Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Music Box: Sid 'n' Susie

It's no secret that I'm a HUGE FAN of Susanna Hoffs. With the Bangles, without the Bangles. With a guitar, without a guitar. I'll take her anyway I can get her. So when she teamed up with Matthew Sweet in '06 for "Under the Covers, Vol. 1," an album of songs from the 1960s, I didn't think it could get any better than that. (Full disclosure: I actually didn't have any idea who Matthew Sweet was when this album came out. Apparently he was part of that 1990s music blackout period of my life, when I was deeply entrenched in a lengthy relationship with a guy from Colombia, and our car/home stereo was dominated by the musical stylings of Carlos Vives, Luis Miguel, the Gipsy Kings and a teenage Shakira.)


I was completely captivated by the duo's take on classics like "Different Drum" by the Stone Poneys (aka Linda Ronstandt), "Sunday Morning" by the Velvet Underground and "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" by Neil Young, and even flew out to Los Angeles to see them perform the album in its entirety that spring at the Roxy on the fabulous Sunset Strip. (It was at the Tower Records down the street that I got a disc with the bonus track of Buffalo Springfield's "On the Way Home," which I swear is better than anything on the actual CD!)

So, like I said, I didn't think it could get any better than my fave Bangle covering some of the greatest songs of her childhood. Or could it? Truth be told, I had never heard of many of those songs, so while learning them was fun, I couldn't sing along from the get-go. My favorite was, in fact, the only song they slipped in from my 1970s childhood -- the splendid "Run to Me" by the Bee Gees, which still gives me goosebumps each time I play it. So how might Sid 'n' Susie top themselves? With a new collection of covers from the 1970s -- including Fleetwood Mac, Carly Simon and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers! Set for release on July 21, 

"Under the Covers, Vol 2" is already on track to be my favorite album of 2009. Can a return the Sunset Strip be far off? 

Track Listing: 1
. "Sugar Magnolia" (The Grateful Dead) 
2. "Go All The Way" (The Raspberries) 
3. "Second Hand News" (Fleetwood Mac) 
4. "Bell Bottom Blues" (Derek & The Dominoes) 
5. "All The Young Dudes" (Mott the Hoople) 
6. "You’re So Vain" (Carly Simon) 
7. "Here Comes My Girl" (Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers) 
8. "I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People" (Yes) 
9. "Hello, It’s Me" (Todd Rundgren) 
10. "Willin’" (Little Feat) 
11. "Back of a Car" (Big Star) 
12. "Couldn’t I Just Tell You" (Todd Rundgren) 
13. "Gimme Some Truth" (John Lennon) 
14. "Everything I Own" (Bread) 
15. "Maggie May" (Rod Stewart) 
16. "Beware of Darkness" (George Harrison)

   


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  • 3 comments:

    alberto mario said...

    Oh! That's why you have some photos taken in Cartagena, Colombia (saw 'em in a post of your last year, don't remember when exactly)...
    I know, I know, this post isn't related at all at your Music Box, but as a loyal reader of your blog, and as a Colombian myself :) I didn't know you had a colombian boyfriend... Man! you're so full of surprises! Umm I'm curious who the guy is.
    BTW I lived in Cartagena back in the 90's for almost four years, then came back to my birth city, Barranquilla, one hour and half north of Cartagena.
    So, if you're thinking to come back someday here, I can welcome you and your partner. A new friend is always good in my life... and yours!

    Cheers!

    ps. There are a lot and even more interesting singers here in Colombia since the "boom" of the 90's. But Shakira and Carlos Vives remain big stars here.

    Stephen said...

    OMG... I can't wait. It seems like a really amazing cover album!

    tbogg said...

    If you haven't ever listened to Matthew Sweet's Girlfriend album, you really need to do so.