12 February 2013 - Love & Rockets - Ball of Confusion

Long before "So Alive" was a big hit for these guys, Love & Rockets did a Temptations cover.

Of course, since Love & Rockets are nothing like The Temptations in any way, they had to make the song, about racial oppression, all their own.  They succeeded in making it into a anthem full of the same anger that The Temptations brought to it.  Each of the three instruments used - drums, bass, guitar - gets highlighted with solos throughout the song.  It's a really sparse arrangement, but really strong and emotion-filled.

 

11 February 2013 - The Clash - Police and Thieves

This posted on Friday (or at least was supposed to), but no one (cough Tony) promoted it. So, we'll just do this for today instead.

After Bob Marley covers on Monday and Wednesday (of last week), I'm happy to present you with this Junior Murvin cover by The Clash. And yes, I had to look that up. Hey, at least I knew it was a cover.

7 February 2013 - Lady Sovereign - Ever Fallen In Love

I know some of you are going to be upset with this Buzzcocks cover, but I see it as more of a Fine Young Cannibals cover, because that's the version that influenced the S.O.V more.

This is an early demo by Louise Harman.  I like the chutzpah, and it's not performed badly, either.

6 February 2013 - Allen Stone - Is This Love

Scott's Note: This post was written two days before my trip to Jamaica. All further statements come from my crystal ball...(cue the wavy look into the future tv screen)...

Day 5 in Jamaica. I've heard Is This Love about 254 times already. About half of the time it was a really cheesy cover version to boot. Starting to go a little mad. If only the fine people at this resort had this version by Allen Stone.

5 February 2013 - Pistol Annies - Fist City

I was looking for a good Loretta Lynn cover today - specifically, I was going to pull out a Sissy Spacek cover from the movie Coal Miner's Daughter.

Then I found this. That fun little (and feisty) side project of Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley pays a fitting tribute to Loretta Lynn on the Grand Ole Opry stage.  This performance was made on the event of the Loretta Lynn's 50th year as an Opry member.  Brilliant song choice for these ladies!  Enjoy!

4 February 2013 - Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - Redemption Song

Greetings from Jamaica! As you read this I'm sitting poolside with a cold drink in my hand. Seeing that I've only been here for a couple days I haven't tired of hearing Bob Marley yet. Yet. Give me a few days and I'll want to take out those three little birds. I never tire of hearing Joe Strummer's version of my favorite Marley song though.



Portions of this post (OK, all of this post) was written in a chilly Annapolis basement prior to my Saturday AM flight.

1 February 2013 - The Church - Disarm

Me and Steven Kilbey

I've been a huge fan of The Church since I was in high school. So basically, I've been listening to them for a long freaking time. In college, I was a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan (so yeah, I've been a fan of them for a long time too...well at least their older records). I've seen both bands quite a few times over the years and neither have disappointed in a live setting. Needless to say I was kind of psyched to find this live footage of The Church playing The Pumpkins' classic Disarm.