3 Face Melting Covers Sturgill Simpson Has Played on Tour

Johnny Blue Skies, AKA Sturgill Simpson, has been burning down venues across the country on his Why Not Tour. Ever since he released his album Passage du Desir last July, Simpson has been on a musical tear that many fans thought they’d never get the chance to see again. Leave it to Simpson to subvert popular opinion and walk at his own pace. Which, is exactly what he’s been doing since the start of his tour in September at The Greek Theater in Los Angeles.

The Why Not Tour is Simpson’s first since his previous one was canceled due to the pandemic in 2020. His four-year hiatus has certainly benefited him and has gone on to benefit fans, as his shows have been selling out and preserving and reimagining the type of music that has been swept under the rug. This has resulted in the international continuation of his already five-month tour. Now, there are of course a plethora of reasons as to why that is. Although, these three face-melting live covers Simpson has performed have surely helped his case.

“Purple Rain”

Simpson and his band are some of the most talented musicians currently on the road, and their cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain” is a testament to that notion. First performing the cover as the finale for his tour opener, Simpson and his band stunned audience members with their version of the 1984 classic.

Furthermore, in numerous of their performances, the cover has acted as the transition into his song, “One For The Road.” Given the band’s talent and experimental nuance, they seemingly have put a different spin on the song every single time they’ve played it. Needless to say, it’s become a favorite for Sturgill Simpson fans across the country.

“Midnight Rider”

Thanks to his past albums, critics and people tag Sturgill Simpson with the genres of Southern rock and country. Be that partially true, the man and his band do not allow genres to confine their musical ingenuity. However, Simpson and the group have somewhat leaned into their label with their cover of The Allman Brothers‘, “Midnight Rider.” Though, they’d probably disagree thanks to their newfangled and seemingly improvisational arrangement.

Frankly, no words can do this cover justice. Between Simpson’s stunningly southern vocals and his guitarist, Laur Joamets’, ability to play the slide almost as good as Duane Allman himself. The song is simply a blast of nostalgia paired with a forceful lick of superb originality.

“L.A. Woman”

Be it punk, jazz, bluegrass, soul, funk, metal, or any genre, Sturgill Simpson and his band will be able to play it, guaranteed. Hence, they can play The Door’s “L.A. Woman” effortlessly. The cover of the song is an outstanding piece of music and cover. Additionally, what is subtextually proven is that true and classic rock ‘n’ roll never dies.

Like Prince’s “Purple Rain” and many of the other tracks on their set list, the band has been seamlessly transitioning into and out of “L.A. Woman.” To an untrained ear, everything about this song is unrecognizable except the lyrics, but that is where the beauty of the band’s talent resides. In all, Sturgill and his band can completely musically translate a song into another language. It’s something worth seeing, so you should try and check it out before it’s all said and done.

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