First off, I just want to pass on something that I read the other day. It seems that Scarlett Johansson will be releasing an album of Tom Waits covers. I’m sure that she can’t be a worse singer than she is an actress, but I’m very afraid.

One of the things I’ve always admired about people with musical talent is their ability to take old music that’s part of our genetic code and rework it in a modern style. Here are a few examples.

Kaleidoscope “Cuckoo”
Kaleidoscope was David Lindley‘s band before he went on to work with Jackson Browne and become a famous session musician. I realize that this song doesn’t sound modern by today’s standards, but it did when acid rock ruled the land.

Cylob “Drunken Sailor”
Drum machines and computer-generated vocals. Now that’s what I call modern.

Lemonheads “Knoxville Girl”
I couldn’t do a post of traditional songs without including at least one murder ballad. Just be glad I’m not posting Zamfir’s version of “Banks Of The Ohio.”

I thought Evan Dando was a complete lightweight until I heard this. They don’t rearrange the song so much as just play it on jangly pop guitars.

Blind Boys of Alabama “Amazing Grace”
They sing this song to the tune of “House Of The Rising Sun” which is pretty cool. I think I’d like it better if they sang it to the tune of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” but they didn’t ask me.

The Moldy Peaches “Little Bunny Foo Foo”
Yes, it’s everybody’s favorite obnoxious children’s song.