The Days of Lore

Cat Power covers … covers

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008 | musiX | 4 Comments

More covers? Chan Marshall has made quite a career interpreting the works of others … and probably the only artist today who can get away with it. Well, most of the time. On some songs she’s brilliant, on others she’ll leave you scratching your head … or dozing off.

I just got my hands on Dark End of the Street, six covers that didn’t make it on to Cat Power’s Jukebox, released in January of this year. Marshall fares well when she puts her soul into soul numbers from Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. Her version of Redding’s “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” is a sassy stunner. I was actually looking forward to hearing what she would do with CCR’s “Fortunate Son,” which has been covered by everybody (typically keeping with the spirit of the original). Marshall vamps it up here … doesn’t work. Another good example of how Cat Power can melt your heart, but she can also break it. Boo hoo.

Track listing for Dark End of the Street and other notable artists who’ve covered the songs. (Original artist is listed first).

“Dark End of the Street”: James Carr, Flying Burrito Brothers, Elvis Costello, The Afghan Whigs, Ryan Adams, Aretha Franklin, Frank Black.
“Fortunate Son”: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bob Segar, Pearl Jam, Sleater-Kinney, The Circle Jerks, .38 Special, Bruce Springsteen.
“Ye Auld Triangle”: Dominic Behan (for his 1954 play The Quare Fellow), The Pogues, The Dubliners, Bob Dylan with The Band, Dropkick Murphys, Jeff Tweedy.
“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)”: Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner, Seal, Barbara Mandrell.
“Who Knows Where the Time Goes”: Sandy Denny, Judy Collins, Charlie Louvin, Matthew Sweet, Nina Simone, Kate Wolf, Susanna Hoffs.
“It Ain’t Fair”: Aretha Franklin.

Now, if I can just figure this out: Is it better to cover a mediocre song well, or to cover a great song poorly? Discuss.

“I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)” - Cat Power

Tags: Aretha Franklin, Cat Power, Chan Marshall, Dark End of the Street, Jukebox, Otis Redding