Cover version of the month #87
Julia Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity cover Richie Havens
+ Richie Havens covers The Beatles
+ Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity cover Bob Dylan and The Band
I've had Indian Rope Man by Julia Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity earmarked for one of my Trust Me blogs for sometime, because, well, trust me, it's an incredible song.
So I was pretty surprised to find that there isn't a huge amount of information about Indian Rope Man online. Then I discovered that Indian Rope Man is in fact a cover of a Richie Havens songs. Which led me to discovering his Richard P. Havens, 1983 album ... that was released in 1969.
Keeping up?
This also led me to discovering Havens covering Strawberry Fields Forever, Lady Madonna, She's Leaving Home and With A Little Help From My Friends across this sprawling double album. Havens also covers Dylan's I Pity The Poor Immigrant and Donovan's Wear Your Love Like Heaven. I'd highly recommend checking the album.
Anyway, back to Indian Rope Man. Haven's original version kicks into gear from the off, there is an urgency to the rhythm and his voice is beautifully rich and soulful. Even though the song is only 3-minutes long, there is space for the band to jam, the hammond organ sound is sublime.
Talking of hammond organ, Brian Auger was a man about town in the 60s, playing sessions with The Yardbirds and Rod Stewart among others. In fact, Auger had a band with Stewart called The Steampacket, but after Rod left in 1966 the band broke up.
Julie Driscoll was also in The Steampacket, the two of them joined the band Trinity and started playing live, breaking through in April 1968 with their cover of Bob Dylan's This Wheels On Fire. Driscoll and co's version became the theme tune to Absolutely Fabulous many years later.
From what I can gather, their version of Indian Rope Man was originally released as b-side to Take Me To The Water in September 1969 on Marmalade/Polydor Records. And, in the words of legendary Scottish commentator Archie Mcpherson ... ooooofffffttttt!
Driscoll, Auger and The Trinity tear into the song, injecting extra energy and flying through it with confidence and style. Driscoll's voice is super powerful and Auger on hammond/electric keys is on fire. Check the outrageous live version below, Driscoll looks sensational and sounds incredible.
Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity live version
This month is a bonus month! In addition to Indian Rope Man, I've also added Havens version of Strawberry Fields Forever (I should also suggest checking Candy Flip's baggy version from 1990) and Driscoll & co's version of This Wheels On Fire to my playlist.
All previous cover version of the month blogs are listed below. To listen on Spotify, search for Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist, featuring all of the songs below, or CLICK HERE
Previous covers of the month
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U
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