Eva Cassidy - American Tune

Eva Cassidy: "American Tune" (Blix Street, 2003)

The prodigious voice of Eva Cassidy, as expressive as ductile, created this incredible version. Folk and blend quite naturally in this acoustic little gem. It should be noted the slight adaptation of the original lyrics that Cassidy has made.

 

Listen the song, and a cover taken from the "Live at Pearl's (1994)" bootleg.

 

Ronnie Aldrich - Mrs. Robinson

Ronnie Aldrich & London Festival Orchestra : "This Way "In"" (Decca Phase 4, 1968)
Aldrich is one of the most important, prolific representatives of easy listening music. His uniqueness as an instrumentalist consists in the use of two pianos. In this lively version of Mrs. Robinson, besides using basic rock instrumentation, the London Festival Orchestra -also specialized in this kind of music- collaborates with him.

Acker Bilk - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Acker Bilk - "Feelings" (Sanctuary Records, 1998)/ "The Very Best of Acker Bilk" (Mastersound, 2005)
English virtuoso clarinettist Acker Bilk makes a soft, warm version of this song, the clarinet doing the beautiful melody over a background of bass, drums and strings. One of Bilk's greatest hits, collected in all compilations of his music career.

Listen this cover.

  

Erin Bode - Graceland

Erin Bode: "Over and Over" (Max Jazz, 2006)
A charming jazzy mid-tempo ballad, with piano, sax, bass and drums. Bode's mellow voice inevitably recalls the great Eva Cassidy. There is a remarkable, significant difference from the original, though retaining the vocal melody.

Listen this version.

Josh Groban - America

Josh Groban: "Live at The Greek" (Reprise, 2004)
Josh Groban has done a masterful cover with piano solo and voice, a work full of expressiveness, feeling and brilliance, inspired by different versions that Paul Simon has made ​​over the years.

The song and the video.

The Oak Ridge Boys - Loves Me Like a Rock

The Oak Ridge Boys: "The Oak Ridge Boys" (Columbia, 1974)
"The Best of The Oak Ridge Boys" (Columbia/Nashville, 1978)

Paul Simon's former collaborators, The Oak Ridge Boys recorded this country-gospel version, simply correct and a bit conservative and unenthusiastic.

Listen this sample.

A pretty weak video of the song. 

Mary Travers - Song for the Asking

Mary Travers: "Mary" (Warner, 1971)
Peter, Paul & Mary: "The Solo Recordings [1971-1972]" (Rhino/Wea, 2008)
The perfect voice of Mary Travers reaches here a point of highest quality. Outstanding performance and precise arrangements (including harp and vibes) for a gorgeous version in Travers's first album.

Listen "Song for the Asking"