When you think of Rancid’s “Ruby Soho,” you probably think: punk. And it is, but it’s always had a vaguely reggae-ish groove. The opening line even makes this explicit: “Echoes of reggae coming through my bedroom wall.” Now the connection becomes even clearer from reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, who covers it on his new EP. Continue reading »
Jimmy Cliff may not be a household name these days, but the name Bob Marley may not have been one either had it not been for the road paved by Cliff. Cliff rose to international fame with his role, musically and as an actor, in the 1972 film The Harder They Come, which exposed much of the world to reggae for the first time. The title song of the movie is listed on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, along with Cliff’s “Many Rivers to Cross.” Continue reading »
Vampire Weekend first covered Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m Goin’ Down” a week or so ago, but the cell phone concert captures were too awful to bother with. Well now a pristine recording has surfaced. Was it worth the wait? Depends on what you compare it to.
The band performed the song for Seattle radio station The End 107.7. Their version strips away the Born in the U.S.A. original’s sax solo ‘80s drum pounds (sorry Max Weinberg). The piano-guitar arrangement suits the tune better. It’s nothing transformative, but it’s miles better than that “Ruby Soho” they did earlier this year. Watch the Bruce below, then relive the “Ruby Soho” if you feel like punishing yourself. Continue reading »