As our friend and occasional contributor Jeff K put it, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day." First, he insists that I listen to the new Doughboys, which turns out to be one of my favorite records this year. Then, for an encore, he casually mentions another covers records. This time, it's worse. It's a Beatles cover record.
"NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO."
Oh, but look at that great album cover.
And look at the songs he chose to cover! "No Reply." "I Don't Want To Spoil The Party." "Girl!" "If I Fell."
And look, it's on Bloodshot Records and the liner notes on back are written by JD McPherson!
Damn you, Jeff K.
Joel Paterson plays The Beatles is truly wonderful. Like The Doughboys, it is not your run of the mill covers record. And like The Doughboys, I've played this again and again and again.
JD McPherson mentions on the back cover that this "ain't your uncle's Beatles cover record!" But, I disagree. It is absolutely your uncle's Beatles cover record, except we are no longer 10 years old. We are now old enough to appreciate the beauty, the chops, the nods to Santo & Johnny and Al Caiola and Buddy Emmons and Ernest Ranglin. Joel Paterson is a treasure and he has proven on these 16 tracks, that you can take what is inarguably the greatest catalogue in music history, and twist it up just enough to be fresh and respectful. This record is pure joy from top to bottom.
Thanks again, Jeff K. What's up next?
11 comments:
Oh, now I move on to a few clinkers.
Another reason why I love this blog. I know I would never have heard of this album otherwise.
(By the way, how many other albums can you think of that have a song's name in the title, but do not include the song? I tap out after Houses of the Holy and Get Your Ya Ya's Out, but there must be a few more.)
Kirke,
Hall & Oates- Bigger Than Both Of Us. (Song appreared on the follow up.)
is "Get Yer Ya Ya's Out" a song?
This is fantastic.
Regarding song/album titles, Costello has a couple of them:
Almost Blue--song appeared on the follow up Imperial Bedroom
Imperial Bedroom--song appeared on a b-side
Waiting For The Sun by The Doors and Gas Food Lodging by Green On Red were both named for songs which ended up being left off the album in question. Also Face Dances by The Who, which ended up on Pete Townshend's next solo album (as "Face Dances Part Two").
Speaking of The Who, the soundtrack to their documentary The Kids Are Alright does not have the song of that name. And Crowded House titled one of their greatest hits albums Recurring Dream, but it didn't include the song of that title, an overlooked gem from a movie soundtrack.
This isn't even the first album of Beatles covers to have "Let It Be" in the title but not on the tracklist. Laibach did an album called Let It Be on which they covered all of the songs from the original Let It Be album...except the title track.
I knew this was the right place to ask my question! Great replies. Could even be a good playlist.
Wonder why Itunes Music does not offer The Kids are Alright soundtrack? I wore that vinyl out when it was released.
the back cover to Paterson's album is perfect, also. makes me want to got out this weekend and scour dollar bins for instrumental covers albums. I forget which famous dj said he never passes up MOR covers albums.
related, the Quietus on how each generation views the Beatles - https://thequietus.com/articles/27182-abbey-road-the-beatles-review-50th-anniversary
Queen - Sheer Heart Attack (didn't surface until News of the World)
Chet Atkins would be proud! Really fun.
Absolutely fucking great.
Seriously -- if you claim not to like that, you're just being difficult.
Paterson is fantastic, but I couldn't have been more discouraged when I saw that his new record was a cover of...Beatles tunes. What could possibly be more overdone and trite?? Turns out that this record is a barn-burner, and not just because of the outstanding performances and arrangements. If you're also a guitarhead, it features completely spot-on choices of instruments and amp sounds that are beyond delectable! It's a master class on what to use, when, and how to dial it in with precision, grace, and style. A total winner all around!
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