Isn't IT A Pity? - Cover Versions

Cover Versions

• In May 1971, singer Matt Monro released a UK single of "Isn't It a Pity" (ironically, produced by George Martin).
• Nicky Thomas recorded the song for his 1971 album Tell It Like It Is.
• Ireland's 1970 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Dana, covered the song in 1971, a rendition that has been described as a "poignant" commentary to the political upheaval then gripping Ulster.
• The Three Degrees recorded "Isn't It a Pity" during their period on Roulette Records in 1970−72, later released on the 1995 compilation The Roulette Years.
• Nina Simone's "intense", eleven-minute reworking of "Isn't It a Pity" was released on her 1972 album Emergency Ward!, a statement on the Vietnam War which also includes a cover of "My Sweet Lord". A six-minute version of "Isn't It a Pity" was issued on the 51-track compilation The Essential Nina Simone in 1993. In his autobiography, Harrison admits to having been influenced by Simone's treatment when he came to record his 1975 song "The Answer's at the End".
• Galaxie 500 covered the song on their On Fire album in 1989.
• A version by Pete Drake appeared on his eponymous solo album, released in 1997.
• The song appears on Television Personalities' 1998 album Don't Cry Baby ... It's Only a Movie.
• In March 2001, 18th Dye contributed a version of "Isn't It a Pity" to Snowstorm − A Tribute to Galaxie 500.
• At the Concert for George on 29 November 2002, a year to the day after Harrison's death, Eric Clapton and Billy Preston performed the song with backing from Dhani Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Gary Brooker, Jim Keltner, Ray Cooper, Jim Horn, Tom Scott and others.
• Jay Bennett and Edward Burch recorded "Isn't It a Pity" for Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George, a multi-artist compilation released in February 2003.
• Classical guitarist Joseph Breznikar recorded a version of the song for his 2003 tribute album George Harrison Remembered: A Touch of Class.
• Cowboy Junkies covered the song on their Early 21st Century Blues album in 2005.
• Joel Harrison recorded "Isn't It a Pity" for his album Harrison on Harrison: Jazz Explanations of George Harrison, released in October 2005.
• A cover version by Les Fradkin was released in 2005 on his Something for George tribute album.
• Spanish singer Rafo de la Cuba covered the song in December 2005.
• A version by Paul Young was included on his 2006 album Rock Swings.
• Pedro Aznar covered the song as "No Es Una Pena?", with Spanish lyrics, on his album Quebrado in 2008.
• In September 2008, members of Heard of Buffalo performed the song for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon.
• "Isn't It a Pity" was among a number of Harrison and Beatle covers recorded or performed by Elliott Smith; a version appears on the 1998-08-12: Hoboken, NJ, USA album.
• Soul singer Bettye LaVette covered the song on Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook in 2010.
• David McAlmont and Bernard Butler's performance of "Isn't It a Pity" was released on the Live From Leicester Square album in February 2011.
• A version by Jonathan Wilson and Graham Nash appeared on Harrison Covered, a tribute CD accompanying the November 2011 issue of Mojo magazine.
• Also in November 2011, marking the ten-year anniversary of Harrison's death, Keane recorded a version of the song.
• Roberta Flack covered "Isn't It a Pity" on her album Let It Be Roberta − Roberta Flack Sings The Beatles, released in February 2012.
• My Morning Jacket have included "Isn't It a Pity" in their live performances; when playing the song at the Forecastle Festival in July 2012, they were joined on stage by Dean Wareham of Galaxie 500.