Apr 202012
 

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

The songs would just come from him, as if he was a vehicle from God that the songs flowed through… The man was driven to write songs. The music came out of a very deep place. And oftentimes, out of that deepness, John felt very alone. If you listen to his songs, there’s a lot of loneliness there. — Annie Denver

By the time of his death in a 1997 plane crash, John Denver’s image no longer fit the man. He had written more than 200 songs and had multiple gold albums; his concerts appealed to young and old alike; he used his fame to bring attention to environmental causes, championed the space program, and testified in Congress against the PMRC. But to the general public, he had become something to mock, a naive, uncool lightweight who said “far out” way too much and did his best work with Muppets. It’s telling that when USA for Africa was preparing to record “We Are the World,” they turned down Denver – who had founded the World Hunger Project back in 1977 – because they felt his presence would damage the song’s credibility. Denver, and his music, had not been getting the respect they deserved for far too long. Continue reading »

May 012010
 

Cover News is a weekly feature keeping you up to date on the goings-on in the world of cover tunes, tribute albums, etc. At the bottom we showcase the submissions we’ve been sent in the past week (send us yours)! As always, follow Cover Me on Twitter for the latest news.

The Arcade Fire

This Week’s News

The latest Cover Commissions brings us an ethereal “Political Science” by We Are the Willows.  Check in next week to vote on May’s Cover Commissions!  [Cover Me]

On April Fool’s Day, I tricked our Twitter followers with a claim that Matt at You Ain’t No Picasso had posted a bunch of Arcade Fire covers.  Inspired by the joke, he did just that two weeks later.  You’re welcome, internet.  [YANP]

We already knew Bettye LaVette’s album tackling “The British Rock Songbook” would be amazing.  “All My Love” confirms it.  [Spinner]

The Flaming Lips released their Dark Side of the Moon tribute on vinyl a few weeks ago, promoting it with an acid-trippy “Breathe” on Jimmy Fallon.  [The Music Slut]

We’ve posted Via Tania’s cover of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” back in January.  Now she’s back, in front of a mountain, with a ukulele Fever Ray cover.  [Filter]

Keller Williams makes the short list (very short) of Jam Band Artists Non-Jam Fans Can Enjoy, so his Thief covers album should me fun.  [Glide]

Bon Iver covered Peter Gabriel for Record Store Day.  He then covered Tom Petty just for the hell of it.  [Each Note Secure]

Girl in a Coma (nice Smiths reference) has released the third and final volume of their Adventures in Coverland series.  Listen to the tunes online and then pick it up on vinyl.  [Blackheart]

If you want to destroy my sweater, hold this thread as I walk away.  [Stereogum]

It’s a few weeks old, but Josh Ritter covering “Moon River” is worth any delay.  [Daytrotter]

Florence and the Machine wants to get into your pants with this Mario Winans cover.  [Billboard]

The AV Club continues their series of exclusive cover videos and includes a tantalizing list of to-be-posted songs.  “Who will cover Journey’s ‘Faithfully’?” the site asks.  Any chance the answer is “No one”?  [The AV Club]

This Week’s Submissions

Christopher Bryant – Frank Sinatra (Cake)  [more]

Christopher Bryant – Going the Distance (Cake)  [more]

Christopher Bryant – Italian Leather Sofa (Cake)  [more]

Christopher Bryant – Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Cake Farrés/Davis)  [more]

Deerhoof – Hitch Hike (LiLiPUT)  [more]

Grand Mal – Rich Girl (Hall & Oates)  [more]

Grand Mal – Winter In (Gene Clark)  [more]

Grand Mal – You Should Be Ashamed (Emitt Rhodes)  [more]

The Hecklers – Rock N Roll Is Dead (The Rubinoos)  [more]

Peter Pracek – Kokomo Me, Baby (Mississippi Fred McDowell)  [more]

Peter Parcek – Showbiz Blues (Fleetwood Mac)  [more]

Passporte Royale – Airplanes (B.O.B.)  [more]

Passporte Royale – Born Free (M.I.A.)  [more]

Lindsay Ray – Daydream (Wallace Collection)  [more]

Snow & Voices- Mistress (Red House Painters)  [more]

Tarentem – Rockin’ All Over the World (John Fogerty)  [more]

VARN Industries – The Gambler (Kenny Rogers)  [more]

We Are the Willows – Political Science (Randy Newman)  [more]

We Are the Willows – Make the World Go Away (Eddy Arnold)  [more]

835 – Only an Expert (Laurie Anderson)  [more]

Email your cover for inclusion!