Cover News is a weekly feature keeping you up to date on the goings-on in the world of cover tunes, tribute albums, etc. Plus, at the bottom we post the array of cover tunes we’ve been sent in the past week. Have you recorded a cool cover? Send an mp3 to the email address on the right and we’ll post it!
This Week’s News
Jay Reatard died this past week at age 29. While he never lead the healthiest lifestyle, it was still a shock. Here’s one of his final recordings, covering Nirvana’s “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle”. [Jay Reatard]
It’s a new year, but the John Hughes tributes keep coming. For a guy who never recorded a song in his life, musicians do love him. Here’s Death Cab. [VH1]
To help New Zealand punk and recent stroke victim Chris Knox with his medical bills, 33 indie musicians have banded together to cover his songs for the slightly morbidly-titled Stroke tribute album. First up: reclusive Neutral Milk Hotel singer Jeff Magnum. [Stereogum]
Supergrass side project the Hot Rats are coming out with their debut LP, and it’s all random quasi-ironic covers! Here’s them on Letterman (remember him? the one not on NBC?) fighting for their right to wear red dresses or something. [YouTube]
Also in the late night world, “Neil Young” stopped by Jimmy Fallon to lament all those people looking like fools with their pants…you know. [Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]
Fifty covers by My Morning Jacket. ‘Nuff said. [You Ain’t No Picasso]
One of these days I’ll do a set of DEVO covers. Until then: Harlem covering “Come Back Jonee.” [Aquarium Drunkard]
Ted Leo tweets covers of female popstars for no good reason Why not? [Tweet 1, 2, 3]
When Johnny Cash died a few years back, rumors swirled about more recording sessions with Rick Rubin. One set was released in 2006 and now the final album, American VI: Ain’t No Grave is coming next month. [Pitchfork]
Who’s Benjamin Durdle? I don’t know either. But a new tribute album may help teach the world. Or at least the few people who would listen to a tribute album to someone they’ve never heard of. [PopMatters]
This Week’s Submissions
Julian Shah-Tayler – Darling Nikki (Prince) [more]
Send your cover to the email address on the right!