Cover Of The Week: Matt Nathanson does James

Matt Nathanson has commented during performances on the interesting twist of fate that resulted in his cover of this James classic becoming his best-known "original". Obviously, fans of Nathanson's love his actual originals, but this tune does seem to generate a lot of crowd enthusiasm at live shows. Some covers seem to suit an artist better than others, and this one fits easily in Nathanson's oeuvre.

Matt Nathanson - "Laid"

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Check out previous Cover Of The Week posts by clicking the "Cover Of The Week" label below and the link on the right side of the page under "Return To Oblivion".

B-Side Of The Week: Ryan Adams

This Ryan Adams track was released in mp3 format as part of the Elizabethtown - Songs For The Ride Home (iTunes Exclusive) digital EP and on CD as part of the Elizabethtown Soundtrack Vol 2. It's a short, contemplative acoustic track - definitely good stuff, especially if you're an Adams fan.

Ryan Adams - "Words"

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Check out the archived B-Side Of The Week posts by clicking the label "B-Side Of The Week" below and the link on the right side of the page under 'Return To Oblivion'.

Cover Of The Week: Magnet & Gemma Hayes do Dylan

Any recording that features Gemma Hayes will eventually find its way into my CD collection, and this cover of Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay" is no exception. The tune was featured in the remake of the film Mr. and Mrs. Smith starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Magnet's arrangement and vocals are fine and all, but at 1:17 when Ms. Hayes' delicious voice kicks in the song really takes off.

Magnet & Gemma Hayes - "Lay Lady Lay"

Buy the single here.

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Check out previous Cover Of The Week posts by clicking the "Cover Of The Week" label below and the link on the right side of the page under "Return To Oblivion".

B-Side Of The Week: Ash

"Burn Baby Burn" was one of Ash's big hits off of 2001's Free All Angels. This acoustic rendition of the song appeared on a bonus disc included with the European Tour Edition of the record. It's loaded with sugary-sweet pop rockin' goodness. Guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, who's since left the band to pursue solo ambitions, has a great little tremolo-picked guitar solo on the track too.

Ash - "Burn Baby Burn (acoustic)"

Buy Ash's music here.

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Check out the archived B-Side Of The Week posts by clicking the label "B-Side Of The Week" below and the link on the right side of the page under 'Return To Oblivion'.

Cover Of The Week: Travis does The Band

This cover of The Band's classic tune "The Weight" was released on Travis' single for "Coming Around" back in 2000.

Travis - "The Weight"

Buy Travis' music here.

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Check out previous Cover Of The Week posts by clicking the "Cover Of The Week" label below and the link on the right side of the page under "Return To Oblivion".

B-Side Of The Week: Feist

This non-album track from the soundtrack of the movie Paris, je t'aime was composed by Elizabeth Anaïs and Christophe Montieux and performed by Leslie Feist. It immediately grabbed my attention when it played toward the end of the film, and I don't believe it appears on any other CD as of yet.

Feist - "We're All In The Dance"

Buy Feist's music here.

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Check out the archived B-Side Of The Week posts by clicking the label "B-Side Of The Week" below and the link on the right side of the page under 'Return To Oblivion'.

Cover Of The Week: Dar Williams does Pink Floyd

A friend had this cover by Dar Williams on some random mix that she played for me, and I thought it was the perfect kind of track for this weekly post. Floyd fans out there may cry foul at anyone covering one of their favorite band's tunes, but I don't hold the band in quite such a reverent place.

Dar Williams - "Comfortably Numb"

Buy Dar Williams' music here.

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Check out previous Cover Of The Week posts by clicking the "Cover Of The Week" label below and the link on the right side of the page under "Return To Oblivion".

B-Side Of The Week: U2

If you're a fan of U2 and haven't yet picked up the 2007 remastered re-release of The Joshua Tree you may need to seek professional help. This track is on the bonus disc of b-sides (btw - also included in the deluxe edition is a phenomenal DVD concert from 1987) and provides the listener with a deeper glimpse into the creative process of the band as they made this masterpiece.

U2 - "Luminous Times (Hold On To Love)"

Buy U2's music here.

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Check out the archived B-Side Of The Week posts by clicking the label "B-Side Of The Week" below and the link on the right side of the page under 'Return To Oblivion'.

Cover of the Week: Paramore does Foo Fighters

Rising pop stars/rockers Paramore did this tasty acoustic cover of the Foo Fighters hit "My Hero" for the Sound of Superman compilation.

Paramore - "My Hero"

Buy Paramore's music here.

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Check out previous Cover Of The Week posts by clicking the "Cover Of The Week" label below and the link on the right side of the page under "Return To Oblivion".