[Round 2: Cover Two – Week 3]
“Sheltering Sky”by Petra Haden
Original Artist: King Crimson
“Hurdy Gurdy Man”by Steve Hillage
Original Artist: Donovan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKTpKG5jQIo
“I Will Survive”by Cake
Original Artist: Gloria Gaynor
Petra Haden / “Sheltering Sky”. I don’t know the original, but I do know Petra from some of her past work, including her rather awesome one-person a capella rendering of “The Who Sell Out” (entire album!). This is equally stupendous, though for me lacking the pleasure of knowing the material she was transforming. It;s a feat and audio spectacler, but one that, its length notwithstanding, I can easily imagine listening to for pleasure. (Bonus question: Is the title a reference to the famous Paul Bowles novel, or the Bertolucci film based upon it?)
S. Hillage / “Hurdy Gurdy Man.” I do somewhat recall this Donovan tune. Never heard (of) Hillage before. His take is appropriately psychedelic take. The intro reminds me of Zeppelin’s “In The Light” (also employing, presumably, a hurdy-gurdy); the extended coda reminds me of Yes a bit. But just who is this signifying HGM? And why does he show up when he does? It all goes on a bit long, into self-indulgent territory. Why not less guitar noodling and more hurdy-gurdy? It’s a pretty cool instrument, after all.
Cake. “I Will Survive.” Diverting indie-rock take on the disco hit that’s still a big fave at drag shows. This one emphasizes less the joyful triumph of survival than the pleasure of snarkily outfoxing an ex. A nice twist.
KC- Not familiar with either version of this song, However, I like it
SH – never heard of him, know the song well. Interesting interpretation. Again, well done.
C – I listened to a lot of Cake, have most of their albums, their style is quite unique. Although I am tired of this song, the version is well done.
Petra- In the fall of 1998, there was a strange, unreported medical experiment which went awry. While playing a charity event at a university hospital in Stratford, Robert Fripp’s ceremonial tour of the grounds took an awkward turn as he sneezed into a petri dish containing DNA samples of both Bobby McFerrin and Kate Bush. His subsequent concert of Frippertronics resulted in a power surge which caused a radioactive breach, embuing several of the biological samples (those that survived the incident) with enhanced powers. Yadda yadda yadda, Petra Haden grows up and records this awesome song. Maybe a tad long, but otherwise supercool.
Steve Hillage- An inventive and interesting version of a–in my opinion– fairly lame tune. Great, lyrical guitar soloing and neat rhythm changes in the second act. I give Hillage mad props for this interpretation. Though I am still perplexed about the hurdy gurgy man’s self-referential songs and how they qualify as mirthful.
Petra Haden – The Sheltering Sky
Love the Crimson track and also Ms. Haden’s work. Reminiscent of Bobby McFerrin, but also Laurie Anderson. Wunderbar – another that I can let myself soak in. [Note: It may break the “song” having to have lyrics rule, but I won’t be imposing any penalties unless a formal complaint is lodged and seconded.]
Steve Hillage – Hurdy Gurdy Man
The guitarist from Gong goes solo presenting guitar stylings somewhere between Hendrix & Nelson (Jimi & Bill, respectively) – psychedelic, man. What’s not to like?
Cake – I Will Survive
No need for ice cream even though their vocalist can be a little dry (wry as well). Bass bounces along nicely with all the appropriate icing and frugal decoration. Love it.
Petra – Sorry, but I don’t do Acapella.
Steve hillage – no familiarity with this guy. Good stuff. A little light on deep lyrics. I enjoyed the guitar solo the most. It’s good 70’s stuff with some electro spacish sound effects in the background. I enjoyed it. I liked the fast forward ending.
Cake – Hard to top the original. They didn’t, but it’s a nice minimal rendition. I’ve always enjoyed this version.
Hmmm, thought I commented on this.
Anyway,
Petra Haden – One of my favourite King Crimson tracks from the Fripp/Belew/Levin/Bruford era. Petra takes this instrumental and plays every part with layers and layers of her voice. Agree with Bill that her version of The Who Sells Out is stunning. I think her cover her and other King Crimson covers (Red and Matte Kudasai). leave me without words.
Steve Hillage – I like Hillage and his various iterations. it always worthwhile for me to listen to see what guitar ticks he might show off. Kind of typical for the period.
Cake – Never took a shine to this band. So, stoner rock meets jam band at a Brooklyn hipster bar?
The Sheltering Sky- King Crimson. A-Cappella by Petra Haden: Loved It. Totally mesmerized during certain sections. The staccato effect reminds me (in a very, very tangential way) of a classical piece I like called Music For 18 Musicians by Steve Reich.
Steve Hillage – Hurdy Gurdy Man: Some real guitar chops here. Timeless, epic quality to the song that drew me in. I enjoyed the journey and the psychedelic jam out at the end
Cake – i will survive: I am familiar with this version and I always liked it. I can take Cake in small doses. They make me chuckle for some reason every other time I listen to them. Quirky rendition to a well known anthem.