This Week’s News
First bit of news is a reminder to go here and vote for which song you think Jordan Galland should cover!
Following up with our Michael Jackson tribute post, there are a few new posts circulating. Corey over at Music, Birds and Cheerios has put up his own tribute post as well as a review of the Stevie Wonder concert from which I posted several covers. Check ‘em both out.
More great Jacko covers showed up in my inbox a few days ago from astute reader Laurie. My two favorites are by Benjamin Siksou, bringing us jazzy takes on “Beat It” and “Billie Jean.” Jackson 5 fans though shouldn’t miss these two versions of “I Want You Back.” Thanks Laurie!
The New York Times generally isn’t my first stop for cover news, but I’m glad I stumbled across this church organ Michael Jackson medley.
In unrelated news, Daughtry covered Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.” The good news is it’s a cool cover choice, the bad news is it still sounds like Daughtry. For a better “Poker Face” cover, check out Antler Darts.
So I’ve never heard of Mark Mulcahy, but I’m glad other people have because he’s the center of a new tribute album. It’s called Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs of Mark Mucahy and features a line-up that includes Thom Yorke, The National, and Michael Stipe. And those are just the first three tracks! You’ve gotta wait ‘til September 29th to hear it, but you can read about it here.
I’ve mentioned Neil Young’s brutal (in a good way) live take on “A Day In the Life” before, but it got even more exciting this past week when a special guest joined him onstage. Watch it now.
And finally, happy fourth!
This Week’s Submissions
James Eric – P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) (Michael Jackson)
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Cover Commissions: Jordan Galland
Cover Commissions is a monthly series in which a featured artist produces a special cover for this blog. The song to be covered is usually chosen by blog readers via a poll or suggestions form. Any artists interested in participating in a future installment, please email me at the address on the right.
What do Amy Winehouse and John Lennon have in common? They’re only two degrees of separation away from this month’s Cover Commissions artist! The first connection is producer Mark Ronson, widely credited with giving Winehouse (and others) her unique sound. He released his excellent covers disc Version in 2007 with help from Lily Allen, Santigold and…our guy, on piano!
The second connection is Sean Lennon, respected musician as well as famous son. This month’s artist is Sean’s childhood friend, and not only did he play on Sean’s Friendly Fires a few years back, he even co-wrote two of the songs!
So without further ado, let me present to you…Jordan Galland. When he’s not recording music or playing with his band Dopo Yume, he’s also an acclaimed filmmaker. His most recent album is Airbrush, which you can pick up for cheaps here (or iTunes or Amazon or CDBaby or anywhere else). Or get a taste over at his MySpace page. Dude’s even made a bunch of animated music videos for his tunes! Here’s the newest (and cutest):
All that would be enough for most people, but Jordan’s going to try his hand at a cover for us. What song? As always, it’s up to you!
Nine songs are presented below, each with a link to a youtube video so you can easily listen to any tunes you don’t know. Listen to each, listen to Jordan’s original music, then figure out where his sound would work best and cast your vote in the poll on the right. Voting closes in one week and a brand-new cover of the winning song will debut here in a month or so. Introducing….The Contenders.
David Bowie - Young Americans
The Cars - My Best Friend's Girl
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
Madonna - True Blue
No Doubt - Underneath It All
Queen - Killer Queen
Pulp - Bad Cover Version
Bruce Springsteen - No Surrender
Weezer - Pink Triangle
Get listening and get voting! You have one week…GO!
What do Amy Winehouse and John Lennon have in common? They’re only two degrees of separation away from this month’s Cover Commissions artist! The first connection is producer Mark Ronson, widely credited with giving Winehouse (and others) her unique sound. He released his excellent covers disc Version in 2007 with help from Lily Allen, Santigold and…our guy, on piano!
The second connection is Sean Lennon, respected musician as well as famous son. This month’s artist is Sean’s childhood friend, and not only did he play on Sean’s Friendly Fires a few years back, he even co-wrote two of the songs!
So without further ado, let me present to you…Jordan Galland. When he’s not recording music or playing with his band Dopo Yume, he’s also an acclaimed filmmaker. His most recent album is Airbrush, which you can pick up for cheaps here (or iTunes or Amazon or CDBaby or anywhere else). Or get a taste over at his MySpace page. Dude’s even made a bunch of animated music videos for his tunes! Here’s the newest (and cutest):
All that would be enough for most people, but Jordan’s going to try his hand at a cover for us. What song? As always, it’s up to you!
Nine songs are presented below, each with a link to a youtube video so you can easily listen to any tunes you don’t know. Listen to each, listen to Jordan’s original music, then figure out where his sound would work best and cast your vote in the poll on the right. Voting closes in one week and a brand-new cover of the winning song will debut here in a month or so. Introducing….The Contenders.
David Bowie - Young Americans
The Cars - My Best Friend's Girl
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
Madonna - True Blue
No Doubt - Underneath It All
Queen - Killer Queen
Pulp - Bad Cover Version
Bruce Springsteen - No Surrender
Weezer - Pink Triangle
Get listening and get voting! You have one week…GO!
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Michael Jackson Live Tribute
Not surprisingly, Michael Jackson covers have been coming fast and furious these past few days. Whatever you thought of the man, you can’t deny the music. CoverLayDown’s got a good round-up of what’s already been done, so we’re going to try something a little different. Michael passed on Thursday afternoon. By concert time that evening, artists were already beginning to bust out Jackson songs in tribute, a trend that only intensified over the weekend. So here are some of those live covers, recordings of tributes performed since Jackson’s death. They’re in turns emotional, joyous, spontaneous, and apologetic. But all are heartfelt. I weeded out anything with poor or incomplete recordings (as well as those that just weren’t any good). This is what was left.
R.I.P. Michael Jackson
Mark Rose – P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
Solo electric guitar is usually a shaky proposition, but not when you sing like this.
Duffy – Billie Jean
Duffy goes the extra mile at this Romanian festival, mixing “Billie Jean” in with her own “Mercy.”
David Garrett – Smooth Criminal
Classical music fans may appreciate that Garrett throws in a bit of Mozart’s “Turkish March” into the middle here. Apparently the two songs have the same harmonic progression.
Ne-Yo & Jamie Foxx – I’ll Be There (Jackson 5)
The BET Awards Sunday night turned into a de facto Jackson tribute, capped off by this duet following a tearful speech by Janet.
Amanda Palmer – Billie Jean
Dresden Doll Palmer says she threw this solo piano wail together in twenty minutes, performing it the night of his death. Impressive indeed, as this gothic lament should be a concert staple for years to come.
Timothy Molo – Thriller
You don’t come across a bass line this meaty every day.
AYO – I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
An impassioned spoken tribute leads us into those instantly recognizable riffs.
Rachel Bernard & Steven Keith – Man in the Mirror
A simple but effective duet by two unknowns tugs at the heartstrings.
The Roots & Erykah Badu – I Wanna Be Where You Are
The Roots & Erykah Badu – Billie Jean
Recorded during rehearsal breaks at the Roots new home at Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.
Martin Sexton – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
Only one of a series of impromptu Jackson cover from Sexton the night of his death, his falsetto means you can’t tell if he’s joking or not.
Christian Larke – Black or White
Nothing elaborate here, but sometimes a passionately strummed acoustic guitar is enough.
Third Eye Blind – I Want You Back (Jackson 5)
A noisy crowd can’t silence a jam like this.
Castledoor – Rock With You
You forget how catchy this song is until you hear it.
Robin Thicke – Human Nature
Another night-of-death cover, it’s just one a cappella chorus, but with that voice that’s all you need.
Dave Matthews Band – I’ll Be There (Jackson 5)
Dave keeps it short and sweet.
Stevie Wonder & John Legend – I Can’t Help It
Stevie Wonder & John Legend – We Are the World
Few people are more qualified to do this tunes than Stevie, a living legend in his own right who sang on the original “We Are the World,” even going so far as to coach Bob Dylan through his part.
James Eric – P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)
Alright, this last one isn’t actually live, but friend of the blog James Eric put it together over the weekend to honor the legend and it’s a hell of a tribute.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Cover News: June 30, 2009
This Week's News
The first news is a friendly reminder that you have less than 12 more hours to download from this blog! All the archived mp3s will vanish as of Wednesday (sad I know), so use this guide to help you get started. You don’t have long, so go nuts.
The second bit of news is to look for a unique tribute to a certain someone tomorrow night.
In a less self-centered vein, a cappella covers are hit or miss, but these two nail it. First up we’ve got Perpetuum Jazzile conjuring up the sounds of a storm with Toto's "Africa" and then there's the Carleton Singing Knights (who came up with that moniker) trying to wrap their collegiate voices around Dirty Projectors' "Cannibal Resource."
Beck's going on a cover rampage these days. First came the news that he'd recorded more Sonic Youth covers to follow up the "Green Light" he released on Record Store Day. In fact, he decided to go whole hog and just cover the Youth's whole EVOL album for an upcoming box set. The catch? His version will be released on cassette only. I understand vinyl nostalgia, but cassette?
He does understand new technology though, as he is demonstrating with his just-launched Record Club where he and a group of collaborators (including MGMT and Devandra Banhart) will cover classic albums one track at a time. First up is The Velvet Underground & Nico, with videos of "Sunday Morning" and "I'm Waiting For the Man" already up at his website. A new tune comes every week, then onto the next album.
If you read my other blog, you know I can't get enough My Morning Jacket. Jim James' voice makes my soul melt, so hearing that he's working up an EP of George Harrison covers (as "Yim Yames") made me a happy fan indeed.
For those of you who prefer your pleasures a little guiltier, get secretly stoked for the upcoming Killers cover album. They're still working on the disc, but it's looking like a real grab back with the potential for Genesis, Tom Waits, and Fleet Foxes tunes. While you wait, revisit some of their old covers: Romeo and Juliet (Dire Straits), Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town (The First Edition) and Shadowplay (Joy Division).
Don't know how I missed this back in April, but join me in catching up with Paste's "50 Best Bob Dylan Covers of All Time." Debate away!
Even that list is too narrowly defined for Britain's Telegraph though, which has come up with their own set of the 50 best covers ever period! I'm sure you'll agree with every one.
Pissed off by those lists? Here's a 50-best-covers list compiled by Guardian readers.
One more list, but a funnier one. Humor video site Urlesque has come up with a group of "Bohemian Rhapsody" covers that range from the bizarre to the really bizarre. Ukulele, ok. Clarinet, pushing it but fine. But a Queen cover by hand fart? Must be seen to be believed.
I haven't heard this yet myself, but this Headless Heroes cover album sounds like a winner. Just FYI.
Cover lovers everywhere are in constant debt to Rick Rubin for producing Johnny Cash's phenomenal American Recordings series, so much so that he can almost be forgiven for his recent work with Metallica and Weezer. And if David Crosby is to be believed, the upcoming Crosby, Stills and Nash cover album he's behind should be a winner as well. Hear Crosby sound off.
I've never heard of the Monochrome Set, I've never heard of "He's Frank," but this cover by Fatboy Slim, Iggy Pop and the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is all sorts of awesome. They've got a Letterman take too, but it's just not the same without Tuba Gooding, Jr.
This Week’s Submissions
Friday, 26 June 2009
A Guide to the Archives (Download NOW while you still can)
As I have mentioned before, due to unresolved issues with box.net I am currently in the process of changing hosts for the songs. This has drastic implications for this blog as it means that come July 1st (Wednesday) the vast majority of the song links on this blog will die. Let me repeat that.
On Wednesday all the songs on this blog will become unavailable! Download them NOW!!!
It’s a regrettable situation and if you keep reading you’ll see a way you can help make it less catastrophic. The simple face remains though that I do not have the time to reupload everything. I will probably just do the past month or so and take down all other links. That is over a year and a half’s worth of songs that will be gone on Wednesday. Download them while you still can.
To ease your pain (and my guilt) I have prepared this step-by-step guide to take you through archives to find what you want. Time is running out, so make your move.
A Guide to the Cover Me Archives
1. Scroll down and look at the long lists of artists on the right-hand side. Click on any one to see all the songs I have posted with them, whether they were the coverer or the covered. Bear in mind that the number next to the name is how many posts they are in, not how many songs. For instance there’s a “1” next to Captain Beefheart, but that one post contains ten separate Beefheart covers.
2. Don’t miss the Cover Commissions songs here. These are songs recorded specifically for this blog and they’re top notch.
3. Check out the Full Album covers. They’re my favorite part of the blog, and I hate to see those links die. So to make it easy for you, here are links to all the albums I have covered so far.
4. Look at the “Blog Archive” on the right. Open various tabs and see what themes look interesting to you. A couple of my personal favorites have been Masturbation, Uncoverables, Best of 2008 Again and Wordless Hooks.
5. Go here to see all the Cover News posts. The links to other sites will continue to work, but scroll to the bottom of each post for that week’s crop of songs submitted by the artists. Support artists sharing their music by checking out their tunes!
6. Go nuts.
How You Can Help
Most links will die. I’ve accepted this. I wish I had to time and energy to reupload everything, but that would be a massive undertaking. However, if any of you are so inclined you can help. I certainly do not want to place an undue burden on your shoulders, but if there is any post in which you download all the songs, why not put ‘em all in a zip file and upload them to rapidshare or mediafire or the like? Post the link to the collection in the comments or email it to me and I will update the original post so the songs are available once more.
Anyone who gets a chance to do this even for one post will earn the eternal gratitude of me and everyone who stumbles across the post later. If anyone does this for several posts, maybe I’ll come up with a prize or something. You pick the week’s theme, or you pick the songs, or anything really. Just a little extra incentive to encourage those of you generous enough with your time to help out.
That’s all for now. Happy downloading, and thank you all for your support and understanding. Keep checking back for new posts, new tunes, and new discoveries.
PS. Here's a song that seems appropriate:
The Social Services - The Final Countdown (Europe)
On Wednesday all the songs on this blog will become unavailable! Download them NOW!!!
It’s a regrettable situation and if you keep reading you’ll see a way you can help make it less catastrophic. The simple face remains though that I do not have the time to reupload everything. I will probably just do the past month or so and take down all other links. That is over a year and a half’s worth of songs that will be gone on Wednesday. Download them while you still can.
To ease your pain (and my guilt) I have prepared this step-by-step guide to take you through archives to find what you want. Time is running out, so make your move.
A Guide to the Cover Me Archives
1. Scroll down and look at the long lists of artists on the right-hand side. Click on any one to see all the songs I have posted with them, whether they were the coverer or the covered. Bear in mind that the number next to the name is how many posts they are in, not how many songs. For instance there’s a “1” next to Captain Beefheart, but that one post contains ten separate Beefheart covers.
2. Don’t miss the Cover Commissions songs here. These are songs recorded specifically for this blog and they’re top notch.
3. Check out the Full Album covers. They’re my favorite part of the blog, and I hate to see those links die. So to make it easy for you, here are links to all the albums I have covered so far.
The Beatles - Revolver
Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man (links dead)
Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan - John Wesley Harding (links dead)
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
Grateful Dead – Workingman’s Dead
Michael Jackson – Thriller
Metallica – Master of Puppets
Randy Newman – Sail Away
Nirvana - Nevermind
Pixies – Doolittle
Radiohead – In Rainbows
The Rolling Stones – Beggars Banquet
Bruce Springsteen – Born in the U.S.A.
Tom Waits – Mule Variations
Weezer – Weezer (Blue Album)
The Who – Who’s Next
Neil Young – On the Beach
4. Look at the “Blog Archive” on the right. Open various tabs and see what themes look interesting to you. A couple of my personal favorites have been Masturbation, Uncoverables, Best of 2008 Again and Wordless Hooks.
5. Go here to see all the Cover News posts. The links to other sites will continue to work, but scroll to the bottom of each post for that week’s crop of songs submitted by the artists. Support artists sharing their music by checking out their tunes!
6. Go nuts.
How You Can Help
Most links will die. I’ve accepted this. I wish I had to time and energy to reupload everything, but that would be a massive undertaking. However, if any of you are so inclined you can help. I certainly do not want to place an undue burden on your shoulders, but if there is any post in which you download all the songs, why not put ‘em all in a zip file and upload them to rapidshare or mediafire or the like? Post the link to the collection in the comments or email it to me and I will update the original post so the songs are available once more.
Anyone who gets a chance to do this even for one post will earn the eternal gratitude of me and everyone who stumbles across the post later. If anyone does this for several posts, maybe I’ll come up with a prize or something. You pick the week’s theme, or you pick the songs, or anything really. Just a little extra incentive to encourage those of you generous enough with your time to help out.
That’s all for now. Happy downloading, and thank you all for your support and understanding. Keep checking back for new posts, new tunes, and new discoveries.
PS. Here's a song that seems appropriate:
The Social Services - The Final Countdown (Europe)
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Wilco
--Note: As of July 1st, all of the archived links from the last year of posts will be dead. So go through the archives via the tags or lists on the right and get downloading! I'll post a guide to help you in the next day or so, but time is tick ticking away.--
First things first: A Michael Jackson tribute post will undoubtedly be headed your way next week, but until then check out this post of covers of every song off Thriller. When you’re done there, come back here to see some covers of a band that has absolutely nothing to do with Michael Jackson: Wilco!
The Bad Plus - Radio Cure
Why not start with the unusual? The Bad Plus is a jazz trio whose 2008 covers album For All I Care features very different takes on everyone from Nirvana to the Flaming Lips. Dig it. [Buy]
James Eric – Spiders (Kidsmoke)
As regular readers will know, James is an old friend of the blog, having helped us kick off our Cover Commissions series with a dynamite version of Devo’s “Beautiful World.” Two dynamite versions actually, with some MGMT thrown in for good measure. This guy knows his covers, and he’s done three Wilco tunes thus far. This is the most dramatic reinvention though, turning Wilco’s ten-minute fuzz-funk freakout into a little four minute acoustic-and-shaker jam. [Buy]
Second Hand Musicians - Via Chicago
It’s a live one here, from 2006. A little more upbeat than the original. Well, as upbeat as you can be with an opening line like “I dreamed about killing you last night and it felt alright to me.” [Buy]
Donavon Frankenreiter – Theologians
Don’t like guys with acoustic guitars? This might not be the post for you. If you do though, Frankenreiter’s Recycled Recipies covers EP is worth snagging. This is the best track, with some funky plucking and choral harmonies. [Buy]
Rob Gibbs - Jesus, Etc.
Norah Jones made headlines by covering this at Neil Young’s Bridge Benefit shows last fall (video), but this AutoTuned electro take is way more unique. [Buy]
David Potts-Dupre - I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
This post was not intentended as a tribute to Jay Bennett, whose work outside of Wilco I am unfamiliar with (and I’m not sure what specific things he did when he was in the band), but I would be remiss in not mentioning his contributions to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and his subsequent falling out that led to a documentary with the above title. [Buy]
Punch Brothers - Poor Places
Nickel Creek’s Chris Thile leads the group with his mandolin with this slow-bluegrass (who knew that existed?) journey through another Yankee classic. A beautiful reinvention; I think I know who Wilco should pick for their next opening act. [Buy]
Ian Hultquist – Sunken Treasure
If that name doesn’t look familiar, let me give you a hint: one of the guys from buzz band Passion Pit. Needless to say, this slow finger-picker sounds nothing like their frenetic dance pop, but if the dude ever comes out with a solo album it might be worth looking into. [Buy]
Benjamin Wagner - How to Fight Loneliness
If Jeff Tweedy’s solo tours have taught us anything, it’s that no matter how elaborate the original, pretty much any Wilco song will sound good with just an acoustic guitar. Wagner takes this to heart on this and other covers, all of which worth tracking down. [Buy]
Libby Donovan - California Stars (Woody Guthrie/Wilco/Billy Bragg)
Any cover lover needs the two Mermaid Avenue discs Wilco cut with Billy Bragg, putting melodies on unfinished Guthrie lyrics. Donovan certainly knows her way around them, cutting a smooth country take of this soaring number. I saw Wilco play it with the Total Pros horns last year (my review) and…damn. [Buy]
Automatic Pilot - Less Than You Think
A warbling piano line gently guides the sensitive-guy falsetto that seems to have a bit of resolve behind the fragility. [Buy]
First things first: A Michael Jackson tribute post will undoubtedly be headed your way next week, but until then check out this post of covers of every song off Thriller. When you’re done there, come back here to see some covers of a band that has absolutely nothing to do with Michael Jackson: Wilco!
The Bad Plus - Radio Cure
Why not start with the unusual? The Bad Plus is a jazz trio whose 2008 covers album For All I Care features very different takes on everyone from Nirvana to the Flaming Lips. Dig it. [Buy]
James Eric – Spiders (Kidsmoke)
As regular readers will know, James is an old friend of the blog, having helped us kick off our Cover Commissions series with a dynamite version of Devo’s “Beautiful World.” Two dynamite versions actually, with some MGMT thrown in for good measure. This guy knows his covers, and he’s done three Wilco tunes thus far. This is the most dramatic reinvention though, turning Wilco’s ten-minute fuzz-funk freakout into a little four minute acoustic-and-shaker jam. [Buy]
Second Hand Musicians - Via Chicago
It’s a live one here, from 2006. A little more upbeat than the original. Well, as upbeat as you can be with an opening line like “I dreamed about killing you last night and it felt alright to me.” [Buy]
Donavon Frankenreiter – Theologians
Don’t like guys with acoustic guitars? This might not be the post for you. If you do though, Frankenreiter’s Recycled Recipies covers EP is worth snagging. This is the best track, with some funky plucking and choral harmonies. [Buy]
Rob Gibbs - Jesus, Etc.
Norah Jones made headlines by covering this at Neil Young’s Bridge Benefit shows last fall (video), but this AutoTuned electro take is way more unique. [Buy]
David Potts-Dupre - I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
This post was not intentended as a tribute to Jay Bennett, whose work outside of Wilco I am unfamiliar with (and I’m not sure what specific things he did when he was in the band), but I would be remiss in not mentioning his contributions to Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and his subsequent falling out that led to a documentary with the above title. [Buy]
Punch Brothers - Poor Places
Nickel Creek’s Chris Thile leads the group with his mandolin with this slow-bluegrass (who knew that existed?) journey through another Yankee classic. A beautiful reinvention; I think I know who Wilco should pick for their next opening act. [Buy]
Ian Hultquist – Sunken Treasure
If that name doesn’t look familiar, let me give you a hint: one of the guys from buzz band Passion Pit. Needless to say, this slow finger-picker sounds nothing like their frenetic dance pop, but if the dude ever comes out with a solo album it might be worth looking into. [Buy]
Benjamin Wagner - How to Fight Loneliness
If Jeff Tweedy’s solo tours have taught us anything, it’s that no matter how elaborate the original, pretty much any Wilco song will sound good with just an acoustic guitar. Wagner takes this to heart on this and other covers, all of which worth tracking down. [Buy]
Libby Donovan - California Stars (Woody Guthrie/Wilco/Billy Bragg)
Any cover lover needs the two Mermaid Avenue discs Wilco cut with Billy Bragg, putting melodies on unfinished Guthrie lyrics. Donovan certainly knows her way around them, cutting a smooth country take of this soaring number. I saw Wilco play it with the Total Pros horns last year (my review) and…damn. [Buy]
Automatic Pilot - Less Than You Think
A warbling piano line gently guides the sensitive-guy falsetto that seems to have a bit of resolve behind the fragility. [Buy]
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Cover News: June 18, 2009
Cover News is a weekly feature where I sum up the week’s cover-related news, whether it’s new to the world or just new to me. Anything that doesn’t fit in my regular thematic posts I think my readers would enjoy, be it a youtube video, a blog shout-out, or a cool-looking new release. I also post all the submissions I have gotten from record labels and artists. Send suggestions or submissions to the email address on the right.
This Week’s News
First thing: The links to yesterday’s NYC-themed post are working for now. So hurry up and download!
Following that, the most important bit of news concerns this site. Regular readers will know I have been having some hosting troubles. On the advice of several readers I will probably switch over to bluehost.com, but that means many of the files available here will disappear come July 1st. So download them now while you still can!!! I’ll throw up a post to guide you through the archives as the time approaches.
In more upbeat Cover Me news, our poll for June’s Cover Commissions broke voting records, with Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” pulling away for the win. My Lady's House has holed up in a French chateau somewhere to work on it, fueled only by red wine and cigarettes, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with.
There’s a new cover blog in the ring: Don’t Judge a Song By It’s Cover [sic]. It features lots of covers of individual songs, so whether you’re looking for a dozen versions of “Love Will Teat Us Apart” or “Norwegian Wood,” Ibnu’s got you covered.
The new Springsteen tribute I mentioned a month or so back is coming along, with four new covers available for download! The project is being run by Where It’s At Is Where You Are with the exciting news that the full 38-track set will be available by week’s end! Pick up a split 7” from Rough Trade in London first though to hear fresh takes on “If I Should Fall Behind” and “Girls in their Summer Clothes.”
Anything involving the Decemberists is exciting news in my book, and the fact that they covered Heart at a recent show with Lavender Diamond and My Brightest Diamond is just fun. Eyeball it here.
I know I’m not the only one who feels no guilt about loving everything The Lonely Island releases, whether it’s “Dick in a Box” or “I’m On a Boat.” Most visible front-guy Andy Samberg hosted the MTV Movie Awards a few weeks back and LeeAnn Rhimes, Chris Isaak and Forest Whitaker paid tribute in their own way. Not to be missed (scroll to #3).
In my Full Albums series I’ve long wanted to take on Prince’s Purple Rain, but have avoided it because of the Purple One’s notorious legal team (go try to find a video of his Super Bowl performance a few years ago and you’ll see what I mean). Luckily Spin has done my work for me, commissioning covers of every song to celebrate the movie/album’s twenty-fifth anniversary. You’ll be able to snag ‘em here starting June 23rd, but it looks like you might need an issue in hand to download, so get purchasing!
In more Prince news, check out a couple cuts from one of the best-named tribute albums ever: That Skinny Motherfucker With the High Voice. Dump does two tunes at Aquarium Drunkard.
All you old-school folkniks out there will be excited to hear about a Judee Sill tribute coming out in September. It’s called Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill and you can peep the cover/tracklist here. And download a sample track too!
Randy Newman covers never get old (witness our full Sail Away covers set from a few months back), so how great to see a new freebie EP of tunes! It’s by Jon Hardy & the Public and you must download it immediately. Then encourage them to get recording that Rosalita cover they’ve been doing live! Little Criminals: Songs From Randy Newman is here.
Lastly, though it’s not a cover per se, I couldn’t let this post go by without promoting Weird Al’s new Doors-eye send-up “Craigslist.” Watch Al channel Jim himself in the freak-your-face-off video.
This Week’s Submissions
Apteka – If You Were Here (Thompson Twins)
Morgan Burgess – Let Me Know (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Randy Haddock – Saved By the Bell Theme
This Week’s News
First thing: The links to yesterday’s NYC-themed post are working for now. So hurry up and download!
Following that, the most important bit of news concerns this site. Regular readers will know I have been having some hosting troubles. On the advice of several readers I will probably switch over to bluehost.com, but that means many of the files available here will disappear come July 1st. So download them now while you still can!!! I’ll throw up a post to guide you through the archives as the time approaches.
In more upbeat Cover Me news, our poll for June’s Cover Commissions broke voting records, with Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” pulling away for the win. My Lady's House has holed up in a French chateau somewhere to work on it, fueled only by red wine and cigarettes, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with.
There’s a new cover blog in the ring: Don’t Judge a Song By It’s Cover [sic]. It features lots of covers of individual songs, so whether you’re looking for a dozen versions of “Love Will Teat Us Apart” or “Norwegian Wood,” Ibnu’s got you covered.
The new Springsteen tribute I mentioned a month or so back is coming along, with four new covers available for download! The project is being run by Where It’s At Is Where You Are with the exciting news that the full 38-track set will be available by week’s end! Pick up a split 7” from Rough Trade in London first though to hear fresh takes on “If I Should Fall Behind” and “Girls in their Summer Clothes.”
Anything involving the Decemberists is exciting news in my book, and the fact that they covered Heart at a recent show with Lavender Diamond and My Brightest Diamond is just fun. Eyeball it here.
I know I’m not the only one who feels no guilt about loving everything The Lonely Island releases, whether it’s “Dick in a Box” or “I’m On a Boat.” Most visible front-guy Andy Samberg hosted the MTV Movie Awards a few weeks back and LeeAnn Rhimes, Chris Isaak and Forest Whitaker paid tribute in their own way. Not to be missed (scroll to #3).
In my Full Albums series I’ve long wanted to take on Prince’s Purple Rain, but have avoided it because of the Purple One’s notorious legal team (go try to find a video of his Super Bowl performance a few years ago and you’ll see what I mean). Luckily Spin has done my work for me, commissioning covers of every song to celebrate the movie/album’s twenty-fifth anniversary. You’ll be able to snag ‘em here starting June 23rd, but it looks like you might need an issue in hand to download, so get purchasing!
In more Prince news, check out a couple cuts from one of the best-named tribute albums ever: That Skinny Motherfucker With the High Voice. Dump does two tunes at Aquarium Drunkard.
All you old-school folkniks out there will be excited to hear about a Judee Sill tribute coming out in September. It’s called Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill and you can peep the cover/tracklist here. And download a sample track too!
Randy Newman covers never get old (witness our full Sail Away covers set from a few months back), so how great to see a new freebie EP of tunes! It’s by Jon Hardy & the Public and you must download it immediately. Then encourage them to get recording that Rosalita cover they’ve been doing live! Little Criminals: Songs From Randy Newman is here.
Lastly, though it’s not a cover per se, I couldn’t let this post go by without promoting Weird Al’s new Doors-eye send-up “Craigslist.” Watch Al channel Jim himself in the freak-your-face-off video.
This Week’s Submissions
Apteka – If You Were Here (Thompson Twins)
Morgan Burgess – Let Me Know (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Randy Haddock – Saved By the Bell Theme
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