02 March 1991: Lou Ann Barton: Don't Slander Me
02 March 1991 (BFBS): Lou Ann Barton: Don't Slander Me
02 March 1991 (BFBS): Butthole Surfers: Earthquake
07 July 1991: Butthole Surfers: Earthquake
14 July 1991: Jesus & Mary Chain: Reverberation (Doubt)

(CD - Out Of Time - The Very Best Of The Imaginary Tribute Series) Imaginary ILL CD 031

07 July 1991: Shamen: Purple Haze
10 November 1991: Sonic Youth: Electricity

(2xLP - I’m Your Fan: The Songs Of Leonard Cohen By…) EastWest

28 September 1991: Pixies: I Can't Forget
29 September 1991: James: So Long, Marianne

(2x7" - Alice Cooper Tribute) Sub Pop

06 October 1991: Sonic Youth: Is It My Body
18 October 1991 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Is It My Body
19 October 1991: Sonic Youth: Is It My Body
Peel 002 (Radio Bremen): Sonic Youth: Is It My Body

(LP / CD – The Clash Tribute: The Never Ending Story (Part 1)) Released Emotions

07 December 1991: Anhrefn: Bank Robber
22 December 1991: Anhrefn: Bank Robber

1992

(LP /CD - Heaven And Hell Vol 3 - A Tribute To The Velvet Underground) Imaginary ILLUSION 022

18 January 1992: Swervedriver: Jesus
02 February 1992: Swervedriver: Jesus

(LP / CD - Outlaw Blues) Imaginary ILLUSION 014

09 May 1992: Thurston, Kim & Epic: Sitting On A Barbed Wire Fence
23 May 1992: Poster Children: Isis
24 May 1992 (BFBS): Thurston, Kim & Epic: Sitting On A Barbed Wire Fence

(LP / CD - Fortune Cookie Prize) Simple Machines

16 May 1992: Superchunk: 'Nancy Sin
22 May 1992: Geek: Night Moves On The Catwalk
23 May 1992: Cannanes: Tribute
23 May 1992: Velocity Girl: Tales Of Brave Aphrodite
23 May 1992: Kim, Thurston + Epic: Black Candy
30 May 1992 (BFBS): Geek: Night Moves On The Catwalk

(3xLP / 3xCD - Ruby Trax - The NME's Roaring Forty) NME

25 September 1992: Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu
26 September 1992: Wedding Present: Cumberland Gap
26 September 1992: Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu
26 September 1992: Jesus & Mary Chain: Little Red Rooster
02 October 1992: Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
03 October 1992: Ride: The Model
03 October 1992: Wedding Present: Cumberland Gap
03 October 1992: Jesus And Mary Chain: Little Red Rooster
05 October 1992 (BBC World Service): Billy Bragg: When Will I See You Again?
09 October 1992: Curve: I Feel Love
11 October 1992 (BFBS): Ride: The Model
11 October 1992 (BFBS): Billy Bragg: When Will I See You Again?
16 October 1992: Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
17 October 1992: Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu
23 October 1992: Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
01 January 1993: Fall: Legend Of Xanadu FF#5
21 February 1993 (BFBS): Fall: Legend Of Xanadu
21 March 1993 (BFBS): Fall: The Legend Of Xanadu

1993

(CD - Masters Of Misery - Black Sabbath: An Earache Tribute) Toy's Factory

(LP / CD - Outlaw Blues Volume Two - A Tribute To Bob Dylan) Imaginary

26 March 1993: PJ Harvey: Highway 61 Revisited
10 April 1993 (BFBS): PJ Harvey: Highway 61 Revisited

(CD - Gimme Shelter) Food

26 March 1993: Tom Jones & New Model Army: Gimme Shelter
02 April 1993: Pop Will Eat Itself Vs Gary Clail Vs Ranking Roger Vs Mighty Diamonds Vs On U Sound System: Gimme Shelter
05 April 1993 (John Peel Is Jakki Brambles): Voice Of The Beehive & Jimmy Somerville: Gimme Shelter
10 April 1993 (BFBS): Pop Will Eat Itself Vs Gary Clail Vs Ranking Roger Vs Mighty Diamonds Vs On U Sound System: Gimme Shelter

(CD - The Exotic Beatles - Part One) Exotica

Derek Enright - Eleanor Rigby (in latin).avi

04 June 1993: Derek Enright MP: Eleanor Rigby in Latin
11 June 1993: Brian Sewell: Her Majesty
19 June 1993 (BFBS): Emi Bonilla Y Su Cuadro: Ella Te Quieres ('She Loves You')
19 June 1993: Emi Bonilla Y Su Cuadro: Ella Te Quieres ('She Loves You')
25 June 1993: Metropolitan Police Male Voice Choir: When I’m 64
26 June 1993 (BFBS): Derek Enright M.P.: Eleanor Rigby
02 July 1993: Los Mustang: Please Please Me
09 July 1993: Derek Enright MP: Eleanor Rigby
10 July 1993: Balsara & His Singing Sitars: I Want To Hold Your Hand
17 July 1993 (BFBS): Brian Sewell: Her Majesty
24 July 1993 (BFBS): Balsara And His Singing Sitars: Let Me Hold Your Hand
24 July 1993 (BFBS): Quests: I'll Be Back

(LP – Brum Brum) City To City

18 June 1993: Burning Buddhists: There Must Be Thousands
26 June 1993 (BFBS): Snout Int.: Come On Eileen

(CD - The Pretty And The Vacant) Released Emotions

16 October 1993: Terry Edwards: Bodies

1994

(7" - Dumbrock Vol 5: Tommy (In Seven Minutes)) Vital Music

01 January 1994: Uncle Wiggly: It's A Boy
01 January 1994: Smack Dab: Amazing Journey
01 January 1994: Workdogs: Eyesight To The Blind
01 January 1994: Pig Pen: Christmas
01 January 1994: Lunachicks: Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Queen
01 January 1994: Artless: Fiddle About
01 January 1994: John S. Hall: Tommy Can You Hear Me
01 January 1994: Dave The Spazz: Smash The Mirror
01 January 1994: Iron Prostate: I'm Free
01 January 1994: Dogbowl: Tommy's Holiday Camp
01 January 1994: Alice Donut: We're Not Gonna Take It
01 January 1994: See Me Feel Me Orchestra: Listening To You/See Me, Feel Me

(CD - If I Were A Carpenter) A&M

05 August 1994: Sonic Youth: Superstar
05 August 1994: Babes In Toyland: Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft
13 August 1994 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Superstar
13 August 1994 (BFBS): Babes In Toyland: Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft
20 August 1994: Sonic Youth: Superstar
03 September 1994 (BFBS): Sonic Youth: Superstar
17 December 1994: Sonic Youth: Superstar FF#47

(3x10" - We're All Normal And We Want Our Freedom - A Tribute To Arthur Lee And Love) Alias

06 August 1994: Johnson: Dream
06 August 1994 (BFBS): Eggs: Willow Willow
06 August 1994 (BFBS): Smack Dab: Bummer In The Summer

(2xLP / CD - Turban Renewal: A Tribute To Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs) Norton

12 August 1994: Homer Henderson: I Wish You Were Me
13 August 1994 (BFBS): Homer Henderson: I Wish You Were Me
30 September 1994: Phantom Surfers: Ring Them Bells
15 October 1994 (BFBS): Phantom Surfers: Ring Them Bells

(10” - Think Link) Drink N Drive

13 August 1994 (BFBS): Man Or Astro-Man?: Deuces Wild
26 August 1994: Man Or Astro-Man?: Deuces Wild

1995-99

(LP / CD - Beat The Retreat - Songs By Richard Thompson) Capitol / EMI

20 January 1995: June Tabor: Genesis Hall
21 January 1995: Bob Mould: Turning Of The Tide
27 January 1995: Loudon Wainwright III & Shawn Colvin: A Heart Needs A Home
04 February 1995 (BFBS): Loudon Wainwright III & Shawn Colvin: A Heart Needs A Home

(10” - Watch For Me Girl – A Tribute To DMZ) Wallabies

03 February 1995: Teengenerate: Mighty Idy
11 February 1995 (BFBS): Teengenerate: Mighty Idy

(10” - Electronic Evocations: A Tribute To The Silver Apples) Enraptured

03 February 1996: Flow Chart: Lovefingers

(LP / CD - Abbasalutely) Flying Nun

23 February 1996: Loves Ugly Children: Honey, Honey
02 March 1996 (BFBS): Superette: Knowing Me, Knowing You

(CD - The Smiths Is Dead)) Les Inrockuptibles

16 November 1996: Billy Bragg: Never Had No One Ever
24 November 1996 (BBC World Service): Billy Bragg: Never Had No One Ever

(CD - Violent World (A Tribute To The Misfits)) Caroline

26 January 1997: Bouncing Souls: Mommy, Can I Go Out And Kill Tonight

(CD - A Tribute To Spacemen 3) Rocket Girl ‎

05 May 1998: Mogwai: Honey
07 May 1998: Arab Strap: Revolution

(CD – 21 Beggars Banquet) Beggars Banquet

26 August 1998: Bis: Stray Cat Blues
10 September 1998: Six By Seven: No Expectations

2000s

(CD - A Tribute To The Ruts) Rejected

29 March 2000: Travis Cut: In A Rut

(CD - La Paloma #4)

03 January 2001: Lorindo Almeida: La Paloma
10 January 2001: Mabibi Na Mabwana: La Paloma
11 January 2001: Liselotte Malkovsky: La Paloma
17 January 2001: Tau Moe Familly: La Paloma
18 January 2001 (Radio Eins): Liselotte Malkovsky: La Paloma

(CD – La Paloma)

February 2001 (FSK): Charlie Parker: La Paloma
06 February 2001: Strangers: La Paloma
07 February 2001: Ferera & Paaluhi Hawaiian Instrumentalisten: Die Taube
08 February 2001: Meistersextett: La Paloma
15 February 2001: Garde Républicaine: La Paloma
21 February 2001: Charlie Parker Quartet: La Paloma

([CD - La Paloma #3)

03 April 2001: Robertino: La Paloma
10 April 2001: Eddie Peabody: La Paloma

(CD - La Paloma #2)

17 July 2001: Babba Brooks & King Edwards Dr No: La Paloma
19 July 2001: Hank Snow: La Paloma

(CD - Instant Karma 2002 - A Tribute To John Lennon) Uncut

01 October 2002: Robert Wyatt: Love

(CD – Give The People What We Want: Songs Of The Kinks) Sub Pop

09 October 2001: Mudhoney: Who’ll Be Next In Line

(LP, CD - Dynamite With A Laserbeam: Queen As Heard Through The Meat Grinder Of Three One G) 31G

23 April 2002: Tourettes Lautrec: Killer Queen
22 May 2002: Tourettes Lautrec: Killer Queen
06 June 2002 (BBC World Service): Tourettes Lautrec: Killer Queen

(CD - Painted Black) tUMULt

08 January 2003: Mieskuoro Huutajat: Paint It Black
14 January 2003: Hrvatski: Paint It Black
16 January 2003: Troum: Paint It Black
21 January 2003: Circle: Paint It Black

(2xCD - Everything Is Ending Here: A Tribute To Pavement) Homesleep

March 2003 (FSK): Appendix Out: Frontwards
12 March 2003: Appendix Out: Frontwards
13 March 2003: Saloon: Shoot The Singer
18 March 2003: Solex: Shady Lane
20 March 2003: Magoo: Perfume - V

(2xCD - The Necessary Effect - Screamers Songs Interpreted) Xeroid

26 June 2003: Flux Information Sciences: Punish This Or Be Damned
17 July 2003: Teen Cthulhu: Violent World

(CD – 25: Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before…) Rough Trade

01 October 2003: Detroit Cobras: Last Nite
01 October 2003: Belle & Sebastian: Final Day

References

↑ Written in the 1850s by Spanish composer Sebastián Iradier (later Yradier), 'La Palona' is one of the most-recorded songs in the history of music.[1] The first known release, by Cornet Duet, dates back to 1894.[2]
↑ 'Legend Of Xanadu' was voted #5 in the 1992 Festive Fifty; 'Superstar' reached #47 in the 1994 Festive Fifty.

Links

[0] Written in the 1850s by Spanish composer Sebastián Iradier (later Yradier), 'La Palona' is one of the most-recorded songs in the history of music.[1] The first known release, by Cornet Duet, dates back to 1894.[2]

[1] 'Legend Of Xanadu' was voted #5 in the 1992 Festive Fifty; 'Superstar' reached #47 in the 1994 Festive Fifty.

[1]

[2]

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