Stu Reid Under The Covers: M.Ward Takes on Joanna, Phoenix Plays Dylan, and Florence Is Addicted To Love

I’ve been sitting on a bunch of covers, and it’s been far too long since we’ve done a Stu Reid Under The Covers, so boom! Here I is, back with another dose. In fact, it’s a DOUBLE DOSE – I’ll be back tomorrow with three more tasty treats.

We’ll start off with some really distinctive voices – Florence, Joanna, and Dylan. The first, Ms. Machine herself, is doing the covering in this case, taking on Robert Palmer’s “Addicted To Love.” Her voice absolutely carries the track, starting out in emptiness before growing until drums, harp, and edgy guitars bring the track home. It’s a fairly straightforward song, but in Flo’s hands it’s a beauty.

Joanna Newsom, on the other hand, is being covered, rather than singing herself. Another distinctive voice - M. Ward – takes on her “Sadie” and phew it’s wonderful. Ward’s gritty voice is at the complete other side of the spectrum from Newsom’s, and it gives the song a great new feel. Wow I dig this.

Finally, those francos from Phoenix take on Sir Bob Dylan himself, singing “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands.” Lead singer Thomas Mars puts on a bit of the characteristic cavalier Dylan phrasing, and the song actually turns out pretty sweet. Not my favorite Dylan tune, but it’s nice to hear the boys from Phoenix in a less produced context.

Florence and the Machine – Addicted To Love (Robert Palmer Cover) (YSI) (YSI) (filesavr)

M.Ward – Sadie (Joanna Newsom Cover) (YSI) (filesavr)

Phoenix – Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands (Bob Dylan Cover) (YSI) (filesavr)