Okay today, "day after day", just today is about pure silliness. Of course I'm talking about a lounge lizards cover of the Violent Femmes. Yes, you read right. LOL. The year was 1983, punk was going strong, and the Violent Femmes burst onto the music scene. A trio of raucous folk rockers with an attitude that could peel paint, playing at a speed that dared you to keep up. An album cover that suggested, paradoxically, innocence and danger.
Well I still enjoy this album. more for the nostalgia of the times than anything else. I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone decided to shake it up, martini style. And no one better to do it than Richard Cheese. From his album (inspired by Guns and Roses Appetite for Destruction) named Apertif for Destruction. LOL. Enjoy both versions.
Another cover that made me fall in love with a music artist I'd not heard previously. The year is 1995. I had been of Tom Waits for a couple of decades at this point. I could never have imagined someone doing his music justice as a cover.
Then along came Temptation by Holly Cole and her trio. An entire album of Tom Waits songs. In fact I'll have to post 2 videos from this album. She manages to maintain all the dreamy quirkiness of Tom Waits with a silky smooth breathy voice that will take you to another dimension if you close your eyes and let her. So enjoy this trip with a pair old back catalog classics.
Probably one of the most popular songs by Metallica. Covered by many many people and bands. But few have taken this bold visceral vocal approach by Polish vocal group Tulia. Enjoy.
Like all images since the first of the year - this image can be found in the Museum of Malcontent.
ELO - Getting To The Point
How I feel about the country of my birth (USA) and the coming year: "It's out of control now... It's getting to the point when nobody can stop it now, it's getting to the point of no return, and all that I can do is stand it watch it now, watch it burn burn burn...."
Check out the link for Brian May (of Queen) classic solo track BACK TO THE LIGHT. The lyrics are really powerful - especially for the times we are living in.
https://youtu.be/Zvmp8YhEgQk
Far, far from the light
Hear the night creatures call
With a cold breath they howl
All the hollow hours
They're calling you
I'll be there
No matter what your going through
In the dark I care
I'm holding on, I'm hoping on
It's still the same old me inside
Back to the light
Back to the streets that are paved with gold
Back to the light, yeah
Back to the land where the sunshine heals my soul
Deep, deep in the night
When the world fills with tears
And the wind blows
Colder and colder it grows
And the fire dims with the same old fears
I'll be there
Though maybe you don't hear me, babe
I still care
No matter when and I still be there
When you make it to the other side
And I'm going back
Back to the light
Back to the streets that are paved with gold
Back to the light
Goin' back to the land
Where the sunshine heals my soul
On and on, searching for a clearer view
Winning and losing an inner war
Wonder what we do it for
Though the road seems never ending
Hold on to the hope I'm sending through
Yeah
No, no matter what your going through
In the dark I care
I'm holding on, believe it
We'll be walking in the light
'Cause they'll be no place left to hide
Back to the light
Back to the streets that are paved with gold
Back to the light
Oh, I'm goin' back to land
Where the sunshine heals my soul, hear me babe
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Back to the light
Back to the light
Back to the light
Back to the light, yeah, yeah
Babe, come with me
Back to the light
Yeah
... on being and becoming ... 