30 March 2020 - Joan Osborne - One of Us

"One of Us"

That's the whole title.

What you did NOT know is that this song was originally written and performed by Eric Bazilian, who is best known for his work as a member of The Hooters.  However, he recorded it as a demo and hid it as a hidden track on his debut solo album (and The Hooters have performed the song as well since).

Bazilian was part of the songwriting team that worked on Osborne's debut album, Relish, and he ended up playing his demo for this quick little song he wrote to impress a girl - and she asked to record the song. 

The song went on to win several Grammys, so right choice, Eric!

The song expounds on the imagery of man being created in God's image - and some found it to be a little sacrilegious - which, of course, missed the point of this beautiful song.

26 March 2020 - Hole - Gold Dust Woman

I was not sure I would like this version of "Gold Dust Woman" before I heard it. 

Wow, was I wrong. Courtney Love brings even more anger to an already angry classic, owning it herself - and this was originally from the genius of Stevie Nicks!!!! 
 

25 March 2020 - Patty Loveless - Don't Toss Us Away

This song, a very faithful cover of a Lone Justice ballad, is full of emotion and poignancy.   She became a really big star, but in 1989, she was a rising star of country music, and this song - written by original vocalist Maria McKee's BROTHER - fit well with her vocal range and her sound - a fact even McKee admitted to Loveless personally during the recording session for this song.

Anyway, it was a top five hit for Loveless.  And it is beautifully performed.

6 February 2020 - fIREHOSE - Walking The Cow

When the album Flyin' The Flannel came out, I never did think this sounded like a fIREHOSE song.  I just thought it was Mike Watt being econo or something. 

Turns out it was a cover of a Daniel Johnston song.  Inspired by a Blue Bell ice cream wrapper, the late Johnston recorded the original on a tape recorder in his Austin home.  This version is only slightly more hi-fi than that - replacing chord organ with boom stick - and a fitting tribute.

5 February 2020 - Shawn Colvin - Crazy

I first heard this amazingly understated cover several years ago.... but I forgot about it......

4 Febuary 2020 - Fifth Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues

We've gotten to the Fifth Dimension part of this blog.  What a lot of people don't know is that this was a cover of a Laura Nyro song.  Marilyn McCoo and company took it all the way to #1 in 1969.  Those of you who grew up in the 1980's remember Marilyn McCoo from the TV show Solid Gold.  She was a legitimate musician, and not just a TV host.

3 February 2020 - Dana Williams and Leighton Meester - Dreams

Let's not bury the lede.  Yes.  That's Blair Waldorf singing a Fleetwood Mac cover.  And playing a guitar.  We're having some trouble reconciling that with the thing she did with Cobra Starship and especially the thing she did with Robin Thicke, but this is really good

We kid.  We know Leighton Meester can sing.  Anyone who saw Country Strong knows this.

I also don't want to ignore Dana Williams, who is equally strong on this track.  She's not as well known as her co-singer (having been in an Apple commercial and the reality show Rising Star) but that's not a reflection of her talent, as the two ladies harmonize quite well.