It’s always gratifying when a publicist or a record label or a band sends me some music in the hope that exposure on Cover Freak will help the band. It makes me feel like a big and important part of the Media Marketing Machine.

I also like doing anything I can to help independent artists.

If you would like me to post some music from your band just drop me a line. Remember, of course, that I only post cover songs. You’d be surprised at the number of publicists that have a hard time with that concept.

Here’s a selection of songs that have been sent to me recently. If you like what you hear, encourage them. Buy their music and go to their shows.

Wiley And The Checkmates “Ode To Billy Joe” (Bobbie Gentry)
The great thing about this song is that it’s sung to the tune of Hip-Hug-Her. Wiley And The Checkmates is a great soul band. Check out their new album, it’s got a great original song on it about chicken.

Kesang Marstrand “Say Say Say” (Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson)
If Paul McCartney could go back in time and take back one thing, this would probably be it. Not only is it the low point of two songwriters’ careers this was also when he gave Michael Jackson the bright idea to buy the publishing rights to the Beatles catalog.

I really like what Kesang Marstrand does with this song. She delivers a wonderful heartfelt acoustic version that sounds light years better than the original, which makes me cringe every time I hear it.

Painting Tasters “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nirvana)
Every time I think that I don’t need to hear another version of this song another one comes along that sounds great and different. It’s a hallmark of a well written song that it can stand up to being reinterpreted in so many different styles. You can download a lot of this band’s music at their web page.

Telling On Trixie “Mad About You” (Belinda Carlisle)
The publicist who sent me this described it as a “sinister” Belinda Carlsile cover. I don’t think it sounds particularly sinister in its own right, although just about anything sounds sinister if you compare it to anything Belinda Carlisle ever recorded. These guys have their own web site too. I like that better than having a MySpace page. I’m not sure why, maybe I’m just old school like that.

Bertie Higgins “Brown Eyed Girl” (Van Morrison)
According to Mr. Higgins’ publicist, “Bertie has been touring and performing since the ‘60s, when he honed his skills as a drummer with Tommy Roe, opening up for superstars like the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys and Roy Orbison, among others. But he is easily best known for his 1982 #1 hit ‘Key Largo,’ which became an international sensation.”

Somehow I missed out on that international sensation. In 1982 I was a college freshman and was interested in more localized sensations. Still I found the tropic-flavored covers on his latest album enjoyable.

And I wonder why Jimmy Buffett sells out huge ampitheaters and owns a chain of overpriced burger joints and this guy doesn’t. Is it just blind luck? A deal with the devil? The fact that Bertie likes to dress like a pirate in public?