Continuing with the karaoke theme for a moment, I once had the privilege of seeing a fellow deliver an inspired rendition of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" in an impeccable pirate accent ("Here's me numbarrrrrrr, so call me, Matey"), which instantly became my canonical interpretation of that song.
A canonical performance: My tween daughter's rock band camp performance of the White Stripe's "Seven Nation Army", which was truly fantastic - the kids are alright - but especially the eight-year old fiddle player who STOLE THE SHOW! I have thought about writing Jack White to suggest they re-record the song to include what I now see an an obviously missing element.
The first time I heard, or at least paid attention to, “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” was by Maria Mena in 2008. Ten years later I heard the original by Kiss and expressed to a room saturated with Gen-X older cousins, “Oh wow, they made a cover of this?”
If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to add to your pep talk to Brainiyuck. Nearly 2 decades ago, I was stricken with a near death experience that ultimately was a blessing to help me prioritize. One thing I learned is to not project my feelings onto others. In this case, I wonder if his or her later aren’t curmudgeonly or exerting some kind of control but are simply scared that something may happen to Brainiyuck.
in answer to your question: "Do you have a favorite canonical version of a performance (song/play/joke/etc.) that isn’t the initial, officially released one?"
one of my most memorable musical experiences was seeing a production at brandeis of sondheim's "merrily we roll along." i'd never seen anything of his before and i love it so much. i've seen multiple versions of it since including on broadway, i've listened to the original cast recording, and none of those versions have supplanted the memory of my original experience of it as the best.
great work, sarah kornfeld and max ferguson and everyone else who was in it whose names i don't remember but you were all wonderful!
I'm literally on hold with my psychiatrist's office right now and I appreciate being able to share some random pleasantness. The very 80s band (yes, I've just dated myself a whole lot) Aztec Camera did a sweet and plaintive li'l cover of Van Halen's "Jump." It's twangly (just made that up and I like it), and lilting and totally worth checking out and then surprising others with to seem hip and musicophilish.
Thanks to Josh for the space to share and thanks to the community of fans. It was great to see you in St. Paul. I might just go sing something now to the audience of only my dog and worry a little less about the quality and more about the enjoyment factor.
Coming to this late, but I need to answer the question.
The 2011 compilation album PUNK CHARTBUSTERS: BANDS OF WOLVERINE is an album of European groups on a label called Wolverine Records covering pop hits, mostly in punk style (go fig). Hidden in the middle of the album is a cover of Madonna's 1998 hit "Frozen." It is performed by a German(?) rockabilly band called Peace Brothers, and as far as I can tell it is the only thing they ever recorded.
Continuing with the karaoke theme for a moment, I once had the privilege of seeing a fellow deliver an inspired rendition of Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" in an impeccable pirate accent ("Here's me numbarrrrrrr, so call me, Matey"), which instantly became my canonical interpretation of that song.
A canonical performance: My tween daughter's rock band camp performance of the White Stripe's "Seven Nation Army", which was truly fantastic - the kids are alright - but especially the eight-year old fiddle player who STOLE THE SHOW! I have thought about writing Jack White to suggest they re-record the song to include what I now see an an obviously missing element.
The first time I heard, or at least paid attention to, “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” was by Maria Mena in 2008. Ten years later I heard the original by Kiss and expressed to a room saturated with Gen-X older cousins, “Oh wow, they made a cover of this?”
Another boffo post!
If you’ll indulge me, I’d like to add to your pep talk to Brainiyuck. Nearly 2 decades ago, I was stricken with a near death experience that ultimately was a blessing to help me prioritize. One thing I learned is to not project my feelings onto others. In this case, I wonder if his or her later aren’t curmudgeonly or exerting some kind of control but are simply scared that something may happen to Brainiyuck.
dear josh,
thank you for this as always.
in answer to your question: "Do you have a favorite canonical version of a performance (song/play/joke/etc.) that isn’t the initial, officially released one?"
one of my most memorable musical experiences was seeing a production at brandeis of sondheim's "merrily we roll along." i'd never seen anything of his before and i love it so much. i've seen multiple versions of it since including on broadway, i've listened to the original cast recording, and none of those versions have supplanted the memory of my original experience of it as the best.
great work, sarah kornfeld and max ferguson and everyone else who was in it whose names i don't remember but you were all wonderful!
thanks for asking, josh!
love you,
myq
I'm literally on hold with my psychiatrist's office right now and I appreciate being able to share some random pleasantness. The very 80s band (yes, I've just dated myself a whole lot) Aztec Camera did a sweet and plaintive li'l cover of Van Halen's "Jump." It's twangly (just made that up and I like it), and lilting and totally worth checking out and then surprising others with to seem hip and musicophilish.
Thanks to Josh for the space to share and thanks to the community of fans. It was great to see you in St. Paul. I might just go sing something now to the audience of only my dog and worry a little less about the quality and more about the enjoyment factor.
Don't Let It Bring You Down, Weeping Tile's 1993 version of the 1970 Neil Young song. And yes, karaoke is sacred.
Coming to this late, but I need to answer the question.
The 2011 compilation album PUNK CHARTBUSTERS: BANDS OF WOLVERINE is an album of European groups on a label called Wolverine Records covering pop hits, mostly in punk style (go fig). Hidden in the middle of the album is a cover of Madonna's 1998 hit "Frozen." It is performed by a German(?) rockabilly band called Peace Brothers, and as far as I can tell it is the only thing they ever recorded.
It is sublime.
https://open.spotify.com/track/1KSLYdRyFrNg2592QGSJDQ
You look so different on that 💿 cover (Unless that’s not you)!
That Big Shaq song WAS my high school years.