The Wikipedia entry for “Layla” notes that “Covers have been fairly rare” and for once the site is right. Though it’s one of the most classic rock songs in the classic rock cannon, most of the few covers that exist are either speed-riff ripoffs or smooth jazz grooves inspired by Eric Clapton’s MTV Unplugged version. A few do, however, bridge the gap – or go in a different direction entirely. Download the five best below.
The Charlie Daniels Band – Layla (Derek & the Dominoes cover)
Released in 1991, the Charlie Daniels Band’s “Layla” preceded Clapton’s unplugged take by a year and may well have helped inspired it. The acoustic intro in particular sounds like a precursor to the ’92 reinvention, but with more country sass.
Impulsia – Layla (Derek & the Dominoes cover)
Axl Is God. Though Impulsia recored this in Sweden only a few years ago, the hair metal attitude sounds like the Sunset Strip circa 1987.
Eläkeläiset – Layla (Derek & the Dominoes cover)
Eläkeläiset are a Finnish “humppa” (think polka) band that for 20 years has made a career turning popular songs into fast-paced accordion jams. Whether it’s rousing or grating probably depends on how many pints you’ve had.
Henri Salvador – Layla (Derek & the Dominoes cover)
The best of the jazzy covers by some distance, Caribbean singer Henri Salvador’s version brings a Dean Martin swing. There’s no anguish here, just a devil-may-car swagger and a fedora tipped just so.
Valvadere Brothers – Layla (Derek & the Dominoes cover)
Without question, the cover by never-ran ‘70s sibling act Valvadere Brothers must be listened to while admiring the truly incredible album cover.
Buy the original ‘Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs’ at iTunes or Amazon.
All of these are shit. Couldn’t listen to a full minute of any of them without starting to hate the people involved.
Your complaint must’ve taken hold since I can’t get any of these tracks to play now in any browser/ Tried 3, all failed.
Guess I didn’t miss much, but was curious
nope, links are all working but the songs are unbearable.
you missed Leo Kottke’s great cover
Thought the Charlie Daniels cover was really good
Haha. I kind of like this stuff, especially Eläkeläiset. Recently I found the ukranian equivalent to them :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5xSxGhlHfc
Leo Kottke? Do you mean John Fahey? I didn’t know that Kottke covered Layla. Fahey’s cover is wonderful.
The Allman Brothers have a really good cover in their fox box compilation from 2017, recorded in 2004. Also, Clapton has a great cover with Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck from 1983. Both are live covers but still fantastic