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Pop Rock Nation

Category: People

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  • Magnificent covers by women…

    Magnificent covers by women…

    A friend of mine introduced me to one of the most magnificent covers by women I have ever heard…

    And today’s post on PopRockNation is inspired by that discovery. The well-respected and long performing Seattle based band Heart is well-known for great original songs. But they’ve also done some great cover versions of classic songs. The other night, a Facebook friend posted a video from 2012, showing Ann and Nancy Wilson performing Led Zeppelin’s epic anthem, “Stairway to Heaven”. Listening to the Wilson sisters play Zeppelin made me think of all the women out there who have made magnificent cover versions of songs, turning them into something of their own.


    They were joined by John Bonham’s son, Jason, who played drums.

    This particular version of “Stairway to Heaven” brings tears to my eyes, just as it does the members of Led Zeppelin. And what a treat it is to watch the members of the audience react, too. I always knew Heart had a thing for Led Zeppelin’s music, having heard them cover “Rock and Roll” and “The Battle of Evermore”. They always do a wonderful job whenever they pay tribute to another band by covering a song. Heart has done some of the most magnificent covers I have ever heard.


    Heart performs “The Battle of Evermore” live.

    The other day, a YouTube friend in Scotland who makes musical videos sent me a video of him playing Sting’s “Fields of Gold” on acoustic guitar…


    YouTuber shargram plays “Fields of Gold”.

    That immediately made me think of the late Eva Cassidy, who performed her own magnificent cover version of Sting’s lovely “Fields of Gold”. I remember when figure skater Michelle Kwan turned this song into something truly inspiring when she skated to it years ago.

    In 1991, Sinead O’ Connor covered Elton John’s hit, “Sacrifice”. The song appeared on the tribute album, “Two Rooms: Celebrating the Music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin”. I have owned that album since it first came out and Sinead’s version of “Sacrifice” is the most magnificent cover, in my opinion.


    Sinead O’ Connor takes a song that was bordering on late 80s cheese and turns into something very meaningful and beautiful.

    No offense to Sir Elton John, whose music has brought me much joy over the years, but I think Sinead O’Connor’s version of “Sacrifice” is superior to his.

    Aretha Franklin’s magnificent cover of Carole King’s, Gerry Goffin’s, and Jerry Wexler’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” is still after decades the defining version of that song.


    Aretha Franklin performs in concert.

    This song was originally released in 1967 and Carole King later included it on her classic 1971 album, Tapestry. But if you were to ask someone whose song it is, it’s likely they’d tell you it belongs to Aretha. Frankly, as much as I respect Aretha Franklin and think her version of “Natural Woman” is one of many magnificent covers, I personally prefer Carole King’s more stripped down, intimate version.

    Joan Jett is also a great rock star who has done some great covers. I can think of a few right off the top of my head, but the one that immediately comes to mind is her magnificent version of “Crimson and Clover”, a song that was originally made popular by Tommy James and the Shondells.


    Watch Joan Jett flirt with the camera here… talk about a natural!

    Alison Krauss has done her share of covers. One song that she and her band, Union Station, did that I really enjoy is her version of a song made famous by Dolly Parton, “But You Know I Love You”, a song that was originally a pop hit for The First Edition, a band that featured Kenny Rogers and the song’s author, Mike Settle.


    As much as I love Dolly, I love what Alison Krauss has done with her hit.

    Another artist who has paid tribute to Dolly Parton in a great way is Rhonda Vincent, who covered Parton’s monster hit, “Jolene”.


    Rhonda Vincent is a bluegrass artist, but I think she’s got serious chops.

    What about Dolly Parton herself? Well, like Heart, she’s also done a cover of “Stairway to Heaven”. The jury is out on whether or not this qualifies as a “magnificent cover”. In fact, months ago, I included this in my post about “horrible covers“. I actually like it, but then I like Dolly Parton and I like bluegrass. Led Zeppelin purists may not enjoy this song as much as I do…


    Dolly Parton sings at Dollywood.

    There are certainly other masterful, magnificent covers out there which I will eventually write about. For now, I just want to bask in the excellence that is Heart doing most any cover of Led Zeppelin. I think they get the prize today!

  • Jan Terri: A Halloween discovery!

    Jan Terri: A Halloween discovery!

    Yesterday, my friend Paul from Ireland sent me a message on Facebook, prompting me to make a Halloween discovery!

    I love it when my friends turn me on to new music or artists I have never heard of. Before yesterday, I had never heard of Jan Terri, a fiftysomething Italian-American singer from Chicago who is famous for her cheesy videos and inane song lyrics. My friend Paul had sent me a link to her music, “Get Down Goblin”, because he wanted to tell me what the term “goblin” is slang for in Ireland. But as I watched the video and listened to Jan Terri’s silliness, it occurred to me that I needed to write a post about her. She is living proof that musical talent or lack thereof may not be a hinderance to having a music career. Case in point, check out this video…


    The above video, for Terri’s song “Losing You”, is described as “the worst music video ever” by YouTuber Ryan rr.

    I listen to this song and am shocked and appalled by Terri’s mediocre vocals and ridiculous song lyrics. The melody of this pointless song is beyond simplistic. And yet, it has over 3 million hits on YouTube. For as wacko as Terri’s music is, she does have her share of fans. She impressed Marilyn Manson, who reportedly invited her to perform at his ex girlfriend, Rose McGowan’s, birthday party in 1998. Terri also opened a few of his shows in the Chicago area in 1998 and 1999.


    Jan Terri’s song, “Journey To Mars”.


    Here’s an abbreviated live performance of the same song. Note the nifty headband as Jan Terri “wails” on the guitar.

    Though Jan Terri has a cult following, her music apparently wasn’t popular enough to allow her to quit her day job. Besides being an enthusiastic music performer and video producer, Terri has also worked as a limousine driver. I wonder if any of her limo clients recognized her from her rock and roll career?

    Actually, I think Jan Terri’s a hoot. She’s entertaining in a bad way, but it’s harmless and goofy fun. She even has a song that is perfect for Halloween.


    Despite my friend’s comment about what the word “goblin” is a euphemism for in Ireland, I truly think Jan Terri meant for this to be a Halloween song…


    “Get Down Goblin” reminds me a little of “Kung Fu Fighting”.

    If I’ve piqued your interest in Jan Terri’s career, the below video is a hilarious interview that was posted by distortedviewshow. Apparently, she was influenced by Olivia Newton-John, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga.

    Special thanks to my Irish friend, Paul, who introduced me to this musical legend.


    I would probably really enjoy this show.

    Hell, if Jan Terri can be a YouTube star, why can’t I? Happy Halloween, everybody!

  • Dr. Demento’s silliness brings people together…

    Dr. Demento’s silliness brings people together…

    Dr. Demento in 2004.
    Dr. Demento in 2004.

    A whole lot of music geeks love Dr. Demento…

    The other day, I was sort of halfway watching The Amazing Race and noticed that the episode featured contestants dealing with disgusting fish heads. As the episode ended, a revamped version of Barnes and Barnes’ 1979 novelty hit “Fish Heads” played. My lips curved into a grin as I remembered a song that was a hit on The Dr. Demento radio show, which was very popular in the 70s and 80s.


    “Fish Heads”

    I posted the above link on Facebook and suddenly got a bunch of likes from people my age who are music geeks… and love Dr. Demento’s brand of wackiness. Dr. Demento’s real name is Barret Eugene “Barry” Hansen and he created the Dr. Demento persona in 1970 while working at KPPC-FM, a Los Angeles radio station. Dr. Demento is well known for playing weird, funny, novel, or silly songs. “Fish Heads” is just one of many weird novelty and parody songs Dr. Demento helped popularize among the masses. Besides being a brilliant broadcaster, Dr. Demento is formally educated, holding a degree in ethnomusicology. I don’t know what ethnomusicology is, but I’m definitely intrigued. I’m sort of a twisted soul myself, so I really like Dr. Demento’s picks.


    Allen Sherman’s classic hit “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” was a staple on Dr. Demento’s show.

    Dr. Demento helped a lot of comic musicians make a living when he played obscure hits on his show. His programming put formerly little known musicians on the map, introducing Americans to silly songs like “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah” and “Shaving Cream”, a witty 1946 classic from comedian Benny Bell.


    Benny Bell’s “Shaving Cream”…

    One of my favorite novelty songs made famous on Dr. Demento’s show is the hilarious hit, “They’re Coming To Take Me Away” by Napoleon XIV. I remember hearing that song as a little girl and thinking it was so weird and different… and funny! Granted, this number is not really a “song” per se, since no one actually sings and there’s percussion and sirens instead of a melody.


    “They’re Coming To Take Me Away” Ha Ha!!!

    Who hasn’t quoted this hit’s title at some point in their life when things get a little too intense for comfort? It’s one of those recordings that is unforgettable and indelible on the brain, yet very hard to duplicate. I don’t know that Napolean XIV ever had a follow up to this novelty piece. How can you top it?

    In the 1980s, Dr. Demento introduced Julie Brown’s quirky song “The Homecoming Queen’s Got A Gun”.

    I remember hearing that song on morning radio back in 1984 and laughing hysterically. I was probably in the 7th grade and actress, comedian, and singer Julie Brown was showing up on MTV, on TV shows, and in movies. She was famous for her quirky Valley Girl antics and songs like “Cause I’m a Blonde” and “I Like ’em Big and Stupid”. Of course, given the current violent climate in schools these days, I’m not so sure “The Homecoming Queen’s Got A Gun” would be as funny today as it was in the comparatively idyllic 1980s. This song was supposed to be a parody of 50s era tragic teen songs, but in the aftermath of the many school shootings that have plagued America since the late 1990s, even Brown admits that the song would probably be considered to be in poor taste these days.

    I have fond memories of the fishy novelty song, “Wet Dream” by Kip Addotta…


    If you aren’t careful, you might miss some of the puns and double entendres in this classic track.

    Comedian Steve Martin had his time in the sun on Dr. Demento’s show, too.


    Steve Martin performs “King Tut” live.

    And then there’s the ever popular “Dead Puppies” by Ogden Edsl…

    That song always gave me the willies. I’m a dog lover and don’t like thinking about dead puppies. This song is the epitome of black humor, though, and it resonated with lots of twisted souls who enjoy satire.

    There is no denying that Dr. Demento and his brand of silliness helped a lot of people smile a little more, especially as they prepared for yet another day at the grindstone. It’s been a long time since I was a big radio fan, but these songs will always have a special place in my heart.


    Dr. Demento and Weird Al Yankovic appear on Real People in 1982. This is a pretty classic clip!