Years ago, after hearing her butcher “Satisfaction” and then reading a bunch of ridiculous, freak show-glorifying reviews by kids afraid too chicken to fly into the sun and have their own, healthy breakdown, I figured I would forever cringe at the thought of Cat Power. Then she started to get all Memphis soul and actually sing structured arrangements with a cool band. These cats even tried to help her reconstruct “Satisfaction.” They tried; at least Chan looks like her hormones have been activated, as the song was written to influence.
I own one of those Memphis soul albums and like it a lot. I no longer cringe at the thought of Cat Power; in fact, for the last few years I’ve been open to hearing more of her music. I’ve even moved past my disdain for fans of her early records. Just now, however, I was hoping to find a clip of Fairport Convention doing “Who Knows Where the Time Goes,” my favorite song by them. I was listening to a live version on the drive in this morning, and figured maybe I’d finally find live footage of Sandy Denny performing the song with them. Nice dice. Instead I came across this solo Cat Power performance.
WTF? Is this part of that “[Insert Artist] Shreds” series of videos I’ve seen posted on YouTube?
I haven’t hit the play button on this yet, and I might not. Had one of the biggest Emperor has no Clothes moments with this chick a few years back. I think she was on Austin City Limits or something with someone more famous doinga duet. When it was her time to sing, my buddy and I just looked at each other with the same “What the Fuck?” look.
Indeed. I think “WTF?!” is the correct response.
Is she singing in a different language as the first verse gets underway?
Goodness knows I would like to see more of this stuff, but right now I’m too busy watching paint dry and I need to stay alert.
I couldn’t make it past the third line. Who the hell decided to foist this worthless “act” on the general public, anyway? Is she related to some music biz big shot, or something? Horrible, talentless mope.
I had a feeling she would show up as soon as that “Satisfaction” mix got posted. About 50 seconds into this clip she hits the simple um-pah rhythm that makes up a good percentage of her album, “The Greatest.” Having said that, I tend to have an “all or nothing” reaction to her – some tunes I find completely engaging, others are like wallpaper.
OK, I watched a minute of it. Makes me long for the days when if you couldn’t, you didn’t.
Susanna Hoffs does a way better version of this song with M. Sweet on one of their Under the Covers albums.
I wonder if Chan did this when she was hammered? It’s possible according to this NYT profile:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/20/arts/music/20cat.html
I do like “The Greatest” and I think she’s pretty easy on the eyes, which counts for something.
I’ve tried. I (sort of) have. But I just can’t. I don’t get her. I even owned a Cat Power album, purchased on the advice of a crazed record store employee, and eventually sold it. Nope. Not even The Greatest made me a fan.
I own Jukebox. I like it. I think it has a cool Nick Cave sort of vibe. Don’t know much about the rest of her music. She makes the scene for sure.
I knew the minute I heard her name that I would despise her music. I think she should go back to devoting more time to drinking than singing. Everyone has a talent. Hers is not music.
Did that come off as a little harsh?
Jukebox is the album I own, too, shawnkilroy.
BigSteve, harsh is not typically part of your arsenal, but you wield it well, when necessary.