Blues (Sort of) and Covers

BB King

So you think BB King you think guitar cd. With the special guests, some jamming and some interesting song selections. Well here you get none of that. The wonderful singing BB King used to make Lucille do in the past is missing. Many a time the sound is short and uninspired. His duels with other guitarist leads nothing to the imagination. In fact on some songs the piano part was the only truly interesting part in the song and barely at that. Yes I know that he is eighty but does that mean we should make allowances or is that reverse age discrimination. Truthfully I should not have been surprised by this cd. As for the guests there are only two artists that I actually own cds by. 1

Jimmy James and the Vagabonds.
This cd is a dilemma for me. I really liked it. Found myself tapping my foot to it. Singing along at times. Enjoying the background fills and the talented singers. But it is in a genre that I know that I will never actually put on by choice. But after three listens I still haven’t dismissed it to the circular file and reused the jewel case so there must be something to it. But I also know that there is hardly a chance that I will actually put it on to listen. Wouldn’t ask for it to be turned off if someone else put it on. 2

Linda Perry
Linda Perry has a great voice. Have thought so since I saw 4 non-blondes at toads. That is the problem I have with this cd. It seems that much of the attention was set on making sure the voice stood out that the songs lost something in the mix. That being said, there are glimpses here of what a great songwriter she is here. And I think the songs with another singer or a stronger producer may have been better. Because the songs up to when she decides to show us her inner Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane is never a good idea), followed by Ann Wilson of both the seventy and eighties are pretty good. Especially fill me up. They are just in need of some fine-tuning. 2.5

Tiger Mountain

Best cd of the month. The only one I have listened because I wanted to not because it is listening number 1 2 or 3. Didn’t have the track listing but could not find a week track. Singer shows some emotion on the slower songs, and fills in nicely on the more upbeat pop tracks. Nice choice of background to with either simple backgrounds vocals, or surprisingly use of strings and electric piano. Just a good cd. 3
Hot Rod Circuit
This emo thing is a funny thing. Hot rod circuit is definitely an emo band. I actually own If its cool and Sorry about tomorrow, but could not tell you the last time I played them. But something about emo bands that in order to show just emotional they are they must turn everything up to 11 and either scream or growl. Subtleties and dynamics be damned. With these 4 cd’s you get to see Hot Rod circuit grow a little bit as a band. They understand that dynamics can play a part of the songs. I wasn’t a fan of the songs from the first cd, too much too much. The second was okay. I liked the third enough to go and listen to it again in its entirety and Jenn managed to grab the best tunes. Do not think I will buying the 4th however.



Cover Songs

All Bands should know.
Couldn’t think of songs or a specific pairing but thought there are some bands that all should be responsible to know at least one song

Velvet Underground/Lou Reed Alkaline trio might be able to work this.
The Clash: Someone should have the guts to come back for an encore of Clampdown, or how about Magnificent Seven mixed within someone's set, that would be cool
The Kinks. Cracker doing Victoria was cool but their catalog is endless. Hey I might even watch Bruce if he was to attempt Celluloid Heroes.
Ramones: but no one should be allowed to cover wanna be sedated.
Queen. Come on there must be some one other than metallica Green Day and Nine Inch Nails willing to play one of their anthems.


Best Cover Songs Live
REM Have you ever seen the rain?
Soul Asylum To Sir With Love Before everyone else thought it was cool to do.
Gwar Detroit Rock City
Replacements Sweet Home Chicago
The db’s Suspicious minds.
Hm World Party Stand


Best Cover Songs on Record

Hot House Flowers I can See Clearly Now
Judas Priest Diamonds and Rust
UFO Alone Again Or
Waterboys Purple Rain
The Jam David Watts
Hm Roxy Music Jealous Guy