Some Covers For Friday

Now that I have finally got the hang of how to get stuff from CD converted into mp3 (like everything; easy WHEN you know how!), I thought I would delve through my CD singles (I couldn't bring myself to get rid of any more, even though I don't play them very often) and post some covers. In the world of the mp3 blogs it seems that people often stick covers up on the weekend. Well, no time like the present.

Please note: all the singles I refer to here are the UK releases. If iTunes cannot help you, try ebay

This track was originally on the 'Carnival' single in 1995. Whilst some of their later releases could be rockier, does anyone else think The Cardigans sounded quite 'twee' circa the Life album? Check that name for starters. Though not many twee indiepop bands tended to cover Ozzy Osbourne. As far as I know.

Cardigans - 'Mr. Crowley (Ozzy Osbourne cover).' mp3

This track was originally recorded for the Leonard Cohen tribute album I'm Your Fan (ouch!), and also turned up on the CD single to 'Drive' in 1992.

REM -'First We Take Manhattan (Leonard Cohen cover).' mp3

This track was on the 'Kowalski' single in 1997, a cover of the track from the Clash's Combat Rock album.

Primal Scream -'Know Your Rights (Clash cover).' mp3

I cannot say I was ever a huge Robert Palmer fan, and the album this song originally was on, Clues, did little to alter that. This track, though, is a classic and was used for numerous years to advertise Vauxhall cars in the UK (Opel to any any European readers). Placebo's cover appeared on one of the CD singles of 'Taste In Men.'

Placebo -'Johnny And Mary (Robert Palmer cover).' mp3

John Lennon's anti-war activities unnerved Richard Nixon. Rather like upsetting the Daily Mail (a UK newspaper that is just poison on paper and reminds you of the downsides of free speech) this is probably A GOOD THING. This cover, by Mercury Rev, appeared on the re-issue of 'Goddess on A Hiway' in 1999.

Mercury Rev-'I Don't Want To Be A Soldier (John Lennon cover).' mp3

I was really tempted to post Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt,' because it is so good, but then it occured to me that the song has been posted a hell of a lot. So, why not post his cover of Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman,' which was recorded for American IV: The Man Comes Around, but is only on the vinyl version of the album and the 'Hurt/Personal Jesus' CD single.

Johnny Cash -'Wichita Lineman (Glen Campbell cover).' mp3

Gang Of Four's Entertainment! has really come back into vogue with all those bands showing 'post-punk' influences. Apparently not a single, but this was covered by Idlewild on their 'Live In A Hiding Place' single.

Idlewild -'I Found That Essence Rare (Gang Of Four cover).' mp3

Michael Jackson, whatever the problems he has had (and I really can't be bothered to go into it all here), has been responsible for some fantastic music. Ian Brown is a man who knows this, and told us via his 'Dolphins Were Monkeys' single.

Ian Brown -'Dolphins Were Monkeys (Michael Jackson cover).' mp3

One of my claims to fame is that in 1991, I was in the audience at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party when Philip Schofield took the mick out of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine for their name - and guitarist Fruitbat decked him. On Live Television. Considering what a 'family-orientated' show it was (Salt 'n' Pepa couldn't perform
' Let's Talk About Sex' because it mentioned sex, and performed a far inferior tune instead), Carter were performing 'After The Watershed,' which dealt with the issue of child abuse. The single contained their cover of the Inspiral Carpets 'This Is How It Feels', and my brother and I have always felt it superior. My brother recently got the chance to meet Jim Bob, the other Carter guy, who is by all accounts, a thoroughly decent bloke.

Carter USM -'This Is How It Feels (Inspiral Carpets cover).' mp3

Teenage Fanclub. A legendary Scottish band who covered a Bevis Frond song and according to Nick Salmond of the Frond, earned him more money than anything else. BMX Bandits. A legendary Scottish band who covered a Teenage Fanclub song which featured a Kylie lookalike in the video. Singer Duglas T. Stewart once (*allegedly) tried to copy the K Foundation by burning all the profits from his career on the radio. Predictably, the 50p piece failed to catch alight.

BMX Bandits -'Kylie's Got A Crush On Us (Teenage Fanclub cover).' mp3

OK, you should know the drill by now. These covers will be up here for one week only. If you like them, support the artists involved, and with covers, make sure you also investigate the original if you haven't already.

Have a good one, Ed x