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Track Listings
| 1. New York |
| 2. Ramblin' (Wo)man |
| 3. Metal Heart |
| 4. Silver Stallion |
| 5. Aretha, Sing One For Me |
| 6. Lost Someone |
| 7. Lord, Help The Poor & Needy |
| 8. I Believe In You |
| 9. Song To Bobby |
| 10. Don't Explain |
| 11. Woman Left Lonely |
| 12. Blue |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Cat Power's second collection of cover songs for dreary days (2000's The Covers Record was the first), the ever-mysterious Chan Marshall is joined here by her newish cohorts, the Dirty Delta Blues Band. Her backing band here eschews big production and string arrangements in favor of a more skeletal, bluesy, and languid approach. Her voice, of course, remains extraordinary--sent from the heavens and perfectly marred by cigarettes. Marshall takes the usual liberties with melody, as on opener "New York," made popular by Ol' Blue Eyes himself (who wouldn't recognize this were it not for the lyrics). "Ramblin (Wo)man" is fairly true to Hank Williams's original, despite the extra syllable, and is wonderfully suited for Marshall's voice. The Highwaymen's "Silver Stallion" may be the finest track on the album, with Marshall and an acoustic slide guitar taking the lead, accompanied by some distant, ambient guitar work. James Brown's "Lost Someone" is also quite nice, an opportunity to explore the many dynamics of that aforementioned ethereal voice. Jukebox closes with three appropriate covers of other artists often mentioned in Cat Power reviews: Billie Holiday's "Can't Explain;" "Woman Left Lonely," popularized by Janis Joplin; and Joni Mitchell's "Blue." This record's solid, but when that next batch of originals comes around, one can only hope for some of the exuberant risk-taking that made previous outings so stellar. --Jason Pace
Product Description
Her second album of covers; this one a tribute to the great vocalists who've influenced her over the years. The album comes in two versions: deluxe silver-foil gatefold cover (LP and CD) with bonus disc of extra tracks and regular jewelcase version (CD only). Backed by Dirty Delta Blues (Judah Bauer, Gregg Foreman, Jim White, Erik Papparazzi). Guest appearances: Spooner Oldham (Neil Young, Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan), Larry McDonald (Toots & The Maytals, Taj Mahal), Teenie Hodges (Al Green, Memphis Rhythm Band), and Matt Sweeney (Chavez, Will Oldham).
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The cover version has unfortunately become much maligned over the years. Whereas bands were once judged by how well they could perform certain blues, R&B, Lennon/McCartney or Dylan songs and could gain kudos from picking up early on an up and coming songwriting talent, the rise of the singer/songwriter (and the extra profits from the publishing royalties) has meant the proliferation of home-grown material to the near total exclusion of pre-existing songs.
Thankfully, Cat Power, though with a proven pedigree as an accomplished songwriter, notably on her previous album of original songs The Greatest, has always peppered her live appearances and recording sessions with songs that she has felt a connection with, regardless of who wrote them, and began a whole album of them a decade ago, The Covers Record, released in 2000.
This album was conceived as a sequel, and was originally going to be called Covers 2 (and still is, on the CD Text of my copy at least). Its final title Jukebox still modestly places the emphasis on the song rather than the singer, but its major difference from The Covers Record, which was mostly Cat Power on her own, is the presence of a band, the Dirty Delta Blues Band, featuring major players including Judah Bauer from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Jim White from the Dirty Three. The sound of the band, fleshed out on some tracks by guests of the calibre of Mabon Hodges (an integral part of The Greatest) and Spooner Oldham, session veterans from Memphis and Muscle Shoals respectively, is not a million miles from that on The Greatest, though there is a deliberate ragged informality in the proceedings here that sets it apart.
It would be quite a jukebox, too, if it featured the versions that inspired Chan, with artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Jessie Mae hemphill. Not all the songs were known to me, but favourites such as James Brown's Lost Someone and Joni Mitchell's Blue, a brave choice, become revitalized through her translucent performances. A Woman Left Lonely, too, is wonderful, and as it was written by Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn, that is presumably Spooner that we can hear on it. The shortlist for this album included the Dan Penn-Chips Moman song Dark End Of The Street, and I cannot be alone in thinking how wonderful that must have sounded, and as Spooner Oldham was the pianist on James Carr's original version, it is likely he would have played on that one, also. I'm not familiar with George Jackson's original of Aretha, Sing One For Me, but as it was recorded for Hi Records back in 1972 it is quite likely that Mabon Hodges was the guitarist on it, and it is good to see Chan recognizing and acknowledging the heritage these guys bring to her record.
I don't see Cat Power as a keen follower of rules and regulations, so on this album it is no surprise to find, on this album of covers, two of her own songs. I suppose one of these, Metal Heart, is technically a cover, since she had previously recorded it on Moon Pix. The other, Song To Bobby, an album highlight, neatly follows Dylan's I Believe In You.
A reviewer in (I think) Mojo, wrote of The Covers Record that Cat Power doesn't cover songs, she uncovers them, and despite the less sparse settings of this album this happily remains the case.
A limited edition of this CD exists with a second 5-track disc, which you may wish to consider as an alternative.
Thankfully, Cat Power, though with a proven pedigree as an accomplished songwriter, notably on her previous album of original songs The Greatest, has always peppered her live appearances and recording sessions with songs that she has felt a connection with, regardless of who wrote them, and began a whole album of them a decade ago, The Covers Record, released in 2000.
This album was conceived as a sequel, and was originally going to be called Covers 2 (and still is, on the CD Text of my copy at least). Its final title Jukebox still modestly places the emphasis on the song rather than the singer, but its major difference from The Covers Record, which was mostly Cat Power on her own, is the presence of a band, the Dirty Delta Blues Band, featuring major players including Judah Bauer from the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Jim White from the Dirty Three. The sound of the band, fleshed out on some tracks by guests of the calibre of Mabon Hodges (an integral part of The Greatest) and Spooner Oldham, session veterans from Memphis and Muscle Shoals respectively, is not a million miles from that on The Greatest, though there is a deliberate ragged informality in the proceedings here that sets it apart.
It would be quite a jukebox, too, if it featured the versions that inspired Chan, with artists ranging from Frank Sinatra to Jessie Mae hemphill. Not all the songs were known to me, but favourites such as James Brown's Lost Someone and Joni Mitchell's Blue, a brave choice, become revitalized through her translucent performances. A Woman Left Lonely, too, is wonderful, and as it was written by Spooner Oldham and Dan Penn, that is presumably Spooner that we can hear on it. The shortlist for this album included the Dan Penn-Chips Moman song Dark End Of The Street, and I cannot be alone in thinking how wonderful that must have sounded, and as Spooner Oldham was the pianist on James Carr's original version, it is likely he would have played on that one, also. I'm not familiar with George Jackson's original of Aretha, Sing One For Me, but as it was recorded for Hi Records back in 1972 it is quite likely that Mabon Hodges was the guitarist on it, and it is good to see Chan recognizing and acknowledging the heritage these guys bring to her record.
I don't see Cat Power as a keen follower of rules and regulations, so on this album it is no surprise to find, on this album of covers, two of her own songs. I suppose one of these, Metal Heart, is technically a cover, since she had previously recorded it on Moon Pix. The other, Song To Bobby, an album highlight, neatly follows Dylan's I Believe In You.
A reviewer in (I think) Mojo, wrote of The Covers Record that Cat Power doesn't cover songs, she uncovers them, and despite the less sparse settings of this album this happily remains the case.
A limited edition of this CD exists with a second 5-track disc, which you may wish to consider as an alternative.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
this is a very good cat power album with a vast range of tempos that I wasn't really expecting the bluesy undertones of. This was a used c.d. and in perfect shape too. The cat power choice is never wrong!
Format:MP3 Music
Cat Power has created another beautiful album. Even though half the album is covers, she makes those songs her own, just like on her Covers Record. If your a Cat Power fan, its a must buy. If your not, its a great introduction to her music and you'll probably end up buying her older albums after hearing this one.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Terribly boring!
I'm a big fan of Cat Power's other work, including The Greatest, but this album is terribly boring. It's as if she drained all personality out of herself and these songs. Read more
Published on March 25, 2009 by voomer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interpretations
These interpretations are more than covers; every one is transformed into something unique and special. Read more
Published on March 21, 2008 by Pieter Uys
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet Another Reason To Love Chan Marshall...
Jukebox, $[...] Amazon.com, is the latest release from Cat Power. The band is composed of the chestnut-haired beauty Chan Marshall (vocals), and of Judah Bauer (guitar), Jim White... Read more
Published on March 19, 2008 by sfarmer76
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing, once again.
I can't stop listening to this record. chan did it again.
my favorite track on the record is, undoubtedly, her cover of bob dylan's "I believe in you. Read more
my favorite track on the record is, undoubtedly, her cover of bob dylan's "I believe in you. Read more
Published on February 12, 2008 by H. Robertson
5.0 out of 5 stars
In one word... "Outstanding"
Chan Marshall wins again! Cat Power first came to my attention in 2006 with the release of "The Greatest"... and believe me I really felt "The Greatest" was the greatest. Read more
Published on January 22, 2008 by cdmusicline
5.0 out of 5 stars
First Chill Out Album of 08'
I bought this at $7.98 at target...very good cd...Chan is one of my favorite chick performers. BUY IT...
Published on January 22, 2008 by John D. Williams
