Category: Tribute Album

Cover Me: Tribute to Ray Davies, Abbey Road, and much more

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Ray Davies Jem Records

Assorted Artists “Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies”

The fourth release in a series honoring the best songwriters in rock. Jem Records Celebrates Ray Davies is an homage to one of England’s finest rock writers and follows the success of Jem Records Celebrates John Lennon, Brian Wilson, and Pete Townshend. It features fantastic covers by The Weeklings, The Grip Weeds, Nick Piunti, The Anderson Council, and many more.  Kurt Reil of The Grip Weeds (who also contributed) recorded a majority of the songs for the album’s 13 tracks at The House of Vibe Studios in New Jersey. Next to The Beatles, the Kinks are a great band to pay tribute to because of the great songwriting, and some of my favorites here include deep cuts in the catalog like “Do You Remember Walter” (The Anderson Council), “Picture Book” (The Airport 77s), and the gentle “Days” (Lisa Mychols & Super 8). All the songs here are great, so it’s definitely Highly Recommended.

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Beatles Abbey Road

Assorted Artists “Abbey Road Reimagined – A Tribute To The Beatles”

The Beatles are likely the most covered band in history, and there are hours of Beatles tributes available, so why did producer/multi-instrumentalist Fernando Perdomo release this one? Abbey Road, which The Beatles released in October 1969, quickly rose to fame. It was perfect in every respect and most would say that they were at their peak.

What makes this tribute such a standout are the diverse group of artists here, and some unique interpretations by power pop royalty, including appearances from Matthew Sweet, Roger Manning (Jellyfish), and Charles Jones (Vulfpeck). The most creative and effective cover here is “Octopus’ Garden,” reimagined as a country song by Matt Axton and Brian Auger. Another highlight is the rendition of “Because” by Rebecca Pidgeon & Patrick Moraz with a sitar giving the harmonies added depth. Not all covers have that power, but most work just fine, sticking faithfully to the arrangements. Well done!

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Sparkle*Jets U.K.

Sparkle*Jets U.K. “Best Of Friends”

This is a different kind of cover album for the Long Beach, California trio, consisting of vocalist guitarist Susan West, bassist Jamie Knight, and singer/multi-instrumentalist Michael Simmons. In this album, they do covers of other bands from the late ’90s and early 2000s. It’s a trio of talented power-pop fans covering their favorite songs from that era. This is a perfect idea, as these songs aren’t so familiar and deserve to be re-discovered!

A sneeze starts out with “Hold On Tight” (Walter Clevenger) an excellent opener, and it doesn’t hold back. Songs by The Masticators, Andersons, Kompost, Adam Daniel, Cockeyed Ghost, The Dons, Linus of Hollywood, The Shazam, and more. Let’s just say only the most devoted Power Pop fan will recall them all. The band does a great job here, and the songs are ripe for covering that magical time prior to the 21st century. Highly Reccomended!

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Tributes: Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend and Pop Aid for Ukraine

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Jem Records Celebrates

Assorted Artists “Jem Records Celebrates Pete Townshend”

The third “JEM Records Celebrates” compilation focuses on The Who’s Pete Townshend. Pete not only coined the term ‘Power Pop’ but inspired countless rockers with his bombastic chords and timeless songwriting. JEM artists contributing include The Weeklings, The Grip Weeds, The Anderson Council, The Gold Needles, Nick Piunti, Lisa Mychols & Super 8, The Airport 77’s, Johnathan Pushkar, The Midnight Callers, and Richard Barone.

These artists do truly original interpretations of Pete’s best-known songs. It’s tough to call out a single song that standout out here, as all the artists do such a great job. My favorites included Lisa Mychols & Super 8’s version of “Baba O’Riley” and “Can’t Explain,” The Midnight Callers’ “Let My Love Open The Door,” The Anderson Council’s “Mary Ann with the Shaky Hand,” and Airport 77’s combination of “Substitute” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” But even the more traditional approaches of The Grip Weeds’ “I’m Free” and The Weeklings’ “I Can See For Miles” bring real power to their versions. Not a weak track here and it’s highly recommended.

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Real Sickies

Assorted Artists “POP AID – A Power Pop Compilation to Benefit the Citizens of Ukraine”

This massive 63-track, 3CD collection was put together by Kool Kat Musik to benefit the citizens of war-torn Ukraine.  100% of all profits from sales of the collection will go to World Central Kitchen, a renowned organization founded by chef Jose Andres whose mission statement is “To serve hot, nutritious meals to people who need them most.”

An amazing array of artists from around the world have provided previously unreleased tracks that you won’t find anywhere else. Many songs were recorded specifically for this collection. The 63 artists contributing power pop favorites on this compilation include Arvidson & Butterflies, Jim Basnight, Terry Carolan (with Al Chan & Tommy Dunbar), Chris Church, Cloud Eleven (with Rick Hromadka), Dave Cope and The Sass, The Embryos, Flashcubes, Nick Frater, The Glad Machine, Jeremy (with Ken Stringfellow), The Junior League, Joey Molland (Badfinger) and many more familiar names.

Kool Kat Musik is to be commended for their heroic efforts in getting this done so quickly. There are too many great songs here for me to even call out favorites, just know that out of the 63 tracks you will find many, many fresh favorites. Highly recommended and all for a very worthy cause, so get it now!

Kool Kat Musik

Great Tributes: Todd Rundgren and John Fogerty

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Todd Rundgren Tribute

Assorted Artists “Someone​/​Anyone? A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Todd Rundgren’s Something​/​Anything?”

Guitarist Fernando Perdomo is on a roll, so let’s keep it going. In 2021 he created a 50th Anniversary edition of Paul and Linda McCartney’s Ram which was approved and praised by Paul himself. Now he’s organized a group of artists to pay homage to Todd Rundgren’s ahead-of-its-time 1972 classic Something/Anything. It was with this album Todd proved to the world he could play any genre from power pop, blue-eyed soul, psychedelic rock, and more. It lends itself to a variety of interpretations from this eclectic group of performers.

Louise Goffin’s version of “I Saw The Light” is faithful, but a unique vision. Tiny Demons featuring Bobby Strickland leans heavily into the Motown funk style of “Wolfman Jack.” Another faithful version that adds to the original is “It Takes Two To Tango” with Nezrok, Dennis Diken, and Chris Bolger.  Fernando (with Jordan Rudess) is in his element with “Breathless” and its multi-layered instrumental guitar goodness. The pop hook of “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” by Marshall Crenshaw is measured, and clear. There are tons of great versions of your favorites, and some weirdness (Adrian Bourgeois). Get it on Bandcamp.

John Fogerty Tribute

Assorted Artists “Commotion: A Tribute to John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival”

Adam Waltemire produced this tribute to the CCR and its unique brand of countrified rock, blues, and soul. Norman Kelsey’s version of “Commotion” is a great deep track (from Green River) to open things up. Joe Giddings slick version of “Down On The Corner” gives it  more of a pop shine, similarly, that crisp production with the Popdudes “Have You Ever Seen The Rain.”

The tortured “Effigy” is lifted by the haunting vocals of Gretchen’s Wheel; a perfect fit here. Jason Berk’s “Up Around The Bend” is another fine faithful version. But in some cases, the Southern-style is completely absent on “Out My Back Door” and “Fortunate Son.” And the Yorktown Lads turn “Green River” into a Beatles song! It’s a mixed bag as with most tributes, but there are more good interpretations than passable ones.  Get it on Bandcamp too.

Great Tributes: Paul McCartney, Jimmy Campbell and Andy Gibb

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Ram On

Fernando Perdomo & Denny Seiwell “Ram On: 50th Anniversary Tribute To Paul & Linda Mccartney’s Ram”

For the 50th anniversary of Ram by Paul & Linda McCartney, producer and multi-instrumentalist Fernando Perdomo joined with Denny Seiwell, the original drummer with Paul McCartney & Wings, who performed on the original Ram to create this stellar tribute. Joined by more original Ram players like David Spinozza (guitar) and Marvin Stamm (flugelhorn) they included Davey Johnstone (Elton John Band,) Will Lee (The Fab Faux,) and a collection of stellar singers.

From the opener “Too Many People” featuring Dan Rothchild you get a faithful adaption, but with all the sonic details in keeping with a modern recording. Each track is meticulously produced, each note lovingly, accurately re-created. My faves include; Pat Sansone (Wilco) on “Ram On,” Bebopalula on “Uncle Albert-Admiral Halsey,” Timmy Sean on “Monkberry Moon Delight,” Rob Bonfiglio and Carnie Wilson on “Long Haired Lady.” But there is no weak link among any tracks. This is everything you want in a tribute. Highly Recommended.

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Ex Norwegian and Friends

Ex Norwegian and Friends “Sing Jimmy Campbell”

You would be forgiven if you couldn’t recall Jimmy Campbell. A brilliant singer and songwriter for many Merseybeat bands; The Kirkbys, The 23rd Turnoff, and Rockin’ Horse, as well as solo material. Ex Norwegian and several other collaborators do a great job making Jimmy’s music less obscure. I was only familiar with The Rockin’ Horse, a great “lost” Beatlesque band, but the songs here speak for themselves.

Joe Kane (Dr. Cosmo’s Tape Lab) and Roger Houdaille (Ex-Norwegian) get the Rockin’ Horse single “Yes It Is” perfectly. Roger collaborates with a number of others and most of the tunes are not instantly recognizable (a good thing.) While not slavishly accurate to the originals, it makes for a great introduction to Jimmy’s songwriting genius. My faves include; Jim Camacho on “Don’t You Ever Think I Cry,” Edward Rogers on “You’ll Break My Heart In Two,” Mark Johnston on “Spending All My Money, and Arthur LaMonica on “Paris, You’re In Paris.” Highly Recommended.

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Ram On

Various Artists “Higher Than a Mountain: The Songs of Andy Gibb”

Curry Cuts is back with a new compilation, and as they often take the road less traveled, it leads us now to the lesser Bee Gee brother Andy Gibb. The late Andy Gibb was a rising star in 1977, rivaling his brothers with multiple top ten hits during that time. There are plenty of tributes to The Bee Gees, so this is a fresh look at Andy’s songwriting (with brother Barry’s help.) The tribute mostly removes the disco gloss from some of these songs, concentrating on the melodies.

The Pop 4 does a great job with the familiar “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water,” and the arrangements are tweaked just enough. Greg Pope keeps that great bassline for “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” and even though the falsetto is lacking, he effectively double-tracks the vocal. The most radicle interpretation is The Test Pressings which turn mellow “Why” into a Cheap Trick-styled arena rocker. In a few cases, it’s harder for artists to re-create those magic moments; Sparklejets cannot replace Olivia Newton-John on “I Can’t Help It.” However, most of these songs work fine and a few actually improve on the original, like The Armoires version of “Words and Music.” Highly Recommended.

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Singles, Tributes, and Freebies: Hot Summer, The Poppermost, Emperor Penguin and Orbis Max, Gal Gun, Gentlemen Rogues, Coke Belda, Bob of the Pops

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Hot Summer a new group by The Shins’ Jon Sortland and Brian Belier. “Fire And Ice” is indirectly related to the great disparities between political parties and a byproduct of shut-in pandemic isolation. Sounding a bit like The Eels to me, Hot Summer certainly is mesmerizing.

The great Joe Kane goes back to 1964 and the British Invasion with The Poppermost. It’s simply Fab! Let’s hope an album follows soon.

Emperor Penguin and Orbis Max combine for this terrific FREE single! An upbeat gem. What is not to like here?

I know little of Chicago band Gal Gun, but they’ve got some solid music here with fuzz guitars and catchy melody. Fans of Superdrag and Velvet Crush will dig it. Visit the singles of the previous months, especially “Premium” from September.

I haven’t heard from Gentlemen Rogues in a long time, so it’s good to see them active again. Nice aggressive guitar pop, with punk-inflected energy. Check it out.

Coke Belda digs deeper in the Bee Gees back catalog and it’s a reminder of how great the Gibb brothers were as songwriters. “Islands in the Stream,” originally sung by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Paton is presented here as a fine duet between Coke and vocalist Sara Depp. More Bee Gees love on Volume 3.

Bob of the Pops (Robyn Gibson and friends) plays hits obscure and common for Volume 5(!) This FREEBIE is brilliant and Robyn’s voice is perfectly suited to The Hollies “King Midas in Reverse” and Jeff Lynn’s ballad “Midnight Blue.”