Hello again from The Concert Closet fellow progheads. 2020 has proven to be a journey unlike any other, and at times I've wondered how we ended up down this rabbit hole. But while the world continues the search for a "new normal" I continue the search for all things prog. This week I go "off grid" just a bit and check out the latest from Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, and Randy George (MPG), "Cov3r to Cov3r."
As the album title suggests this is their third installment of cover songs, and coincidentally they have also released the "Cover to Cover Anthology (Vol. 1-3)" at the same time. This is a 3-CD set with volumes one and two re-sequenced and remastered and includes the newly released volume three. For the sake of this review I will stick with "Cov3r to Cov3r (Volume 3)."
To me the challenge is listening to a cover of any song on its own merits; not comparing a cover to the original recording is all but impossible. Sometimes the cover simply blows the original away, much like the Talking Head's version of "Take Me the the River." Then there's the added level of intrigue when the live cover smokes the studio version of the cover...but let's not go there today...
Rather, let's jump in with no preconceived ideas with "Black Coffee in Bed." The familiar opening does remind one of Squeeze; the subtle keys and drums with the underlying guitar carry you right down memory lane. It seems as if MPG is trying to stay true to Difford and Tillbrook's original inspiration for the song where I was looking for more of a unique interpretation, a la 801 covering "Tomorrow Never Knows." However; the nostalgic vibe oozing from this song is something to enjoy. Neal does manage to grab you by the ears with his vocals while Mike and Randy chime in on the backing chorus with an almost paradoxical charm.
Another cut I found intriguing is "Hymn 43," a Jethro Tull original. For me this was a difficult song to cover mainly because it is so identifiable...as soon as the intro starts your mind is taken to Ian Anderson belting out those vocals, wrapped ever so tightly around some masterful drums and keys. However; on this song MPG really shines--this is the kind of rebuild I look for in a cover. Yeah, you recognize the song right away--that is the point after all. But when a band "carves their initials" into it much like the bark of a mighty oak, you know you've found a real gem. Everybody pours their all into this production; Neal's vocals are blood raw, Mike gives ounce of energy he has to the drumming, and Randy takes the keyboards to another level.
Liner Notes...as spelled out in their name, MPG is Neal Morse on vocals, keyboards, and guitars, Mike Portnoy on drums and vocals, and Randy George on bass and keyboards. Having made names for themselves elsewhere in the prog garden, this seemed like a logical place for the guys to expand their horizons as it were and play music that one would not expect from them; just stuff they enjoy. A great way to let fans and loyal followers know where their influences came from and what kind of music they enjoy listening to when not making their own.
I for one like to "get inside the mind" of a musician or peak behind the curtain on a band and find out what inspires them and/or discover their interpretation of what they listen to, another reason I enjoy covers. I remember feeling quite surprised to find out Chris Squire of Yes was a fan of The Fifth Dimension, a pop group my mother was absolutely in love with in the 70s.
Back on track here, another impressive cover from this album is "Baker Street," originally recorded by Gerry Rafferty. The tempo is a bit more upbeat and the song rocks a little heavier. Mike's drums are more prominent on this version and the sax solo--the heart and soul of the original version--is handled quite nicely. Neal goes all out on guitar as well; turning a song that wasn't high on his list of preferred covers into one of the better songs on the album.
You can purchase any or all of the "Cover to Cover" albums at insideoutmusic. All three artists have Facebook and Twitter pages if you have the urge to "fan stalk" them as well.
My last takeaway on the album is "One More Red Nightmare." You knew I was going there eventually, right? I have heard this song covered by several bands, most of which consist of members with a first degree connection to Robert Fripp. The more distanced association here made the song all the more intriguing to me, and I came away impressed. The sax was on a par with Mel Collins and Neal drove the guitar right through your brain like a railroad spike driven by John Henry himself.
Below, a clip to put you in the mood; "It Don't Come Easy." This one helps remind you that prog artists have many facets to their personality and music preferences. This was a great pop song when it first hit the airwaves and MPG grabbed that vibe by the shoulders, shook it a few times, then pumped it up a notch.
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