Week 21 of 52 Weeks - Dress (PJ Harvey, 1991)

Week 21 - PJ Harvey.  I still remember the first time I listened to Dry, PJ Harvey’s first album.  It just blew my mind.  She was, with a lack of better word, so COOL.  I haven’t heard anything like it before, she was intense, poetic, angry and damn sexy, just all around badass.  She was the first artist I saw using a bottle neck with her guitar and I bought one the very next day and tried to use it and miserably failed it.  It took me another 10 years before I tried it again…  When I decided to go solo, I spent hours learning every single songs from Dry.  There are other albums by her that I love, but Dry is the one that I always go back to.  She is one of a few artists that truly changed me.  And I’m very please to be able to pay homage to her by singing one of my favorite songs of hers which happened to be her first single.  

Week 17 of 52 Weeks - Changes (Black Sabbath, 1972)

Week 17 - Black Sabbath. 

This song was requested by Matt Brundrett, our drummer on the west coast.  The piano is the main instrument in this song and it’s not what you’d expect of Black Sabbath but it’s really a pretty song.  Maybe next time we will cover a metal song that’s more typical of Black Sabbath - in our style, of course ;)  I do have a soft spot for Black Sabbath though - my dear friend and my first band member Christy Kane loves them, and Matt, of course.  A little trivia, Bekah and I encountered Ozzy’s wife Sharon once when we both appeared on America’s Got Talent with our accordion orchestra, The Main Squeeze Orchestra.  Sharon Osbourne called us “the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen!”  Given that Ozzy was rumored to be pouring cocaine on his breakfast toast, and snorting ants off the ground through a plastic straw, I can’t believe that’s true!!! 

Our show at Rockwood Music Hall is tomorrow at 5pm.  Please come see us if you are in NYC area!

Week 14 of 52 Weeks - Blowin' in the Wind (Bob Dylan, 1962)

Week 14 - I know we covered Bob Dylan only two weeks ago.  But I had to cover this song and this is why.  As a mother, I hope to raise a child who sees beauty in our differences.  A child who won’t turn away from injustice and will be compassionate to those who are in need.  A child who will listen to others yet always looks for his own truth.  I hope to be a good role model for my son and as I get to know him and his little friends, I wish more and more to make this world a better place for them.  But times like these, I’m feeling small and lost.  So instead of giving into despair, I’m going to do one thing I know how to do. 

“Too many of these hip people are telling me where the answer is but oh I won’t believe that. I still say it’s in the wind and just like a restless piece of paper it’s got to come down some  ...But the only trouble is that no one picks up the answer when it comes down so not too many people get to see and know . . . and then it flies away. I still say that some of the biggest criminals are those that turn their heads away when they see wrong and know it’s wrong. I’m only 21 years old and I know that there’s been too many” - Bob Dylan, June 1962

Week 11 of 52 Weeks - Apple Blossom (White Stripes, 2000)

Week 11 - Apple Blossom, The White Stripes. 

De Stijl was the first album I heard of the White Stripes and it still remains one of my favorite albums by them.  I still remember the first time I saw them live, it really blew my mind to see two people rocking out and putting on such a great show!  It was a lot of fun to watch them.  They influenced me quite a bit as I was starting my own solo project just then and their live show is one of my favorites of all time.

Week 8 of 52 Weeks - I Only Want To Be With You (Dusty Springfield, 1964)

Week 8 - I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield. 

I heard this song while I was grocery shopping and it’s been stuck in my head ever since.  Lots of artists covered this but my favorite is, of course Dusty Springfield.  It’s a love song but this song makes me think of Jarvie, my baby boy.  It reminds of me the first time I got to hold him, talking about “I never knew I could be in love like this.”  And today is his 2nd birthday.  Happy Birthday, Jarvie.  I love you.

Week 3 of 52 Weeks - Ooh La La (Faces, 1973)

Week 3 - Faces.  When I was planning this project, I had a list of songs that I wanted to cover.  So far I have covered none of them!  The process of song selection has been quite surprising to me but I'm letting it happen organically.  I always loved this song, I love the guitar line and I love the voice.  Both Rod Stewart and Ronnie Lane recorded the vocal for this song but the producer suggested Ronnie Wood try it and that became the version included on the album.  I think Ronnie Wood's voice resonates well with the sentiment of the song - a little awkward and a little sad.  Do you agree?

Our version is a little different - us being women and all but I really like how it came out.  Hope you enjoy!