Cover Girls, Vol. 16

Sometimes cover songs are good. Sometime they’re not. And occasionally, they’re amazing. The latter is definitely true of Scott ‘Starfire’ Lunt & Jerree Small’s rendition of ‘You Spin Me Round (Like A Record),’ the famous song from the 80’s originally performed by Dead or Alive.

Lunt and Small recorded their version for a Duluth, Minnesota covers-only compilation entitled How Long Have You Been In Love?. Beautifully sung, the song is transformed into a sweet duet which will have you disbelieving the contrast from the original.

Currently, the song is receiving a heavy praise from listeners at MetaFilter and likeminded sites. It’s all well-deserved.

More information about the history of this compilation can be found at Perfect Sound Radio.

Special thanks to ‘The Other Brian’ over at cheap blue guitar for making me aware of this song.

While the music of Hem is relatively new to me, it didn’t take me long to appreciate what they have to offer. This amazing quartet, fronted by Sally Ellyson’s beautiful voice, have been making some of the most lush and organic folk ever heard.

On No Word From Tom, their collection of covers and rarities, one can find them covering Fountain Of Wayne’s ‘Radiation Vibe.’ Groovy, and extremely well done, this song will make you no doubt make a fan of you, if you aren’t one already.

When 80’s rock superstar Pat Benatar released her highly-successful second album, Crimes Of Passion in 1980, many overlooked her stand-out rendtion of ‘Wuthering Heights,’ a song written and performed by the legendary Kate Bush just a few years prior.

While gutsy to cover anything by Ms. Bush, let alone this difficult gem, Benatar’s opera-trained voice was perfect for the song and demonstrates Benatar tremendous talents. While not better than the original, it’s a remarkable rendition.

Listen and repeat.

The music of Fisher was one of the early recipients and benefactors of the MP3 treatment, releasing most of their music online before they ever released their first CD. The pair, consisting of singer-songwriter Kathy Fisher and producer/composer Ron Wasserman, quickly rose out of obscurity and since 2000, have released four albums of delectable rock/pop.

On 2002’s, Uppers & Downers their double-disc release, one will find their rendition of Bert Kaempfert’s ‘L-O-V-E,’ the song originally made famous by legendary crooner, Nat King Cole.

Downloads:

Jerree ‘Starfire’ Lunt & Jerree Small - You Spin Me Round

Hem - Radiation Vibe

Pat Benatar - Wuthering Heights

Fisher - L-O-V-E

Cheryl Bliss

The music of Austin-based singer-songwriter Cheryl Bliss is difficult to describe, which is probably a good thing as she isn’t immediately similar to anything else I’ve heard of late. Read more

High Notes, Vol. 3

News & Notes:
While I know posts have been infrequent lately, it’s not for a lack of trying. Despite irregularities, there has actually been a lot going on.

Firstly, Womenfolk turned two on June 7, 2006. That’s ancient in blog-years. So thank you to everyone who has supported the site with your comments and suggestions. Believe it or not, it helps keep Womenfolk alive.

Last year during our first anniversary online, I featured a ‘best of’ batch of songs previously featured on Womenfolk during that year. This year, I’m taking things one step farther.

Coming in late July/early August, Womenfolk will be releasing its first compilation! This is the real thing, folks. Many remarkable women submitted music for this set and I’m very proud to see it to completion. The CD will be for sale exclusively through www.womenfolk.net. I’ll definitely provide more details soon.

Now on to the music:

Lisa Germano
In The Maybe World
Without a doubt, Lisa Germano is a favorite of mine. Her underrated music seeps with a strange beauty, initially dark, but slowly exuding a sense of warmth and light. Germano’s voice is soft and low and her lyrics often carry the occasional smirk of sarcasm.

Featured below is ‘Into Oblivion,’ a fine example of Germano’s signature sound. Also featured below is ‘Offering,’ a rare, unreleased gem from a compilation Germano self-released in 2003 entitled, Rare, Unusual Or Just Bad Songs. You can presumably order a copy from Ms. Germano herself by following the instructions on her official site.

Germano’s seventh album, In The Maybe World, is due out July 18 on Young God Records.

Ani DiFranco
Reprieve
One of the hardest working women in music today, Ani DiFranco has created 15 solo albums (excluding collaborations and live compilations) since 1989. Reprieve is her latest, due out on August 8 on her own Righteous Babe label.

This time, it’s only DiFranco and her bass player that can be heard on the record, as she continues her trademark guitar-picking and lyrical left-hooks.

Featured here is ‘Half-Assed,’ one of the album’s standouts.

Crooked Still
Shaken By A Low Sound
Shaken By A Low Sound marks the second album for the country/folk/bluegrass band, Crooked Still. Here the group perform a collection of songs, largely covers of American standards, and create a nice, pleasurable result. Aoife O’Donovan’s voice floats effortlessly through the music, slightly reminiscent of Alison Krauss‘ angelic vocals. This is a sweet, no frills record which displays the band’s extraordinary talents.

Shaken By A Low Sound is due out on Signature Sounds Recordings on August 22, 2006.

Georgie James
Demos At Dance Place
Formed after his previous band (Q And Not U) dissolved, drummer John Davis and his friend, singer-songwriter, Laura Burhenn formed Georgie James. The pairing is quite remarkable, as Davis and Burhenn take turns with lead vocals and use their individual talents to create some truly smart, rock/pop.

Demos At Dance Place is a 7-song EP that features the duo’s first songs recorded together. Released toward the end of 2005, the band is currently working on their first record together and are currently set to tour the United States with indie-fave Camera Obscura.

Nina Gordon
Bleeding Heart Graffiti
Nina Gordon was arguably, the better half of the rock outfit, Veruca Salt. But in 1998, Gordon left the band to embark on a solo career and shift in a more ‘pop’ direction.

In 2000, Gordon released her debut solo record, Tonight And The Rest Of My Life. Six years later and her follow-up has arrived in the form of Bleeding Heart Graffiti. This newest set, with its lead-off single, ‘Kiss Me ‘Til It Bleeds,’ is scheduled for release on August 8, 2006 on Warner Bros.

Downloads:

Lisa Germano - Into Oblivion

Lisa Germano - Offering

Ani DiFranco - Half-Assed

Crooked Still - Little Sadie

Georgie James - Long Week

Nina Gordon - Kiss Me ‘Til It Bleeds