Got you Covered: Ode to Billie Joe

Ode to Billie Joe was written by Bobbie Gentry and recorded by her in 1967. It's a Southern Gothic mystery tale surrounding the death of one Billy Joe McAllister, who jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge. Ms. Gentry's original version, sung with an understated smokey voice, was a huge hit in North America and abroad. This tune has been widely recorded and performed. We heard Lucinda Williams sing it at the Ryman in Nashville a couple years back. Some of you may be familiar with what must be a parody of this tune, by Bob Dylan - Clothesline Saga from The Basement Tapes.

Here's Lady Reiko and the Sin City Prophets. Or, if you prefer sitar to uke, how about Gigi Dover and the Big Love Trio? Groovy baby.

Now let's get just a little bit funky, with Spudnig. Yeah!

Ok, let's go out with Cornell Dupree. Sweet guitar sounds.

I hope you have as much fun with this one as I had!