Happy weekend to JMDLer's everywhere!!
Volume 11 in the "Covers & Contributions" series is complete, and is another
jewel in the Covers crown if I do say so myself.
Before I run down the songs, let me first thank those who supplied the
material...
Gerry McNee (a gracious plenty, I thank you on bended McKnee!)
Brenda Walker
Bill Pearson
Bob Murphy
Leslie Mixon (I can't say enough thanks to you, gal!)
John Van Tiel (ditto to my Euro Covers branchmeister)
Now here's a detailed "Marcel-style" rundown of the tracks, except that I'll
employ upper case letters as well. ;~)
1. John Handy: The Hissing Of Summer Lawns - This is a very nice funky sax
rendition, and the first HOSL cover we've got in the collection.
2. Singers Unlimited: Both Sides Now - This one appears kind of cheesy, but
actually has some pretty cool harmonies working. It's amazing that after
having listened to 60 or so versions of BSN that I still enjoy a unique spin
on it, but I do.
3. Venice: Woodstock - This was an accidental find, as it was a hidden track,
it's an unplugged version of CSNY's interpretation of the song. It sounds
spontaneous and genuine, big thumbs up on this one!
4. Green Day: Big Yellow Taxi - This one is from a concert, and they only
play about 2/3 of the song, but it's in their Buzzcocks/metal style, and is a
lot of fun. You can almost see the shit-eatin' grin on Billie Joe's mug!
5. Baillie & The Boys: Both Sides Now - This a great country version, with
some nice pedal steel and a great vocal.
6. Astrid Seriese: River - Really beautiful, this is a live version as well,
but the audience is silent so it sounds studio. Astrid performs the song the
same way Holly Cole does, if you're familiar with Holly's cover. This one
gives Dianne Reeves' cover a run for the money imo.
7. Kiki Dee: Carey - I was a bit wary of this one, but it's great! She's got
a knockout voice and has a lot of fun singing it.
8. Neil Diamond: Free Man In Paris - Once again Neil goes over the top with
the drama here, but that's his way and it wouldn't be Neil Diamond otherwise.
Musically he takes some risks which makes this one enjoyable.
9. Brothers Four: Both Sides Now - Yuck. I'm scratching my head trying to
think of something nice to say about this one, but no can do. It sucks.
Period.
10. Big Country - Big Yellow Taxi - NOW we're talkin'!! This one REALLY
cooks. Now I don't think this is the same Big Country that did "Fields of
Fire", but I could be wrong, cuz it's a female vocalist. Anyway, there's a
fiddle solo that cooks, the whole band just tears it up, it'll have you up on
your feet and forgetting the Brothers Four!
11. Marie LaForet: Bothe Sides Now - Another French version, she sings purty,
but I can't understand a dang thing she's sayin'! :~)
12. Diamond Head: This Flight Tonight - OK, this is really a cover of
Nazareth's TFT cover which is available on Volume 4. They do a good version,
they don't really bring much to the party in terms of originality, though.
13. David McAlmont: Conversation - One of the highlights, if not THE best
selection on this volume, very original, rythmic version with great vocals
and instrumentation, this one's a REAL find, and the first Conversation of
the collection!
14. Same Brave Apollo: Woodstock - Another one for the "Weird & Wonderful"
pile...this one would sound great if you were really stoned, I suppose. I dig
it because they try something different with it, and once again it's a
tribute to Joni's talent that so many various musicians see these songs in
different ways!
15. Evson: Both Sides Now - Unspectacular, but the guy's got a good voice, he
sounds like Darius Rucker from Hootie & The Blowfish. Pleasant enough.
16. Emilliana Torrini: Chelsea Morning - Very pretty rendition, this song is
so upbeat it's hard to ruin, even Neil Diamond's version is tolerable.
17. Dave Van Ronk - Urge For Going
18. Dave Van Ronk - Chelsea Morning
19. Dave Van Ronk - Both Sides Now
Dave is Joni's contemporary, she speaks highly of his version of BSN because
of the world-weariness of his voice. Some of these are from the early 70's,
when his voice was clearer, and some are from the 90's after years of
gargling Drano I guess. Anyway, I like his imperfect voice, after all it's
very Tom Waits-ish, and y'all know I did Tom!
So there you have it - Volume 11 in the can. If you want a copy, you can send
me a blank MUSIC CD (be sure it says MUSIC or AUDIO in the packaging) along
with a self-addressed stamped envelope, or 5 bucks which will cover the
blank, the padded mailer, postage, a nice cardstock songlist insert, and a CD
label which pictures Joni with Refuge, her tour band of '83.
Euro-jmdlers, John Van Tiel will be glad to fix you up when he gets his
copy...I mailed out copies to contributors and subscribers Tuesday, I guess
with Columbus Day the mail got backed up a bit.
If you have any questions, let me know!
Bob Muller
309 West Prentiss Ave.
Greenville, SC 29605
NP: Bruce Springsteen, "Wooly Bully"
