Covers Record

Description

On the The Covers Record, Chan Marshall continues her evolution into a remarkably expressive interpreter of songs; her earlier covers of Pavements We Dance and Smogs Bathysphere are among her most distinctive performances. This collection includes songs originally by Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, the Velvet Underground, Moby Grape, Michael Hurley, and Anonymous. Marshalls sparest album yet, The Covers Record uses guitar and piano as the only foils for her malleable, emotional voice. These tools are more than enough to turn the Stones anthem (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction into a bluesy, slinky version emphasizing the songs tension and frustration as much as its jaded sexiness, and Kingston Town from a reggae standard into a hymnal reflection. Marshalls gentle version of Hurleys Sweedeedee and plaintive reading of the Velvets I Found a Reason recall the quietest, most spiritual moments from Moon Pix. This culminates on the cover of her own In This Hole from What Would the Community Think; one of the most drastic revisions, its soft pianos and serene vocals replace the originals turbulent anguish, reflecting her changing musical path. Marshall explores many emotional directions, from her yearning version of Moby Grapes Naked If I Want To to her brooding sensuality on Wild Is the Wind, to her down-home optimism on Bob Dylans Paths of Victory. Salty Dogs lilting melody and humorous lyrics bring out Marshalls Georgia twang, while her version of Smogs Red Apples shows off her voices sensual lows and keening highs. The joyous cover of Sea of Love (originally by Phil Phillips) brings this accomplished, heartfelt Covers Record to a very happy end. ~ Heather Phares