The Middle East (Mree cover)
Need to send out a big thanks to Tristan who emailed this hauntingly beautiful cover from a rising YouTube star.
Mree (pronounced Marie) is launching a music career herself via YouTube (a platform that’s being utilised in so many great ways by unsigned artists) and her version of The Middle East’s Blood is so beautiful.
Already watched it about 6 times this morning and I do recommend a decent set of headphones or speakers, a little laptop won’t do it justice.
Jess Mills – Gabriel cover
Jess Mills has left a huge smile on my face this week with her cover of Gabriel by Roy Davis Jr.
The 1990 original still holds a special place in my heart and Jess does a lot of justice for it – not only on the vocal side but through the slick production.
Would love to hear this one live!
Arcade Fire (Mr Little Jeans version)
Just found a note on my iPhone written a few weeks back at about 5am which can only be a boozy all nighter, nevertheless I managed to muster the energy and jot down who was playing at the time and I’m glad I did.
It’s not a new track – it blew up in the summer of last year – and she’s not to be mixed up with the Birdy’s of the world, the rest of her music is original but this version of The Suburbs by Arcade Fire is a beaut.
Korean Girl Nails Adele Cover
Whilst the North mourns uncontrollably, the South is buzzing with the talk of Park Ji Min who stunned judges (and now the world) on Korean talent show K-Pop Star with her unbelievably good rendition of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep.
It’s more the fact that it’s obvious she speaks no English but despite that hits the English language notes with absolute perfection!
Neil Young – Old Man (Saint Saviour Cover)
Old Man is by far one of my favourite Neil Young songs and that’s all down to my Dad who, after big Sunday lunches would put it on in the kitchen and even as a small boy I could appreciate the beautiful song.
It was massively exciting then when I logged online today to see what I consider to be one of the best female singers in the UK today take on such a great song and boy, has she delivered.
Saint Saviour’s own delicate vocals as well as the soulful backing vocalists add a new dimension to a classic but doesn’t stray far from Young’s composition and it’s a fitting tribute to one of the greats of our time.
Saint Saviour – Old Man (Neil Young cover) - right click, save as to download
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Speaking of which…
Neil Young – Old Man (Live in ’71)
The Weeknd – Dirty Diana (Michael Jackson Cover)
The Weeknd is up there with Lana Del Rey as the internet music sensations of 2011. The mysterious Canadian RnB artist – real name Abel – has released a total of three free to download mix tapes this year showcasing a self destructive brand of RnB; telling tales of the dark underbelly of the party lifestyle. The critical acclaim that these mix tapes have garnered has opened some heavyweight doors – he has now collaborated with Drake on his latest album ‘Take Care’.
The Weeknd dropped his latest mix tape ‘Echoes of Silence’ this week, and it features a not-unambitious cover of the late Michael Jackson’s classic ‘Dirty Diana’. Undoubtedly this will divide opinion, but we think he has the voice to carry it off.
The Weeknd – Dirty Diana
The Skints – On A Mission (Katy B Cover)
East London Reggae group The Skints have been making waves recently with their cover of dubstep queen Katy B’s ‘On A Mission’. Bringing a lilting sun drenched vibe to the electronic antics of the original, it shows off a ska punk sound that seems wasted on the winter time.
Luckily, having raised the funds to produce their album via their fans using Pledge Music, The Skints will be releasing a full length album in the new year. Just in time for summer. In the meantime check out more reggae music from The Skints over on their MySpace.
The Skints – On A Mission (Katy B Cover)
