I picked up my copy of Tesla's Reel-2-Reel CD and they did some excellent, I mean excellent versions of some cover tunes

Just some observations with the 2 Stones covers first:

Street Fighting Man- They did something very neat with this track. They played the true studio part of Street Fighting Man, but on the end of the last chord in each bar, they played the Jumping Jack Flash riff. Also, the lead lines played by the great Mick Taylor from the 1969 live album Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out was added to this song and the classic whirlwind solo that Taylor did in the 72-73 tour was added at the end. That means Tesla collects bootlegs also, because there is no other way from them to be able to play it that way! I like this version as good as the Stones original.

Honky Tonk Women- They stayed pretty true to the Stones. I must say the original is better- but I'm partial since HTW b/W YCAGWYW was also one of the very first 45 RPM's that I had in my collection and I jammed to it since I was 3 years old. Still a very good cover.

Space Trucking- I have never been a big Deep Puple fan, but they made this track sound more alive. The DP Made in Japan live version was pretty good, but the studio track was stale.

Walk Away- Probably Joe Walsh's best effort ever with a crashing of 4-5 guitars at the end of The James Gang version. It would be hard to compete with the original, but Tesla nailed it. I could listen to it over and over

Hand Me Down World- Never been a Guess Who fan- probably because they had too many top ten singles and got waaaay overplayed. Tesla makes this there own more rocking than the original

Bad Reputation- Great tribute to Thin Lizzy. They had some serious harmony on the dual guitar leads. The new guitar player is talented. I like Tesla's version better, mainly because Think Lizzy's vocalist really didn't suit me well.

Thank You- Zeppelin would be proud of this cover version- it's as good as the original.

I've Got A Feeling- I've always wanted the Crowes to tackle this song live as it's one of the over-looked gems from the Beatles. Tesla made it sound rougher, but at the same time- tighter. Probably because their two guitarists run circles around George and John.

Day of the Eagle- Not a big Robin Trower fan, and this sounds pretty much like his version. Trower was an excellent guitarist, so some of the bluesy licks almost came out with more Stevie Ray sounding than Trower.

Ball of Confusion- Why do a Temptations song?

Rock Bottom- At first I thought it was going to be a cover of Kiss- but it was UFO. I've heard of them, but I never liked this song.

Stealin'- They made Uriah Heep's version sound weak.

Bell Bottom Blues- Great cover with this- I'd say it could be better than the original. Of course, like Jimi Hendrix- Clapton never has liked his vocal abilities. I concur- stick to playing guitar. I like Clapton's stuff, just not my favorite vocalist.

Dear Mr. Fantasy- Traffic was good and Winwood's vocals are OK- but seem very strained on the original. Tesla does a great job and again the guitars are up front personal

Now, Disc 2 isn't in stores until the 25th of Sept.... but I was able to hear from a streamed peer2peer network.

All The Young Dudes- a strange choice if you are gonna due a Bowie penned song by Mott the Hoople. Guitars are great, but the lyrics are still disturbing in my heterosexual opinion.

Make it Last- I had never heard this before. It is from Sammy Hagar's first band- Montrose. I think I want to go and buy some of Montrose's stuff. This song is excellent and I can't compare it to the original, but Tesla rocked on it.

Shooting Star- More electric than Bad Company's version and less backing vocals. The singer from Tesla is very gifted at copying vocals of others.

Not Fragile- I must ask- Why? You did a previous song from the Guess Who and this is from the band that the Guess Who birthed into- BTO. Just like the Guess Who, overplayed and boring.

Is Is My Body?- I like Tesla doing an Alice Cooper cover, but this wouldn't have been my first choice. Good cover though

I Want To take You Higher- Not sure about this one.

Do You Feel Like We Do- wasn't able to heart this track, so I don't know yet.

Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers- Sounds like ZZ Top, but will better vocals

Seasons of Whither- Tesla's singer has always been accused of copying Steven Tyler, and it's obvious here and the way he sings the Montrose song- Make It last.

Saturday Night Special- They can't touch the original, but good attempt.

War Pigs- There honestly is a darkness about the original track (and no I don't believe Black Sabbath are Satanists- in fact I think Ozzy despite his antics is a believer. Ever read the lyrics to After Forever? How about the new track where he confesses there is too many religions, but only one God and he doesn't need another Savior) Tesla probably should not have attempted this, although it is nice to hear twin guitars not overdubbed like Tony Iommi's on the original.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-09-15 19:22 by bigmac7895.

Tough crowd, take 2

"Now, Disc 2 isn't in stores until the 25th of Sept.... but I was able to hear from a streamed peer2peer network. "

I wasn't aware it was going to be available in stores - it was handed out for free at their gigs. Finally saw them for the first time earlier this year doing a short acoustic set at Stripped On The Strip at the Key Club, they were definitely the best band of the night (Queensryche, Great White, Dokken, Jani Lane).

Disc 2 was supposed to be included in the September issue of Classic Rock magazine - but only in the UK.

"Stealin'- They made Uriah Heep's version sound weak."

Excellent observation- I downloaded immediately!

HTW is true to the center, but I have difficulty in listening to others' covers of this track because of my bias, but still pretty good!

Thanks for the info.

And their cover of Mothers Little Helper on 5 Man Accoustical Jam is great as well.