“The game is out there and it’s either play or get played.” – Omar Little
The Wire had many things going for it: gritty drama, hardnosed plots, and understated acting. To a cover lover though, the show never got better than the opening credits. Each season featured a different version of Tom Waits’ “Way Down in the Hole.” They showcased, in order, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tom Waits (the original), the Neville Brothers, DoMaJe, and Steve Earle.
Five versions for five seasons. Which in a way is too bad, since Barcelona electro-soul duo Beatspoke recorded a cover to submit for the never-made season six. It mixes quotes from the show and a soulful female vocal over a funky horn bed.
[audio: SOTD0610/WayDownintheHole.mp3]
Download: Beatspoke – Way Down in the Hole (Tom Waits cover)
Hear more Beatspoke at MySpace.
