Driving > Disco

I'm sure I've said it before (on here?) and I'm sure I'll say it again, but sometimes, the best thing that can happen to a song is to have someone else take a stab at it.  I guess what I'm getting at, is someone other than the original recording artist.  I'm all for people writing (and performing) their own music.  Its always been a point of contention with me in regards to certain bands have an extra song writer that is not officially part of the band, and certainly gets credited (in microscopic print in the cd liner), but does most of the heavy lifting and is kept out of the spotlight.  I'm sure its not always intentional, but something about it rubs me the wrong way.  If you're going to play music, write your own.  We've all heard too much of it already to still need to hear your take. 

 

That being said, let me back track for a moment.  This morning, the 'pod blessed me with a hitherto unknown (or at least unheard) track: Jaime Cullum doing his take of Radiohead's "High and Dry."  Never been a big Radiohead-head.  I enjoy a couple of their tunes; think I even own a cd of theirs, but would in no way, shape or form consider myself a fan.  Cullum's "High & Dry" was outstanding.  Made me want to dig up the Radiohead cd to make sure it was the same song.  Another example would be one of my favorite new guilty pleasures, John Mayer.  When not teeny-bopping (maybe hes done with that?), he does an incredible cover of Jimi's "Bold as Love" (previously mentioned in this very space).  Now that I've mentioned Jimi, I'm reminded of Jaime Cullum's version of "Wind Cries Mary," which is equally stunning (although, I am a bit biased being a Jimi Hendrix fan, and going through a Jimi revival at present).  I'm sure I'll think of more later, but I think you get my overall picture.  To sum up, covering music is good if you are just starting out.  Not good as a career choice, but certainly fun to hear from an established act, trying to tilt their audience's head every now and again.