Cover Girls, Vol. 18

Joan Osborne
What You Are

Some people may have lost track of Joan Osborne after her wave of commercial success in the mid-90’s began to settle. But she’s been keeping busy making some great music while spanning many genres. While 2007’s soul-infused Breakfast In Bed, is her most recent release, her country-tinged 2006 album, Pretty Little Stranger, has quite a few gems to take note of.

Known for her penchant of cover songs, there are a half-dozen to listen to on Pretty Little Stranger. One in particular is her beautiful rendition of ‘What You Are,’ a song originally penned by Patty Griffin.

Joan Osborne - What You Are From the album Pretty Little Stranger

Martha Berner
Sunday Morning

EPs (or extended plays) are strange things in the world of music. They’re not quite singles, but they’re certainly not records. In many ways, they’re precursors of what’s to come; something to whet the musical appetite. In the case of Martha Berner’s Ten Tiny Little Pieces, both are true.

According to the liner notes, Berner writes: “The Ten Tiny Little Pieces EP was recorded on a crisp, sunny, fall afternoon in October. October 8, 2006 to be exact. It was Sunday and all songs were, for the most part, to be recorded live and in one day. The weekend would be a whirlwind of arranging, rehearsing, rehearsing and arranging and these rough, acoustic demos had no idea what was about to happen to them.”

It would seem appropriate then that Berner would record her cover of the Velvet Underground’s ‘Sunday Morning.’ Hers is a fine rendition, bringing the classic song to a more modern setting.

Martha Berner is a terribly underrated songwriter blessed with a thick, pleasing voice. Her last record, …This Side Of Yesterday, released in 2005, has won her many favorable reviews across the country. Her next album is scheduled for release this summer.

Martha Berner - Sunday Morning From the EP Ten Tiny Little Pieces

MoZella
Say It Ain’t So

It took nearly three years to complete, but the latter-end of 2006 saw the release of I Will, the debut album from MoZella (n�e Maureen McDonald). Still in her early 20’s and undoubtedly poised to become a commercial success (her music has already been featured in numerous commercials and advertising campaigns), MoZella’s music tends to blend acoustic guitar, lush programming and electronic beats.

Recently MoZella recorded a surprising cover of Weezer’s ‘Say It Ain’t So,’ a song originally found on the band’s highly lauded debut. MoZella’s version is a stark contrast from the original, bringing a hint of darkness reminiscent of the tone found in Sia’s ‘Breathe Me.’

Recently heard in an episode of One Tree Hill, the track can be found on iTunes’s section for MoZella as a non-album track for I Will.

MoZella - Say It Ain’t So From the iTunes re-release of I Will

Dot Allison
Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievances

Anticipatory of her next album’s release, fans of the ethereal-voiced Dot Allison can be quelled with her interpretation of Daniel Johnston’s ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievances,’ as found on the compilation, I Killed The Monster.

Released late last year as a tribute to the extraordinary songs of Mr. Johnston, the former frontwoman of One Dove lends her voice to the soft and melancholy track.

Allison’s next album, Exaltation of Larks, is due to arrive before the end of the year. For a preview of upcoming songs, be sure to visit her MySpace page.

Dot Allison - Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Your Grievances From the compilation I Killed The Monster

Cover Girls, Vol. 3

Originally released in 1997 on their only album, Slush, the members of Giant Sand and Calexico collaborated with Lisa Germano for a side-project they called OP8. The album served up a great collection of both original songs and cover versions. And while the album is strong throughout, their remake of the classic Lee Hazlewood / Nancy Sinatra tune ‘Sand’ is a definite stand-out. Here, Lisa and co-vocalist Howe Gelb pull a gender switch in the duet, dusting off the scratches for a truly unique interpretation which I’m surprised has not yet seen itself on a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack yet.

Many people have covered Dolly Parton’s big hit ‘Jolene,’ (Paula Cole, the White Stripes and Olivia Newton-John, just to name three), but few have done it quite this way.

Before Dot Allison embarked on a solo recording career, she was the frontwoman for the experiemental group, One Dove. As a b-side to their single, Why Don’t You Take Me, ‘Jolene’ is transformed into a six minute swirl of harps, electric percussion and computer generated sound effects. Mix in Dot’s dreamy voice and you’ve got yourself an original cover.

Although her success has rocketed commericially ever since Eminem sampled one of her songs, it’s difficult to argue that Dido isn’t worth the constant exposure. She’s talented, creates quality music and possesses a great voice. And based solely on the interviews I’ve read, she seems to even be somewhat humble (which is rare among celebrities). She also performed a great cover in the form of James Taylor’s ‘Fire & Rain’ . Recorded live for KCRW last year, Dido’s simplistic take transforms the classic into something soft and sweet.

Last month, Por Vida: A Tribute To The Songs Of Alejandro Escovedo, a benefit album honoring the the musician was released with alt-country artist, Lucinda Williams taking the helm at his song ‘Pyramid Of Tears.’

Lucinda’s gritty delivery turns Alejandro’s original into a new work of art, making it sound as if she wrote the song herself, as it fits well into her own style of rock.

Downloads:

OP8 feat. Lisa Germano - Sand
One Dove - Jolene
Dido - Fire & Rain (live)
Lucinda Williams - Pyramid Of Tears