To commemorate the passing of music legend Michael Jackson, who died on this day in 2009, I give you this cover of MJ’s “Billie Jean” by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. Well-crafted pop confection gives way to a deeply soulful interpretation that sorta suits the subject matter of the song a lot better than the original’s more upbeat, dance inspired style. Chris Cornell – Billie Jean Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Billie Jean
It’s always interesting to me to hear how a song originally sung by a less than stellar vocalist sounds when attempted by someone with a real voice. That is why I like the Jessie J live version of Rihanna’s “We Found Love”. Rihanna is a total studio fabrication whose vocals sound like a mix between a robot and a rejected American Idol contestant. Jessie J on the other hand can actually sing. Sure she has a penchant for overindulging on ad libs and runs but when she is under control she is one of the best young voices in music. … Continue reading Cover Me Monday: We Found Love
With a nod to blogging brethren jmount43 for the recommendations, I present to you this week’s cover songapalooza featuring Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene” sung by both nascent alterna-folk singer Mindy Smith and the Norah Jones side band The Little Willies.
Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” is one of the greatest rock songs ever written and one of my favorite songs period. The thing about it though is my favorite version of the song is not the Zeppelin version but the Dolly Parton version…I know it’s downright blasphemous. Dolly’s “Stairway” is a stripped down version of the song that is far more melancholy and personal sounding (which has a lot to do with Dolly tinkering with not only the arrangement but with the lyrics to make it so) and that intimate vibe is what makes this version of the song for … Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Stairway to Heaven
Doesn’t this song make ya just want to run out and get a shaggy haircut, throw on a pair of skinny jeans and a too small ironic t-shirt, and be thoroughly nonplussed about everything? The Vines took one of my favorite rap tunes and flipped it upside down to make an entirely new musical experience. Outkast should be pleased. The Vines – Ms Jackson (Outkast Cover) Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Ms Jackson
Mark Ronson does what Mark Ronson does best on his cover of the Radiohead tune “Just“. Ronson takes this song, that admittedly is one of the best rock songs of the 1990s but is also not the happiest song in existence either, and turns it into a bombastic mix of oldschool (I love his use of the horn section) with just the right pinch of newness thrown in. Ronson’s version (with vocals by Phantom Planet‘s Alex Greenwald) makes you want to get up and dance…Radiohead’s version makes you want to write depressing poetry. Mark Ronson feat. Alex Greenwald – Just … Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Just
Performed during an upcoming appearance on MTV UNPLUGGED, Florence + The Machine’s version of the Otis Redding classic “Try A Little Tenderness” exhibits the trademark ethereal nature that is commonplace on any song that Florence Welch sings without losing any of the ache and heartfelt emotion that is necessary to make the song sound true to its core. The Florence + The Machine episode of Unplugged airs on April 21 on MTV or you can see it now at MTV’s Unplugged site. Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Try A Little Tenderness
I’m not the biggest Katy Perry fan on the planet…I appreciate her place in the world of today’s current crop of pop princesses and I recognize that she is capable of writing catchy little tunes. So while I am not a fan I also don’t have a distaste for her or anything, I just don’t like much of what she puts out. So with that in mind it kinda shocked me that I found myself enjoying her rendition of MGMT’s “Electric Feel”. I think what I dig about it is the rawness of the vocal…Perry performed it as part of … Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Electric Feel
I’m a bit bummed by the news that soul legend Bobby Womack has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Womack is the definition of soul and never has been given the deserved amount of kudos that I have always felt he earned through the half-century that he has been making kick ass R&B music. So in honor of Bobby and to send out good vibes towards him during his fight against cancer I decided to feature his raw and powerful cover of The Mamas & the Papas classic “California Dreaming”. Bobby Womack – California Dreamin’ Continue reading Cover Me Monday: California Dreamin’
This week’s cover is the Ben l’Oncle Soul version of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army“. The l’Oncle Soul version takes the well recognized and imposing guitar riff of the original and turns it into a groovy 1960s inspired soul/pop tune. It’s such a good take on the original that it has been copied almost note for note (extraneous runs included) by X-FACTOR UK runner up Marcus Collins. Check the Collins version out because the musical plagiarism is so shameless that it’s funny. Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Seven Nation Army
Getting the award for most random cover in recent memory is Natalie Cole’s rendition of Fiona Apple’s “Criminal”. Natalie has totally funked up this song and it goes from Apple’s seductive pop anthem to a full out funky good time with a horn section and everything. Continue reading Cover Me Monday: Criminal
In memory of the passing of one of the best voices in music history I decided to go with a more uptempo bit of Whitney Houston cover song magic with her cover of Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” instead of the more schmaltzy “I Will Always Love You”, both of which are on THE BODYGUARD soundtrack (that CD was chock full of awesome). I’m Every Woman Continue reading Cover Me Monday: I’m Every Woman
Crustula 