Cover Thursday: Baby, You Don't Know What It's Like

Ray LaMontagne is playing Merriweather Post Pavilion tonight, and I'm currently kicking myself for not getting tickets.  I've already seen him a handful of times and he and his band do an amazing job.  I also think Ray's voice is as close and we can get to Otis Redding in today's music.  Oh well.  As they say times are tough, and I'll have to catch Ray LaMontagne on his next trip through.

Just in case you're feeling the same way I am about missing the show, here's something to hold you over.  A few years back Ray LaMontagne and Damien Rice sang a cover of the Bee Gees "To Love Somebody."  It's a pretty stellar version!  Enjoy it!



Cover Thursdays: The Picture In Reverse

Yesterday R.E.M. announced that they were breaking up as a band after 31 years.  The break-up was reportedly on very good terms, and was a mutual, yet difficult decision.  A band performing that consistently for over 30 years is astonishing. When you think about it, R.E.M. is a bit unique, even in the context of the best bands of our life times.  There's not many bands like them, with that amount of success.  The reason R.E.M. was so loved, was because of the emotional connection they made with their audience.

To celebrate the work of R.E.M. here they are performing one my favorite songs from their catalog "Nightswimming".  Also, check out Ingrid Michaelson utilizing a loop station in a cover of the very same song just below this video.



Cover Thursdays: I Don't Like You But I Love You

I may, or may not have a celebrity crush on Zoey Deschanel.  She's a classy kind of pretty, and she can sing.  I'm pretty much all about her.  Anyway, she's starring a new show called New Girl on Fox.  Since it premieres next Tuesday, I thought now would be a good time to feature this particular song.  In addition to starring in movies such as Elf and (500) Days of Summer, Zoey Deschanel is also a singer/songwriting.  In 2007 she teamed up with M. Ward to form She and Him.  They're released two albums together.

Here's She and Him (Deschanel and M. Ward) performing the oft-covered "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" by The Miracles.



FreeFest Freeview- Cover Thursdays: Have Love Will Travel

Of course, this week's cover must be FreeFest themed!  Here are The Black Keys, probably the band I'm looking forward to seeing the must, covering "Have Love, Will Travel" orignally recorded by Richard Berry in 1959.  "Have Love, Will Travel" has been covered by many bands, most famously by The Sonics.  The Black Keys version can also be found on their 2003 release Thickfreakness. Enjoy!

Cover Thursdays: Washed Away With Sorrow

This week's cover comes to us from the early '90's.  As part of A.V. Club's "Undercover" series The Decemberists covered "If I Can't Change Your Mind" by Sugar.  "If I can't Change Your Mind" was a bit of a one hit wonder off Sugar's 1992 release Copper Blue.  Enjoy!



Cover Thursdays: Life Can Be So Sweet, On The Sunny Side of the Street

Back in May I went to see Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. in Richmond, Virginia.  It was absolutely one of my favorite concerts of the year thus far.  Sure I'm excited to see some bands I've never seen before at Silopanna this weekend (provided Hurricane Irene holds off), but I can't help but be pumped to see this band live again.  They are incredible musicians.  I'll stop there.  There's more to come from Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave. tomorrow!

Here's Trombone Shorty & Orleans Ave. performing the Louie Armstrong classic "On the Sunny Side of the Street", featuring an incredible note Trombone Shorty held for almost three minutes!



Cover Thursdays: I Can Swing My Megaphone

Glen Hansard has made fairly regular appearances on our Cover Thursdays.  Truth be told, Hansard can sing pretty much anything and make it his own.  Years of busking on the streets of Dublin seem to have served Hansard well.

It's amazing how listening to certain songs can bring back memories of certain times, places, people, and emotions.  Listening to a song years later can take you back to that very place.  That's why I chose this performance for this week's cover.  It's clear that Hansard associates this particular song with a specific moment in his life.

Here's Glen Hansard (Swell Season, The Frames) performing R.E.M's "Hairshirt"



Cover Thursdays: I Don't Even Think Of You That Often

Leonard Cohen undoubtedly has one of the most iconic voices in music, which can only be outdone by his poetic lyrics.  It's not all that often where you can read lyrics without the accompanying music, and still be effected on the level.  Cohen's lyrics always find a way to do that very thing.

Sean Rowe's booming voice is as close an you can get to Cohen's.  Here's Sean Rowe performing "Chelsea Hotel No. 2".  For those who don't know the background of this song, Cohen wrote it about an encounter with Janis Joplin.



Cover Thursdays- This Will Never End, This Will Never Stop

There are some songs, that just sound better when in the hands of someone else.  That's not to say that the band or artist who originally wrote and performed those songs are bad.  It just means that those songs were meant for someone else's voice or creative outlook.  Bob Dylan himself admitted that he preferred Jimi Hendrix's version of "All Along the Watchtower."  Noel Gallagher of Oasis confessed that Ryan Adams version of "Wonderwall" is superior to Oasis' version saying "I think Ryan Adams is the only person her who ever got that song right."  I think the same is true of Joshua James' cover Modest Mouse's "Custom Concern."  The stripped down version has so much more emotion.  It's almost like that song was meant for James.

Take a listen.  Here's Joshua James performing the Modest Mouse song "Custom Concern."



Cover Thursdays: Restless Hearts Sleep Alone Tonight

A.V. Club has a running feature called "A.V. Undercover".  Each of the last two years the staff and fans have come up with a list of 25 songs they would like to see covered.  As a band or musician comes in, they pick a song and cross it off the list.  As time goes by, the list grows shorter and the choices narrow.  It's really a great concept, that results in some really interesting takes on popular songs from the past.

"A.V. Undercover" has produced a bunch of great videos, and you'll likely be seeing more featured on our "Cover Thursdays".  However, choosing the first was easy.  I can't pass up a Journey cover.

Here's Clem Snide covering Journey's power ballad, "Faithfully."

As if that wasn't awesome enough, Eef Barzelay, Clem Snide frontman, announced that he'll be making a 6-song EP of Journey covers!  Find more info on their website.

Cover Thursdays: Stuck In Reverse

Back in 2007 you may have seen the previews for or even seen the movie Young @ Heart, a documentary following a chorus by the same name as they rehersed in preperation for a show in their hometown of Northampton, MA.  This, however, is no ordinary chorus.  It's a chorus of senior citizens whose average age dials in at 81 years.  They don't resign themselves to singing standards either.  Their repetoire ranges from Jimi Hendrix, to Bruce Springsteen, to James Brown, and Sonic Youth.

One of the standout performances of the movie comes courtesy of Fred Knittle.  Knittle was forced to leave the chorus five years earlier due to heart problems, but still made appearences from time to time.  The song Knittle was set to perform for the show was "Fix You" by Coldplay, and the performance was supposed to be a duet with his good friend Bob Silvini.  Unfortunately, Silvini passed away just days prior to the concert.  Faced with performing the song without his very good freind was devestating, however, Knittle pulled it off.  Knittle's performance, with his deep Johnny Cash-like voice, is outstanding to begin with.  Adding the circumstances surrounding the performance brings a completely different layer of feeling and emotion to the song.  It's amazing how a song's meaning can change when it's coming from a different perspective.

Here's Young @ Heart led by Fred Knittle performing "Fix You".  The video can't be embedded, but it's such a beautiful performance, everyone should check it out.  So, here the link to the video on youtube.

You can read so much more about the Young @ Heart Chorus by checking out their website.

Cover Thursday- I Can't Make You Love Me, If You Don't

For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver's 2008 debut was perhaps the most stunningly beautiful and unexpected freshman release the music industry had seen in some time.  Justin Vernon and his haunting falsetto had produced something so unique that listeners had to stop and pay attention.  Even more impressive, he's managed to keep their attention.

On June 21st Bon Iver released their highly anticipated eponymous sophomore effort.  Despite sky high expectations, Bon Iver may have exceeded even the loftiest of requirements.  In my opinion, Bon Iver is the best album of 2011 to this point.  There is noticeably more production on Bon Iver than on For Emma, Forever Ago, giving it a much fuller sound.  However, the album is still distinctly Bon Iver.

I've been dying to feature a song from this record.  While every song is outstanding, I can't stop listening to the opening track, "Perth".  Unfortunately, there's not a great video of "Perth" out there yet.  But,  I couldn't resist writing about Bon Iver, so here's Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) performing "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Nick of Time" by Bonnie Raitt.

Head over to boniver.org.  If you do purchase Bon Iver, and I suggest you do, I think it's best enjoyed with the lights off and a pair of headphones.  It's one of those records.

Cover Thursdays- No Wedding Day Smiles, No Walk Down the Aisle

Tonight I'm taking my Dad to see Josh Ritter at Asbury Hall in Buffalo.  I've seen Josh Ritter live at least four times, and every time he's put on an excellent show.  His mastery over his complex lyrics and the enthusiasm he brings to the performance are both incredible.  However, what I'm most excited about, is seeing a concert with my Dad!  We've gone to shows together before, but now that I live in Maryland, it makes seeing a concert together a little more special.  Since moving in 2007, I've made great friends in Maryland and have grown to really enjoy my job.  The biggest drawback is only seeing my family for a few weeks thoughout the year.  So tonight isn't just about the music for me, it's about spending time with my Dad.

Because the concert falls on a Cover Thursday, here's Josh Ritter performing "The River" by Bruce Springsteen!

Check back tomorrow for another concert review!  Also, Josh Ritter just published his first novel, entitled Bright's Passage.  If you're looking for a good summer read, I'm sure the storytelling skills Ritter employs in his songwriting translate beautifully to a novel!  Go to his website and check it out!

Cover Thursday- I Wish I Was Special

Sarah Jaffe is opening for Centro-matic at Mohawk Place in Buffalo (my home town) tomorrow night.  Her debut album Suburban Nature is one of my favorite albums of the last year.  I'm leaving for home in the morning and if I can make it on time, I'll be at the show.

Despite the massive amounts of popularity and success Radiohead has experienced in the last 10-15 years, perhaps their most widely known and famous song is "Creep" off their 1993 debut Pablo Honey.  The beauty of creep is how thinly veiled it is.  More than most any other song it is straight forward, to the point, and honest.  In my opinion, the reason why it's so popular is because at some point everyone has longed to be included, but felt so hopelessly different than everyone else.

Take a listen to Sarah Jaffe covering Radiohead's "Creep".  What's most powerful about the performance is the sold out crowd singing along to every word.  It's truly beautiful.



Caravan Countdown- Said The Joker To The Thief

What better way to end the Countdown to DMB Caravan than with some covers from Dave Matthews Band?  Dave Matthews Band has been touring for over 20 years.  In that time their own songs have evolved and changed over time.  Short studio songs have turned into epic live jams. Early songs have become part of current songs.  A great perk of being a fan of the Dave Matthews Band is that no two shows are exactly the same.

An additional aspect to Dave Matthews Band shows are the covers the band has been known to pull out of their hat.  Over 20 years the band has added hundreds of songs to their cover repertoire.  No genre or artist is off limits, and every cover is masterfully done.  Below are just a few favorites!

Probably the most well known cover Dave Matthews Band plays is Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower"  This song has been a live staple from the beginning of the band, and the result is probably the best version since Jimi Hendrix covered Watchtower in the 60's.  Check out Dave Matthews Band playing "All Along the Watchtower" with a bit of "Stairway to Heaven".

Neil Young has always been an influence on Dave Matthews.  In recent years "The Needle and the Damage Done" has made its way into Dave Matthews Band shows.  Below is a cover of another Neil Young song, "Cortez the Killer" featuring Warren Haynes.  The Warren Haynes band will be in Atlantic City this weekend, which makes it a possibility that this song will find it's way into a set.

One more?  Alright!  A cover that has become a crowd favorite in the last couple years is the Talking Heads' "Burning Down the House".  This gets the crowd going every time.  Here's a truncated version featuring Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave at the NFL Kickoff party.

Hope you enjoyed the covers and all of Caravan Countdown Week!  There are three more DMB Caravan stops this summer, so it's not too late to grab your tickets and enjoy some music.  I'm off to Atlantic City!  Reviews start on Monday!

Cover Thursday- She Says I Am The One

One of my students loves Michael Jackson!  Just yesterday she dressed as Michael Jackson for "Dress Like Someone You Look Up To Day".  Several times this year she's sang entire songs, complete with the dance moves.  It's hilarious and entertaining!  As there are only two days left in school, I thought today was fitting to send this post out to my amazing student!

Here's The Civil Wars covering Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean".



Cover Thursdays- Love Can Cure Your Problems

This week I cheated a little for Cover Thursday... but it's a good cheat!  I think everyone wins.  I mean you can't really go wrong when Pete Townshend's involved.

Next week, one of my favorite artists, Joe Purdy, will be playing in Annapolis.  Hopefully, I'll be able to make it to the concert.  Even if I can't, I'll be certain to post about Joe Purdy in the very near future, because the man is an undiscovered treasure.  However, I've been sitting on posting this video for a bit, and thought now would be a good time to feature it as the concert is next week.  A couple years ago Joe Purdy was joined for a concert by Pete Townshend.  Together they played "Let My Love Open the Door", and below is the mesmerizing performance!  I guess it's not technically a cover, but it's too awesome to pass over.

On a related note, if you've never seen the movie "Dan In Real Life", I'd highly recommend it.  The movie itself is funny and well written, Sondre Lerche wrote the soundtrack, and most notably Steve Carell and Dane Cook perform "Let My Love Open the Door" in the movie.  It's my favorite scene, and that performance alone makes the movie worth the time in my opinion.

Cover Thursdays- Write Myself A Tune

Mavis Staples is legendary in the world of music and civil rights.  Her music career started in 1950, when she toured with her family group at the age of 11.  The Staples music was a virtual soundtrack to the Civil Rights movement of the '60's, covering songs of change by the likes of Bob Dylan and Stephen Stills.  Keeping with her activist message that has defined her career, Mavis Staples appeared at John Stewart and Stephen Colbert's "Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear" in October 2010.  Side note: I was there and it was awesome!  Anyway, joining her on stage was Jeff Tweedy, lead singers of Wilco, and producer on Staples' latest album You Are Not Alone.  In February, Mavis Staples won her very first Grammy, as You Are Not Alone took home the award for "Best Americana Album".

Take a listen to the legendary Mavis Staples performing Creedance Clearwater Revival's "Wrote A Song For Everyone" alongside Jeff Tweedy.  Her voice should be considered a national treasure.



Cover Thursdays- For My Country I Would Die

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend here in the States.  Memorial Day means many things.  It means BBQ's, the start of summer, beaches, and for me as a teacher, the home stretch of the school year.  But the real reason for Memorial Day, is to remember those soldiers who fought and died for our country and to preserve our rights to have BBQ's, listen to great music, and write blogs... amongst other perhaps more important freedoms.  So go ahead and grill this weekend, break out the swim suits, cross another day off from the school calendar, and have fun doing it!  Just remember those who fought for us to have the freedom to enjoy this weekend!

In honor of Memorial Day, check out Iron & Wine covering "Love Vigilantes" by New Order.



Cover Thursdays- Her Beauty And The Moonlight Overthrew You

Leonard Cohen is one of the most covered artists in all of music.  According to leonardcohenfiles.com there have been over 2000 Leonard Cohen covers (that doesn't count amateur youtube posts).  I'd imagine he knows a thing or two about writing music.  Probably the song most often covered from Cohen's library, is "Hallelujah".  In my opinion, and I likely have a bit of company, it's one of the most beautiful songs ever written. 

So many artists have covered "Hallelujah" that picking one version doesn't seem right.  That being said, one artist's performance of the song is far and away the best.  It's so good, many people think he actually wrote the song.  Here's Jeff Buckley, with a blow you away type of performance, of Leonard Cohen's masterpiece "Hallelujah."

Told you picking just one can't do justice to the song.  Here's Damien Rice's version, performed to pay tribute to Cohen at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.