Apr 182007
Easy to digest, one-dimensional micro-movies, designed to efficiently astonish and amaze the Internet generation. See them here first, before your friends send them to you:
Easy to digest, one-dimensional micro-movies, designed to efficiently astonish and amaze the Internet generation. See them here first, before your friends send them to you:
Granny?
I know I’m supposed to see that and think it’s funny and a kooky idea, and then almost immediately most of us self-consciously think what a predictable joke that is, and how they don’t really do anything interesting with the song and what not, then, on RTH, I’d be alt from alt enough to be just uncool enough for school, and then, fuck! – my brain gets tired so I get off the ride. I simply enjoyed it, as did the old people in it. Right up until the last codger flipped the bird, it was, as Vonnegut said of Laurel and Hardy, “bargaining in good faith with its destiny.”
Somewhere in the world there is a tape Chris Unrath made when he wanted to audition to be the new Replacements guitar player, back when what’s his name stumbled out. And one song I helped him make was a recording of Mississippi Queen, featuring his mom on lead vocals, done in much this style. Mr. Clean? Were you drumming? She was deadly serious and slightly guarded, and Mr. Mod would have loved it for its Lou Reedian journeymanism and awkwardness. Funny. “The rest of them dudes was a’ gettin’ their kicks…”
Man, you’ve gotta find that recording, General!
I never set my parents or any old codger to music for comic effect, but this does open up an interesting line of discussion about the most unusual, yet successful, covers we’ve undertaken and/or heard. Speaking for myself, I’ve always been very proud of a cover of McCartney’s “My Love,” which I, uh, “laid down” with the drummer and bassist for the Judybats (there, I did it; the only rock name-drop I can muster). It was sparse, crunchy (as in crunchy guitars) and surprisingly effective. Sadly, I lost my copy and nobody seems to know where another can be found. Damn! If ever there was a song that needed to be done properly, that one was it… and we did it!
Another thing I liked about that cover: we recorded it during a quick stop in Knoxville as I was driving to my parents’ house in Nashville for the holidays. It was like — pull over, get out of car, whaddayawannado? Well, I’ve been obssessing about covering “My Love” by Paul McCartney… hey, that’s a great idea! Bang, bang, whangalang, she’s done. Okay, seeya! Vroom, etc.
The General and I did a Residents-inspired cover of The Doors’ “Five to One” that seems to have been lost to the ages. It was a blast to record and I think it shed a lot of light on the song. In a similar fashion, my old friend Jeff and I recorded a version of “Gloria” under the name Butch Pussy that I do have. Also much fun and very instructive.
the photon band used to do a devo inspired, entirely-too-fast cover of zeppelin’s ‘dancin’ days’.
the quasi-atonality of the riff, and plant’s emphasis on one note for most of the verses (i’vegotmyfloweri’vegotmypower), really worked when played fast and sung robotically. it was fun.
Yes -I was drumming on that ‘Mats audition tape…wonder where that ended up!
And I get criticized for beating up on the kids!
Mr. Mod waxes:
The General and I did a Residents-inspired cover of The Doors’ “Five to One” that seems to have been lost to the ages.
Yes, that cassette is in my house right now. Finding it is kind of like the ending of the first Indiana Jones movie, though. In Big Mess, of course, covers are our business, but one of my faves was an a capella “I Dig a Pony” in the style of one of those 15th century madrigals by Gesualdo or somebody. Very moving. Also the bossa “Misty Mountain Hop” stands out.
How could I forget the samba-flavored version of “We’re An American Band” that Bob’s Revenge played way way back in the day, during one of our shows opening for the head? As I recall, we played it sitting down.
I just this moment heard The Holmes Brothers’ 6/8 piano-and-vocals-only ballad version of “I Want You to Want Me.” Awesome.
I definitely remember “5 to 1” by you and The General. I can’t hear the Doors version without thinking about it – especially during the line “your ballroom days are over”
My fav cover was back in ’83 or ’84, when Nixon’s Head had purchasd one of the first Yahmaha 4-track cassette porta-studios that came out. One day, I did all the parts for “Please Please Me”. Considering I really can’t play any instruments, it actually came out pretty good. I also tried “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” but that didn’t come out as well.
Your version of “Please Please Me” was great. Did you also record your stunning instrumental, with Seth’s help, “A Fistful of Head”, that day?