In a loungey version of Future Islands’ “Seasons (Waiting On You)” she performed recently in LA, Niia gives listeners a whole new perspective on the song that was recently named the best track of 2014 by Pitchfork and The Guardian. Continue reading »
Alice Boman offers a fresh rendition of “Reason To Believe”, a 1965 folk song by Tim Hardin. The song’s lyrics about heartbreak seem to speak to many, with renditions by great artists including Glen Campbell, Billie Bragg, Rickie Lee Jones, Johnny Cash, and most prominently, Rod Stewart who put the song on the US Billboard Hot 100 list in 1993. Continue reading »
Randy Newman, two-time Academy Award winner, has a distinct voice that triggers memories of the movies, given his widely popular film scores over the years. His song “Sail Away” had previously been covered by Ray Charles, whom Randy called his biggest musical influence growing up. Matthew E. White covered the song for the French video series, La Blogotheque, which follows artists making live music in different locales around Paris. Continue reading »
“Take It As It Comes” was originally recorded and released by The Doors on their debut self-titled album in 1967. Jim Morrison was only about 23 when he penned the lyrics that offer deep wisdom inspired by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, AKA “Giggling Guru”. In the original version, Jim Morrison sings the lyrics with the conviction and confidence of someone who has deep, and maybe even innate wisdom about life. He was a shaman and The Lizard King after all. Continue reading »
The GZA breathes new air and about 140% more lyrics (135 words vs 328 words) into a classic from the ‘70s with the cover of “The Mexican” as a one-off single. The original song by the progressive blues rock group, Babe Ruth, samples Ennio Morricone’s “For A Few Dollars More” from the Clint Eastwood Western set in a Mexican village. In The GZA’s version, we learn a lot more about Fernandez and why it’s a “sad morning”. Continue reading »
Sweet Judy “Blue Eyes” Collins is still majestic at 75. Judy’s new release, Both Sides Now- The Very Best Of includes 28 beautiful original songs and interpretations of legendary songs. Her first single, “Helpless”, is a Neil Young cover, and a duet with Rachael Sage. Judy has called Neil Young a master songwriter. She has been connected to Neil and the rest of Crosby, Stills, and Nash for many years. It’s her on-again off-again romance with Stephen Stills that inspired Stills to pen the lyrics “change my life, make it right, be my lady…” on “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. This was a failed attempt to get Judy back in the late ’60s. But the song was a hit in 1969 and made Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of all Time. You can hear a Collins-Stills duet on the song “Last Thing on My Mind” (2010) on Both Sides Now.
Judy’s been an inspiration to musicians and politicians alike. Bill and Hillary Clinton named their daughter Chelsea after Judy’s rendition of Joni Mitchell’s Chelsea Hotel.
Judy has had her share of struggles; depression, alcoholism, bulimia, and the suicide of her son to name a few battles. She’s triumphed beautifully and is not at all helpless like the title of her first single. Judy’s graceful collaboration with a very young, virtually unknown artist, Rachael Sage, on her first duet is a testament to her humble and true devotion to music.
To read more about Judy, click here.