I love a nice cover version on a Friday I do. Well it was Friday when I started to type in the title for this blog, but then I got distracted and suddenly Friday flew away from me and now it's Saturday. I have chosen to keep the title as I am too lazy to change it, yet surely that would have been easier than typing this elongated waffle?! And you may not be reading this on a Saturday. It may now be Sunday or even Monday, and thus you are reading this in the future. I beg of you not to tell me what happens. I like to be surprised. Anyway, there are a few covers floating around that really stand out from the plethora of people singing Nicki Minaj's Starships on youtube, and should definitely kickstart your weekend in an amazing way. Read on my pretties, read on...
Gavin Mikhail ~ Shooting Star (Owl City Cover):
Remember Gavin Mikhail? I was entirely smitten with him about 5-6 years ago when I came across his gorgeous original song, the still stunning Brave. He's kept himself busy in the intervening period by unleashing a mixture of his own penned tunes alongside an eclectic mix of cover versions. And that's what is so brilliant about Gavin Mikhail. He has exquisite taste in pop music - so it's not all Call Me Maybe or What Makes You Beautiful covers, as it the norm nowadays. He seeks out tunes from a variety of genres from british cool (Ed Sheeran), euro-pop (Loreen) and soaring soal (Emile Sande; Adele). And Gavin doesn't just roll out his own version - he really examines the song, deconstructs every element, then builds it back up to give it his own unique interpretation. Take his heavenly version of Shooting Star (above). Built around intricate piano that flows effortlessly alongside Gavin's charming vocal style, young Mr Mikhail pours his heart and soul into the song. There's a nuanced emotive flow that brings the lyrics to life; additionally, it's clear that he loves the music he performs. His version is elevated and radiates because of this. I love delving into his astounding range of cover songs, but I love his originals even more. Revisit Brave. It's one of the most empowering songs I've heard. Amaze.
Jocelyn Scofield ~ Euphoria (Loreen Cover):
I first came across Jocelyn a little while ago thanks to her stunning cover of We Are Young (fun/Janelle). Her voice was resonant and distinctive, her passionate performance giving the song a frisson of wisdom & knowing to juxtapose it's carefree, cavalier message. I love how different interpretations can give songs hidden layers, so I was eager to hear more from Jocelyn (especially as I have fallen hard for her delectable vocals). She's picked up Loreen's Eurovision winning rave anthem & done what I've been itching for someone more talented than me to undertake. She's extrapolated the haunting melody from the song, stripped it bare and created this gothic style ballad from it. Her vocals send shivers (particularly at the 2m50s mark) and her performance is all consuming as she becomes at one with the song (particularly notable as you watch her performance above). It's both devastating and spinetingling at the same time. Jocelyn stands out as an artist of musical integrity and depth in a world of frivolity. I'm hooked and need more...
Velvet Stream ~ Black Heart (Stooshe Cover):
Stooshe's Black Heart is a difficult song to cover - it's already inherent with an old school doo-wop charm that's hard to resist. If anyone is up to the job though, it's my new faves Velvet Stream and they undertake the task at hand with aplomb. It's a right bobby dazzler of a cover. What I love about this is that it's a cohesive group effort - the guys provide a pared down instrumental with gorgeous guitar, subtle keyboard and sumptuous harmonies. This all provides a different storytelling frame for Mati to excel in with her stunning vocal delivery. Together, it makes the song more expositional than the Stooshe version, particularly as Mati has a voice that expressively brings the lyrics to life. There's a definitive understanding of what needs to be achieved to provide that emotional gut punch - and again, this is enhanced by the perfect placement of the boys harmonies and gentle, sad sounding guitars. It's a mesmerising performance and one that has me going back again and again. Utterly delightful. (PS, do check out their song Selfish Mind which I reviewed here!)
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