The emotional highpoint of the Grammys—well, other than Tracy Chapman’s return (covers-adjacent!)–was Annie Lennox’s tribute to Sinéad O’Connor during the In Memoriam. Bonus points because she was backed by two longtime bandmembers of Prince (who, of course, wrote the song), Wendy and Lisa. The teardrop on Lennox’s eye was very Prince, and the political statement at the end was very Sinéad. Continue reading »
“Don’t Let Us Get Sick” was a moving song even before Warren Zevon got sick, didn’t see a doctor soon enough, and died. After that, the context makes it even more poignant. The canonical cover is Judee Sill’s, but on her new album, Amy Speace gives it a run for its money. Continue reading »
Next week, Reimagine Music releases Esperanza: Songs From Jack Kerouac’s Tristessa, an album of songs inspired by the Beat icon’s lesser-known 1960 novella. The Low Anthem, Marissa Nadler, Lee Ranaldo, and more contributed, with Gregory Alan Isakov donating a track he wrote using lyrics from the book – one he liked so much he decided to put it on his own album The Weatherman as well. Continue reading »