Here's another cover by Walk Off The Earth because I couldn't just post one. Polly by Nirvana is one the most depressing sounding song I've ever heard. With Kurt Cobain's low vocals, drop d tuning on his guitar, and the lyrics of either a bird named Polly or a kidnapping of a girl named Polly, it was bound to sound depressing. But that's what made it such a good song.
Walk Off The Earth kept the same tempo and "uninterested" tone but they did add something new to it. You guessed it, a ukulele. Some might say that ukulele can't be used in slow depressing songs because it defeats the purpose of a uke. I mean ukuleles are associated with happiness and it's high, upbeat sound just doesn't mash with slower songs. I, on the other hand, think they can be used in any song. If any one can take a uke and a turn a slow sad song into an upbeat cover then kudos to them.
So, the addition to the ukulele in this song is awesome and I give them two thumbs up for it! Enjoy!
Original:
Polly-Nirvana
http://youtu.be/Qd3rpF9v-1o
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Walk Off The Earth-Someone Like You
Walk Off The Earth is best known for their cover of Somebody That I Used To Know in which five people played on one acoustic guitar simultaneously. It went viral really fast and they even performed it on Ellen.
Even though they are not sharing one instrument in this cover of Someone Like You, they are switching instruments with each other throughout the cover. To me, that's pretty impressive to be able to do that while keeping time and tempo. Another plus about this cover is the use of an upright bass and a ukulele. You just can't go wrong with those instruments. The vocals were also amazing. I loved her low, raspy voice. This proves that not every great singer has to be a soprano because altos are just as great and powerful! So enjoy!
Original:
Someone Like You by Adele
http://youtu.be/hLQl3WQQoQ0
Even though they are not sharing one instrument in this cover of Someone Like You, they are switching instruments with each other throughout the cover. To me, that's pretty impressive to be able to do that while keeping time and tempo. Another plus about this cover is the use of an upright bass and a ukulele. You just can't go wrong with those instruments. The vocals were also amazing. I loved her low, raspy voice. This proves that not every great singer has to be a soprano because altos are just as great and powerful! So enjoy!
Original:
Someone Like You by Adele
http://youtu.be/hLQl3WQQoQ0
Friday, March 29, 2013
Taken By Trees-Sweet Child O' Mine
Taken By Trees could not have picked a better power ballad and turn into a typical folk/indie song. While it is a good cover it's just missing the raw energy Axl Rose's vocals and the intense "in your face" power of Slash's guitar. I know that they could not duplicate those things exactly and that the point of covers it to make it your own and apply your musical style. I just couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing but it is still great cover.
They did take a power ballad and turn it into a fokish indie song with a slow tempo. The main riff played in the original is usually played by an electric guitar. In this cover it is played by a piano with light drums in background and an acoustic guitar playing rhythm. I really enjoy the arrangement of the instruments in the chorus especially the piano and drums. It sounds amazing. Although it does not have kick ass guitar solo the fade out of the piano and the "ah's" have to due. Enjoy!
Original:
Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Michael Winslow-Whole Lotta Love
Michael Winslow is mostly known for his amazing talent of creating sound effects with his mouth. You name any type of sound and this guy will mostly likely recreate it. In this video, he covers Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love but not by singing it although he does sing a little bit in the beginning. The amazing part about this video is that he recreates the sound of the electric guitar and even performs the guitar solo dead on. It's just crazy to see him perform all these sounds with just his mouth! It may not exactly be a cover but it is still an amazing performance of the song. Enjoy!
Original:
Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
http://youtu.be/jRiGOjHFsgg
Original:
Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin
http://youtu.be/jRiGOjHFsgg
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The Mamas & The Papas- Dream A Little Dream of Me
Most people did not know that Dream A Little Dream of Me by The Mamas & The Papas is actually a cover. It was originally recorded by Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra in 1931. Over the years it the song has been covered by dozens of performers including Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and so many more.
The Mamas and The Papas version is the most recognized of all the other covers. Mama Cass sings this song with such grace and class. Every time I hear this song I think of 1920's performer singing in a late night jazz club and I definitely think that is the visual they were going for. The song also puts the listener into a trance like state almost like a lullaby except without wanting to fall asleep. This cover is truly amazing and my all-time favorite song from The Mamas & Papas. It's just so good you are not going to want to stop listening. Enjoy!
Original:
Dream A Little Dream of Me by Ozzie Nelson and His Orcestra
http://youtu.be/-AqkSg1EU-0
Other covers worth listening to:
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
http://youtu.be/j6TmogXhOZ8
Michael Buble
http://youtu.be/asDvLON9PUU
The Mamas and The Papas version is the most recognized of all the other covers. Mama Cass sings this song with such grace and class. Every time I hear this song I think of 1920's performer singing in a late night jazz club and I definitely think that is the visual they were going for. The song also puts the listener into a trance like state almost like a lullaby except without wanting to fall asleep. This cover is truly amazing and my all-time favorite song from The Mamas & Papas. It's just so good you are not going to want to stop listening. Enjoy!
Original:
Dream A Little Dream of Me by Ozzie Nelson and His Orcestra
http://youtu.be/-AqkSg1EU-0
Other covers worth listening to:
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong
http://youtu.be/j6TmogXhOZ8
Michael Buble
http://youtu.be/asDvLON9PUU
Sunday, March 24, 2013
AJ Rafael and Nina Faye- How Deep Is Your Love
AJ Rafael has so many awesome covers that I could not just do one. So here is one more for the night but it probably won't be the last in this blog.
How Deep Is Your Love was made famous by the Bee Gees and is my favorite songs by them. When I saw the video in the sidebar on AJ's channel I immediately clicked on it. I had to see it they did the song justice and they did! He sings this song with Nina Faye who has amazing vocals. AJ's vocals are not too bad either and he has the ability to sing with others with different vocal ranges and styles.
This cover is simple but beautiful and that's what makes it so good. The little scat part in the middle of the song was also a nice addition too. Enjoy!
Original:
How Deep Is Your Love by Bee Gees
http://youtu.be/XpqqjU7u5Yc
How Deep Is Your Love was made famous by the Bee Gees and is my favorite songs by them. When I saw the video in the sidebar on AJ's channel I immediately clicked on it. I had to see it they did the song justice and they did! He sings this song with Nina Faye who has amazing vocals. AJ's vocals are not too bad either and he has the ability to sing with others with different vocal ranges and styles.
This cover is simple but beautiful and that's what makes it so good. The little scat part in the middle of the song was also a nice addition too. Enjoy!
Original:
How Deep Is Your Love by Bee Gees
http://youtu.be/XpqqjU7u5Yc
Doo Wop (That Thing) A Cappella
This A Cappella version of Doo Wop is amazing. I'm not familiar with everyone participating in the video but I did recognize Tori Kelly and AJ Rafael in the video. Both of them are known for posting videos of themselves singing covers, jamming with friends, or singing originals. They are both very talented musicians and you should definitely check them out.
In this cover, each person is singing a different part of the song, either various vocal parts or instrument parts. When it all comes together, it sounds awesome. So there is no actual instruments being played or at least being played on camera. A cajon can be heard being played in the background towards the middle of the video. Other than that each person is singing the various parts of the song.
The actual lyrics of the song are being sung by Jumoke Hill and he just absolutely kills it. He walked in singing like a boss in this video. He definitely brought the soul and power to this cover.
Original:
Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill
http://youtu.be/zz8_aQY27dc
AJ Rafael YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/ilajil
Tori Kelly YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ToriKelly
In this cover, each person is singing a different part of the song, either various vocal parts or instrument parts. When it all comes together, it sounds awesome. So there is no actual instruments being played or at least being played on camera. A cajon can be heard being played in the background towards the middle of the video. Other than that each person is singing the various parts of the song.
The actual lyrics of the song are being sung by Jumoke Hill and he just absolutely kills it. He walked in singing like a boss in this video. He definitely brought the soul and power to this cover.
Original:
Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill
http://youtu.be/zz8_aQY27dc
AJ Rafael YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/ilajil
Tori Kelly YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ToriKelly
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