Twisted MixTape: Cover Me This Batman

I'm back. It's been a few weeks and I admit, I've been a rude guest. I've been really busy and I didn't even send back my RSVP to Jen at My Skewed View, that I wouldn't be hanging out at the MixTape party. But here I am, and I brought a hostess gift.

This weeks Twisted MixTape theme is cover songs. I.Love.Covers. Just really enjoy hearing one artist interpret another. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but tonight... all winners.

The first song was written in 1969 by American musician Steve Young. I first heard it covered by Rita Coolidge in 1970, but the best cover I've heard is the one with the five-part harmony.

The Eagles "Seven Bridges Road"

The Everly Brothers have had their songs covered endless times. One of the most interesting is this.

Alison Krauss and Robert Plant "Gone, Gone, Gone"

I used this next song in one of my "Got It Covered" features, that sadly I haven't done in a while. My dear S-I-L the fab Ms. G turned me onto it, and without a doubt it's one of the best covers I've ever heard. Originally by Cheap Trick, it's hard to believe it's the same song.

The Holmes Brothers "I Want You To Want Me"

I cannot do this list without something from one of the greatest song interpreters, Joe Cocker. But which one to choose? "With A Little Help From My Friends," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "Feelin' Alright," "Summer In The City," "Something," are all worthy choices. But I think I'll go with the girl who worked in fifteen clubs a day.

Joe Cocker "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window"

Now I just have to throw an old blues number in the mix, but which one. There are literally hundreds to choose from and I love them all. So, I think I'll pick a blues cover which helped me start to dig deeper into the genre. Originally by Big Mama Thornton, who does a great job herself, this is from Janis.

Janis Joplin "Ball And Chain"

My last selection is just incredible. Some of you may be aware of this video, it's gone viral. It's just two guys, on guitar and bass, sitting in a pizza joint singing one of the best covers. Check out the number of views. Top rock stars would die for those numbers. I actually had the pleasure of interviewing him, it will be posted over at Earth Hertz as soon as I get it finished. It's a great story even without the music. Anyway, this is just wonderful.

Mike Masse and Jeff Hall "Africa"

Covers... I got a million of 'em, but that's enough for tonight.

Room 105: The Highs and Lows of Janis Joplin

Last week was an interesting one music wise for me. I was able to attend two live shows and you know how that makes me smile. The first show was Blues at the Crossroads 2, which I have already reviewed, and the second show was Room 105: The Highs and Lows of Janis Joplin.

The show features the great singer Sophie B. Hawkins as Janis, and takes you back in time through the memories of the spirit of Janis. Her hard and unhappy life is depicted through on ongoing monologue and of course through the kickass music of Joplin. Janis used to say that onstage she made love to thousands of people... but went home home. This show brings to life exactly what she meant.

The full review is now featured on ourvinyl.com as Room 105: The Highs and Lows of Janis Joplin. Click on the link and check it out.

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Little Girl Lost: Janis

Born in Port Arthur, Texas in 1943, Janis Joplin would have turned 70 years old today.

Not the prom queen, the brain or the most popular girl by any stretch of the imagination, Janis did have something none of the other kids had...she had soul, and the voice to share it.

Her teens were hard years, she didn't fit in and increasingly turned to music to soothe her inner turmoil. Moving to California, the San Francisco music scene was much more welcoming.

As a kid, when I first heard Janis sing "Piece of My Heart", her voice and style was something both amazing and unnerving at the same time. If you listened close enough, you knew it wasn't screams coming out, it was pure raw emotion. Janis threw every bit of what she felt into her singing. But even with all her success and talent, her demons eventually won the battle on October 4, 1970.

A couple of my favorites from the Little Girl Blue.

"Summertime" ...the classic song from Porgy and Bess, with an incredible interpretation
"Ball and Chain"...showing every bit of her soul.
"Move Over" ...live and on fire

She didn't look like anyone else, she didn't act like anyone else and she didn't sing like anyone else.

Forever she is known simply as Janis.

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