Well, for reasons only partially out of my control I am headed back to Vegas for the second time in less than 18 months... this time as Best Man to my best friend's bachelor party. Wish me luck!
Dread Zeppelin - Viva Las Vegas [originally performed by Elvis Presley]
A week or so ago, I randomly happened across free concerts by BC rockers 54·40 on two consecutive days. First they were playing a free street concert in celebration of the re-opening of Cambie Street, which has been majorly disrupted for over 3 years as the SkyTrain was extended underneath the street to the airport in anticipation of next year's Olympics. The next day I went skiing up at Whistler and I guess they were playing a free show up there too. I have no idea how well they're known outside Canada, but they've been a staple of Canadian rock for well over 20 years with songs like One Day in Your Life, She La, Since When, and their biggest hit Ocean Pearl. One American band that was influenced by them was none other than rock punchline ("cheaper than a blank tape!") Hootie & The Blowfish who scored a major hit with a rote rendition of 54·40's I Go Blind. After watching 54·40 perform their own song live, I had semi-obscure originals on the brain (a fascination that naturally goes hand in hand with my cover song obsession)... with a Canadian spin, of course:
First, here's 54·40's Neil Osborne talking with Danny Michel and Emm Gryner on last year's Under the Covers. Amusing and honest answers about the impact of the Hootie cover. [link removed]
54·40 - I Go Blind
Hootie & The Blowfish - I Go Blind [originally by 54·40]
Perhaps I completely blocked out my high school social studies class, but I didn't realize it until recently that 54·40 takes their name from the 54°40′ N parallel, the border between BC and Alaska, which factored into a territorial dispute between the British and Americans in the first half of the 19th century. In overly simple terms, there was a strong public outcry urging US president James Polk to defend their claim of the entire Oregon territory up to 54°40′ N, hence the slogan "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!" Less excitingly, Hootie and Blowfish got their name from two friends, one that looked like an owl and one with chubby cheeks.
Original Caste - One Tin Soldier [written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter]
Me First & The Gimme Gimmes - One Tin Soldier [originally performed by Original Caste]
Listen children to a story that was written long ago... This anti-war song (valleyfolk vs. mountain men) brings back fuzzy memories from elementary school where this song was a staple of music class and I think was sung annually by the grade 6 kids in concert. Ah, how I don't miss recorders and glockenspiels. Apparently this wasn't unique to our school as I recently talked to a friend who also sang this at their school every year around Remembrance Day. Was this a local thing or all across Canada? I just found out a couple weeks ago that One Tin Soldier was first recorded by Original Caste, a folk group from Calgary, which may explain a proximity influence on classrooms throughout Alberta. It was later a hit for the American band Coven in the early 70s. Me First & The Gimme Gimmes do their usual thing... not that there's anything wrong with that-- in fact, I love it!
The Temptations - War [written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong]
D.O.A. - War [originally performed by The Temptations]
War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothin'! The most famous version was performed by Edwin Starr, though I was a little stunned to learn it was first recorded and released by The Temptations. Apparently the original version was withheld as a single because the label didn't want to invite any potential controversy for The Temptations regarding the anti-Vietnam War anthem, so it was re-recorded by labelmate Edwin Starr, for whom it went to #1 on the US Billboard charts. Seminal Vancouver punk band D.O.A. recorded this cover for their 1982 release War on 45.
Otis Rush - Keep On Lovin' Me Baby
Indio - Hard SunThe usual combo of busyness and laziness has prevented me from posting this week, though I've got a zinger batch of originals (famously covered) coming soon. For now, some links:
Yesterday Andrew Bird made an appearance on the Paris radio show Le Fou du roi performing a fantastic rendition of the Kermit the Frog standard Bein' Green, in French no less! He was accompanied by in-house pianist Richard Lornac.
Andrew Bird - Bein' Green [originally by Kermit the Frog; written by Joe Raposo]
He also performed one of my faves from his latest album Noble Beast:
Andrew Bird - Oh No (live on Le Fou du roi)
Tonight his European tour kicks off:
04/24 Bourges, France - Theatre Jacques Coeur
04/25 Rennes, France - Ubu
04/27 Paris, France - La Cigale
04/28 Nancy, France - L'Autre Canal
04/29 Nantes, France - Olympic
04/30 Lyon, France - Epicerie Moderne
05/01 Cologne, Germany - Luxor
05/03 Stockholm, Sweden - Strand
05/04 Copenhagen, Denmark - Lille Vega
05/05 Hamburg, Germany - Uebel & Gefahrlich
05/06 Berlin, Germany - Admiralsplast 101
05/07 Amsterdam, The Netherlands - Paradiso
05/09 Brussels, Belgium - Les Nuit de Botanique Cirque Royal
05/10 Bristol, England -Thekla
05/11 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire
05/13 Manchester, England - Academy 2
05/14 Glasgow, Scotland - Oran Mor
Here's another cover of Bein' Green I love performed by fellow Muppet, Rowlf. Useless fact #37: Rowlf and Andrew Bird have both played doctors on TV.
Rowlf the Dog - Bein' Green [originally by Kermit the Frog]
Yep, A Bird and a dog covering a frog. Sounds like the start of a Fozzie joke...
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - Bird Dog [originally by the Everly Brothers]
Wocka Wocka Wocka!
The Boy Least Likely To - You're The One That I Want [originally from Grease]
This promo release showed up in my inbox a few days ago and I'm happy to share it since I often lament the dearth of covers from musicals. This one's decent, though not particularly groundbreaking. It's the b-side to the band's first single When Life Gives Me Lemons, I Make Lemonade from their sophomore album that was released recently. Though I'm not really a huge Grease fan, there are definitely a few other Grease covers and such hiding in my collection.
Less Than Jake - Greased Lightning [originally from Grease]
In 1996, Florida punk band Less Than Jake released Greased, an 8-song covers EP of all Grease covers.
The Vandals - Summer Lovin' [originally from Grease]
Apparently punk bands love their Grease. This one's from The Vandals on their 1990 album Fear of a Punk Planet. Moon Unit Zappa contributed guest vocals to the cover, which is actually more of a parody considering the reworked lyrics. This was the also the first album after drummer Josh Freese joined the band. You've probably been reading about him in the last couple months because of the bizarre, hilarious, and successful self-promotion of his solo album with a tiered pricing scheme. Just last week a teen fan splurged on the $20,000 package, which included an impromptu pizza party at Mark Mothersbaugh's, mingling with Slash, mini-golf with Maynard James Keenan, a song written about him, and a lot more... though there seems to be tragic subtext to how this teen was able to pony up the cash.
HLAH - Summer Nights [originally from Grease]
This is probably my favourite of this batch of covers. From New Zealand rockers HLAH (Head Like a Hole) who took their name from a Nine Inch Nails song, but were later forced to abbreviate their name due to legal issues.
Party Ben - Ooh La La Summer Nights [cast of Grease vs. The Wiseguys]
A thoroughly listenable mash-up from generally dependable, sometimes brilliant Party Ben.
Hope you all had a nice Easter weekend. I had an unbelievable Sunday surprise when the Easter bunny appeared in the form of cheery leather jacket-clad author bearing a basket full of blog hits. I knew something was up when visitor traffic quadrupled on Sunday, which is not altogether uncommon when I get get some link love from anybody, but my little geek heart nearly exploded when I saw the source of the incoming traffic: twitter.com/neilhimself.
neilhimself: @donttrythis Adam, billybob's erratic interview is completely and delightfully explained at http://bit.ly/nUsUa
NEIL GAIMAN TWEETED MY BLOG, BWAHAHAHA! Then my nearly exploded little geek heart melted into a warm puddle of goo when I doubly realized he was tweeting my blog to ADAM SAVAGE. Yep, who-ya-gonna-call-Mythbusters Adam Savage! I don't care what you say, I am at complete liberty to geek out all I want (and I have). I took great comfort in Neil's later tweets that he would have totally geeked out during his interview on Q back in March had he known beforehand that Jian Ghomeshi was in Moxy Früvous. Neil, a closet Frühead? Priceless! He even has a Bargainville cassette that is long overdue for a CD upgrade.
Some related linkage:
As one would expect, Billy Bob Thornton and his Boxmasters were heckled and booed at Toronto's Massey Hall following his headline-making interview with CBC's Jian Ghomeshi. Three songs into the set opening for Willie Nelson (whom he's "never met"), he attempted to give his side of the story. Yesterday, The Boxmasters cancelled the last two stops on the Canadian tour because, according to his official website: "Boxmasters musician and crew down with the flu". Right.
There is a third side to what happened last week on the radio as Canadian singer-songwriter/homebrew animator Jeremy Fisher dished the scoop on what really happened:
That's the 4th episode of Fisher's youtube series For Real whose previous guests have included such luminaries as Colin Farrell, David Lee Roth, and most recently on the Easter edition, Mel Gibson. It's sort of like indie rock's answer to Weird Al's celebrity interviews on Al TV.
Jeremy Fisher - The Boxer (live) [originally by Simon & Garfunkel]
A live cover full of amusing banter and audience laughter that still manages to be poignant. The whole show recorded in Vancouver a few months ago is currently archived at CBC Radio 2's Concerts on Demand.
Jeremy Fisher - Solsbury Hill [originally by Pater Gabriel]
From a show recorded in Solana Beach, California hosted on the Live Archive (the only one in spite of his approval of tapers).
Jeremy Fisher - Harvest [originally by Neil Young]
From the double disc album of Neil Young covers Borrowed Tunes II by fellow Canadian artists.
By the way, lightning struck twice, this time over at CBC Radio 3 as host Tariq talked to musician-turned-ventriloquist, Shane Nelkin of The Awkward Stage... "Would you say that to Shari Lewis and Lambchop?"
A couple notable covers hit this week:
Things got awkward then hostile as Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters were on CBC's Q being interviewed by Jian Ghomeshi:
Apparently he is not an actor and repeatedly likens himself to Tom Petty. "Would you say that to Tom Petty?" Also, Canadians audiences suck because we don't throw enough stuff at the band (though I'm sure Noel Gallagher was thrilled when he was assaulted on stage in Toronto). Entertaining in the most cringeworthy way. Poor bandmates... at the 9:05 mark of the video, watch Billy Bob offer up another zinger answer then the reaction shot of his bandmates says it all.
Check out the amusing tags on the youtube video:
billy bob thornton blow up cbc tv qtv jian ghomeshi radio vs ass of himself crazy joaquin phoenix boxmasters perez hilton willie nelson actor music oscars
The National Post talked to Jian after the interview here.
=================
Also, next Sunday is the last weekend of The Wright Stuff in Toronto, the month long series of film screenings curated by Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright who's been in T.O. filming Scott Pilgrim. Fittingly, the final screening is a double feature of David Cronenberg's The Brood and Don McKellar's Last Night. Last Night is one of my favourite Canadian films, sort of the anti-Armageddon as several characters (including Cronenberg himself) prepare for the end of the world. It was cool to read that Last Night was an influence on Shaun of the Dead! Don McKellar will be a special guest at the sceening. Details here
Here are bunch of great bands (and covers) that I've been meaning to write about for a while. It's about time they get their dues.
Shaka Labbits - That Thing You Do! [originally by The Wonders]
Reaching #7 on the Billboard charts in August 1964, this was the only hit for Erie, Pennsylvania band The Wonders. In 2003, the one hit wonder was revived in this irresistible cover by Japanese ska punk band Shaka Labbits.
Jackson Browne, Jewel, Lyle Lovett & Ghostface Killah - Walk Hard (All-Star Version) [originally by Dewey Cox]
Charlie Wadhams, Gus Seyffert & Eleni Mandell - Let's Duet [originally performed by Dewey Cox & Darlene Madison]
Dewey Cox - Starman [originally by David Bowie]
No doubt the most successful son of Springberry, Alabama, Dewey Cox was one of the most versatile and underrated performers in rock & roll, country, and disco history. The world still mourns his timely death in 2007, in fact it feels a little soon to even talk about it.
Stillwater - Hour of Need
Peter Frampton - Hour of Need
This is one of those tricky David Bowie/Mott the Hoople cover cases. The song was indeed written by Peter Frampton, but it was first recorded by unheralded 70's rockers Stillwater in 1973. Frampton himself wouldn't release his own version until nearly 20 years later.
Soundgarden - Big Bottom [originally by Spinal Tap]
A true Spinal Tap reunion is impossible in light of the tragic history of former drummers, but founding members David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls have nevertheless set a Guinness World Record for the most reunion shows in rock & roll history. In fact, the band intends to break up and reunite at every stop on their forthcoming tour, which kicks off in Vancouver on April 17th!
The Folksmen - Start Me Up [originally by The Rolling Stones]
The original Folksmen line-up of Jerry Palter, Alan Barrows, and Mark Shubb are also Guinness World Record holders for most reunion shows in folk music history, most notably at the 2003 Tribute Show to Irving Steinbloom. Coincidentally, their latest reunion tour also kicks off in Vancouver on April 17th. Decisions, decisions!
