Shadowyzard:  Barış Manço  “Dönence”  Begins with some xylophone, then some synth hits and bass kicks in.  There is a magnificence feel to this, also a bit apprehensive feeling, especially when he begins to speak.  Doubled guitar lead commences, and back to the bass line.  Very dramatic vocals and stance from the singer when his part begins in earnest.  Cinematic feel to this for me (not knowing the words).  Another guitar lead after a repeating sort of bridge.  The feeling for me is of a history being told in song. Nice, never heard this before.  Cover by Deli Vahit; This has much more of a Disco-y/Middle Eastern treatment in the arrangement.  This is actually a lot of fun, I enjoyed the seriousness of the original and also how it fits so handily into a much lighter frame.  The dancers are so fun, too, I spent some time in the Middle Eastern dance community, always enjoy seeing good dancers in pretty costumes.

Cristi:  Accept “Seawinds”  A song of someone leaving home behind, perhaps looking nostalgically at both times past from home and also of those times before the life of the singer, to return.  Hard rock here, in a classic format for the genre.  Cover by Therion: This has more symphonic grounding, and with female vocals.  It has a richer tone to it, to my ear, the majesty of the piece feels more properly decorated to match the heroic, yet wistful tone of the song.

I prophesy disaster:  The United States of America “The Garden of Earthly Delights”  I heard this a million years ago, it seems and I know I saw a copy or two cross my path as a psych record buyer at a used record stoere in the early 80’s.Psych space music with a female lead, who kind of reminds me of Jacqui McShee in a way, for some reason, although she is not quite so clear as Jacqui.  Lots of electronic sounds and whirly-swirlies.  The psych folks really got a kick out of Bosch.  I’m surprised this didn’t do better in it’s time.  Cover by Snakefinger:  The sound is a bit different, with the male vocals and guitars!  It mostly follows quite closely, otherwise, except with less whirly-swirlies.  But still a nice, complementary piece, to be played side by side with the original. Well done!

BaldFriede:  Welcome to these polls! The Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”  Of course I do know this one, so I’m mostly interested in hearing the cover you selected, as I’ve not heard that.  This particular version is the original mono.  Great classic rock tune, with tons of sass.  Cover by Barbara Dennerlein:  Starts off with quirky organ and horns, funky/jazzy percussion. Slows down a bit for some bass and then a horn solo.  What a fun cover this is, turns it completely around. The Beatles “Yesterday,” Again, I know this one, a beautiful, wistful tune, way beyond the boys’ years.  Now on to the cover by Barbara Dennerlein:  Now, I think I know a little more of what to expect, but let’s see what she does.  This one keeps the feel more of the original, with the organ also reminiscent a bit of Procol’s “Whiter Shade of Pale,” due to it’s tone.  Very pretty ornamenting with the electric jazz-style guitar.  Nice riffing on the organ about 1/3 in, which leads to a more pronounced shot of electric guitar.   Kay Ballard “In Other Words) (Fly Me To The Moon)”  Romantic period piece, an evergreen love song with orchestration typical for it’s time with a superb songstress wistfully confessing her love.  Covered by Barbara Dennerlein:  This version is much snazzier and jazzier in feel.  I like the slip-slidy strings that come in, gives it more of a gypsy jazz as opposed to almost a polka feel. She is a lot of fun!  Nick Turner “Thoth” Ethereal flute begins the composition, percussive sounds in the background and some twangy string something.  Intensifies in feel, then robotic (?) voice tells the tale of himself, as it is revealed that this is the god, Thoth.  Fades out.  Next up is another look and listen at the god speaking of himself again, with some great, searing space-out lead guitar and percussion.  I prefer this take rather than the more synthesized voice one.

Hiram:  I think this is your first time in these polls?  Welcome!  Black Sabbath “Black Sabbath”   Very familiar with this iconic piece, pretty much set the stage for metal ever since.  Very ponderous and atmospheric, slow build and solid performance that gradually builds in speed and intensity by all these young kids.  😊  Covered by Type O Negative A lot in the same vein (lol), but even more slow and ominous than the original (although the original was considered shocking by some in it’s day, by these guys’ time, not so much).  This one adds some whu whu whu noises and spooky keyboards to the even-more-spoken (and growly) than Ozzy’s vocals.  They follow much of the trajectory of the original, with the pace picking up towards the end, as things just get steadily worse for the narrator.

Mike:  Unicorn “No Way Out of Here”  Americana/Alt Rock-ish band here.  I like the rustic sound of them, you have a great ear for this kind of thing, always interested to hear what you bring that is out of my more normal-for-me sphere.  Some twangy guitars, nice harmonies, maybe a banjo in there? A bit of piano underpinning, makes me think the place they’re talking about is some haunted honky-tonk somewhere down a back road.  Careful if you go inside!  Covered by Iron & Wine and Ben Bridwell. You may remember I love Iron & Wine, but I’ve not heard this, so looking forward to it and here we go.  Here it is presented in a more Americana than Alt Rock sound, although at times the harmonies are reminiscent of CSN&Y.  Same almost haunted place feeling, but with some steel guitar and crisper vocals and harmonies.  This one gives me chills.  Excellent choice and an excellent cover of the original.  2^nd selection of Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage” Raggedy electric guitar opens and jumps right into their particular blend of heavy/grungy/alt/rock.    The guitar continues relentlessly driving this song of rebelling against an abuser.  About 2/3rds in, the pace slows to the end.  Cover by the great Johnny Cash.  This one has the classic Cash sound, with relentless acoustic guitar this time, Johnny’s evocative voice and piano underpinning.  I find him more convincing, truly, in his portrayal of quiet, rather than loud, anger.  Covered again by Sara DeBell.  This one starts off with clop-clop percussion and xylophone, some slidy, slithery strings and bouncy keys.  Joined in 2/3rds through with a bit of orchestra and organ.  Definitely a truly different version!  Quite a lot of fun

The Anders:  Nina Rota:  “Carlotta’s Galop”  Loved the film!  And a galop it is, indeed!  Maybe with a few fences taken, too.  Definitely has the feel of cinema, there is a comedic edge to it (fittingly), I could see a vaudeville orchestra take it on.  Cover by Petra Haden.  This one is even more comedic, with it being done (all?) with voices.  Really fun, warped Warner Brothers cartoons feeling to it.  These were both inspired!  Intrigued to hear more of this. 

George:  Black Sabbath “War Pigs”  Another Sabs classic piece, crunchy and heavy, Ozzy’s almost-monotone giving the song a feeling of numbness.  Bill’s powerful drumming keeps driving it forward.  Covered by Brass Against ft Maya Azucena.  Very heavy, this time with so much brass!  Great idea to cover this, in this way.  Oh yeah, great pipes on Maya!  Absolutely just as powerful, with the band as killer as the singer.  And a bonus, MetalTrump’s “cover. “ So funny!  And I so agree with you. 

Lewian:  This one I do know and I just love this version.  I think it’s just spectacular.  I hope some others here haven’t heard it with the vocals and lyrics put to the piece, so they can have the joy of hearing it for the first time.  I know you said it’s out of competition, but I do love seeing it here, anyway.

George:  Out of Competition, mashup Beyonce ft Kendrick Lamar “Freedom”  Begins with some Farfisa sounding organ then Beyonce sings with her diva-style vocals, a song of rebellion and a call for freedom.  Spoken part in the final third part.  Kinda liked it until then, not fond of speaking in music much, but could hear how this speaks to many.  Rage Against the Machine “Freedom”  Hard rock sound mixing it up with hip-hop.  Driving beat and speaking-style vocals.  I liked the guitar solo in the middle, even though in general, this is not my style.  Mashup:  Brass Agains ft Sophia Urista “Freedom”  Really have fun listening to these guys, they cover heavy music really well, and I like this lady’s voice, it’s more “natural,” sounding to me than Beyonce’s.  I much prefer this to either of the originals.  Brass Against Bonus of “Rusty Cage”, again with Sophia Urista.  I really like her vocals!  And this ensemble.  Creative way of switching up heavy rock. 

Logan:  Julee Cruise “Into the Night”  I actually remember this one from the show, being a big fan, fittingly eerie.  Ghostly female vocals over soft percussion and keyboards.  Deeper key sounds about halfway in.  Orchestral surprise near the end.  Cover by Xiu Xiu:  Sharper percussion opens and strong orchestral hits, with electric guitar lead and high bell sounds.  Much more forceful than the original in feel.  Makes me think of if Clannad were to do a tortured sort of song, with the layers and the slightly obscured vocals.  Deep “Twin Peaks,” underwater type guitar lead about halfway in.  I like this one a lot. 

Ronstein:  Genesis “For Absent Friends”  Of course very familiar with this classic.  Wistful, sweet song, that feels so very charmingly English to me.  Covered by Richard Sinclair  This one much more straight-forward, without the effects on the vocals.  Lovely piano joined by guitar and flute-y voices?  Or keys?  Not sure how they are doing the effect, but it’s very fitting for the piece. 

Cristi:  Spandau Ballet “Through the Barricades”  Synth and pretty plucked guitar begin the tune.  Wistful song, honouring sacrifices.  Soulful sax solo near the end of the tune.  Cover by Dida Drăgan şi Compact Născută sunt să cânt.  This time a woman takes the mic, to very good effect.  They go for a more dramatic midsection here.  Moving ballad, no matter which way it’s done.

Lorenzo:  Paolo Conte “Via Con Me”  This one feels a bit sarcastic, darkly bright, if that makes any sense.  Love the break with the vibes and the flutes (?).  Seems as though it could be part of a musical.  Covered by Negri per caso:  This is even bouncier and jazzier than the original, with a chorus of vocalists supporting the male lead vocalist.  It’s a fun piece.  Either way, I can see choreography involved, also.  It’s very catchy.