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]