Covers are few for the synth-pop '80s group, Scritti Politti. But, it's not for a lack of melodic, hit-worthy tunes written mostly by Green Gartside and David Gamson. Let's go over the covers!
I skimmed this and will have to go back and read more closely, but as always, I have no idea how you tie together so many threads in one article. I have enough trouble keeping one thought in my head! It's funny, people discount covers, but until the rock band era, actually it was rare for people perform their own stuff. What is classical music, other than expert musicians playing stuff written by expert composers? What is folk music--hell, we don't even know who wrote most folk songs. Sinatra, Fitzgerald and Elvis? Never wrote their own stuff. Ok, off to the gym and then I'll be back!
Well, thanks, Charles! As for your first sentence....and, I've never considered answering it seriously, but enough folks have complimented me on that very talent, recently, I dasn't poo-poo it! A) I think my OCD-Lite plays a part, and did back in the day, when I pored over liner notes, and began recognizing session-player names that I'd seen on other records, and B) having the intense desire and awareness of knowing record company rosters, much like sports fans memorize players and their respective teams!
And, back then, it almost seemed like sports free agency (and there were occasional literal "trades," as I recall)! In about '77, James Taylor famously moved from his longtime Warner Bros. home, and signed with Columbia! That really shouldn't still be in my head, but it is!
Regarding this article....at the time, when I realized Miles Davis had covered "Perfect Way," I also noticed (with jaw falling) that he was on Warner Bros., Scritti's label.......and this was decades after Miles having been a jazz kingpin on Columbia! Another fascinating dynamic for me was the "minor league" aspect of an artist proving himself on a tiny or indy label, and when a "free agent," a biggie would pick him up.
Go look up Bill Withers. He was on a small label (can't remember, but I know I'd know it if reminded...I'm gonna guess Buddah) in the early '70s with a couple hits (including "Lean on Me" and others). Around '75 (and, it may have been the label folding, as happened a lot), Columbia picked him up. They obviously saw potential. Hence, "Lovely Day."
BTW, that whole discussion about discounting covers and following....that warrants a full article, or, to set the premise, and make it a thread....that would make a terrific back'n'forth! All great thoughts, and it would be a shame to miss that discussion opportunity! COMMENT OF THE DAY, Y'ALL!👏👏Charles!
Well, back from the gym. You're very kind, Brad. You are right, the cover debates could be an entire discussion forum. Want to start WWIII? Just express an opinion about any number of covers of Joni MItchell! Another one of the most covered singer/songwriters is Barry Manilow. Mention him in the same breath as Mitchell, and people lose their f***in' marbles. It's quite hilarious. Yes, the farm-team analogy makes sense, too. Or the reverse, as when Joan Jett was turned down by almost 30 labels (basically ALL of them), so she and Kenny Laguna started their own label. After "We Love Rock and Roll" went to #1, all the big labels came crawling back to her. Oh, one could go on....
I wasn't really lobbying for a "cover debate." No one wants, or needs, those headaches (plus, I'm happy to leave that exercise to the YouTubers!), but it sounded like you were highlighting the sheer history of, and definition of, covers, and how they fashioned popular music (and classical, which I'd not thought of before).
That's a challenging discussion that I'd think would engender healthy and stimulating debate.
Oh, I wasn't suggesting you were lobbying for that--it felt tongue-in-cheek. As I said, you can start WWIII by venturing into the wrong minefields! But yes, in a broader history of music, I think the transition from professional songwriting to bands writing their own material, was a revolution. It was actually my research on Carol Kaye that made me aware of how radical a transition that was. It was only after that transition that somehow it became "uncool" to do covers!
Neat! I like songs that are covered a multiplicity of times. One really good one like this is St James Infirmary Blues. I think I have 5 versions on a "creepy and dark" playlist I made. Great stuff!
Thanks, Andrew! I dig covers, too! Please peruse the site's plethora of GROW BIGGER EARS (less a covers lane than songs to a theme), but our "Inside Tracks" lane should be right up your alley! Nothing BUT covers (and, of course, artist info all around....you know how we do)!!
It's funny when I think about it now, but in my youth, I definitely looked down my nose at cover songs- even though I enjoyed a fair amount of them. But back then I was convinced that if you didn't write a song yourself, you were somehow lacking in talent and creativity. I know better now, of course. Not only is it a way to pay homage to artists who've inspired you and expose more people, including fans of different genres to your favorite songs, it allows you to show your creativity in different ways.
Two things, in particular, helped me come around on the subject. First, I love the blues, especially Delta Blues, and there is a great deal of sharing going on in that genre. Artists redid each other's songs and traditionals constantly, and except for maybe a title or some of the lyrics, you wouldn't know it by listening to them. Many of those artists put their own inimitable spin on the songs they recorded.
The second thing was learning to play the guitar myself. I was a late learner- I didn't pick up the guitar until my mid-20's, and I've never really mastered it. I'm not naturally talented, but that's beside the point. I composed a few very simple original pieces back in the day, but learning the instrument gave me an appreciation for playing other people's music and for playing around with those songs a little bit. At one point, I even had a list of songs I'd like to cover and record. That will probably never happen, especially since I've fallen out of practice in recent years, but it's why I would always encourage anyone who loves music to learn how to play it themselves. It doesn't matter if you never get really good at it or feel comfortable enough to write your own stuff, there's still value in experiencing the joy of playing other people's songs. I suspect that simple joy is why even so many great musicians feel compelled to cover other artists' material.
You've had first-hand experiences and growth in appreciating covers, Patrick! Spot on about the blues influences! Two words: early Beatles! They certainly knew the value of American blues and R&B in their early live forays....until they were pressed into service, and learned they had to write their own songs to record. Only then did John and Paul discover they were generational, once-a-century songwriting talents!
Songwriters know the challenge to effectively arrange others' songs, and if done right, it can be just as challenging as composing new material!
Thanks, Andy.....FR&B's recent collab with Amy McGrath Hughes of "Write Hear" taught me more about Robyn Hitchcock than I had ever known (or heard) before! So, there are chinks in my rock'n'roll armor!! Fewer now that I've discovered Robyn's music!
And, mad props to you, my Brit buddy, for inspiring me to tackle my very first article voice-over!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏Mehopes you like!
I just heard “Perfect Way” on the radio the other day and wondered whatever happened to this band. I had no idea that they had a bigger impact on music than just being a one-hit wonder. Thank you Brad!
We've said it before on these pages, and it's the (apparent) law of the land in show biz (in general), and rock'n'roll, in particular: The artists not only know each other, but are finely tuned in to what they're doing....and, they don't care who sells or not! They're on the (honest) prowl for good material, and even jamming with others to expand their experiences.
Plus, for songwriters, arranging another's work is sometimes even more challenging than creating their own compositions! And, they love doing that! Green is amazing!
Great piece. I didn't know the Tracye Eileen cover. It's great. The Audio Thieves will not grace any of my playlists though 😁
Thanks, PeDupre! I need to find another "excuse" to write about Mr. Gartside and SP!
I skimmed this and will have to go back and read more closely, but as always, I have no idea how you tie together so many threads in one article. I have enough trouble keeping one thought in my head! It's funny, people discount covers, but until the rock band era, actually it was rare for people perform their own stuff. What is classical music, other than expert musicians playing stuff written by expert composers? What is folk music--hell, we don't even know who wrote most folk songs. Sinatra, Fitzgerald and Elvis? Never wrote their own stuff. Ok, off to the gym and then I'll be back!
Well, thanks, Charles! As for your first sentence....and, I've never considered answering it seriously, but enough folks have complimented me on that very talent, recently, I dasn't poo-poo it! A) I think my OCD-Lite plays a part, and did back in the day, when I pored over liner notes, and began recognizing session-player names that I'd seen on other records, and B) having the intense desire and awareness of knowing record company rosters, much like sports fans memorize players and their respective teams!
And, back then, it almost seemed like sports free agency (and there were occasional literal "trades," as I recall)! In about '77, James Taylor famously moved from his longtime Warner Bros. home, and signed with Columbia! That really shouldn't still be in my head, but it is!
Regarding this article....at the time, when I realized Miles Davis had covered "Perfect Way," I also noticed (with jaw falling) that he was on Warner Bros., Scritti's label.......and this was decades after Miles having been a jazz kingpin on Columbia! Another fascinating dynamic for me was the "minor league" aspect of an artist proving himself on a tiny or indy label, and when a "free agent," a biggie would pick him up.
Go look up Bill Withers. He was on a small label (can't remember, but I know I'd know it if reminded...I'm gonna guess Buddah) in the early '70s with a couple hits (including "Lean on Me" and others). Around '75 (and, it may have been the label folding, as happened a lot), Columbia picked him up. They obviously saw potential. Hence, "Lovely Day."
BTW, that whole discussion about discounting covers and following....that warrants a full article, or, to set the premise, and make it a thread....that would make a terrific back'n'forth! All great thoughts, and it would be a shame to miss that discussion opportunity! COMMENT OF THE DAY, Y'ALL!👏👏Charles!
Well, back from the gym. You're very kind, Brad. You are right, the cover debates could be an entire discussion forum. Want to start WWIII? Just express an opinion about any number of covers of Joni MItchell! Another one of the most covered singer/songwriters is Barry Manilow. Mention him in the same breath as Mitchell, and people lose their f***in' marbles. It's quite hilarious. Yes, the farm-team analogy makes sense, too. Or the reverse, as when Joan Jett was turned down by almost 30 labels (basically ALL of them), so she and Kenny Laguna started their own label. After "We Love Rock and Roll" went to #1, all the big labels came crawling back to her. Oh, one could go on....
I wasn't really lobbying for a "cover debate." No one wants, or needs, those headaches (plus, I'm happy to leave that exercise to the YouTubers!), but it sounded like you were highlighting the sheer history of, and definition of, covers, and how they fashioned popular music (and classical, which I'd not thought of before).
That's a challenging discussion that I'd think would engender healthy and stimulating debate.
Oh, I wasn't suggesting you were lobbying for that--it felt tongue-in-cheek. As I said, you can start WWIII by venturing into the wrong minefields! But yes, in a broader history of music, I think the transition from professional songwriting to bands writing their own material, was a revolution. It was actually my research on Carol Kaye that made me aware of how radical a transition that was. It was only after that transition that somehow it became "uncool" to do covers!
Amazing how you keep all the connections straight - I’d love to see your “Murder Board” Brad!
Thanks, Michael......As the song says, 🎶"I don't know why, I just do...."🎶And, as Frankie used to sing, "It's just one of those things....."😎
Neat! I like songs that are covered a multiplicity of times. One really good one like this is St James Infirmary Blues. I think I have 5 versions on a "creepy and dark" playlist I made. Great stuff!
Thanks, Andrew! I dig covers, too! Please peruse the site's plethora of GROW BIGGER EARS (less a covers lane than songs to a theme), but our "Inside Tracks" lane should be right up your alley! Nothing BUT covers (and, of course, artist info all around....you know how we do)!!
As Rocky once said to Bullwinkle, "And now, here's something we hope you'll REALLY like!" https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/inside-tracks-13-bee-gees-1979-the
It's funny when I think about it now, but in my youth, I definitely looked down my nose at cover songs- even though I enjoyed a fair amount of them. But back then I was convinced that if you didn't write a song yourself, you were somehow lacking in talent and creativity. I know better now, of course. Not only is it a way to pay homage to artists who've inspired you and expose more people, including fans of different genres to your favorite songs, it allows you to show your creativity in different ways.
Two things, in particular, helped me come around on the subject. First, I love the blues, especially Delta Blues, and there is a great deal of sharing going on in that genre. Artists redid each other's songs and traditionals constantly, and except for maybe a title or some of the lyrics, you wouldn't know it by listening to them. Many of those artists put their own inimitable spin on the songs they recorded.
The second thing was learning to play the guitar myself. I was a late learner- I didn't pick up the guitar until my mid-20's, and I've never really mastered it. I'm not naturally talented, but that's beside the point. I composed a few very simple original pieces back in the day, but learning the instrument gave me an appreciation for playing other people's music and for playing around with those songs a little bit. At one point, I even had a list of songs I'd like to cover and record. That will probably never happen, especially since I've fallen out of practice in recent years, but it's why I would always encourage anyone who loves music to learn how to play it themselves. It doesn't matter if you never get really good at it or feel comfortable enough to write your own stuff, there's still value in experiencing the joy of playing other people's songs. I suspect that simple joy is why even so many great musicians feel compelled to cover other artists' material.
You've had first-hand experiences and growth in appreciating covers, Patrick! Spot on about the blues influences! Two words: early Beatles! They certainly knew the value of American blues and R&B in their early live forays....until they were pressed into service, and learned they had to write their own songs to record. Only then did John and Paul discover they were generational, once-a-century songwriting talents!
Songwriters know the challenge to effectively arrange others' songs, and if done right, it can be just as challenging as composing new material!
I sometimes wonder if there's a band or artist you don't know. Thank you for always bringing new (to me, at least) music to my inbox!
Thanks, Andy.....FR&B's recent collab with Amy McGrath Hughes of "Write Hear" taught me more about Robyn Hitchcock than I had ever known (or heard) before! So, there are chinks in my rock'n'roll armor!! Fewer now that I've discovered Robyn's music!
And, mad props to you, my Brit buddy, for inspiring me to tackle my very first article voice-over!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏Mehopes you like!
Well done you! Currently travelling but look forward to listening 😉
I just heard “Perfect Way” on the radio the other day and wondered whatever happened to this band. I had no idea that they had a bigger impact on music than just being a one-hit wonder. Thank you Brad!
We've said it before on these pages, and it's the (apparent) law of the land in show biz (in general), and rock'n'roll, in particular: The artists not only know each other, but are finely tuned in to what they're doing....and, they don't care who sells or not! They're on the (honest) prowl for good material, and even jamming with others to expand their experiences.
Plus, for songwriters, arranging another's work is sometimes even more challenging than creating their own compositions! And, they love doing that! Green is amazing!