036: 90% of Me is You (Cover Versions Pt.1) - a podcast by Jon Averill

from 2010-07-21T00:00

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Shock World Service 036
90% of Me is You by Jon Averill&Stephen Reynolds
21/07/10 Dublin, Ireland1. The Human League - Get Carter
Appearing as a brief Casio keyboard leitmotif on their classic 'Dare' album. The melody is from Roy Budd's jazzy, hypnotic soundtrack to the 1971 film of the same name.2. This Mortal Coil - Song To The Siren
This Mortal Coil was a supergroup of 4AD artists brought together by label boss Ivo Watts-Russell for an EP in 1983. Featuring members of Cocteau Twins, Modern English and Cindytalk they re-recorded a Modern English medley with this track, originally by Tim Buckley track as the b-side.3. The Dynamics - 90% Of Me Is You
Versions and excursions from France as The Dynamics inject some reggae and dub elements into Gwen McCrae's 1974 classic '90% Of Me Is You'4. Morrissey&Siouxsie - Interlude
A Lesser known collaboration between Siouxsie (of Siouxsie&The Banshees) and Morrissey. A fruitful but ultimately commercially unsuccessful alliance which was eventually released in 1994 but not promoted due the pair having a major fallout with regard track's promotional video. The song originally appears as 'Time Is Like A Dream' on the soundtrack to the 1968 film 'Interlude'.

5. Grace Jones - Warm LeatheretteThroughout Grace Jones's extraordinary career she has always been shrewd with her musical choices. This track, a cover of The Normal's 'Warm Leatherette' is an anthesis to the original, dropping the visceral drum track and deadpan delivery for a more substantial groove. The Normal's'Warm Leatherette' originally appeared as the b-side to"T.V.O.D, the first release on Mute Records and heavily references J.G. Ballard's controversial 1973 symphorophilia based novel 'Crash'.

6. Montovani&His Orchestra - La Vie En Rose
Fans of Grace Jones will be first to notice the connection here. 'La Vie En Rose' is another track to receive a Grace Jones reworking, perhaps even more radically than 'Warm Leatherette'. None of this however concerns us as Annunzio Paolo Mantovani and his orchestra are providing this podcasts version of 'La Vie En Rose'. This track may seem like a strange choice to some but I love the innocence and ardour that this piece of music exudes, next thing i'll be watching musicals...7. Spiritualized - Born Never Asked
'Born Never Asked' appears on Spiritualized's 1995 album 'Pure Phase'. Strangely being a massive fan its only recently have I discovered the original version is by Laurie Anderson. This track is actually surprisingly short compared to Spriritualized’s usual 15 minute opuses.8. The Slits - Heard It Through The Grapevine
The Slits were (initially) an all female band formed right at the inception of the punk movement, regularly supporting bands like The Clash, The Buzzcocks and Subway Sect. We consider The Slits raw and unrefined take on 'Heard It Through The Grapevine' second only to the unequaled Marvin Gaye's version and far surpasses the earlier clumsy Smokey Robinson version as well as other attempts by Credence Clearwater, Gladys Knight and of course Craig David.9. Art Of Noise - Robinson Crusoe
Art Of Noise haven't really done anything to the original track bar add some drums and a few effects but we're glad they did as it grants it official 'cover' status and therefore eligible for this podcast.10. Lee Hazlewood - Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On
Lee Hazlewood has featured heavily on Shock World Service Podcasts over the years. His wry, sardonic sense of humour is never more present than in his brilliantly creepy version of 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On'. The origins of this track are often disputed but its the 1957 rock and roll version by Jerry Lee Lewis that was most likely the progenitor for this cover.

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