Some Covers For Saturday

Hello again.

Had a few computer problems that are now fixed, so here are some covers for Saturday.

This year, as well as being the thirtieth anniversary of the first Sex Pistols and Clash albums (alright, smarty pants; so the Sex Pistols only released one album proper but you know what I meant), is also the anniversary of David Bowie’s most productive year, when he relased his own Low and Heroes, as well as his important contributions to Iggy Pop’s The Idiot and Lust For Life. However, that will have to be a post for a future, er, post. Here are three covers that should be heard, taken from a freebie CD with Uncut four years ago.
The Langley Schools Music Project take on ‘Space Oddity’ is chilling, in a nice sort of way, the Black Box Recorder version of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide’ is definitely made their own, and the associates ‘Boys Keep Swinging’ was famously released – as their debut single – mere months after Bowie’s original came out in 1979.

Associates-‘Boys Keep Swinging (David Bowie cover).’ mp3

Langley Schools Music Project-‘Space Oddity (David Bowie cover).’ mp3

Black Box Recorder -‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide (David Bowie cover).’ mp3

This was recorded live at the Reading Festival when the White Stripes had to pull out at short notice. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club do this fantastically.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club -‘The Hardest Button To Button (White Stripes cover).’ mp3

This cover was originally recorded, I believe for a compilation intended to promote peace in Northern ireland called Peace Together (and if anyone has mp3s of Therapy? doing ‘Invisible Sun’ and Pop Will Eat Itself doing ‘Games Without Frontiers’ please get in touch).

My Bloody Valentine -‘We Have All The Time In The World (Louis Armstrong cover).’ mp3

Finally, it was a hit, easily obtainable, but what a joy to hear!

Futureheads-‘The Hounds Of Love (Kate Bush cover).’ mp3

Okay, you know the drill. these will be up here for a week only. If you like what you hear, support the artists involved.

Some Covers For Sunday

It’s Sunday – and time for some more covers!

First up, these three came with a free CD with Q magazine last year. The Futureheads track was recorded exclusively for Q; the Camera Obscura and Placebo tracks had been available commercially. Try ebay or iTunes.

Camera Obscura -‘Modern Girl (Sheena Easton cover).’ mp3

Placebo -‘Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush cover).’ mp3

The Futureheads -‘Let’s Dance (David Bowie cover).’ mp3

These next three tracks all appear on a compilation called ‘If I Were A Carpenter‘ whihc was a tribute album, not to Tim Hardin but to The Carpenters. These are my favourite three tracks off the album.

Sonic Youth -‘Superstar (Carpenters cover).’ mp3

Shonen Knife -‘Top Of The World (Carpenters cover).’ mp3

Bettie Serveert -‘For All We Know (Carpenters cover).’ mp3

This track appears on the Raincoats’ debut album, the sleevenotes for which were written by none other than Kurt Cobain. It also later turned up on the rather fine Rough Trade Shops Post-Punk 1 compilation. On the latter album, the sleevenotes (this time not by Kurt Cobain) note that one of the 100% endearing things about this version of The Kinks’ classic is that it sounds like it is about to fall apart any second.

The Raincoats -‘Lola (Kinks cover).’ mp3

Finally, this cover of Gerry Rafferty’s most famous song (though Stuck In The Middle With You probably is very close, thanks to its inclusion in Reservoir Dogs) was originally recorded for a compilation for EMI, and then turned up as one of the extra tracks on the ‘My Hero’ CD single.

Foo Fighters -‘Baker Street (Gerry Rafferty cover).’ mp3

Links removed May 27, 2007