Full Albums: ‘John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band’

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Dec 162011
 

Full Albums features covers of every track off a classic album. Got an idea for a future pick? Leave a note in the comments!

In the week after John Lennon’s death, the universal outpouring of grief obscured a significant anniversary; his first post-Beatles album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, had been released on December 11, 1970 – ten years, almost to the day, before Mark David Chapman shot him. It was an anniversary rarely noted at the time; those who gathered outside the Dakota were more ready to sing of giving peace a chance and imagining all the people than they were to sing lines like “They hurt you at home and they hit you at school” or “The dream is over.” Continue reading »

Land of Leland Releases Dreamy Christmas Covers EP

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Dec 162011
 

It’s Christmas Eve, a light snow is falling outside, illuminated by the twinkling Christmas lights around the windows. The lights are out, a fire in the fireplace, the kids nestled in bed. Under the tree, presents are freshly wrapped and you sink into your favorite easy chair with the night’s last egg nog. Time for a little mood music. How about that saxophone guy who also sings Christmas songs? No, not Kenny G (although this is the one time of year you get a free pass on playing Miracles). Play some new tunes by Cover Me veteran Land of Leland. Continue reading »

A Lull Is “On Fire” with Bruce Springsteen Cover

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Dec 162011
 

Though there are hundreds of songs in Bruce Springsteen‘s catalog, only a few have been covered more frequently than Born in the USA single “I’m on Fire.” Artists including The Avett Brothers, Bat for Lashes, and Johnny Cash have put their spin on The Boss’ classic track. The latest cover version comes from Chicago five-piece A Lull. Continue reading »

Conner Youngblood Tames Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There”

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Dec 162011
 

Dallas native and current Yale University student Conner Youngblood names a diverse group of artists as his influences, from Kid Cudi and Gorillaz to Ray Lamontagne and Elliot Smith, incorporating a unique blend of electronic synths and traditional acoustic instruments into his original material. Balancing his academic pursuits as an American Studies major (just like your humble author) with a blossoming music career, Conner has posted a solid string of singles on his Soundcloud page, including a recent interpretation of Michael Jackson‘s iconic “Will You Be There.” Continue reading »

Youth Lagoon Updates “Goodbye Again” by John Denver

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Dec 162011
 

Every so often the indie community embraces an older generation musician, either for their accomplishments and talent or in a more ironic way. This seems to be occurring with John Denver recently, as his heartfelt, borderline-cheesy folk songs have surfaced in unexpected places like a Pretty Lights remix of “Country Roads” from the summer and Trevor Powers’ recent cover of “Goodbye Again,” recorded in a session for Sirius XM’s college-themed station under his Youth Lagoon moniker. Continue reading »

Bill Callahan Turns Outlaw-Country Into Alt-Country on Waylon Jennings Cover

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Dec 162011
 

Waylon Jennings is referred to as the original outlaw-country artist. He owes much of that to the song “Ladies Love Outlaws” which became a hit for him in 1972. The man who wrote that song, Lee Clayton, also went on to pen the laid back tune “If You Could Touch Her at All,” recorded on Jenning’s 1974 album This Time. The track was produced by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy and features The Crickets, Buddy Holly’s backing band, as musicians and vocalists. Continue reading »

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