This post will elaborate on a part of my persona that I'm sure you both have met a time or two, Contrary Mary.
Years ago my husband (although I don't think we were married yet) excitedly told me about a new band that he thought I would love. In those days we spent too much time arguing about music. This must have ocurred during one of these times, because I never even listened to the band he knew I would love. In fact, for a long time I thought they were a hip hop act. This is a human error, we mock what we don't understand.
That band was Cat Power, and although I don't enjoy the idea of cats having powers, I do LOVE this band.
In her 17 years of recording music as Cat Power, Chan Marshall has evolved from a neurotically nervous confessional songwriter - one who embraced minimalism and was almost afraid of recording and performing; she would play shows with her back to the audience and had a reputation for eccentric on stage behavior.
Through breakdowns and periods of time where she planned to abandon music altogether to become a homemaker and mother, Marshall continued to grow into a more confident and compelling songwriter. She moved from grungey rock to blues and soul, embracing her Southern roots.
Marshall has always maintained a deep affinity for cover songs, a habit that is attributed to both apprehension about her own songwriting abilities and her respect for folk music traditions, the act of preserving and recreating relics of Americana. Of her vast collection - she has entire albums of cover songs - stand out include renditions of "Sea of Love," "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again," and "Still in Love with You."
In 2012, Cat Power released Sun, Marshall's first album of entirely original material since 2006's The Greatest. Sun has gone on to make many "Best Albums of 2012" lists, and has been praised for its ability to embrace both darkness and light.
Now 40 years old, Marshall is up to her ninth studio album, with dozens of excellent early tracks and one off singles composing her oeuvre as well. She is constantly reinventing herself. Here are a few songs that have resonated with me, and that hopefully exemplify some of this diversity.
He War from "You are Free" (2003)
The Greatest from "The Greatest"(2006)
Free from "You Are Free" (2003)
Nothin' but Time from "Sun" (2012) - My new mantra.
Should I make this a cover contest? So many to choose from. How about Wonderwall?
Marvelous post, and amazing songs. I concur, I would hate it if my cat had powers. However, as a critic of band names, I really like this one. I would definitely want to wear that t shirt. Oasis takes Wonderwall for me, but this is the best Wonderwall cover I've heard.
ReplyDeleteWow...you listened already? You are speedy. Did you hear Iggy Pop on Nothin' but Time. Cool.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that was him!
ReplyDeleteVery well written! I have yet to hear the songs, but I'm very excited to listen to these when I get home tonight. I liked the other Cat Power song you posted.
ReplyDeleteReally really liked The Greatest - thought the video and the song were both great. I also liked Nothin' but Time...I will have to explore her some more.
ReplyDeleteI am skeptical about the Wonderwall cover (have yet to hear it) because that's a holy grail song for me (I was aghast to hear that Mary J. Blige covered "One", but it turned out excellent), but here goes...yeah, its not bad, but I prefer the original better.
Oh, and cats with powers? I'd be okay with that only if they were really lame powers...like Aquaman's.