When I started Cover Freak I was posting songs from my vast personal archives. I was afraid that I would get cease-and-desist orders from record labels and be forced to shut down before long. Little did I know that not only would I never get a nasty-gram from a record label lawyer (knock on wood), but I would have artists, publicists, and even record labels sending me songs to post. The experience has been both gratifying and unexpected, and most of the songs have been very good. Here’s a sample of stuff that I’ve been sent recently.
BTW, if you’re a publicist and I ask you for either an mp3 or a CD so I can rip my own mp3 there are two things you can do: send me the material that I requested or leave me alone. Either response is acceptable. The publicist for an older performer trying to resurrect his career with a covers album seems to find this concept elusive.
Judson Claiborne “Ring The Bells” (James)
I’m very happy to post this song. Judson Claiborne is a Chicago musician, his publicist works for Touch And Go Records, and he plays a freaking ukulele! It’s like some evil scientist in a lab somewhere engineered the song I couldn’t refuse to post. And it’s a great, charming tune as well.
Dusty Wright “Mercedes Benz” (Janis Joplin)
Last month I posted the GIANTfingers version of “Baby’s On Fire.” Then one of the guys from the band sent me this nice roots-rock song from his solo album. It feels like a complete song as opposed to the original, which sounded like a tossed-off joke. Check out his web site, there’s some interesting stuff there.
The Polka Floyd Show “See Emily Play” (Pink Floyd)
This band’s publicist sent me a cryptic email asking me if I wanted to hear some unique Pink Floyd covers. I replied in the affirmative and then the mailman brought me the Polka Floyd CD. I’m not sure what I was expecting but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t that.
elodieO “Home” (The Cure)
elodiO sings stylish Euro-synth songs, mostly in French. Too bad she chose to sing this song in English. If she sang it in French it would be the sexiest Cure song ever, hands down. It’s still pretty sexy though.
George Kahn “Sunshine Of Your Love” (Cream)
It’s sad that Eric Clapton has become so lame over the last twenty years or so. This cool jazz tune from George Kahn reminds me of what a vital musician he was before drugs and fame took their toll.
Anders Holst “All About Soul” (Billy Joel)
I’m honestly not big on the whole “smooth jazz” thing. I pretty much prefer any other kind of music. And the description of this guy by his publicist as “the Sting of Stockholm” ain’t exactly a ringing endorsement in my book. Nevertheless I have to admit that Anders Holst makes this Billy Joel song his own, which is what Cover Freak is all about.