Best Imitation Groups

James Lee wrote: I think I heard of an entire album with nothing but "Louie Louie" covers. Does anyone know about that? I'd buy it, but then again...I'm an idiot sometimes.

I remember that - the late great UK DJ John Peel played a few of the more interesting interpretations on his shows way back in the mists of time - think it was on  Rhino records, though the old memory's not what it used to be. 

Syzygy wrote: James Lee wrote: I think I heard of an entire album with nothing but "Louie Louie" covers. Does anyone know about that? I'd buy it, but then again...I'm an idiot sometimes. I remember that - the late great UK DJ John Peel played a few of the more interesting interpretations on his shows way back in the mists of time - think it was on  Rhino records, though the old memory's not what it used to be.

And what about the "Stairway to heaven" album, containing about 20 versions of the Led Zep classic, including one by Rolf Harris. 

On the topic, I agree with Wiz, the inclusion of Porcupine Tree and Marillion is unfair, and invalidates the poll.

DallasBryan wrote: Guess a lot of Canterbury bands could be accused of copycatting but strangely they dont seem to be as guilty.

Dallas

There you go again talking about Canterbury bands, again indicating your and my definitions are an Atlantic apart.

As a Canterbury Scene fan since 1968 I find it almost impossible to get to grips with your statement here. So please make it clear which Canterbury bands are copycatting whom.

Reed Lover wrote: So you never heard Blinding Light Show?

Not that I remember.  Was that a Triumph song?  Off on a completely unrelated tangent...What do you Rush fans think of "Take Off"?

sigod wrote: Check out the band 'England; and their album 'The Garden Shed'. It is has the vocal harmonies of Yes and Gentle Giant, the big chords of Genesis and the lyrics of ITCOTCK era King Crimson. This should make for a terrible album but amazingly, it actually works. No-one was more surpised than me but I like the bloody thing. They released this debut at the very moment punk hit and seemed to sink without a trace. I believe that a follow up record was released quite recently (during the late ninties/early noughties ) but I haven't heard that release.

I last saw a copy of that in a branch of Boots somewhere over 25 years ago - I thought it looked interesting, but didn't want to waste my Saturday job wages on an unknown quantity so I gave it a miss. I've often wondered if it was any good, and now I now - Sigod, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Custodian wrote: Reed Lover wrote: So you never heard Blinding Light Show? Not that I remember.  Was that a Triumph song?  Off on a completely unrelated tangent...What do you Rush fans think of "Take Off"?

Yes it was one of theirs off the first album (?)

I thought it was quite funny at the time, I bought the Bob & Doug Album and some of it is quite funny in a simplistic kind of way.

Twelve Days(beers) Of Xmas was quite funny

To whoever did not get the memo: Triumph is not a Rush clone. Triumph's been around about as long as Rush; I believe Gil Moore & Mike Levine met Rik Emmett in '73 or '74. Seriously, these bands don't even sound like each other. Gil Moore's drumming is much more static and conventional than Neil Peart's; Mike Levine, while a solid bassist, is no Geddy Lee; Rik Emmett had a similarly-pitched voice, arguably, but his incredible lead guitar playing is what drew attention, as a left-hander who taught himself to play like a right-hander (hence that nifty fretwork). Rik is a fantastic guitar player, better than many of his peers.

I just had to put in a good word for Triumph.  Although they were far too lightweight at times (they often reminded me of a very good bar band that had the good luck to get a record deal) I remember them very fondly.  I wouldn't call them a Rush copy band, though.  They were often unfavourably compared to Rush just because they were also a Canadian trio.

"Lightweight"? Are you referring to some of the singles, like "Hold On" and "Lay It On The Line"? Get the killer Live At The US Festival  DVD and watch these dudes rock out! My fave Triumph studio albums: Just A Game, Never Surrender and Thunder Seven.