Tribute albums have been inspiring musicians and delighting followers for many years. In 1950, solely a few years after the primary 33rpm LPs had been made, Oscar Peterson honored the good Duke Ellington with an entire album of his music. There have since been hundreds of tribute albums – greater than 50 alone dedicated to The Beatles – and the very best tribute albums discover artists paying homage whereas making their inspirations’ music their very own.
They usually simply hold coming. In 2017, for instance, there have been high-quality tribute albums from jazz singer Gregory Porter (Nat “King” Cole & Me); Afrobeat drummer Tony Allen (The Supply, a tribute to Artwork Blakey); and jazz drummer Louis Hayes (his Horace Silver tribute, Serenade For Horace).
Right here’s our number of 40 of the very best tribute albums of all time. Tell us within the feedback part you probably have another favorites.
Oscar Peterson: Performs Duke Ellington (1952)
Duke Ellington was a musical hero to Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson, who recorded the primary of two tribute albums to the good jazz bandleader in 1952 on Clef Information, a label below the Verve Information umbrella. Verve head Norman Granz mentioned that of all of the albums Peterson recorded saluting high composers, the pianist felt most “at home” decoding Ellington. Granz defined: “Ellington, apart from being a pianist himself, is the greatest jazz writer of our time. In many cases, the tunes written by other composers were not meant for jazz interpretation but Ellington writes first and foremost with jazz in mind.”
Among the many highlights are scintillating variations of “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” and “Sophisticated Lady.” Since 1952, Ellington has attracted greater than 30 tribute albums, together with ones by Sonny Stitt, Mel Tormé, and Michel Petrucciani, together with his Promenade With Duke album from 1993 for Blue Notice Information.
Ella Fitzgerald: Sings The Duke Ellington Track E-book (1957)
Whereas Oscar Peterson paid instrumental tribute to Ellington, a Verve Information basic that includes the peerless voice of Ella Fitzgerald introduced the very best out of the accompanying phrases to a few of his most good compositions. Not solely that, however the high quality of the musicianship – that includes jazz greats akin to Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown, and Herb Ellis – is nearly unbeatable. Fitzgerald recorded so many nice tribute albums, and has additionally been the main focus of a few of her personal, however Sings The Duke Ellington Track E-book stays the most effective tribute albums in historical past.
Of the Ella tributes, in the meantime, Dee Dee Bridgewater’s 1997 launch, Pricey Ella, is an efficient one, and We All Love Ella: Celebrating The First Girl Of Track, was one other Verve gem, 50 years after Ella’s Duke tribute, with stars akin to Diana Krall, kd Lang, Natalie Cole, and Dianne Reeves all singing variations of songs made well-known by the Queen Of Jazz. The album additionally included the primary launch of a “live” duet between Fitzgerald and Stevie Marvel, “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.”
Dinah Washington: Dinah Sings Bessie Smith (1958)
It was maybe solely pure that the lady dubbed The Queen Of The Blues within the 50s ought to pay tribute to the unique Empress Of The Blues, Bessie Smith. The songs on this EmArcy basic are filled with panache and the backing musicians – together with drummer Max Roach and trumpeter Clark Terry – ship power and rhythm on tracks akin to “After You’ve Gone,” “Backwater Blues” and “Send Me To The ’Lectric Chair.” (For a one-off Bessie Smith cowl, nevertheless, it’s laborious to beat Nina Simone singing “I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl.”)
Anita O’Day: Trav’lin’ Gentle (1961)
Anita O’Day mentioned that her favourite report for Verve was this tribute to her idol, Billie Vacation, who had died solely two years earlier than. The songs are merely pleasant – together with “What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” “Miss Brown To You” and the title track – and if you add backing musicians of the caliber of guitarist Barney Kessel and saxophonist Ben Webster, all supporting O’Day on the high of her type, you could have the recipe for the most effective tribute albums in jazz. Vacation has additionally been celebrated in tribute data by, amongst others, Chet Baker and Tony Bennett.
Stevie Marvel: Tribute To Uncle Ray (1962)
Stevie Marvel’s tribute to Ray Charles is a prize instance of sheer youthful exuberance. Overlaying hits akin to “Drown In My Own Tears,” “Hallelujah I Love Her So” and “Come Back Baby,” famend Motown producer Clarence Paul – who was Marvel’s mentor – drew out vibrant variations of Charles’ music. The liner notes hailed an album by “Little Stevie Wonder – Tamla’s 11 years old musical genius.” Marvel himself has since been the main focus of a dozen tribute albums, together with the fascinating 2004 launch Blue Notice Performs Stevie Marvel, that includes jazz legends Stanley Turrentine, Herbie Hancock, and Stanley Clarke.
Varied: The Charlie Parker tenth Memorial Live performance (1965)
As stay homages go, it’s laborious to beat this Verve jazz basic, which was recorded on March 27, 1965, at Carnegie Corridor and stays the most effective tribute albums recorded in honor of the legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker. Among the many stars who appeared to pay tribute to Charlie “Bird” Parker had been Coleman Hawkins, Lee Konitz, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, and Kenny Dorham. Parker is among the most inspirational figures in music and has earned particular person tribute albums from Sonny Stitt, Crimson Rodney, Ira Sullivan, and, most just lately, Joe Lavano, together with his Blue Notice album Hen Songs.
Harry Nilsson: Nilsson Sings Newman (1970)
Harry Nilsson admitted he was “in awe” of the songwriting capacity of the younger Randy Newman when he reduce this report within the late 60s. Nilsson’s attractive vocals carry out the maudlin and acerbic brilliance of Newman’s lyrics. Newman even performed piano on the album and made his personal Nilsson homage 23 years later, singing “Remember (Christmas)” on the tribute album For The Love Of Harry: All people Sings Nilsson.
Willie Nelson: To Lefty From Willie (1977)
Lefty Frizzell is maybe some of the uncared for songwriters in nation music. He impressed Roy Orbison and is a favourite of Patty Griffin and Gillian Welch. “I love him still,” mentioned Willie Nelson in 2012, “but I guess it’s only really people my age who know his work well. But the younger generation should know his music, and I always sing ‘If You’ve Got the Money.’” On this splendid tribute album, Nelson does full justice to a few of Frizzell’s exceptional songs, together with “That’s The Way Love Goes,” “Always Late (With Your Kisses)” and “I Want To Be With You Always.”
Jennifer Warnes: Well-known Blue Raincoat: The Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1987)
Jennifer Warnes had been a backing singer for Leonard Cohen within the 70s, and this album, which reached the High 100 within the Billboard album charts, is a heartfelt and shifting set that includes contributions from stars akin to guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan. The liner notes embrace a cartoon illustration by Cohen – who has been the topic of a number of tribute albums, together with one by French musicians – of a torch being handed, with the caption “Jenny Sings Lenny.” Unsurprisingly, given the 2 artists’ connection, Well-known Blue Raincoat stays the most effective Leonard Cohen tribute albums on the market.
The Bridge: A Tribute To Neil Younger (1989)
So many nice singer-songwriters who made their names within the 70s – together with Dolly Parton, Cat Stevens, JJ Cale, and John Martyn – have been the topic of participating tribute albums, however the most effective tribute albums devoted to a star of that period was Caroline Information’ celebration of Neil Younger. Among the many highlights are tunes by The Flaming Lips, Pixies, Nick Cave, and, particularly, Sonic Youth’s tackle “Computer Age.”
Varied: Two Rooms: Celebrating The Songs Of Elton John & Bernie Taupin (1991)
Kate Bush’s reggae-influenced model of “Rocket Man” was voted the Best Cowl Of All Time in a ballot by Observer readers in 2007. She was one in every of a variety of superstars introduced collectively by Mercury Information to honor the collaborative songwriting of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Sinead O’Connor’s “Sacrifice” is attractive, and Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, Sting, and George Michael additionally add their abilities to a worthy tribute.
Varied: Stone Free: Tribute To Jimi Hendrix (1993)
Jimi Hendrix, who died in 1970, aged solely 27, captivated a technology of guitarists, together with Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, and each seem on what’s undoubtedly the most effective tribute albums recorded in honor of the guitar legend. One of many album’s highlights is Clapton performing Hendrix’s 1966 track “Stone Free” backed by Nile Rodgers and his former Stylish comrades, Bernard Edwards and Tony Thompson. Slash additionally makes an look, with Hendrix’s former group Band Of Gypsys in tow, whereas The Treatment cowl the basic “Purple Haze.”
Varied: If I Have been A Carpenter (1994)
Carpenters left a exceptional physique of labor – one thing celebrated with the 12LP The Vinyl Assortment field set in 2017 – and have impressed quite a few musicians down the years. If I Have been A Carpenter is a diverse set, together with Sheryl Crow, Grant Lee Buffalo, Sonic Youth, and The Cranberries, however the result’s successful, partly as a result of it’s such an clearly affectionate album.
Varied: No Prima Donna: The Songs Of Van Morrison (1994)
Polydor introduced collectively an eclectic group of musicians – together with actor Liam Neeson – to pay tribute to Belfast-born Van Morrison. Neeson recorded a spoken-word model of Morrison’s poem-like “Coney Island,” whereas Sinéad O’Connor brings a swish contact to “You Make Me Feel So Free.” Morrison’s daughter Shana additionally sings on the album, whereas Morrison fan Elvis Costello places his personal stamp on “Full Force Gale.”
Varied: Beat The Retreat: Songs By Richard Thompson (1995)
Richard Thompson is among the most authentic songwriters round, so it’s no shock that this 1995 Capitol Information launch stands among the many greatest tribute albums recorded, bringing actual creativeness to covers of his acerbic and deft songs. R.E.M. lined “Wall Of Death”; Los Lobos excelled on “Down Where The Drunkards Roll”; Shawn Colvin and Loudon Wainwright duetted neatly on “A Heart Needs A Home”; and people legend June Tabor introduced grace and sophistication to her interpretation of “Beat The Retreat.” Tabor was aided by musicians of the standard of Danny Thompson on bass, and Martin Carthy and David Lindley on guitar.
Varied: Encomium: A Tribute To Led Zeppelin (1995)
The sheer vary of tribute albums – from these dedicated to metallic stars akin to KISS, rock pioneers the likes of Fat Domino or Buddy Holly, or avant-garde composers akin to Kurt Weill – is extraordinary, however one widespread thread is the unique artist’s capacity to encourage future musicians. Hootie & The Blowfish, Duran Duran, and Sheryl Crow took half on this album honoring Led Zeppelin, and there may be even a visitor look from Zeppelin founder member Robert Plant, who duets with Tori Amos on the 1975 track “Down By The Seaside.”
Varied: Chuck B Lined: A Tribute To Chuck Berry (1998)
One of many founding fathers of rock’n’roll deserves the most effective tribute albums; Chess Information star Chuck Berry was celebrated on Common Music’s Hip-O imprint with 14 tracks that includes music giants akin to Linda Ronstadt (“Back In The USA”), Jerry Lee Lewis (“Sweet Little Sixteen”) and Rod Stewart (“Sweet Little Rock’n’Roller,” initially recorded for his 1974 album, Smiler). One of many highlights, although, is Emmylou Harris’ vibrant model of “You Never Can Tell.” Roll over, Beethoven, the tribute to Berry is on the town.
Varied: Return Of The Grievous Angel: A Tribute To Gram Parsons (1999)
The late Gram Parsons, who died at simply 26, was a pioneering nation musician, and it was becoming that this beautiful 1999 tribute was co-produced by his former singing associate Emmylou Harris. She sings on one of many highlights – a duet with Beck on “Sin City” – and there’s a fantastic model of “Hickory Wind” by Gillian Welch. Different contributors included Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, and Cowboy Junkies.
BB King: Let The Good Occasions Roll: The Music Of Louis Jordan (1999)
When somebody as magnificent as BB King data an entire album devoted to a different musician, then you realize that individual should have been particular. Throughout the eight years that Jordan was King Of The Jukeboxes (1943-1950), his songs occupied the No.1 spot on the R&B charts for 113 weeks. He had 18 No.1s and 54 High 10 hits, together with “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” “Caldonia” and “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” – and all three songs are given fantastic makeovers by King, who mentioned of his focus for Common’s MCA label: “Louis Jordan was one of my main inspirations and I was so pleased I was able to record a whole album of his music. He was a super musician who taught me so much about phrasing.” King’s love translated into the most effective tribute albums Jordan may have hoped for.
Varied: Stoned Immaculate: The Music Of The Doorways (2000)
The good Doorways had been the topic of one of many extra uncommon tribute albums, with surviving members of the group enjoying on an album that additionally included some posthumous recordings that includes Jim Morrison. (The late singer seems on a collaboration with John Lee Hooker on “Roadhouse Blues.”) Veteran Bo Diddley additionally seems on the report, together with youthful rock acts, akin to Stone Temple Pilots and Creed.
Varied: Timeless (2001)
There have been a number of particular person tribute albums to Hank Williams however this grasp of nation music deserved an all-star gathering – and bought the most effective tribute albums with Timeless, which incorporates covers by Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Tom Petty, and Mark Knopfler. Johnny Money earned a Grammy nomination for his model of “I Dreamed About Mama Last Night.” Two of the true treats, although, had been by youthful musicians honoring Williams, with Beck’s stripped-down tackle “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and Ryan Adams’ world-weary model of “Lovesick Blues” stealing the present.
Varied: Poet: A Tribute To Townes Van Zandt (2001)
4 years after the dying of the Texan troubadour, on the age of 52, a bunch of nation music greats – together with Man Clark, Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson – paid homage on this high-quality assortment of songs by the grasp of mordant lyricism. Steve Earle went on to report his personal double-album tribute to the songwriter.
Varied: This Is The place I Belong: The Songs Of Ray Davies & The Kinks (2002)
The Kinks had been some of the influential British rock bands of the post-war period. Principal Kink Ray Davies, a supremely proficient songwriter, participated on this album produced by Jim Pitt, performing a duet with Blur’s Damon Albarn on “Waterloo Sunset.” Tim O’Brien’s model of “Muswell Hillbilly” is a delight, whereas one other standout is Bebel Gilberto’s “No Return,” a bossa nova tune that Davies reportedly wrote with singer Astrud Gilberto in thoughts.
Varied: Get pleasure from Each Sandwich: The Songs Of Warren Zevon (2004)
The late Warren Zevon was an authentic and offbeat songwriter. The title of this tribute album comes from a quote after he was recognized with lung most cancers and requested if he had any message about life’s fragility. “Enjoy every sandwich,” he mentioned. Actor Billy Bob Thornton is included amongst an fascinating solid of musicians paying tribute, together with Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Ry Cooder, and Bob Dylan. Bruce Springsteen contributes an exquisite stay model of “My Ride Is Here.”
Varied: Killer Queen: A Tribute To Queen (2005)
Brian Could’s blues track “Sleeping On The Sidewalk” is superbly lined by Los Lobos on this tribute to the inimitable rock legends. Queen have attracted many tribute acts and followers of the band embrace Joss Stone, who provides one thing new to a model of the 1981 track “Under Pressure,” which was written by Could, Freddie Mercury, and David Bowie.
Varied: A Case For Case: A Tribute To The Songs Of Peter Case (2006)
When this author talked to producer T Bone Burnett about under-rated musicians, he cited Peter Case, saying: “Peter Case is just the most blatant, incredible writer – amazing at storytelling and character.” In 2006, a 48-song three-disc tribute album introduced collectively a spread of musicians to interpret his work, together with Joe Ely, Maureen O’Connell, and Hayes Carll. Hear to those fantastic songs and also you’ll see why Bruce Springsteen can be such a fan of Case’s songwriting – and why A Case For Case earns its place among the many greatest tribute albums in historical past.
Varied: A Tribute To Joni Mitchell (2007)
Joni Mitchell is among the best singer-songwriters of all time and a few top-caliber performers got here collectively in 2007 to pay tribute, amongst them James Taylor (“Rain”), Elvis Costello (“Edith And The Kingpin”), and, together with his personal inimitable fashion, Prince, who delivers a memorable model of Mitchell’s masterpiece “A Case Of You.”
Varied: Damaged Hearts & Soiled Home windows: Songs Of John Prine (2010)
Although John Prine’s songwriting is revered by luminaries akin to Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson, what was uncommon about this 2010 tribute was that not one of the artists chosen to do the honors had been contemporaries of the songwriter. Drive-By Truckers, My Morning Jacket, Justin Townes Earle and Outdated Crow Medication Present had been amongst these paying tribute. (There has additionally been a stunning solo album tribute to Prine’s songwriting by nation musician Jeffrey Foucault.)
Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis, And Norah Jones: Right here We Go Once more: Celebrating The Genius Of Ray Charles (2011)
This was clearly a labor of affection for all concerned. With Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, and Wynton Marsalis on the identical stage, you’d count on the outcomes to be the most effective tribute albums of latest reminiscence – and these fantastic musicians didn’t disappoint. Recorded stay in February 2009 at Jazz At Lincoln Heart, New York, the album options authentic preparations by Marsalis. The trio delivered a few of Charles’ best work in a wide range of types: gospel, bop, R&B, waltz, and swing, and it simply appeared to fizz with pleasure.
Varied: Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years Of Amnesty Worldwide (2012)
Few musicians can match the again catalogue of Bob Dylan, which is why there have been greater than three dozen tribute albums to the Nobel Laureate. There have been 75 songs alone lined on Chimes Of Freedom, an album that featured musicians as various as Pete Townshend, Adele, Steve Earle, Ziggy Marley, Maroon 5, Queens Of The Stone Age, Bryan Ferry, and Miley Cyrus.
Varied: The Music Is You: A Tribute To John Denver (2013)
John Denver could also be remembered for his flowery cowboy shirts, completely satisfied grin, Dutch haircut and granny glasses, however he was additionally a consummate songwriter who had 4 Platinum and 12 Gold albums within the US alone; his Best Hits album spent 175 weeks within the charts. This 2013 tribute album featured stars of nation music – akin to Lucinda Williams – and younger indie rock musicians doing full justice to Denver’s masterpieces, amongst them “Take Me Home Country Roads” and “Leaving On A Jet Plane.”
Dr. John: Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit Of Satch (2014)
There have been loads of tribute albums to Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong – together with one by the vocal group Manhattan Switch – however the most effective tribute albums in his honor was the 2014 album from Dr. John (Mac Rebennack), which is a rollicking affair that brings in blues, soul, gospel and loads of jazz, filtered by Dr. John’s elegant piano and wealthy voice. The sense of enjoyable in these 13 interpretations is the essence of New Orleans music, and there are some nice visitor appearances. Terence Blanchard’s beautiful trumpet enjoying lights up “Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams.”
Varied: Trying Into You: A Tribute To Jackson Browne (2014)
Jackson Browne has written among the strongest and emotional songs of the fashionable period, and, 4 years in the past, 23 of them got recent views and loving remedy from stars akin to Bruce Springsteen and the late Jimmy LaFave. It’s additionally intriguing to listen to Browne’s songwriting given expression by totally different feminine singers: Sara Watkins (on a high-quality model of “Your Bright Baby Blues”), Bonnie Raitt, and Shawn Colvin all add one thing to the originals, however the spotlight is Lucinda Williams, whose achingly unhappy voice emphasizes “The Pretender” as a lament of longing and defeat (“Say a prayer for the pretender/Who started out so young and strong/Only to surrender”).
Varied: Pleasure Of Residing: A Tribute To Ewan MacColl (2015)
People singer Ewan MacColl’s again catalogue is widely known right here by 21 totally different singers, with Paul Buchanan handed the powerful activity of overlaying “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” Steve Earle delivers a storming “Dirty Old Town” and Scottish people singer Dick Gaughan is his standard fantastic granite self on the shifting “Jamie Foyers.”
Varied: God Don’t By no means Change: The Songs Of Blind Willie Johnson (2016)
Blind Willie Johnson (who died aged 48, in 1945) is among the early blues inspirations for contemporary stars akin to Sinead O’Connor and Maria McKee. This assortment could also be understated, nevertheless it nonetheless ranks alongside the very best tribute albums, thanks partially to 2 songs from Tom Waits (“The Soul Of A Man” and “John The Revelator”), whereas Lucinda Williams brings all her energy and depth to a model of the title monitor and a stinging cowl of “It’s Nobody’s Fault But Mine,” which options some fantastic slide guitar by Doug Pettibone.
The Rolling Stones: Blue & Lonesome (2016)
The Stones have attracted quite a few tribute albums of their very own through the years, however their Grammy-nominated Blue & Lonesome simply takes its place among the many greatest tribute albums of all time. It is a late love track to the blues, the music that impressed Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Charlie Watts once they had been younger. There may be an upbeat cowl of “Just Your Fool,” initially popularized by harmonica nice Little Walter, and a wonderful model of Howlin’ Wolf’s “Commit A Crime.”
Varied: Light Giants: The Songs Of Don Williams (2017)
Nation singer Don Williams died in September 2017, shortly after this excellent tribute album – which featured among the fashionable greats of nation music – amongst them Girl Antebellum, Jason Isbell, and Alison Krauss, was issued to crucial acclaim. One of many standout moments is Chris Stapleton’s stay rendition of the stripped-back “Amanda,” a efficiency that featured his spouse, Morgane.
Louis Hayes: Serenade For Horace (2017)
Lots of the greatest tribute albums are infused with historical past, and that is no exception. In 1956, teenager Louis Hayes traveled from Detroit to New York to play drums for acclaimed hard-bop pianist and composer Horace Silver, and ended up enjoying that yr on the landmark album 6 Items Of Silver. It was becoming that Hayes made his Blue Notice Information debut as chief with Serenade For Horace, a splendid tribute to a mentor that was co-produced by Don Was. The 80-year-old Hayes had some high-quality accompaniment from vibraphonist Steve Nelson. Silver himself, who died in 2014, as soon as made a visitor look on a tribute album: Dee Dee Bridgewater’s 1995 Verve recording, Love And Peace: A Tribute To Horace Silver.
Tony Allen: A Tribute To Artwork Blakey (2017)
This mini-album was Tony Allen’s first for Blue Notice Information; the Nigerian drummer, famous for his work with Fela Kuti and Damon Albarn, makes use of a seven-piece band to carry a pulsating power to his interpretations of Jazz Messengers classics “Moanin’,” “A Night In Tunisia,” “Politely,” and “Drum Thunder Suite” by an Afrobeat prism.
Gregory Porter: Nat “King” Cole & Me (2017)
Following within the footsteps of Diana Krall (whose All For You: A Dedication To The Nat “King” Cole Trio was launched by Impulse! in 1996, and itself stands among the many greatest tribute albums to Cole), this loving tribute was recorded by Gregory Porter with the London Studio Orchestra. Vince Mendoza’s excellent preparations carry out the emotion of those basic songs. The large-band “Ballerina” zings with power and Porter’s voice brings out the melancholy of “Mona Lisa.” Porter described recording his tribute to Nat “King” Cole as a “deeply moving experience” as a result of it meant honoring the songs of Porter’s personal childhood.
On the lookout for extra? Uncover the very best stay albums of all time.
