It’s music we like: but not as we know it…
I’ve ordered ‘Is it Rolling Bob?‘ , a reggae tribute to Bob Dylan, which got quite a nice write up in the back of last week’s Friday Review, although I’m waiting till I hear it till I pronounce judgement (old fashioned, I know, but there you are).
However, it’s set me of in search of music we know, but not as we know it. Did you know, there was a string quartet version of Radiohead’s OK computer? If you did, I’m sure you’ll also remember the utter joy that was Acid Brass? (yes, a Brass band playing Acid House classics).
A few months ago, there was quite an uproar about the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain, and their album, The Secret of Life, which has covers of - among others - Miss Dynamite on it. (I think they also performed Anarchy in the UK..but I might just be making that up).
All this is quite topical at the moment, because we’re all desperately excited about the new William Shatner album, (produced by Ben Folds) which if it’s anything like his previous work, will be utterly unmissable. His version of Common People (follow link above for a sample) has to be the errrr most distinctive thing I’ve heard in a while.
Most exciting of all in the radical cover version market is Nouvelle Vague who are busy doing new wave in lounge style (which, when you think of it gives ticks with ease those essential, 30-something boxes of nostalgia, easy to listen to, and suitably cool.) . That link gives you a very relaxed version The Guns of Brixton, but the album looks set to be a classic. I’ve already stumbled on their version of ‘This is Not a Love Song’ (sorry, can’t find a link at the moment) which is just lurvely. My tip for the dinner party hit of the year.
Ironic that while every ‘next big thing’ in town is currently showing their startling creativity by aping every type of 80s band, the only things that sound vaguely different and original are those doing covers.