Anthony David, Grandma’s Hands | COVERS

In the 22nd edition of COVERS (2023), Anthony David delivers a compelling rendition of “Grandma’s Hands,” originally performed by Bill Withers.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 22nd edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 Anthony David delivers a compelling rendition of 🎵 “Grandma’s Hands”, originally performed by 🎙 Bill Withers.

via GIPHY

“Grandma’s hands clapped in church on Sunday morning / Grandma’s hands played a tambourine so well…” 🎙 Anthony David recollects grandma on 🎵 “Grandma’s Hands”, the opener from his 2018, 🎙 Bill Withers covers album, 💿 Hello Like Before: The Songs of Bill Withers. Obviously, David isn’t explicitly remembering his own grandma – this is a cover after all. Still, the original by the late, great Withers paints a portrait of a maternal figure familiar to Black Americans. Fittingly, David does change lyrics specific to Withers to fit his own take: “She’d say, ‘Tony, don’t you run so fast / Might fall on a piece of glass / Might be snakes there in that grass / Grandma’s hands.” 

Executing the touching lyrics marvelously, Anthony David’s vocals are incredibly soulful. David is a brilliant musician – one who has often experienced the plight of the underrated. Initially, “Grandma’s Hands” commences with simple, brilliant guitar accompaniment. The sound, notably, is a bit more stripped compared to the original, which also relies on guitar. By 50 seconds in, “Grandma’s Hands” gets the contemporary R&B / neo-soul treatment. This sounds refreshing in the late 2010s and well into the 2020s, honestly. Among the best musical touches: the organ, once the full-fledged production enters the mix. Given grandma’s faith, it is only fitting that organ brings gospel vibes in the mix. Furthermore, if you didn’t already know, organ makes EVERYTHING better. 🎵 “Grandma’s Hands” = fantastic cover by Anthony David.  

via GIPHY

🎙 Anthony David • 💿 Hello Like Before: The Songs of Bill Withers • 🏷 Shanachie Ent. Corp. • 🗓 2018 

Anthony David, “Grandma’s Hands”: Covers No. 22 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Shanachie Ent. Corp.; Paul Brennan from Pixabay;  Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash]