Cover Classics: The Band’s ‘Moondog Matinee’

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Mar 062020
 

Cover Classics takes a closer look at all-cover albums of the past, their genesis, and their legacy.

Moondog Matinee

Just five years on from the release of the rapturously-received Music From Big Pink album in 1968, simmering tension had already begun to erode The Band’s all-for-one-and-one-for-all dynamic. “We couldn’t get along… ‘Up On Cripple Creek’ and all that stuff was over,” drummer Levon Helm told GRITZ magazine in 2002.  The decision to record an album of covers appears to have been something of a tension-relieving exercise, a chance for The Band to let their hair down and remind themselves why they had started making music together in the first place. No Civil War epics or songs lamenting the plight of the American farmer to be found here: Moondog Matinee was designed to be nothing more than a straight-up party. Ironically, however, it’s the diversions into more sombre territory that provide some of the the album’s strongest moments.
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Full Albums: The Beatles’ ‘Revolver’

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Aug 052016
 

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

beatles-revolver

Fifty years ago today, the Beatles’ best album was released. It can be argued that Sgt. Pepper is their greatest album, and Abbey Road could be considered their most accomplished, but all things considered, nothing is better than Revolver.

Revolver saw three of the Beatles on hot songwriting streaks: John exploring his LSD-infused mind; Paul excelling at each genre he tried; George growing by leaps and bounds. Ringo’s contributions were nothing to sneeze at, either, with his work on “She Said She Said” frequently singled out as some of his best drumming. Let’s not forget producer George Martin and teenaged engineer Geoff Emerick, turning the studio into a laboratory to experiment in.

Combine all these talents at their most creative, innovative, and adventurous, and it’s no wonder Revolver left the rock and roll world frantic with wonder at how they could catch up to this landmark. Half a century later, they’re still wondering.
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Moptop Madness: Jonathan Coulton vs. Sufjan Stevens, Junior Parker vs. Sonic Youth

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Mar 242011
 

This March, we pit 64 Beatles covers against each other in what we call Moptop Madness.

Yesterday’s winners: Wilson Pickett, “Hey Jude” and Elliott Smith, “Because”

Some tough competitions today. First, crowd favorites Jonathan Coulton and Sufjan Stevens go head to head in an indie songwriter battle royale. Then, it might get loud when Junior Parker tangles with Sonic Youth.

Listen to each pairing below, then vote for your favorite. For added sway, try to convince others to vote your way in the comments. Voting closes in 24 hours. Continue reading »

Moptop Madness: Sufjan Stevens vs. Spooky Tooth, Junior Parker vs. Peter Sellers

 Posted by at 8:00 am  1 Response »
Mar 152011
 

This March, we pit 64 Beatles covers against each other in what we call Moptop Madness.

Yesterday’s winners: Jonathan Coulton, “I Will” and Sonic Youth, “Within You Without You”

Two battles today between the restrained and the extreme. First, Sufjan Stevens’ delicate “What Goes On” challenges Spooky Tooth’s wild “I Am the Walrus.” Then, Junior Parker’s chilled “Tax Man” spoken word faces Peter Sellers’ comedic “She Loves You” spoken word.

Listen to each pairing below, then vote for your favorite. For added sway, try to convince others to vote your way in the comments. Voting closes in 24 hours. Continue reading »