Thursday 29 October 2009

Week 10 - Beneath the Covers

Interesting one this week. A lot of people are interested in fun cover versions of songs, but what about those who, as Blazin' Squad may say, want to flip reverse it?

This week's blog is about the original songs behind cover versions, but the cover versions are much more well known than the poor originals.

Also, you'll be pleased to know, this is another 'cut to the chase' blog. So, let's get down to brass tacks...

First up is Eminem's My Name Is. You remember the cool soul beat before Marshall Mathers kicks in with his woefully misogynistic and self-centred lyrics kick in? Well, that is a sample of Labi Siffre (yes, he of It Must Be Love and Something Inside So Strong fame). His tune, I Got the Blues, starts off with a beat redolent of Primal Scream's Vanishing Point album. It's so cool, dammit. Thanks Eminem for drawing this to my attention.

Next up is such a tragic case, and one I feel totally compelled to support.

Jake Holmes was a jingle writer - he of 'Gillette the best a man can get' anonymity. But he also penned an absolutely awesome album. If you haven't got it, please get your grubby mitts on The Above Ground Sound of Jake Holmes (if not just for the title). The tracks on it include a version of the Frankie Valli song Genuine Imitation Life.

However, that's not where I'm going with this. Rumour has it that a certain Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin saw Holmes one night perform a ditty by the name of Dazed & Confused. Legend, not rumour (!), has it that Page forgot about it, but suddenly remembered it during a jam by the awesome rockers.

As brilliant as Led Zeppelin's version is (and I must say, I think this whole 'ripping off of black music' thing is a bit harsh), Holmes' version is much better for pure desperation and psychedelic angst. God bless you jingle man.

The next one is the song that's been in my head all week - indeed the song that inspired me to wrestle these unfamous chaps from under the covers.

The Happy Mondays may seem like a bunch of scallies from Little Hulton, Salford. Actually, they are. However, they managed to inspire themselves through a bizarre love of almost unheard of 1960s and 70s songs. They loved Donovan so much one of them married his daughter. But, Mr Leitch isn't where I'm going - he's not so obscure.

Step On was a massive hit for the baggy boys in 1990. Ok, so the original by John Kongas may have been a Top 10 hit in 1971, as He's Gonna Step On You Again, but most people will have forgotten it by the time Factory Records' most profitable fun boys released it as Step On.

Listen and enjoy the early-70s bagginess of it all. Brilliant.

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