Under the covers

Happy 2015!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and I thought this was an apt time to remind people that no-matter what 2014 brought you, it’s good to be thankful for all you were able to carry forward into 2015.  What better way to start than to highlight some amazing song covers that, in most cases, are as good or better than the originals. 

For those who follow me on the FaceBook, you may have seen my post of Kate Davis, a Manhattan transplant who is making it work as a writer of pop songs and upright bass performer extraordinaire.  I was already following Scott Bradley and his Postmodern Jukebox…and when he involved Kate in the cover of Meghan Trainor’s “All about that bass” I knew I was in love.  Not with the original.  Oh god no.  But, put into the 1940’s-esque jazz context, well, sign me up.  

Scott Bradley’s band has covered many other songs, mostly in the style of jazz, but ranging from New Orleans-style to bluegrass to roaring 20’s.  His choices for vocals and accompaniment are dead on.  The PMJ will be touring Europe in 2015, but I’d expect them back in the US shortly thereafter. 

Another song, of recent note, where the cover was as good or better than the original was the late Joe Cocker’s interpretation of “A little help from my friends.”  You’ve heard it a million times…both in recent tributes, but also as the theme song for “The Wonder Years” in the late 80’s.  For you kids who are too young to remember, it was the show where Kevin Arnold had plenty of room in his crotch.  

This next song selection was inspired by a documentary I recently watched produced by Dave Grohl called “Sound City.”  It provides the history of the recording studio of the same name, established in 1969, and was the end-all be-all of analog recording equipment.  Artists who recorded there include the Chili Peppers, Fleetwood Mac, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Rick Springfield, and Nirvana…where they recorded “Nevermind.”  That lead me onto a bit of a Nirvana kick, and one of my favorite tracks recorded on their 1994 MTV Unplugged album, Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World.”

Granted, not all covers are good, and this last one is just hysterical…incidentally featuring David Bowie and a very 1985 Mick Jagger.  It’s definitely not the song that’s at fault, as it is one that best defines Motown in the 1960s and is the break-out hit from Martha and the Vandellas.  Even the Dead does a better job (but not Van Halen)…but I leave you with this last bit in this week’s blog post as an example of “if it ain’t broke, please don’t try to fix it.”  

Enjoy and happy New Year!