Cover Versions and Books.

Over the years I've heard, many, many astounding covers of songs originally made famous by mediocre talents. One usually thinks of most covers of Dylan songs, since Bob Dylan really wasn't that much of a singer. Or even the covers of “Hallelujah” originally written by Leonard Cohen around the time he seemed to have gained that gravely, grating voice and lost all sense of production that was eventually covered so beautifully by Jeff Buckley and then later by Rufus Wainright.

More recently, I think more about some of the covers that the Flaming Lips have done, such as their bizarre send off “Can't Get You Out of My Head” by Kylie on one of the EP's released in conjunction with Yoshimi. (Though, when I get around to make a mix, I'll probably chose their cover of “What a Wonderful World” Priest Driven Ambulance). As much as I love their original material, I do enjoy some of their covers. They've also got a version of "Bohemian Rhapsody" that they've recently covered that I want to hear the full version of. If anyone knows how to obtain it, feel free to email me.

What really got me thinking about this lately was Snow Patrol's recent cover of Beyonce's “Crazy in Love.” Frankly, the give the song what it needed. They kept her vocals, not quite to the point of mocking her, but they give it an intensity that Beyonce can't seem to grasp. They also gave it something I seem to be quite partial too, guitars. It really is a testament to what guitars, drums, and someone who knows how to play a bass rather than program a drum machine can do. They manage to turn a mediocre club song into a really sexy, rock song. It also shows an ability to rock out that doesn't seem to be on their self titled release from a couple years back. I hope that this version they did for the BBC is a hint at a new, musical direction for a future release. I've got to admit, I've got a weakness for a serious band that can find a groove and stick with it until you're moving along with them.

For your listening pleasure: Snow Patrol, "Crazy In Love"

Finally, I'd also like to mention project a friend of ours is doing on another blogspot she's basically doing a book review blog for books you wouldn't normally think of. Basically, whatever that crosses her desk that she enjoys.