ROUTES & BRANCHES
featuring the very best of americana, alt.country and roots music
November 29, 2024
Scott Foley, purveyor of dust
With today's Episode we begin our weekly series summing up The Year In Our Kind Of Music:
Nov 29: Covers Covers Covers
Dec 6: State Of Americana
Dec 13: Favorite Songs
Dec 20: Christmas Christmas
Dec 27: Favorite Albums
Jan 3: Quarter Century
Last year we shared our time-tested philosophy of what constitutes a good cover:
Surprise: Or novelty. A country artist covering a classic country song might be nice, but we're especially drawn to artists reaching outside their immediate genre, dragging a song kicking and screaming back to their home turf. An example from last year's list would've been Al Green's take on Lou Reed's "Perfect Day".Creativity: Reverence be damned! Great covers take a song and manipulate it into something unexpected. Fiddling with the arrangement, spicing up the instrumentation, the tempo, or the key. Creativity can help us hear a song differently. From last year's list, NQ Arbuckle put "All Apologies" into the blender, transforming Nirvana's original into a different beast.Perspective: Finally, a worthy cover might introduce us to a new artist, or a song from deeper into an artist's catalog. It will make us want to return to the original, or remind a listener of music they'd forgotten. Last year brought us Julia Jacklin's take on Birthday Party's 1979 single, "Shivers", a very (very) early Nick Cave project.
With those ground rules, we collected well over 100 possible covers over the past eleven months. Sometimes these were one-off singles, while others were part of a larger collection. This year saw no shortage of tribute records to artists like Tom Petty (so much Tom Petty), Lou Reed, Willie Nelson, and more. We continued to follow frequent additions to the sprawling, year-long tribute to Kevn Kinney, Let's Go Dancing. An impressive array of artists supported Jesse Malin, while others participated in a concert in celebration of Willie Nelson's 126th birthday. We've narrowed that initial pool to the thirty (30) selections below, each of which honor our rules for engagement. We'll call it:
WHAT's SO GREAT ABOUT 2023: OUR FAVORiTE COVERS
^1. Lou Turner, "Pacing the Cage" Imaginational Anthem XIII: Songs Of Bruce Cockburn (Tompkins Square, Apr 5)
Tompkins Square's odd little celebration of Bruce Cockburn included tributes from several lesser known artists, each contributing earnest versions of songs from the Canadian writer's extensive catalog. Lou Turner's exquisite, shimmering cover of 1996's "Pacing the Cage" checks all the boxes, even as it leaves Cockburn's melody intact. A solo artist as well as a member of Styrofoam Winos, Turner is a consistently original voice as a writer and a musician.
2. Patterson Hood, "Let's Go Dancing (ft Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey)" Let's Go Dancing: Songs Of Kevn Kinney (Tasty Goody, Jan 5)
We're about halfway through the planned four-LP tribute to Kevn Kinney, Let's Go Dancing. The project has already brought memorable contributions from Jason Isbell, Butch Walker, Peter Case and more, trying their hand at Kinney's songs from Drivin N Cryin and from his solo work. Patterson Hood loosens things up for his rendition of a song from the band's classic 1990 Fly Me Courageous. Peter Buck and Scott McCaughey add rambling instrumentation on one of Kinney's top songs.
3. Loose Cattle, "Joanne" Someone's Monster (Single Lock, Nov 1)
From New Orleans, Kimberly Kaye and Michael Cerveris front Loose Cattle, though they each bring an impressive resume as well. In addition to recruiting Patterson Hood on one track, they include Lucinda Williams on their sweet run through Lady Gaga's 2016 "Joanne". It's Kaye's lead that lends the track its yearning beauty, dovetailing perfectly with the band's originals.
4. Al Green, "Everybody Hurts" single (Fat Possum, Nov 19)
Last year, the Rev landed on our year-end favorite covers list for his moving version of Lou Reed's classic "Perfect Day". This year he outdoes himself with this imminently soulful delivery of REM's "Everybody Hurts". Nearing his 80th birthday, Green remains atop the list of legendary vocalists, understanding as well as any other how to caress, celebrate, and imbue a great lyric like a master.
5. JP Harris, "Beautiful World" JP Harris Is a Trash Fire (Bloodshot, Sep 20)
JP Harris gets us. He knows that we're easily delighted by an unexpected cover. Here, he spins Devo's oddball anthem on its head, turning it into a country rave-up, with his tongue very near that cheek.
6. Aisha Burns, "Look At Miss Ohio" single (Western Vinyl, Jan 17)
While singer-violinist Aisha Burns has yet to release her inevitable breakthrough, her eloquent take on Gillian Welch's 2003 classic hints at her range. Rich with restraint and nuance, Burns borrows from Welch's own strategy, never raising her voice when a cool coo will suffice.
7. Orville Peck, "Papa Was a Rodeo (ft Molly Tuttle)" Stampede (Warner, Aug 2)
Orville Peck's new project ping-pongs between originals and covers, including runs through stuff originally by Elton John, Glen Campbell, Ned Sublette. With the talented Molly Tuttle, our favorite features Peck's reading of Magnetic Fields' "Papa Was a Rodeo" from their essential 1999 LP. Where Stephin Merritt dipped into the country pool from deep within the classic pop world, Peck and Tuttle flip that equation, and have a great time in the process.
8. Lukas Nelson, "Someone Like You (ft Sierra Ferrell, Travelin' McCourys)" single (Sony, Sep 13)
Lukas Nelson sounds absolutely nothing like Adele, even as he lands a wonderful vocal on this spirited, 'grassy rendition of her monster hit from 21. Ferrell adds restrained backing vocals, while the Travelin' McCoury's create a bluegrass riot in a way that Adele probably never imagined.
9. Bones Of JR Jones, "My Hometown" Slow Lightning (Deluxe) (Bones, Feb 9)
Springsteen has a better way with opening lines than most other songwriters: I was eight years old / Running with a dime in my hand / To the bus stop to pick / Up a paper for my old man. A bonus track on the deluxe version of his latest album, Bones Of JR Jones knows better than to mess with perfection, though he lays his evocative voice atop atmospheric pedal steel.
10. Carson McHone, "(Lying Here With) Linda On My Mind" Odes EP (Merge, Jul 19)
McHone manages to turn a Conway Twitty song into a bouncy, colorful pop track, one of the biggest transformations on our list. Go-Go's harmonies, Elvis Costello guitars, and a late 80s pop sensibility.
11. Lucinda Williams, "Legendary Hearts" Power Of the Heart: Tribute To Lou Reed (Light In the Attic, Apr 20)
We're sure Lucinda Williams has probably turned down several invitations to add her ten-cents to a tribute record, but she's certainly accepted more than her share. This homage to Lou Reed allows Lucinda to relax into her sweet spot, giving a strong reading of a lesser-known title track from one of Reed's least celebrated records.
12. Jim James & Leslie Stephens, "Leather & Lace" Love LA (Org, Apr 20)
Love LA package a compilation of covers paying tribute to artists associated with Los Angeles. The record's standout cut partners My Morning Jacket's Jim James with singer-songwriter Leslie Stephens for a crunchy reading of Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks' 1981 duet.
13. Kara Jackson, "Right Wrong Or Ready" single (September, Apr 23)
Kara Jackson's full-length debut from last year was a welcome surprise, weaving threads of folk and jazz into an original sound. While we await the follow-up, Jackson continues her streak with this expressive rendition of a 1969 Karen Dalton piece.
14. Brothers Comatose w/AJ Lee, "These Days" single (Swamp Jam, Nov 7)
While "These Days" appeared on Jackson Browne's 1973 For Everyman, the song is equally known for Velvet Underground & Nico's earlier version. With the terrific AJ Lee at the mic, supported by the harmonies and playing of Brothers Comatose, the song assumes a melancholy bluegrass lilt.
15. Della Mae, "No Rain" single (Della Mae, Jan 12)
The bluegrass quartet honor Blind Melon with their tasteful presentation of one of the most notorious one-hit wonders of all time. Vocalist Celia Woodsmith has a great voice for the tune, and it loses little of its appeal in this stripped-down interpretation.
16. Kevn Kinney, "Brand New Key (ft Tom Clark)" single (Kinney, Feb 1)
The frontguy for Drivin N Cryin has been receiving the cover treatment himself on the sprawling four-LP Let's Go Dancing series (still in progress). Here, Kinney and his friend Tom Clark honor Melanie on the occasion of her passing, trying their hand on the unlikely 1971 hit.
17. Justin Townes Earle, "Dreams" All In: Unreleased & Rarities (New West, Aug 9)
Featured on the late songwriter's collection of demos and unreleased numbers, Earle's laid-back cover of Fleetwood Mac's 1977 original benefits from an unpretentious arrangement. While "Dreams" is among the 'Mac's most oft-attempted tracks, this one succeeds by not shooting for the stars.
18. Martha Scanlon & Jon Neufeld, "Save It For Later" Save It For Later (Jealous Butcher, Mar 1)
Scanlon and Neufeld's eight-song collection pays tribute to artists like Guy Clark, Fleetwood Mac, and Tom Petty. This crack at English Beat's 1982 ska/new wave hit earns points for its novelty, applying a contemporary folk approach and Scanlon's laconic recitation (but no toasting).
19. Ashley Monroe, "I Like Trains" single (Monroe, Mar 29)
While country music's Ashley Monroe has seen her time in the spotlight, both solo and with Pistol Annies, she's unafraid to step out of the mainstream. On this haunting rendering of Fred Eaglesmith's song, Monroe encourages the texture of her delivery to show, accompanied by an acoustic strum and little more.
20. Billy Allen + the Pollies, "Lady Luck" single (Single Lock, May 14)
We lavished some praise a couple weeks ago on a career retrospective for the late Richard Swift. Billy Allen + his talented backing ensemble don't reinvent Swift's worthy original, though Allen's delivery adds a healthy dose of soul. One note: We're ready for a full-length from this fine pairing.
21. Tony Trischka, "Amazing Grace (ft Sierra Ferrell)" Earl Jam (Down the Road, Jun 7)
Whether or not we need another cover of "Amazing Grace", it must be said that Trischka and Ferrell's version, a tribute to Earl Scruggs, sounds terrific. Sierra Ferrell's delivery continues to impress, a real throwback, especially alongside this trad arrangement.
22. Bella White, "Nobody Dies Anymore" Five For Silver EP (Rounder, Aug 16)
Bella White's five-song covers sampler proved one of the year's strongest, with the singer performing admirably on tunes originally by Lucinda Williams, Neil Young, Gram Parsons, and more. It's this run through Tweedy's tune from 2014's Sukierae that stands out, largely for its lesser familiarity, but also for White's characteristically great phrasing.
23. Sierra Hull, "Black Muddy River" single (Hull, Sep 27)
By the time this Hunter/Garcia number received its studio treatment on 1987's In the Dark, it was treated with studio echo and a couple layers of sonic shellac. Sierra Hull's bluegrass treatment serves us as a remind of the song's beauty, as well as an affirmation of her vocal talent.
24. Lone Justice, "I Will Always Love You" Viva Lone Justice (AFAR, Oct 25)
There's nothing formal in Maria McKee's run through Dolly Parton's classic, making it the polar opposite of Whitney Houston's massive 1992 single. Even with added strings, Lone Justice's take owes more to the original, and showcases the raw, unrivaled beauty of McKee's voice.
25. Josiah and the Bonnevilles, "This Year's Love" Country Covers II (Josiah, Oct 25)
Josiah Leming is another serial cover artist, trying his hand on the second volume of Country Covers on tunes like Chappell Roan's "Good Luck Babe" and Billie Eilish's "Birds Of a Feather". His run through David Gray's lovely "This Year's Love" rises above the level of lark, even when pared back to the simple formula of Josiah and his keyboard.
26. Amanda Anne Platt & Honeycutters, "On the Street Where You Live" The Ones That Stay (Mule Kick, Aug 9)
This My Fair Lady number from Lerner & Lowe is given a surprisingly sweet country treatment from Platt & her Honeycutters. Platt delivers the chestnut with such ease that it fits almost seamlessly alongside her originals. File this under it shouldn't work, yet it does.
27. Parlor Greens, "My Sweet Lord" In Green We Dream (Colemine, Jul 19)
There are very few songs on which a Hammond B3 doesn't sound great. Played by Adam Scone, alongside his Parlor Greens bandmates, this instrumental take on George Harrison's Hindu-inspired classic digs itself quite a satisfying groove.
28. Zack Keim, "Here Comes Your Man" single (Keim, Apr 2)
Black Francis wrote one of the best pop songs of all time when he was fifteen, adding it reluctantly years later to the Pixies' legendary 1989 Doolittle. Pittsburgh garage rocker Keim adds relatively little to the already-perfect number, but confirms his bona fides with a strong take.
29. Swamp Dogg, "Rocky Raccoon" Blackgrass: From West Virginia To 125th Street (Deluxe) (Oh Boy, May 31)
No stranger to Dogg-ifying the work of others, Jerry Williams Jr added this take on the Beatles' White Album oddity to the Deluxe Edition of his bluegrass-influenced collection. Curiously, Swamp Dogg's take comes across as the less unhinged of the two.
30. Andrew Bird & Madison Cunningham, "Don't Let Me Down Again" Cunningham Bird (Wegawam, Oct 18)
Singer-songwriters Bird and Cunningham assembled a full-length cover of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks' 1973 pre-Mac project, Buckingham Nicks. The 2024 duo split the difference between paying homage and applying their own spin, bringing the songs a contemporary relevance.
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