Gold Diggas Head Nodders & Pholk Songs [Import]

Beautiful South | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 1, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony Bmg Europe
• ASIN: B0002XK4EW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,617 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #81 in Music > Imports > Alternative Rock

Editorial Reviews

From Amazon.co.uk

It's often hard to discern where the Beautiful South's sound comes from. Their own brand of darkly witty white-soul-cum-country sounds like many things. But what makes them tick? We find out with Golddiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs.

Cover albums are tricky. The band take a risk with "Don't Stop Moving" and "You're the One That I Want", aware of the fans (often their own) who may not appreciate the radical reinterpretations offered here, slowing them down and treating them as near-jazz pieces. Similarly ELO, Blue Oyster Cult, Lush (!), and the Ramones (!!!) get the treatment. Some of it works--"Don't Fear The Reaper" loses its riff but gains smoky Latin overtones--while some of the rearrangements may be considered a little arbitrary. The breadth of taste is to be applauded, as is the adventurous spirit, but this might be one that appeals more to the most loyal of fans. --Thom Allott

Product Description

Golddiggas, Headnodders & Pholk Songs is a collection of versions of songs dear to the hearts of The Beautiful South. Rendered in their own uniquely familiar style, these nuggets include the familiar and the not-so, making for a particularly random, definitely idiosyncratic, but ultimately genius Saturday night party selection. 'You're The One That I Want', made famous by Olivia Newton John and John Travolta from the Grease Soundtrack rubs hips with ELO's obscenely symphonic 'Livin' Thing', 'Til I Can't Take It Anymore' (a soul classic made famous by Ben E King and Ray Charles) plays tit cricket with S Club 7's stoner rock classic 'Don't Stop Moving', and 'This Old Skin', a lost cut from legendary act The Heppelbaums, finds itself helplessly lodged by the fridge with Blue Oyster Cult's 'Don't Fear The Reaper'. Ouch. Other artists represented include Lush, Rufus Wainwright and Willie Nelson. Sony. 2004 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, December 1, 2004

By 

D. Christen "dan_chris" (Rushville, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gold Diggas Head Nodders & Pholk Songs (Audio CD)

I have been listening to 'The Beautiful South' on and off and when I read, that they will come out with an all 'cover versions' album, I was really looking forward to it - and what can I say - this is definitely one of the most beautiful albums of 2004. The Brass and String arrangements throughout the whole CD are wonderful. They really know, how to make a 'cover' their own and there is not a single low point on the whole CD. It's hard to pick my favorite tracks, but I really enjoy 'You're the one that I want', 'Livin' Thing', 'This will be our year', or 'Blitzkrieg Bop'. Highly recommended !

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As far as covers go....one of the best!, November 24, 2004

By 

J. J Lima (walnut, Ca. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gold Diggas Head Nodders & Pholk Songs (Audio CD)

The south have had ups and downs with music in the past few years. Gaze was o.k., but Painting it Red was a masterpiece. This album will go down as a very big risk. But it really works. They took songs we either loved or hated and made them their own. This old skin, the best track is most likely the only "new" song on the album even though it is credited as a cover. Buy it at the uk site of Amazon and save some cash. It is worth it.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful South strike gold again..., November 28, 2004

By 

The Lunar Camel (Ligonier PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gold Diggas Head Nodders & Pholk Songs (Audio CD)

From what I can read of other Beautiful South album reviews, many people share different opinions as to which album is better than the other. I was shocked that it seemed few liked Gaze, an album I thought was flawless from beginning to end...except for the fact that they left the b side Cheap off of the album, it's a brilliant song. I however found Painting it Red lifeless and dull. Was more like Painting it dead, the b sides from that era were much more likable than the humdrum songs on it. This new album of covers is without a doubt my most favorite cd of 2004 (next to the Trashcan Sinatras new one). I'm amazed how they took these songs on Gold Diggas and made them so...Beautiful South like. If I hadn't known of some of the originals, I would have just assumed they wrote all the songs. "This Will Be Our Year", "Ciao" and "Til I Can't Take Anymore" are my favorites, true gems. Sounds very much like older Beautiful South. I didn't realize how much I missed the brass instruments in their music. They really need to use more brass, like on the first two cd's. I'm simply amazed that this group continues to put out classic after classic. I hope they never go away! This is a must for any beautiful south fan, or a newcomer!