The Tin Men, aka the best guitar/washboard/tuba trio you'll hear in New Orleans, have been a long time favorite of mine, ever since I caught them at their regular Wednesday night gig at D.B.A. on Frenchmen Street many moons ago.
Alex McMurray is an amazing songwriter and a truly underrated guitar player. Matt Perrine plays that tuba with the flash, precision and chops of Lee Morgan. Impossible, but true. And Washboard Chaz makes music and rhythm with a washboard and bells that most drummers couldn't handle on their kits. The Tin Men are a guaranteed good time.
I was listening to their 2003 release "Super Great Music For Modern Lovers" yesterday and I was reminded of how much I loved their cover of The Roches' "Mr Sellack." I know there are some Roches fans reading, and if memory serves, "Mr. Sellack" was a fave. If you are not familiar with the song, give a listen to the two of them. The Tin Men up top and the original, produced by Robert Fripp, below.
I love both.
21 comments:
Kudos to Matt Perrine for the awesome tuba work on the Tin Men version. Thanks for the superb "today's cover version". It wiped the Roches from my mind. Every time someone recommends them, I try again to hear what they're hearing, but after 40+ years of trying, it still can't.
- Paul in DK
Well, that sure was a fun three minutes. I really enjoyed the McMurray album, The Recent Future, you posted about many moons ago.
The Roches produced by R. Fripp - hooda thunk!
Randy
BTW, kudos for the Reggae ROTW! An occasional Jazz ROTW would be swell as well.
One of many fun things about this blog is it's one of the only music-loving sites I can expect to hear the words The Roches every once in a while. What a treasure they were! One of my favorite singers - Kelly Hogan, formerly of The Jody Grind and Rock-A-Teens here in the ATL - recently participated in, of all things, a Roches tribute show. I was gladdened that this world understood the Roches need a tribute show !!!
https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2024/11-26-2024-nora-oconnor-kelly-hogan-and-sima-cunningham-performing-the-songs-of-the-roches/
@Noel,
I am kicking myself for not living close enough to see that Roches tribute with Kelly and Nora.
Done! (Great idea.)
The Roches debut album is one of my all-time favorites. I can't say I've heard of a lot of covers of their songs (likely due to the complication of trying to emulate harmonies that only family members can generate.) This cover was fun, but that Roches album is untouchable, IMO.
"but that Roches album is untouchable,"
I agree. With "Keep On Doing" a close second.
Me too !!!!
I also loved both versions. I know a slender slice about the Roches, but both versions were an introduction to this tune. Now then: what does it say about us that we love this song about cruel reality and comeuppance?
This lyric!
"Let the other forty-million three-hundred and seven people who want to, get famous"
Just wow.
Okay -- that one makes me smile! Of course I'm now listening to that first album (and that man on the train!)
Was one of the Roches a McGarrigle / married to a McGrrigle / sleeping with a Wainwright / ...?
I believe Suzzy was married to Loudon.
The bells are faint but they do ring occasionally :-)
Alex is great, one of the people I seek out whenever I’m in NO, which will be in a couple of weeks!
Mr. Sellack is one of my favorite Roches songs, along with The Married Men and Hammond Song. The Colour Field did a nice cover of the latter, though of course nothing beats the harmonies on the original.
--Marc
Sal speaking of Roches, what do you think of the Monalisa Twins?
I rmember when they first started performing, and how unreal it was to hear them do theor unique twists on well known, and lesser known, songs (they actually used to do a version of How Much is That Doggy in the Window). This is one that gets everyone the first time to hear it. My understanding is that Plant gives it 2 thumbs up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI9iCqKZq1Q
I have only ever seen/heard The Mona Lisa Twins over at Steve's blog Power Pop and they certainly have talent, but nothing ever wowed me. The covers are solid, but somewhat generic.
Sal Try this Monalisa Twins original
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrsHd3fQlNw
Their first two albums are classic! Just great production thanks to Dr. Robert!
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