Jesse Malin Covers "Bastards of Young"

[kissinginaction]

Kind of reminds me of this Beatles cover by the singer from Japan's RC Succession:

youtube.com/watch?v=9ajE3WXz-CA

I seriously reccommend checking out RC Succession (although good luck unless you're into imports, and the guy's voice is definitely an aquired taste). They're basically what happens when the Japanese get their hands on a New York Dolls record and a truckload of LCD. And obviously they want to be the (gay?) Rolling Stones. If you watch enough of their videos on youtube you'll understand what I'm saying' .

youtube.com/watch?v=85CAWAD4FM8

[who?]

hudson99 said:

Jesse Malin's third solo album, Glitter in the Gutter, comes out in March, and includes a drastically different approach to "Bastards of Young".

Here's a link if you'd like to hear it:

scotthudson.20m.com/Music/10-jesse_malin-bastards_of_young.mp3

Yeah, I'd say that was pretty much painful to listen to.

[zook]

While I am all for trying new things, I must insist that Malin never do this again. Liked the arrangement, hated the vocals.

Hudson, because I like you I won't hold this against you even though I am mentally clawing at my brain trying to get that song out of it.

[mrblasty]

The critics give a two word review....

[adamannapolis]

Dear Jesse,

James Blunt just called. He wants his complete suckitude back.

Seriously, someone with an actual singing voice could make this work.

AAR

[scoOter]

ok, last two responses?

favorite of the day!

[Miss E.]

hudson99 said:

Jesse Malin's third solo album, Glitter in the Gutter, comes out in March, and includes a drastically different approach to "Bastards of Young".

Here's a link if you'd like to hear it:

scotthudson.20m.com/Music/10-jesse_malin-bastards_of_young.mp3

good god, it's adam sandler!

[Lieworth T. Elling III]

my problem with this and all malin in general is that even though he's a new yorker he sings like english is his second language.
listen to his pronounciation of the words "success" and "graduate" on this. it's crazy stuff.
and when he sings "baby boom" and other "b" words he sounds exactly like the jolly fat park ranger in the disney cartoon that does that song and dance with the bears about picking up the trash.

[Kathy]

Tough room.

[randolph500]

Like any publicity it's better to be talked about than not - and if it makes one more person get into - or - appreciate PW then it can't be all bad.

That said it calls to mind another great cover: Paul Young's "Love Will Tear Us Apart".

[Lieworth T. Elling III]

this is the guy i'm talking about:

[TomT]

admin said:

Tough room.

No kidding.

Are you guys the same ones that slam Jonathan Richman and maybe even artists like Frank Zappa or Bob Dylan? It's just an artists interpretation.

It's possible we are biased because we are so familiar with the original. Try to listen as someone who never heard the Replacemnts before. Use the fresh ear approach.

I can understand not liking an artists voice too though. Pearl Jam comes to mind.

[scoOter]

at the risk of stirring the pot again, i don't think that this crowd has been needlessly harsh on the cover at all. i mean, i am glad he likes the song, and the mats. wonderful. admittedly, i am not familiar with his work outside of d generation (which i am hot & cold on), but i wonder aloud just what he has brought to the song that obviously means a lot to him.

he has proven he can play piano (or maybe that's someone else. i honestly don't know), and he has proven he knows the words. wonderful.

this cover is just sort of "out there". it exists, and nothing more. conversely, when someone like thea gilmore does a cover you know you are getting her take on it (like malin, apparently), but at least with me, i end up liking the original even more. not because i dislike her versions (i LOVE her covers), but because she has really opened up other facets of the songs in question.

unfortunately, when malin sings "bastards", i throw up a bit in my mouth. on the one hand you have the original song, and on the other you have vomit in the mouth. the vomit in my mouth doesn't make me hear different sides of the original. it just makes me want to brush my teeth.

i know, i know. i am coming across as a jerk, and i accept it. the bottom line for me is that i do not dislike the guy for liking "my band". i just don't think his cover really does anything meaningful.

[TomT]

scooterboy said:

i just don't think his cover really does anything meaningful.

I agree. He probably would have been better off with a different Mats selection.

[jd19jd]

First let me say that this song has held a special place in my heart and head since it's release. Also, I like Jesse Malin. He voice is probably the weakest part of his arsenal but I think it works for him. (I remember playing 'Unsatisfied' in my car and everyone hating PW's voice). I think that it's a good cover. A solid eight on a ten point scale for approach and a six for execution (please refrain from execution humor, John Robinson had the best line and others will always pale in comparison). I can see the uninitiated liking this and hating the original, really. A friend who is a big JM fan doesn't care for the cover at all. The order in which you hear the original/cover is very important. Imagine hearing Dylan's version 'Mr. Tamborine Man' after enjoying The Byrds version. I think that it's a testament to the song how well it works in each approach. JM's version would work especially well during the closing credits of a film. It's fine, enjoy it or let it go. Rod Stewert's version of 'Downtown Train' caught all kinds of hell (it was fine) but it never diminished the original.

If anyone would like a JM tune I'll send something that you may enjoy.

[TomT]

Well said JD.

I was turned on to Jesse Malin by someone on this board and can't remember who for the life of me. I got a comp. during a trade and really love it. The guy puts out quality choons.

[A Regular]

Props for the John Robinson reference... wasn't that from his UNLV days?

[scoOter]

jd19jd said:

Rod Stewert's version of 'Downtown Train' caught all kinds of hell (it was fine) but it never diminished the original.

this is very true. again, i don't have any problem with the fact that he likes the mats. in fact, i think that is great. he has taste. and, like i said, the above statement is totally true. it's just a cover, and it doesn't diminish the original at all.

since i posted my statement above, i went out & listened to some more malin solo stuff (i am already familiar with d-gen). i liked most of what i heard A LOT, A TON more than his cover of "bastards". like not even close. i just think his voice isn't strong, or right enough for really spare arrangements. most of the solo tracks i heard were not necessarily loud, but had more instrumentation for his vocal shortcomings to hide behind.

for whatever it is worth....

[shoplifter]

hello!

malin's song "hotel columbia" is one of my favorites off his record 'the heat', and features none other than tommy stinson on bass and backing vocals. it also has a great line: "i ain't never goin home, 'cause i don't wanna be alone..."

two other favorites on this one are "arrested" and "since you're in love".

clips here:

www.amazon.com/Heat-Jesse-Malin/dp/B00027JYWG

;D

[Monkey]

shoplifter said:

hello!

malin's song "hotel columbia" is one of my favorites off his record 'the heat', and features none other than tommy stinson on bass and backing vocals. it also has a great line: "i ain't never goin home, 'cause i don't wanna be alone..."

two other favorites on this one are "arrested" and "since you're in love".

clips here:

www.amazon.com/Heat-Jesse-Malin/dp/B00027JYWG

;D

"Hotel Columbia" is an awesome song, I really love "Wendy" too.