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cover, single track, wildcardWildcard (week 46):
Wildcard (week 46):
Peking Duk feat. Julia Stone – Fall At Your Feet [Triple J Like A Version]
‘Like A Version’ is a segment on Australian radio station Triple J. Every week a musician or band performs one of their own tunes and a cover of a song they love. The latter often ends up being a stunning and quite different take on a well-known song. This is a great example.
In March this year, Canberra natives Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles (a.k.a. Peking Duk) were invited back into the studio. They did their own song Spend It, originally featuring Circa Waves, with guest vocals from upcoming Aussie singer Dean Brady. However, the session will forever be reminded for their stunning version of Crowded House’s Fall At Your Feet. Who would’ve thought this beautiful track could be transformed into a sure-fire floor-filler? That’s exactly what Peking Duk did, with help from Julia Stone (of Big Jet Plane fame) and Dean Brady.
True to their party-vibe style, the dynamic duo and their well-chosen guests delivered an anthemic and rousing cover of the 1991 classic. Adding bright synths, a booming beat and energy-drenched group vocals in the chorus, they created a classic of their own. Eight months after the recording session, this version is now released as a single by popular demand.
Peking Duk & Julia Stone’s interpretation of Fall At Your Feet is the new Carte Blanche Music Wildcard. This implies that it will be prominently displayed at the top of the blog for an entire week.
Follow Peking Duk on Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify
Follow Julia Stone on Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2023 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single trackBernadett Nyari – Palladio
Bernadett Nyari – Palladio
*SONG SNACK*
Virtuosically played, this rendition of Palladio aims to empower women in the music industry.
Follow Bernadett Nyari on Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, remake, single trackBaker Boy feat. Bernard Fanning – Wish You Well
Baker Boy feat. Bernard Fanning – Wish You Well
*SONG SNACK*
Danzal Baker updates former Powderfinger front man’s 2005 classic with help from the man himself.
Follow Baker Boy on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Follow Bernard Fanning on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single trackAlex Lahey – This Kiss
Alex Lahey – This Kiss
When Faith Hill released This Kiss, back in 1998, I didn’t particularly like it. Country pop just wasn’t the music I was into at the time. Looking back however, I must admit it’s a great tune. One of the characteristics of a good composition is the fact it holds firm, also when recorded in a totally different genre.
Enter Alex Lahey…
For Women’s History Month 2021, she turned the track into a fuzzed-out indie rock song. This version still possesses the original’s country twang, but it ups the distortion a few notches. Lahey said she’d had the idea for the arrangement for years. “Two key changes, that iconic chorus, a million vocal harmonies – what more could you want?”, she said.
Recorded as an exclusive ‘Amazon Original’ last year, it’s now finally available on all streaming platforms.
Recommended as well:
Isabella
I Love You Like A Brother
Lotto In Reverse / I Haven’t Been Taking Care Of Myself
You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me
Follow Alex Lahey on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single track
Alessia Cara & The Warning – Enter Sandman
Alongside the 30th Anniversary Edition of their self-titled ‘black album’, Metallica released The Metallica Blacklist. This 4-CD set contains covers of black album tracks by artists like Juanes, Weezer, Sam Fender, Royal Blood, Biffy Clyro, J. Balvin, Chase & Status, Volbeat and Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan. Some of these are truly awful, but don’t take my word for it. You could better tempt you ears yourself…
Meanwhile, some of them are really good as well. I was rather charmed by Miley Cyrus, Watt, Elton John, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Trujilo & Chad Smith’s version of Nothing Else Matters, for instance. The cover album’s opener is equally strong. The first track you’ll hear when you put it on, is Enter Sandman by Alessia Cara & The Warning. No way you’ll fall asleep to this one. Although the epic guitar hook is unmistakable, the ladies give the well-known hit their own spin. Alessia Cara fans especially should brace themselves. Throughout, the track is very well sung.
Just in case you didn’t know: The Warning are three sisters from Monterrey, México. Daniela Villarreal plays the guitar and shares the lead vocals with Cara, while drummer Paulina Villarreal and bass player Alejandra Villarreal both provide backing vocals as well. All four of the artists will donate their portion to Save The Children. A job well done in more ways than one.
Follow Alessia Cara on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
Follow The Warning on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single track
Wavves – Sinking Feeling
It doesn’t happen often, nowadays, that a band leaves a gap of a few years between releases. Nathan Williams’s project Wavves just did 😉.
His latest album You’re Welcome dates from 2017. A few one-off singles followed, but then, things went quiet. Until now, for Wavves are back with Sinking Feeling. A far cry from the punky rock songs the band produced earlier, this is a track with summer vibes. The acoustic guitars, that alternate with electric surf guitar notes, give it a relaxed feel. It hasn’t always sounded this way however. The original version, released in 2014 by the band’s guitarist Alex Gatez, was a way more trippy affair.
“Sinking Feeling is a song about a wave of depression that keeps coming back”, Nathan Williams said in a statement. “It’s that sinking feeling that drags you down and no matter what you do or where you go it follows you.”
The track was produced by TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek.
Follow Wavves on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single trackHedda Mae – Sitting Down Here (De Neste)
Hedda Mae – Sitting Down Here (De Neste)
Emerging future pop star Hedda Mae hasn’t really broken out of her home country Norway yet, but you’d better keep an eye on her. She and her co-writer and producer Benjamin Giørtz (Tiësto, Betty Who) are a great tandem. He creates songs with a nu-disco flavour, while her youthful performance makes them sound extra fresh.
The singer, whose real name is Hedda Aalvik Grønhaug, will put out her second EP of original material later this year. First single Take It Or Leave It was released earlier this year. As a side project, Hedda Mae contributed to Norwegian TV show De Neste (‘the next’). For the programme, she recorded two covers of Norwegian classics: Jaa9 & OnkleP’s Glir Forbi, and Lene Marlin’s finest moment Sitting Down Here. The latter was a pan-European hit in 1999.
On behalf of the TV show, Giørtz produced and arranged a modern version, full of his trademark ‘80s influences. It goes down very well with the original composition and could make the song a hit all over again. I think the current generation will love this Kylie Minogue-like take on Sitting Down Here.
Recommended as well:
Hedda Mae – Madness
Follow Hedda Mae on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single trackThe Bamboos – Ride On Time
The Bamboos – Ride On Time
Back in 1989, Italo-house/Euro-dance act Black Box released Ride On Time. A great floor filler, based on a vocal sample of Loleatta Holloway’s 1980 single Love Sensation. Her lyric “Thank you baby, ‘cause you’re right on time” was misquoted in the song title. Nevertheless, it topped several European charts and went on to become the bestselling single of the year in the UK.
32 Years later, the song gets a complete make-over. Australian nine-piece The Bamboos turn the track into an infectious soul/funk tune. It’s not the first time they sink their teeth in another track to turn it completely upside-down. They did so before with songs by everyone from James Blake, Kings Of Leon to London Grammar.
Their reinvented version kicks off with tight, up-tempo drums, followed by the three piece horn section, which carries the song’s hook. Subsequently, The Bamboos’ stellar singer Kylie Auldist does what no-one would have thought possible: she does complete justice to Loleatta Holloway’s inimitable vocal.
Ride On Time will be the closing track on their upcoming tenth album Hard Up, which will be out on 7 May. It’ll also feature the band’s three 2020 singles Hard Up, While You Sleep (feat. Ev Jones) and Power Without Greed.
Recommended as well:
The Bamboos – Night Time People
The Bamboos (feat. Montaigne) – I’ll Make You Happy
Follow The Bamboos on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single track, wildcardWildcard (week 4):
Wildcard (week 4):
Tom Jones – Talking Reality Television Blues
Tom Jones may be 80 years of age, after 58 years in the business he is still as relevant as ever. From It’s Not Unusual to Kiss to Sex Bomb, he always had a good nose for the musical trends. In that respect, it might seem odd that he’s chosen to record a covers album as his next project. The long-player, Surrounded By Time, will be out on 23 April. It features songs by Cat Stevens, Michael Kiwanuka, Tony Joe White and Bob Dylan.
Jones’ new single however, is a remake of Todd Snider’s Talking Reality Television Blues. But it’s unrecognizable. Snider’s version, only from 2019, was a two and a half minutes short country song. Jones stretches it out over six and a half minutes. His version has almost a Stone Roses drum shuffle, a Beck-like blues guitar and a Bob Dylan-style vocal. Other influences appear to come from acts like Baz Luhrmann, Radiohead and Public Service Broadcasting. Brilliant lyrics as well, by the way.
This week, Talking Reality Television Blues by Tom Jones is the Carte Blanche Music Wildcard, so you’ll find it at the top of the blog for a whole week!
Follow Tom Jones on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
In the Wildcards 2021 playlist you’ll find all of this year’s Carte Blanche Music Wildcards so far.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
cover, single track
Lou Hayter – Time Out Of Mind
London native Lou Hayter has begun a new chapter of her already impressive musical career. She started as keyboardist for the band New Young Pony Club, with whom she toured the world for eight years. Since then, she was one half of Tomorrow’s World (the other half being Air’s Jean-Benoît Dunckel) and formed The New Sins with Nick Phillips. While they’re working on new material in Paris, Hayter started a solo career.
On 7 May, her solo album Private Sunshine will come out. According to her label, it will encompass her love of acid house, ‘80s hits, yacht rock, electro, future pop and disco. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Many of these ingredients can be heard in her new single Time Out Of Mind. The intro reminds of Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters, but after 15 seconds a Steely Dan-like synth comes in. Bulls-eye, for Time Out Of Mind is indeed a cover of a track from Fagen & Becker’s 1980 Gaucho album.
Hayter says about her version: “Steely Dan are my favourite band. So I approached this cover with my utmost respect and tried to be reverent. I chose a bit more of a deep cut from their album Gaucho. My friend Jeff Wooton who plays with Gorillaz very kindly added this mega guitar solo on the record. He nailed it in one take which was amazing to watch. I hope it has the same happy sunshine sound that Steely Dan brings to me when I listen to them.”
Follow Lou Hayter on Instagram | Twitter | Spotify
For more great new music, follow the constantly updated Carte Blanche Music playlist.
I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.
