Covers
But Ma, all the other kids are doing it!
Like unnecessary remakes of classic films, I believe that most cover songs are inherently evil and reprehensible. But that didn't stop me from doing my own covers of some "classics" from my CD collection!
The first one, "Buckingham Green," is a pretty straightforward, unimpressive cover, frankly. However, the piano covers from The Chae House Sessions are often interesting interpretations worth checking out.
(3:29 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 4.9 MB)
Originally performed by Ween, from the album The Mollusk (1997).
This is one of my favorite Ween songs (and just one of my favorite songs, in general). I think it's also the first complete song I recorded on my brand spankin' new four-track recorder. About a year later, I read that some guy in Illinois was putting together a Ween tribute album, so I submitted my rendition of "Buckingham Green" and made it onto the album! As you can tell from the album artwork above, it was a classy affair.
The winter holiday season of 2005-2006 was simply one of those soul-crushing moments in life. I was a far away from home, every member of my family was going through some awful crisis, and we had worn out our welcome at Karen's parents' house. But, there was a piano. The depressing milieu inspired me to record these down-tempo, bring-down versions of a few of my favorite songs, all played on the piano. (P.S. I can't play the piano.) The hits include:
(3:56 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 5.5 MB)
Originally performed by Elliott Smith, from the album either/or (1997) .
(3:56 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 5.5 MB)
Originally performed by Ween, from the album GodWeenSatan: The Oneness (1990).
(3:12 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 4.5 MB)
Originally performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival, from the album Pendulum (1970) .
(5:25 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 7.5 MB)
Originally performed by the artist formerly known as Liz Phair, from the bootleg Girlysound recordings (c. 1990s).
Originally performed by David Bowie, from the album 1. Outside (1995).
(2:54 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 4 MB)
Originally performed by Manu Chao, from the album Clandestino (1998). The language sung here is Galician, a language spoken in Galicia (and autonomous community in Spain), and some parts of Portugal. "Minha Galera" roughly translates as "my comrades."
(3:45 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 5.2 MB)
Originally performed by Iron & Wine, from the album The Creek Drank the Cradle (2002).
(3:19 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 4.6 MB)
Originally performed by Weezer, from the album Pinkerton (1996).
(3:59 | MP3 | 192 kbps | 5.5 MB)
Originally performed by Toadies, from the album Rubberneck (1995).
Originally performed by David Bowie, from the album 1. Outside (1995).
