What Are You Listening To?

[CRAZY-HORSE]

PAUL WELLER "button downs" cd,2003.

this is the third disc in a three set disc entitled "fly on the wall", each disc is a series of tracks from 1991-2001,the first two are collections of self composed b'sides and remixes, but this, the third disc contains twelve b-sides of singles and they are all cover versions...including Sonny & Cher, Ben Harper, Beatles, Traffic, CSNY, Etta James, Bobby Bland, Tim Hardin, Plastic Ono Band and Bob Dylan...
Weller has, in his solo years, always recorded the odd cover version of songs he likes, regardless of artist or genre, and for the most part does a reasonable effort in doing so.
only one on here i dont really like and that is Traffic's "feelin' alright"...one of the big surprises here is a cover of Ben Harper's "waiting on an angel"...Weller does it acoustically a sad/dour/solomn tone to his vocals.
the best tracks here are his cover of Sonny & Cher's "bang bang", which IMO is far supreior to the original version! and Etta James "i'd rather go blind"...which was recorded by total accident one night after returning to his studio drunk after being dumped by his then girlfriend...so with Weller on piano and his guitar tech on guitar they played it in the studio unaware that the tapes were still rolling from earlier in the evening..what we have is a priceless song full of emotion and genuine feeling to really compliment the lyrics of the song.
another great version here is a superb cover of Tim Hardin's folky Black Sheep Boy,which again is, IMO, better than the original!

I LIKE THIS ALBUM

worst track: feelin' alright
best tracks: bang bang.../....i'd rather go blind

tracks:

1. feelin alright *
2. ohio **
Paul Weller Live - Ohio - YouTube live
3. black sheep boy ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2bk9Os_0HY audio
4. sexie sadie **
5. i shall be released **
6. i'd rather go blind ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx3tYk-4jK8 audio
7. my whole world is fallin' down ***
My whole world is falling down - Paul Weller cover - YouTube audio
8. aint no love in the heart of the city ***
Paul Weller Ain t No Love In The Heart Live Holland 1995 - YouTube live
9. waiting on an angel **
Paul Weller - Waiting On An Angel (Ben Harper Cover) - YouTube audio
10.bang bang! ***
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCQIm9gaAfk audio
11.instant karma **
Paul Weller Live Instant Karma - YouTube live
12. dont let me down **
Paul Weller Dont let me down - YouTube audio

3s=5
2s=6
1s=1

rating: 2.3