I put another quarter in the re-released jukebox to see what it had to offer up this week. Well, since it was not only common to cover the hits of others but almost a prerequisite for survival in this era I thought it only fitting to showcase a few reinterpretations on the RSTB Jukebox. So, classic covers it is this week.
[MP3] Yvonne Elliman -I Can't Explain
70's songstress Yvonne Elliman takes this Who classic and simultaneously injects it with a big polished rock flair and sweet girl group vocals. The garage classic is transformed into a giant chunk of female power pop with it's rock swagger firmly in place and stadium ready backup singers crooning along.
[MP3] Ellen McIlwaine -Higher Ground
Another formidable cover, this time from RSTB fave Fear Itself's front woman Ellen McIlwaine. Her skills with slide guitar blend easily with Stevie Wonder's classic 70's staple and somehow give it even more of a slippery funk feel. McIlwaine takes Stevie's from the streets sound on a tour through the back roads of blues; all the while her ability to hurdle octaves keeps up with the soul of the tune.
[MP3] The Blues Magoos -Gloria
The Blues Magoos take this garage rock stalwart and make it epic. Focusing on a blues interpretation they extend the short punchy favorite into almost six minutes of raucous sexual tension, just as it was intended. With a more raw and gritty delivery than Van and the boys of Them could have even thought possible the Magoos own this one.
[MP3] Lulu -The Boat That I Row
Now I'll be the first to admit that I have huge love for Neil Diamond but it's mostly the songwriting and other people can oftentimes take his great songs and just run with them. Lulu certainly outshines the song's creator on this one. Her chirpy, cute vocals give the song life and change the feel from a bit of chauvenistic bragging to coy sweetness and all for the better.
[MP3] The Kingsmen -Money (That's What I Want)
A blues classic gone garage and shot back with a dose of the blues. The Kingsmen dust off their swagger on their interpretation of this track, quite possibly one of my favorite versions of this song. The guitar swings and rocks over fat organ chords and a young impudent vocal, giving this well tread song some resonance.
[MP3] Yvonne Elliman -I Can't Explain
70's songstress Yvonne Elliman takes this Who classic and simultaneously injects it with a big polished rock flair and sweet girl group vocals. The garage classic is transformed into a giant chunk of female power pop with it's rock swagger firmly in place and stadium ready backup singers crooning along.
[MP3] Ellen McIlwaine -Higher Ground
Another formidable cover, this time from RSTB fave Fear Itself's front woman Ellen McIlwaine. Her skills with slide guitar blend easily with Stevie Wonder's classic 70's staple and somehow give it even more of a slippery funk feel. McIlwaine takes Stevie's from the streets sound on a tour through the back roads of blues; all the while her ability to hurdle octaves keeps up with the soul of the tune.
[MP3] The Blues Magoos -Gloria
The Blues Magoos take this garage rock stalwart and make it epic. Focusing on a blues interpretation they extend the short punchy favorite into almost six minutes of raucous sexual tension, just as it was intended. With a more raw and gritty delivery than Van and the boys of Them could have even thought possible the Magoos own this one.
[MP3] Lulu -The Boat That I Row
Now I'll be the first to admit that I have huge love for Neil Diamond but it's mostly the songwriting and other people can oftentimes take his great songs and just run with them. Lulu certainly outshines the song's creator on this one. Her chirpy, cute vocals give the song life and change the feel from a bit of chauvenistic bragging to coy sweetness and all for the better.
[MP3] The Kingsmen -Money (That's What I Want)
A blues classic gone garage and shot back with a dose of the blues. The Kingsmen dust off their swagger on their interpretation of this track, quite possibly one of my favorite versions of this song. The guitar swings and rocks over fat organ chords and a young impudent vocal, giving this well tread song some resonance.
3 Comments:
I have an LP (vinyl) from the 60's of Ellen McIlwaine. Darn right, she is wicked on slide. I'll have to hook up the turntable.
~alt-gramma~
@ Speed of Dark
Oh man... I just saw her live here in Vancouver a few weeks back, went to hear her wicked slide playing and instead saw her play a set on acoustic guitar accompanied by a tabla player, Cassius Khan. It was unreal. She's a master. There are some samples from the new album at her website, the sound is amazing...
Nice to see Ellen getting a nod. My husband played on that Fear Itself album with her that's been recently released.
I'm really enjoying your website.
Post a Comment
<< Home