Cover/Uncovered: Slaid Cleaves.....

In addition to his latest, all covers release Unsung, Slaid Cleaves has been known to mix in his version of someone else's tune from time to time. But just as on that last album, Slaid absolutely owns the songs he covers and always adds his own flavor. In fact, i was going to post these two songs simply because of how good they are before i realized they weren't his.













Cover: Slaid Cleaves - I Feel The Blues Moving In
buy Broke Down (2000)

Slaid has always had just a hint of bluegrass in his music - whether it be from the big stand-up bass, his epic story-telling, or his occasional yodel. Although he takes the bluegrass tempo out of the song, the haunting 3-piece harmony is true to the version from the bluegrass legend.

Uncovererd: Del McCoury - I Feel The Blues Moving In
buy High, Lonesome, and Blue (2004)












Cover: Slaid Cleaves - White Rose
from Mearlefest

One of the reasons i had no idea this song was a cover is that Slaid has often told his own versions of small towns that have met their end due to impending industrialization. Like many of Fred's songs, they're great stories but i would almost always rather hear someone else do them. The highlight from Slaid's version is when his band mates imitate the wailing wind spinning the sign from the disappearing filling station in the chorus.

Uncovered: Fred Eaglesmith - White Rose
buy The Official Bootleg Series, Vol. 1 (2006)


Check out another song from Slaid i posted over at SMM.

Cover/Uncovered.....

i'm glad that, since digital music came of existence in the 90's with Napster, Kazaa, and the likes, i began compiling a library of tunes, many of them bootlegs, and have hung on to them. i never knew exactly what i would use them for, and this may not even be the ultimate destination for them, but my music folder is coming in handy right now.

So, i'm still on this Matt Powell kick, and last night, while perusing through his folder, i came across a live recorording of a song i wanna share with you:

Romeo & Juliet (Dire Straits)

Like most of the songs i'll feature on Cover/Uncovered i first heard the cover of this tune, and did a little exploring to hear the original cut - hence the 'uncovered'. Dire Straits was band that was created about a decade too late. In the 80's, while punk and electronic music reigned, Dire Straits was making what could be described as classic rock - with a folk tinge to it. Frontman Mark Knopfler, according to wiki, told bar owners to turn down amps, so the listeners could converse while they played, which kinda makes this recording of Matt Powell's cover of Mark's sweet take on an infamous couple just perfect.

mp3: Matt Powell - Romeo & Juliet (live)

At times you hear the partons and waitresses better than you hear Matt, whether Matt knew it or not, that's how Mark wanted his songs to be heard. Plus, all that commotion kinda adds to the feel of the acoustic, groovy, bongo-filled song.

mp3: Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet ~ from Making Movies (1980)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Water In The Fuel (Fred Eaglesmith)

Fred Eaglesmith might be known as the guy with nothin' but train/trucker/tractor songs, but when you can do them as well as he does, then go for it. i highlighted a Kasey Chambers cover last intallment, and here again, it's her taste in music that she covers that surprises me. Don't get me wrong, she can write a song herself, and i'll get to that artist spotlight for her soon.

mp3: Kasey Chambers - Water In The Fuel ~ from The Captain (Bonus Disc) (2000)

mp3: Fred Eaglesmith - Water In The Fuel ~ from Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline (1997)

**sidetrack**
here's another Kasey Chambers cover of Fred Eaglesmith - i was gonna do this song as the Cover/Uncovered, but couldn't find a studio version from Fred. Enjoy.

mp3: Kasey Chambers - Freight Train ~ from The Captain (Bonus Disc) (2000)