The Best Covers of 2010

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By Chris Moore:

For a guy who regularly posts cover song music videos, I am surprisingly unwelcoming as regards the inclusion of cover songs on studio albums.  That being said, there have been some excellent covers this year, and they’ve been handled in manners that I can respect.  For instance, Brian Wilson and Steven Page each released albums entirely composed of covers.  She & Him released their cover of “I Can Hear Music” as the “B-side” to their single, which was an intelligent decision that both allowed us to hear this excellent version yet also to preserve the continuity of Volume Two.  The Black Keys (on their very good album) and Sheryl Crow (on her forgettable album) each decided to include a cover near the end of the track listing, which blended well.  And Johnny Cash is, well… Johnny Cash.  He’s the man, and for the last decade of his career, it became a mark of distinction to have the man record a cover version of your song, artists lining up to present him with tracks for future consideration.

So, here they are: the top five cover songs of 2010.  Check back tomorrow for another list!

BEST COVER SONGS of 2010

1)  “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” – Brian Wilson (Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin)

2)  “I Can Hear Music” – She & Him (“In the Sun” single)

3)  “Paranoid Android” – Steven Page (A Singer Must Die)

4)  “Never Gonna Give You Up” – The Black Keys (Brothers)

5)  “Redemption Day” – Johnny Cash (American VI: Ain’t No Grave)

Honorable Mention: “I Want You Back” – Sheryl Crow (100 Miles from Memphis)

“Hang On To Yourself” by David Bowie – Chords, Tabs, and How to Play

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“Hang On To Yourself”
(David Bowie)

F#m
Well, she’s a tongue twisting storm,
A
Come to the show tonight,
Bm
Praying to the light machine.

She wants my honey not my money;
She’s a funky thigh collector,
Laying on electric dreams.

CHORUS:
C                     D                        C                                  D
So, come on, come on… We’ve really got a good thing going.
C                                D                          C
Well, come on.  Well, come on — if you think we’re gonna make it,
A                                                D – C – D – C
You better hang on to yourself…

We can’t dance; we don’t talk much.  We just ball and play.
But then we move like tigers on Vaseline.

Well, the bitter comes out better on a stolen guitar.
You’re the blessed; we’re the spiders from Mars.

CHORUS

SOLO (over A – D – A – D)

CHORUS (repeat)

A                     D
Come on, come on…

** These chords and lyrics are interpretations and transcriptions, respectively, and are the sole property of the copyright holder(s). They are posted on this website free of charge for no profit for the purpose of study and commentary, as allowed for under the “fair use” provision of U.S. copyright law, and should only be used for such personal and/or academic work. **

WCJM Free Internet Radio Station: “The Rock & Roll Christmas Show” – 2000

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By WCJM Free Internet Radio:

Dave Perrelli decided to join the cast because he heard and liked the Everything is Christmas Show.  So it was no surprise that Dave was very insistent on doing another Christmas Show.  Luckily, Jim and Mike had enough music to do another show, and thus the Rock ‘n’ Roll Christmas was made.

The free Internet radio show was done on very short notice because of different scheduling conflicts, and after school on Wednesday, November 22, 2000 the show was done.  The cast was picked up from a half day of school by Jeff Copperthite, one of the writers for the show (also playing Ron Popeil).  They went to eat at Subway and came back to Jim’s house to do the show.

This show contained many of the more personal touches that the World Series Show lacked.  Even though Chris didn’t talk as much as he wanted to on the air (I say, “Tough!”), there was more than just great music.  There was a skit with Dr. K, a story by Jeff and a story by Chris, and Jeff’s tips of the day.  And everyone’s favorite bear came back to join us on Christmas show as Stuffy D. Bear made the whole cast crack-up again.  There was also a new song that was never heard before made by Jim Fusco himself.

But of course, there were problems.  The show was originally made to fit on one 74 minute MiniDisc.  Unfortunately, Traffic, News, and Weather ran very long and the show did not fit in the allotted time.  So, Jim Fusco decided, with help from the rest of the cast, to put the show on another MiniDisc.  This let the show breathe a little more, and allowed for Jeff and Chris’ stories.  This free Internet radio show is a timeless classic that will be played for every Christmas to come!

“On the Shelf” (Original Wednesday Acoustic Video by Jeff Copperthite)

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By Jeff Copperthite:

Wow it seems so long since i’ve done an original Original Wednesday.  I checked my video session catalog (which is nearing 100 by the way) and the last true original song I have brought you (read: a song that I have written) was actually on July 15.  That is OVER TWO MONTHS!  I couldn’t let it go on any longer!

So i’m digging one up for the sessions today.  Finally, not only an original tune, but a PREMIERE, never before seen or heard, Jeff Copperthite original.

All my fans and my sessionmates are familiar with my playing style.  I feel this song is somewhat of a deviation.  The guitar part I play to this song is probably among the more creative ones I have recently conceived.  The lyrics – well, remember I am a happily married guy, but that doesn’t mean someone can’t tell a story that isn’t personal to the writer.  Plus, it fits the “spirit” of the guitar part quite well.

Perhaps this song will make it to the recording studio next year for another album.  I’ve felt the writing itch for a couple months now.  Scott & I are going to be getting together in the near future to do some jamming as well.  Perhaps a new Quilt EP or album is not that far in the future.  And everyone that knows both of us know, that he’ll blow me out of the water on the guitar.

My viewcount has reached 42K, and I have three new requests to work on for my upcoming sessions, but now back to your regularly scheduled “New Bands 2.0” week.  I’ll be back Saturday covering a band that has already made me say “Holy crap why did I pick this band?” – not because they don’t sound good, but because they sound incredible, and covering them will be a tall order.  I’m up to it, however.

And tomorrow, Jim will be back with another new band (feel free to register it under the “Thumpin’ Thursday™” tag Jim), and Chris will be back to satiate our eyes and ears with another new band.

I hope you enjoyed this edition of Original Wednesday!

Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Jeff’s acoustic cover song music videos are no longer on YouTube, but we decided to keep his cover song blog posts up.  We figured these music blog entries would be good for posterity’s sake and because Jeff always gave such insightful posts each Session.  We hope to see Jeff’s impressive catalog of acoustic rock songs here on the Laptop Sessions cover songs and original music blog again in the future.  But, for now, please make sure to check-out hundreds of other acoustic cover songs from all of your favorite bands here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!