Cover Charge is simple: A covers B, B covers C, C covers D and so on, until I loop back to where I started, Ouroboros-style.
Last time: Pet Shop Boys to Blur
For a band that have been around as long as Blur, it's slightly surprising to learn they've rarely recorded covers. Even this feels a bit like they were just cocking about in the studio, using the time they had to get something - anything - in the can. Whatever its genesis, Blur recorded their take on Maggie May around the time of Popscene, I think; it first saw the light of day on the NME's 1992 compilation album Ruby Trax, celebrating 40 years of the publication, and then resurfaced as the B-side to 1993's Chemical World.
Poor old Rod the Mod. Probably thought landing the Glasto Legends slot was a good thing... until he made his Reform comments. Then the reviews of his set were, at best, mixed. For what it's worth, I didn't think it was terrible, it was just a bit... cruise ship, that's all. Though I wasn't a fan of him taking so long to change outfits that his backing band could perform entire and protracted numbers whilst he was off-stage. So probably better to remember him like this. In later years he became known for his interpretations of other people's songs, but this is a co-write for Rod. In the January 2007 issue of Q magazine, he recalled that "Maggie May was a true story, about the first woman I had sex with, at the 1961 Beaulieu Jazz Festival." He went on to clarify that the woman in question was not called Maggie though. Anyway, from 1971, here's Rolling Stone's number 130 in "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
Next time: who knows, Rod's covered everybody...
That Blur cover was recorded for the NME charity album Ruby Trax in 1992, a year before the Chemical World single: https://www.discogs.com/release/1187528-Various-Ruby-Trax-The-NMEs-Roaring-Forty
ReplyDeleteSome bloody good stuff on there, especially the Blue Aeroplanes' version of Bad Moon Rising, possibly my favourite cover of all time!
Ah yes! I seem to recall borrowing Ruby Trax from the uni record library, back in the day. Agree about the Blue Aeroplanes' Bad Moon Rising cover too, very good.
DeleteNever realised that Blur covered this - but I think it's one of those songs which just doesn't work for anyone else. Something about Rod's voice and expression is the only fit for me, unfortunately I think Blur's sounds a bit Karaoke!
ReplyDelete- As you say too, probably best to remember Rod like this. Anyone who indicates support for Reform just makes me queasy.
Queasy indeed. Also realise I have painted myself into a corner with this series - I had mapped out all the necessary steps to get back to The Specials, but made a mistake somewhere in the chain... Time for an urgent rethink.
DeleteOh no! You'll manage it I'm sure... better fire up the SatNav!
DeleteI'm less confident, but I'll try.
Delete