Let’s face it: the whole ‘singer-songwriter-playing-acoustic-guitar-while-sitting-on-a-wooden-stool’ bit is a tired one. Thee, Stranded Horse, the acoustic project of French musician Yann Tambour, switches it up by using the Kora, a 21-string bridge harp originating from West Africa. Tambour’s take on The Smiths‘ “What Difference Does It Make” is finger-pickin’ good.
Covering the Smiths is like going to musical Mecca: every artist should do it at least once. Hell, Janice Whaley has covered every damn song. Thee, Stranded Horse brings out the melancholy of Morrissey’s lyrics with his acoustic take on the band’s third single off their debut album. His use of the kora not only scores him major indie cred, but also bumps this cover from ‘”this-is-like-every-acoustic-Smiths-cover-I-have-seen-done-by-a-sixteen-year-old-with-a-youtube-account” to “where can I buy a kora?” Check it out below.
MP3: Thee, Stranded Horse – What Difference Does It Make? (The Smiths cover)
[audio: News0311/17WhatDifferenceDoesItMake.mp3]
Check out more Thee, Stranded Horse at their website or MySpace.
there’s no kora on this. the music press strikes again.