A version that somehow I had forgotten the existence of until yesterday, despite it being one of my all-time fave tunes.
And may I just ask why none of my Australian friends had bothered to remind me of this?
I'm talking to YOU, Peter Scott.
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Plan 9 From Covers Week: Special "Harry Vanda and George Young Are Deities" Edition
From 1986, please enjoy The Hindu Love Gods -- i.e., Warren Zevon and R.E.M. -- essaying one of the greatest rock-and-roll songs ever written, The Easybeats' "Gonna Have a Good Time."
A version that somehow I had forgotten the existence of until yesterday, despite it being one of my all-time fave tunes.
And may I just ask why none of my Australian friends had bothered to remind me of this?
I'm talking to YOU, Peter Scott.
A version that somehow I had forgotten the existence of until yesterday, despite it being one of my all-time fave tunes.
And may I just ask why none of my Australian friends had bothered to remind me of this?
I'm talking to YOU, Peter Scott.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
Annals of High Concept (An Occasional Series)
Okay, this has very little to do with music -- although the song at the end of the trailer is pretty cool -- but I just had to share.
The plot:
I think we can all safely agree the F/X in that clip make Sharknado look like Mansquito, whatever that means.
In any case, this soon to be classic film will be available on DVD and for streaming (on iTunes, where it will share bandwith with the new Floor Models album), but if you're nice to me I'll send you a Vimeo link for a screener.
The plot:
After a devastating family tragedy, a priest travels to China to find deeper spirituality, but instead is endowed with an ancient ability that allows him to turn into a dinosaur. At first, he is horrified by his newfound superpower, but a local prostitute convinces him to use his newfound gift to fight evil – and ninjas.
I think we can all safely agree the F/X in that clip make Sharknado look like Mansquito, whatever that means.
In any case, this soon to be classic film will be available on DVD and for streaming (on iTunes, where it will share bandwith with the new Floor Models album), but if you're nice to me I'll send you a Vimeo link for a screener.
Monday, July 29, 2019
The Decline of the West (An Occasional Series)
From 1958, please enjoy (if that is the word) Ronnie Burns -- yes, George and Gracie's son -- and his attempted hit single "She's Kinda Cute."
I discovered that song because of late I have been listening to old Jack Benny radio and TV shows in attempt to soothe myself to sleep on nights when today's current events are making me upset. Mostly it works, but when I heard this one I jumped out of bed in a cold sweat as if I was being pursued by the Hounds of Hell.
Seriously, that may be the worst 50s teen idol piece of crap of all time; it makes Frankie Avalon sound like Will and Ariel Durant.
I discovered that song because of late I have been listening to old Jack Benny radio and TV shows in attempt to soothe myself to sleep on nights when today's current events are making me upset. Mostly it works, but when I heard this one I jumped out of bed in a cold sweat as if I was being pursued by the Hounds of Hell.
Seriously, that may be the worst 50s teen idol piece of crap of all time; it makes Frankie Avalon sound like Will and Ariel Durant.
Friday, July 26, 2019
Covers Week Has Risen From the Grave! (Part Four): Something Sinister This Way Comes
From 1976, please enjoy The Fabulous Sheepskins...
...and the most deliberately creepy cover of a Herman's Hermits song ever heard by sentient mammalian ears.
The Sheepskins were a sort of Los Angeles glam-rock collective which featured a couple of rock critics and also friend of PowerPop Kirk Henry, whom attentive readers will recall as a member of cult band Christopher Milk. In any case, I'm not sure I prefer their version of "I'm Into Something Good" to the original, but I think it has a certain je ne sais quoi that truly says "I don't know what" and I definitely dig it.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
...and the most deliberately creepy cover of a Herman's Hermits song ever heard by sentient mammalian ears.
The Sheepskins were a sort of Los Angeles glam-rock collective which featured a couple of rock critics and also friend of PowerPop Kirk Henry, whom attentive readers will recall as a member of cult band Christopher Milk. In any case, I'm not sure I prefer their version of "I'm Into Something Good" to the original, but I think it has a certain je ne sais quoi that truly says "I don't know what" and I definitely dig it.
Have a great weekend, everybody!
Thursday, July 25, 2019
We Interrupt Covers Week For a Commercial Message
Attentive readers are doubtless aware of friend of PowerPop Joe Benoit (pictured below with some grizzled old timer)...
...who happens to be, coincidentally, a ridiculously talented singer/songwriter/guitarist whose praises I have sung here on numerous occasions.
Joe recently released a four-song EP...
...featuring this quite glorious tune...
...and now he's getting ready to release a full-length album -- ON HIGH QUALITY VINYL! With a real album cover (the kind you used to clean your weed on) and everything!!!
It'll have 9 songs (including the 4 from the EP); I've heard them all and they're killer, instant power pop classics every one of them.
Unfortunately, a project like this costs money, so Joe has started a Kickstarter campaign. At the moment, he's close to reaching half of his goal; I've contributed, and so should you.
So come on, kids -- be a patron of the arts! It's fun, and plus you'll actually be doing something socially valuable, which is rare in these troubled times.
Help make Joe's album a reality -- just click HERE and pledge whatever you can! You won't be sorry!
And tell 'em PowerPop sent you!!!
...who happens to be, coincidentally, a ridiculously talented singer/songwriter/guitarist whose praises I have sung here on numerous occasions.
Joe recently released a four-song EP...
...featuring this quite glorious tune...
...and now he's getting ready to release a full-length album -- ON HIGH QUALITY VINYL! With a real album cover (the kind you used to clean your weed on) and everything!!!
It'll have 9 songs (including the 4 from the EP); I've heard them all and they're killer, instant power pop classics every one of them.
Unfortunately, a project like this costs money, so Joe has started a Kickstarter campaign. At the moment, he's close to reaching half of his goal; I've contributed, and so should you.
So come on, kids -- be a patron of the arts! It's fun, and plus you'll actually be doing something socially valuable, which is rare in these troubled times.
Help make Joe's album a reality -- just click HERE and pledge whatever you can! You won't be sorry!
And tell 'em PowerPop sent you!!!
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Covers Week Has Risen From the Grave! (Part Four): Special "In the Autumn of My Madness" Edition
From 2002, please enjoy that old lemon squeezer Robert Plant and his splendid cover of Moby Grape's magnificent "Skip's Song" (a/k/a "Seeing").
The definitive version of this is on Moby Grape 69; Plant is actually covering an earlier Grape demo that first appeared on Columbia/Legacy's now criminally out of print Grape box set, and you can read what I had to say about it back in the day at the Magazine Formerly Known as Stereo Review on page 92 HERE.
In any case, Plant (to his credit) is a huge Grape fan; this is actually the second cover he did of their stuff (the earlier is the wonderful "Naked If I Want To"). I don't think either of them live up to the originals, but hopefully the royalties helped their composer Skip Spence at the end of his troubled life.
The definitive version of this is on Moby Grape 69; Plant is actually covering an earlier Grape demo that first appeared on Columbia/Legacy's now criminally out of print Grape box set, and you can read what I had to say about it back in the day at the Magazine Formerly Known as Stereo Review on page 92 HERE.
In any case, Plant (to his credit) is a huge Grape fan; this is actually the second cover he did of their stuff (the earlier is the wonderful "Naked If I Want To"). I don't think either of them live up to the originals, but hopefully the royalties helped their composer Skip Spence at the end of his troubled life.
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
Covers Week Has Risen From the Grave! (Part Deux): Special "Hey, It's Better Than Being Stood Up" Edition
From 1968, and his absolutely wonderful post-Lovin' Spoonful solo album, please enjoy the great Zal Yanovsky and his fabulous guitar take on Floyd Cramer's piano instrumental hit "Last Date."
That whole album is a riot, BTW, particularly the title song and an utterly demented cover of "Little Bitty Pretty One," which I may post later in the week.
That whole album is a riot, BTW, particularly the title song and an utterly demented cover of "Little Bitty Pretty One," which I may post later in the week.
Monday, July 22, 2019
Covers Week Has Risen From the Grave! (Part One): Special "Clare De Lune Rose" Edition
From 2019, please enjoy the incredible Joshua Lee Turner and an absolutely magisterial cover of Nick Drake's sublime "Pink Moon."
You can find out more about this kid (and hear more of his stuff, which is largely beyond belief good) over at his webiste HERE.
[h/t Matt Mitchell]
You can find out more about this kid (and hear more of his stuff, which is largely beyond belief good) over at his webiste HERE.
[h/t Matt Mitchell]
Friday, July 19, 2019
Bride of Covers Week (Part 4): Special "Heavy Metal Meets Folk-Rock and Then They All Go Out to the Pub For Dinner" Edition
From 1970, please enjoy The Move and their staggering cover of Tom Paxton's "Last Thing on My Mind."
Quite a reimagining of the song, I think; let's just say that it's usually performed in a gentler, more bucolic style. I'd give my right arm to know if the song's composer ever heard it.
Have a great weekend, everybody!!!
Quite a reimagining of the song, I think; let's just say that it's usually performed in a gentler, more bucolic style. I'd give my right arm to know if the song's composer ever heard it.
Have a great weekend, everybody!!!
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Bride of Covers Week (Part III): Special "These Guys Sing Like Birds" Edition
From 1966, please enjoy The Everly Brothers and their lovely take on The Hollies' "Signs That Will Never Change."
Okay, technically this may not be a cover, given that Don and Phil's version came out first. (The Hollies didn't release theirs till 1967, as the B-side of "Carrie Anne.")
Nevertheless, it's gorgeous and I love it and this is my blog so don't give me a hard time.
Okay, technically this may not be a cover, given that Don and Phil's version came out first. (The Hollies didn't release theirs till 1967, as the B-side of "Carrie Anne.")
Nevertheless, it's gorgeous and I love it and this is my blog so don't give me a hard time.
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