Under The Covers, Vol. 1 (2006)
Under The Covers, Vol. 2 (Deluxe Edition) (2009)
Pure Fun
Speaking of “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding”… As long as you’re not the terminally judgemental type, these two charming collections of cover songs from the great Matthew Sweet and Bangle Susanna Hoffs just might hit the spot. There’s nothing especially revelatory here, just strong, solid renditions of an (increasingly eclectic) array of tunes that focus on pop and rock, but can veer off onto side roads ranging from the Grateful Dead to the Buzzcocks. Sweet is his usual sweet, encyclopedic self. Hoffs shines on background vocals, as the pair routinely indulge in thick clusters of pleasing pop harmonies, easily navigating more complex, rarely covered animals like Yes’ “All Good People” (Yesman Steve Howe appears) and Queen’s “Killer Queen.” A straight-up folk/pop song like “Monday Monday” is a no-strainer for these two. I’m not as enamored with some of Hoffs’ lead vocals, as she can occasionally get nasally and a tad ‘Nicks-ian’ for my tastes. But, Hoffs simply shines on Little Feat’s “Willin’” – raising the question… Why hasn’t she dipped her toe deeper into the country genre? Dhani Harrison shows up for the cover of dad’s “Beware Of Darkness.” While putting this post together, I kept catching myself singing along, song after song. 41 tunes, 2-1/2 hours of music… the track list tells the tale. Click the covers for Amazon links.
VOL. 1
I See The Rain (3:43) – The Marmalade
And Your Bird Can Sing (2:08) – The Beatles
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (3:43) – Bob Dylan
Who Knows Where The Time Goes? (5:50) – Fairport Convention
Cinnamon Girl (2:45) – Neil Young
Alone Again Or (3:33) – Love
Warmth Of The Sun (3:07) – The Beach Boys
Different Drum (2:50) – The Stone Poneys w/ Linda Ronstadt
The Kids Are Alright (2:48) – The Who
Sunday Morning (3:25) – The Velvet Underground
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (2:25) – Neil Young
Care Of Cell #44 (3:54) – The Zombies
Monday Monday (3:25) – The Mamas & The Papas
She May Call You Up Tonight (2:22) – The Left Banke
Run To Me (3:07) – The Bee Gees
VOL. 2
Sugar Magnolia (3:33) – Grateful Dead
Go All The Way (3:33) – The Raspberries
Second Hand News (3:14) – Fleetwood Mac
Bell Bottom Blues (5:03) – Derek & The Dominos
All The Young Dudes (3:52) – Mott The Hoople
You’re So Vain (4:22) – Carly Simon
Here Comes My Girl (4:23) – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
I’ve Seen All Good People (7:30) – Yes
Hello It’s Me (3:51) – Todd Rundgren
Willin’ (3:00) – Little Feat
Back Of A Car (2:33) – Big Star
Couldn’t I Just Tell You (3:28) – Todd Rundgren
Gimme Some Truth (3:27) – John Lennon
Maggie May (5:33) – Rod Stewart
Everything I Own (3:10) – Bread
Beware The Darkness (3:38) – George Harrison
DELUXE EDITION
Dreamin’ (2:52) – Blondie
Marquee Moon (10:49) – Television
I Wanna Be Sedated (2:11) – The Ramones
Baby Blue (3:43) – Badfinger
You Say You Don’t Love Me (2:55) – Buzzcocks
(What So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding (3:59) – Nick Lowe
You Can Close Your Eyes (2:35) – James Taylor
Melissa (4:14) – The Allman Brothers Band
Killer Queen (2:57) – Queen
A Song For You (4:39) – Gram Parsons
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Not sure if anyone else has the same problem the the 2 links for the deluxe version of the second album are exactly the same,any chance the correct link for the bonus disc can be put up, thanks, Jay
Thanks for the alert Jay. All fixed now.
These are great, great albums that I spin all the time (and Hoffs has recently said they are working on a “80′s” collection as well.) I am so looking forward to the new Bangles album as Matthew Sweet is apparently playing bass on some of it.
Capt. Willard,
Thank you for Sweet & Hoffs, Thank you for The Dude, Thank you for Leiber & Stoller and Thanks for all you do for the internet music community!!!
Long Island Steve
Gee, thanks Steve.
Thanks again for the Deluxe disc of Vol. 2, listening to it now, neat!
There is already a country Susanna Hoffs.. she’s called Kelly Willis.
Inspired by recent Rainy Day/Guy Debord post about the ‘Net to turn my old RD LP into MP3s; this will make a nice companion. I’m a sucker for a pretty girl (and Matthew Sweet does have some small measure of talent, must admit). Thanks!
Thanks Willard! I bought both of these but didn’t have the bonus cuts from disc 2.
I hope they do a volume 3, although that would take them into the years where they were both actually making new music themselves…
Should be interesting. It’s cool they continue with these, too. They’re not huge moneymakers (nothing is these days) and there’s zilch to be made on publishing, so it kinda falls into the ‘labor of love’ category.
I’m not criticizing the posting of these records just the records themselves. As I sit here, with Bryan Ferry’s 1st solo album playing in the background, I have to say that these two albums add nothing to the originals with their way-too-faithful cover versions. Why bother with them? I am sorely disappointed at a miss opportunity to hear Sweet and Hoffs voices do something imaginative with the material.
You know how it all works…. if covers are too faithful, it bores half of us, and if they’re too eclectic, it infuriates the other half. Striking that balance is a musician’s greatest juggling act. Don’t get me started on Beatles covers.
Like, an ultra-hip Holiday Inn act. But seriously folks, I would not walk out. I really liked Vol 1 a few years back, never knew about Vol 2 bonus tracks: Buzzcocks, Nick Lowe, Dreamin’ and Markey Moon covers outstanding! All the Sweet And Hoffs tunes are better than a lot of covers products like Duran Duran and Rod’s 70′s Songbook. And ‘Nicks-ian’ ?!! I’ll take Susanna’s rasp/sweet harmonies over Stevie’s bray any sunshine or rainy day!
Hoff’s harmonies? Everytime. A couple of those leads, though, venture towards the bray.