First - Good topic! And for those so opposed to covers - Sometimes a new twist is refreshing, sometimes even better. I think many would be surprised how many rock hits where covers of other's work that didn't get noticed or originated in othe genres. Anyway, that's all I got to say about that.
A couple of my favs that come to mind are
Susan Tedeschi's 'Angel From Montgomery'
Bonnie's, too (Prine is good, but the other two can make you cry)
Johnny Cash's 'Hurt'
Mellencamp's 'Teardrops will fall'
Van Morrison's 'Midnight Special'
Several artist are quite adept at refining a cover and making it their own. Particularly good are the likes of the Stones, Tedeschi, Stevie Ray, Johnny Lang (many more escape me). Beyond rock, and previously mentioned, are materials from grass root American stuff, particularly Blue Grass and Blues, of which continually get done and re-done - many becoming classics in their own right.
Note Iris DeMent's cover of Blue Grass Gospels ('Lifeline')
That's the great thing music has over other art forms - It can be interpreted and redone over and over again - each time having the potential to be better than before. Try that with a painting or sculpture...
Music - Just enjoy it!
