While Billy Strings has garnered a well-deserved reputation as an incredibly talented songwriter, selling out venues across the United States and becoming a must-see Americana/bluegrass artist. Strings and his band have also managed to put its own unique stamp on a number of cover songs, running the gamut from traditional bluegrass to modern-day pop songs and everything in between. To celebrate the recent release of his sophomore album Home, we take a look at 11 of more colorful Billy Strings cover songs available on Youtube.
1) “Believe” by Cher
Few people would associate Cher with bluegrass, but that’s exactly what Billy Strings did when his band debuted this 1998 #1 chart-topper at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival this past summer. Led by a strong vocal performance from Strings, this unlikely cover has already become a regular part of his live repertoire.
2) “Freeborn Man” (w/ Bryan Sutton) by Keith Allison/Mark Lindsay
Billy was joined by Hot Rize flatpicker Bryon Sutton on the Main Stage at DelFest in 2017 for an outstanding take on this bluegrass classic, popularized by Jimmy Martin.
3) “Black Clouds” by String Cheese Incident
Billy has included String Cheese’s “Black Clouds” in his setlists for the past few years, so it was only fitting that the song’s authors invited him to perform it with them during their headlining performance at Delfest in 2019. This blistering take features a patient and beautiful solo from Billy before trading licks in a fiery dual with String Cheese guitarist Bill Nershi.
4) “Summertime” (w/ Marcus King) by George Gershwin –
Billy is joined by young guitar phenom Marcus King for a sublime take on the timeless Gershwin classic “Summertime”. Intimately recorded at Nashville’s “Carter Vintage Guitars”.
5) “To Lay Me Down” (w/ Molly Tuttle) by The Grateful Dead
A known deadhead, Billy Strings is joined by Molly Tuttle for a somber take on the Garcia/Hunter ballad. This 2018 version features some remarkably beautiful vocal harmonies from the two young musicians.
6) “Back on the Train” by Phish
Billy has never been shy about his affinity for jamband titans Phish, and that admiration is evident in this inspired take on the Farmhouse track “Back on the Train” from a 2018 Ft. Collins performance.
7) “All Time Low” by Widespread Panic
Weeks after being invited on stage to perform with Widespread Panic, Billy returned the favor by debuting his version of their classic tune “All Time Low” at a 2019 performance in Panic’s hometown of Athens, Ga.
8) “This Heart of Mine” by New Grass Revival
This 1975 track, from The New Grass Revival’s sophomore album “Fly Through The Country”, has been a regular inclusion in Billy’s setlists for several years.
9) “Slow Train” – Leroy Drumm/Cal Freeman
Billy recorded this bluegrass mainstay for the influential web-series “Jam in the Van” at the 2017 High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, CA.
10) “And Your Bird Can Sing” by The Beatles – This version of the legendary track from 1966’s “Revolver” features some tight interplay between Billy and mandolinist Jerrod Walker.
and one more – why not?
11) “Running On Empty” by Jackson Browne
Strings and his band have made this early 70’s Topanga Canyon radio hit a cut of their own as its frequently played and contains just enough reimagination to give it some hefty sparks.
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Planet Caravan by Black Sabbath!