The Covers: I – “Presence of the Lord.”

This is the first in a series of posts that will feature some of my favorite covers. I’ve got at least a dozen picked out so far, if I remember correctly. I will be adding some intermittently in the near future, along with my usual random posts about music and.. whatever..

There are LOTS of recorded cover songs out there. I’ve chosen ones that sound a little different (or much different) from the originals, and sound as good, if not better.

I’m starting my covers series with this song because I am learning it on acoustic guitar – just the basic chords. This song is in my head. A lot.

I first heard “Presence of the Lord” without realizing it was a cover. I heard it performed by a powerful and unique Christian hard rock and blues band called Rez – formerly called Resurrection Band (I wish they’d stuck with their original name) – on their 1988 album “Silence Screams.” I was later told this was an Eric Clapton song.

Clapton wrote the song, and Steve Winwood sang it. They were both members of a super-group called Blind Faith. The song was originally released in 1969.

Here’s the original:

The Rez version is somewhat different, as you will hear. It is heavier, and the voice of the vocalist, Glenn Kaiser, one of my all-time favorite singers, is very intense.

Alright!

Pretty damn good cover, I think.

Next one in my covers series..

Another Rez cover, this time of a song by The Who.

Thanks for listening!