Tag Archives: Cat Power

Covers.

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I hate covers, but every so often I hear a cover and my hate fades away. Hate is a bit harsh isn’t it. I don’t hate many things. But I really don’t understand why you’d want to take another song and possibly ruin it. However, sometimes a cover is better than the original. In short, I have mixed feelings about cover versions. I get a bit upset when a song I love is covered and just destroyed. There’s no need for it. But, there are some covers that I have grown fond of. I am partial to making an exception sometimes. I’ve attempted to pick 5 covers that I adore a hell of a lot. I will probably want to change my mind as soon as I’ve posted this.

Lykke Li has easily put out one of the best albums this year, and I’d say it’s been highly underrated. Her voice always breaks your heart. However, when she goes acoustic you really really feel her words. They hit you right in the gut. Many have covered Unchained Melody, but none have captured the pain within as much as Lykke Li does. A cover should mean the artist puts their own personal touch on it, she really does. When she holds the note around 2 minutes in, it just covers your body in goose bumps and you tremble. It’s such a gorgeous cover but at the same time, causes you to ache.

Apart from The Smiths, The Walker Brothers are my favourite band of all time. With one listen of this cover, it’s pretty much easy to see why. Scott Walker is like a god to me. His music is pretty much everything to me. A stunning singer who should be regarded as the greats. Let’s be honest, he’s probably the greatest. The Walker Brothers are one of the many that have covered this song originally by Jerry Butler (written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.) The Walker Brothers add huge drums to this giving it a Wall Of Sound feel to this cover. Of all the break-up songs in the world, this is probably my favourite. It’s just a beautiful that, although it may pain you to listen to it- it comforts you too.

Cat Power is a strong vocalist. Her music always moves my soul, it goes beyond the heart. Her music has got me through some times I hope I never ever have to go near again. Her music is a lifeline. Seeing her live was one of the best gigs that I have ever been to. I’d waited years to see her, and I was right at the front. It was just perfect. Cat Power has covered a lot of songs in her career. She’s even released a covers record. I could’ve picked the obvious such as Sea Of Love or I Found A Reason, but I had to go with one of her Bob Dylan covers. I fully understand Cat Power’s love for Bob Dylan, I feel exactly the same. I hate it when Bob Dylan’ssongs are covered, I firmly believe the only person who should sing a Bob Dylan song is Bob Dylan- that was until I heard Cat Power’s version of Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again. My mind was blown, my heart beat double time. I fell in love with her music and Bob Dylan all over again. It’s a truly wonderful cover, quite possibly her best cover she has done.

I love Wicked Game. I used to be obsessed with this song when Iwas younger, I had a bit of a fascination with Chris Isaak, I loved his music. What I love about this song is that it just oozes the need to fight how you feel. As someone who does that more times than they should (I’m starting to get a bit better) this song is just perfect. I’ve always loved the line, “This world is only going to break your heart.” It just sums up the whole feel of the song. Don’t bother, you’re just going to get your heart broken. However, getting your heart broken will always happen. There’s no point trying to avoid it. Shit happens, you’ll be fine-carry on. I love the way she sings, “I never dreamed that I’d meet someone like you.” We’ve all felt that way. You meet someone you thought you’d never in a million years meet. I don’t wish to make my take on this any more personal than I have, so I will now move onto my final cover…..

I love The Kills as much as I love the Velvet Underground which is probably close to an obsession. I don’t call it that, I just call it a passion for excellent music. Pale Blue Eyes is my favourite Velvet Underground song (closely followed by Run,Run,Run.) The Kills are influenced by Velvet Underground, and have covered a few other songs by them; but this is my ultimate favourite. It’s my favourite cover EVER. I love Jamie’s guitar on this, it’s just so emotional and powerful. Then you have Alison’s voice. Her voice ALWAYS sends me off some place else. Don’t ever try to have a conversation with me if The Kills are playing near us- my attention will be elsewhere. And I’ll probably start singing and be in some kind of trance for about an hour. Pale Blue Eyes has some of the most wonderful lyrics ever. The opening verse is so haunting, “Sometimes I feel so happy. Sometimes I feel so sad….baby you just make me mad.” We’ve all got someone we care about, but they just make us mad. You can’t say why, but they just do. I love this song so much, and there was a time when this song was too much to listen to due to it being so bloody apt. But, that’s been and gone now; and I can safely say this is my favourite cover of all time and I can listen to it being, and just be in awe of Alison and Jamie’s talent. I did want to choose their cover of I Put A Spell On You by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins but I’d just rant forever.

I know I’ve missed out some brilliant covers, and as I’m a decent person (depends who you ask I suppose!) I’ll link you to some others:

Siouxsie & The Banshees- This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us.

Warpaint-Ashes To Ashes.

Patti Smith- When Doves Cry.

The Horrors- The Best Thing I Never Had.

Foals-Everybody Wants To Rule The World.

 

Cat Power.

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My love for Chan Marshall began sometime in 2000, I think. I think that was the year. All I know is that I was listening to John Peel under the covers with the light out because I should’ve been asleep. Thing is, I did this with every John Peel show but my mum never told me off. She knew how much I idolised John Peel.

Chan Marshall aka Cat Power’s voice was like nothing I had ever heard. So relaxing but full of so much feeling. Her songs were so vulnerable and her voice trembling on certain songs made you really feel what she was singing.

I hold her song Metal Heart very dear to me. I do favour the Moon Pix version more than the Jukebox version, but that’s because it sounds much darker. If it sounds dark and tormented, I’ll love it. Not in a sick, twisted way; but in a way that makes it easy to relate to.

I own all of Cat Power’s records, and I think, as hard as it is to decide; You Are Free is my favourite record. I adore the album cover, with the picturesque album artwork just gives off the freedom feel to it which ties in with the album title. You listen to the album and you do feel so weightless, so free. Any good record will make you that way. Any good record will take you to a higher plain.

Her music is tormenting, romantic, dark, hurtful, loving, longing; it is just everything, and more. There are so many layers to her sound. I find her to be one of the most charming and alluring singers to have ever existed. She has this quality about her that makes you want to just sit with her and discuss the world. You also feel honoured to have heard her music. It is so rich but pure. All the greats seem to have battled with their own personal demons, from Billie Holiday to Jimi Hendrix. Cat Power is no stranger.

Most are aware of her battle with various substances (drink and drugs.) And her fight with her demons, no one is ever in a place to judge another with how they deal with their battles. We’ve all got our own demons to fight off. You do, I do; no one is exempt. However, Cat Power didn’t let it beat her. Her live performances did suffer for a time. Performances would be cut short or cancelled last minute. This was around 2006. In 2008, I saw her live. The venue held around 250 people maybe a hundred more, but it was tiny. I was finally seeing my favourite singer live, and I will not deny that I had a bit of fear that she would cancel or walk off stage halfway through the gig. Luckily, this was the time she was finally sorted. Her new album, Jukebox had come out and things were looking up. When she sang Metal Heart I felt that a part of me had been found. There is something indescribable about seeing the song that saved you live. It just does something to you that nothing or no one else ever could. I will never forget that gig; I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her band is truly stunning, what I love about them is that they are real, raw musicians. They do it for the music, and the sheer love they have for it.

Her music is one I cannot go a day without playing. It brings confidence and hope, it creates feelings no other could give. It is beyond music, it is a force. One thing Cat Power is known for is her covers. As someone who isn’t the biggest fan of covers, I really do have a soft spot for Cat’s covers. She takes the original and just adds this sensitive and earthy feel to it. I adore her cover of the Velvet Underground’s I Found A Reason. As someone who is obsessed with Velvet Underground, I’m a bit dubious of anyone who covers them. The only two artists that can cover them and still stay true to the sound are The Kills and Cat Power. They keep the same feeling to the songs, but add their own personal touch to it. That’s when you know a cover is given the justice it deserves.

She has covered everyone from Bob Dylan to John Lee Hooker; she takes the songs from those that inspire her and makes the covers her own personal tribute to them. It is so beautiful and passionate.

Her love for Bob Dylan is truly special and just beautiful. You can tell how in awe she of him. Her track, Song For Bobby is the most gorgeous dedication I’ve ever heard. As someone who adores Bob Dylan, you really appreciate how she conveys how you feel for him in her song. “What I feel in my heart from the beginning till my dying day.” She’s loved him from the first time she heard him, and always will. That’s what it is like when you find a musician you really connect with. Nothing can break or decrease your love for them, it is that great. It’s like a lifeline for you. We’ve all got that one artist that means this much to us. The way she sings of her admiration to Bobby is how I feel about her.

Her voice is bluesy and just sets your soul on fire. If you’re not touched by her voice, then I guess there could be something wrong with you. Do you watch X-Factor by any chance and you’ve become a sucker for what the TV tells you to enjoy? Oh dear. I don’t know if you can be saved. Her music is a comfort blanket. Her music makes you feel okay with your insecurities and fears. You feel that her cover songs are her own; she is such a strong figure who allows herself to be weak. Not many do this; many just act like a rock. We cannot relate to that.

The vulnerability that comes through in her music makes you connect with her on a completely different level. You see, most show it through the words they sing. Cat Power is different; you feel it in HOW she sings it; that’s a lot deeper. That takes more out of you.

Of all the female singers that I adore, my heart well and truly belongs to Cat Power, and yes my blog URL is in tribute to Cat Power.

Cat Power!

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This is a woman who I’ve adored for years. My love for her will never cease, it only grows. I’ve spent most of the evening listening to her and watching some clips on YouTube. I stumbled across this astounding cover of Bob Dylan’s Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again. It is 7 minutes of pure excellence. It is just as amazing as Bob Dylan’s version. And everybody knows how much Chan adores, idolises Bob. It is beautiful. I’d love to hear them sing this together.

Cat Power- Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (Cover).

Cat Power. Birmingham Carling Academy 2. June 10th 2008.

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Before I begin, I would like to apologise in advance if I ramble. This was the best gig I have ever been to and I’m not sure if my review will do the gig justice. However I shall try.

It’s just after 6pm and there’s not many people queuing up. Some workers from phone company Orange are putting up balloons to advertise the company- this causes everyone in the queue to take these balloons and attempt to take them into the venue. It doesn’t happen. So, we let the balloons go altogether on the count of 3. We set free our balloons.

The gig was meant to be in the Academy but due to not selling enough tickets (my biased opinion fails to see why not) it is moved upstairs to the Academy 2. I’m rather pleased with this as it’s smaller thus making it more intimate. I’m not a fan of big venues. Give me a venue that holds 200-400 any day! Chan Marshall and the band take to the stage at around 9pm and play til 10.40pm. I wasn’t the only one who wanted her to play all night. She sure has enough songs to do so!

Blazing through most of the tracks off her newest album, Jukebox, Chan also treats us with some rarities such as I Feel (at this point I was in a trance) and Angelitos Negros. She also played tracks off The Greatest and Moon Pix. Surprise cover versions were Tracks Of My Tears and Dreams (Fleetwood Mac) which were awesome.

There are no highlights from this gig, it was all amazing. Two songs in particular that stood out for me were Lived In Bars and Song To Bobby. Mid-way through Lived In Bars the pace was picked up and it felt like you were in the midst of a sing-a-long in a bar. Lovely. Just lovely. Song To Bobby is Chan’s own tribute to the legend that is Bob Dylan, at the end she said “I love this song.I just love it.” She wasn’t the only one.

Every word sang and every note played was full of passion. Just watching them all play together looked like one big happy family. At the end Chan handed out flowers to the crowd, it seemed like she didn’t want to leave. She mouthed she wanted to take us all home and we all wanted the same. A memorable night that will never ever be forgotten and will be talked about by all those there in years to come.

What would have made the night even better(if possible) would be if they played The Greatest and Naked If I Want To. But that’s only because I adore the songs!

A few of the many photos I took from the gig :

 

Chan throwing flowers into the crowd.

Cat Power- Metal Heart.

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Cat Power- Metal Heart (live)

Yes, I sure do adore Chan Marshall aka Cat Power. I’ve heard the old and new versions of Metal Heart..I’m not sure if I’ll ever have a favourite version. The song is so painfully beautiful and heartbreakingly wonderful. One of my favourite songs ever by one of my favourite singers ever. I can’t wait to see her in June, it’ll probably be the best gig I’ve ever been to (how many times have I said that?!)

 

After beating depression and alcoholism, Cat Power now plays at her best. She does more than sing- she gets to your heart. That’s a true artist. The words in this song mean more to me than any other song I’ve ever heard. If I could marry a song, I’d marry this one. If I could only listen to one song for a long long time- it’d be this one. It is perfect.

I hope you enjoy!

Cat Power- The Covers Record.

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Cat Power

This album is 8 years old. It’s timeless and perfect. I’m listening to it more than ever and I’m totally in love with it. Cat’s voice is so haunting and beautiful. I can’t imagine not ever being a fan of hers. She’s amazing. I can’t wait to see her in June.

Anyway, back to the album. It’s covers. I usually hate covers, but it’s Cat Power and anything she does is truly magnificant. She could never make a bad record, millions would agree. One daft person wouldn’t. Naked If I Want To and I Found A Reason are the standout tracks, so close to perfection. The album sounds bit dark, but it’s so beautiful. I can shut my eyes and imagine Cat Power stood infront of me singing these beautiful songs.

I’ve used the word beautiful too much, but it is the only word that is good enough to describe Chan Marshall aka Cat Power.

Cat Power- Jukebox

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I’m not a fan of covers to be honest, however when they are done well my bias somewhat fades.
There’s probably more bad than good covers out there. Hell..even Prince hates them!

Chan Marshall. Cat Power. What can I say about her latest album apart from the fact that it is easily one of or maybe THE best album of 2008. And yes, I do know that it is only January but that doesn’t matter. What matters is how fantastic this album is.
Her cover of the classic New York opens the album and immediately you are taken to another place. Whether it be the dark alleys of New York or the lonely streets of London or even Leeds- Chans voice takes you somewhere special and imaginative. Ol’ Blue Eyes definately isn’t turning in his grave at all.
Her voice hits you in the gut, not just your heart. It is full of emotion and emphasis so you can pick up on how important each word is. Juke box is an important album and you need it- there is not one bad song on this album and I reckon in a few years time it’ll be classed as a classic- just like all of her albums.

Fan favourite Metal Heart makes an appearence on Jukebox. The piano accompanies Chans voice perfectly, then the guitar and drums are introduced to create that wonderful bluesy sound which is Cat Power at her best. Chan is the best at what she does and it is fair to say that she has the best voice out there and if you beg to differ- BRING IT ON!

There is one song on the album that isn’t a cover. Song To Bobby is Chan’s personal tribute to Robert Zimmerman aka Bob Dylan. If I was Bob Dylan and I heard Cat Power had done a tribute song for me- I’d the most happiest and luckiest person in the world.

Aretha, Sing One For Me is out of this world. Quite possibly an album favourite for most, but the whole album is easy to love and treasure. If you’ve had a crap day or you just want to relax- then play Jukebox because it takes you to a place that no other artist can today.

A lot of singers and bands produce at least one weak, shitty album in their career, luckily Chan has never done this and I have firm belief that she never will.

Enjoy!