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June 12, 2006

Bluegrass Is The New Reggaeton

Last week the blogosphere went apeshit when footage of David Lee Roth performing "Jump" bluegrass-style hit YouTube. I've actually been searching for MP3 from Strummin' With The Devil for weeks. But no luck (UPDATE: Thanks Seth! See below). So watch the video if you're one of the ten people who haven't seen it. Stare in awe at the stupid grin on Roth's face. No one loves DLR more than DLR.

Bluegrass versions of pop tunes are always welcome on my iPod. Some notables:

  • Old School Freight Train - "Kelly Watch The Stars" (MP3 Expired, Air cover)
  • The Moody Bluegrass - "Nights In White Satin" (MP3 Expired, Moody Blues cover, duh)
  • Pickin' On... - "Livin' On A Prayer" (MP3 Expired, Bon Jovi cover)
  • Nickel Creek - "Spit On A Stranger" (MP3 Expired, Pavement cover)
  • Pickin' On... - "Take Me Out" (MP3 Expired, Franz Ferdinand cover)
  • Hard 'N Phirm - "Rodeohead" (MP3 Medley, Radiohead covers)
  • Dolly Parton - "Travelin' Prayer" (MP3 Expired, Billy Joel cover)
  • Pickin' On... - "Float On" (MP3 Expired, Modest Mouse cover)
  • John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band & David Lee Roth - "Jump" (MP3 Expired, Van Halen cover)

    Can you believe there's even a bluegrass tribute to Lifehouse?

    Dolly's track's sort of a cheat 'cause the original tune is pretty bluegrass itself. Special thanks to Moody Bluegrass for sparing us Late Lament. First time I heard that on the radio, I thought it was the DJ. On acid.

    Anyway, ever since DJ Diamond Dave was fired, he's been telling reporters a Van Halen reunion is "inevitable." Dave, we love ya, but Eddie can't stand to look at your face. Start sendin' out those resumes!

    A couple of "Jump" covers after the, um, jump.

    If you haven't heard Mary Lou Lord's acoustic take you're in for a treat.
    Mary Lou Lord - "Jump" (MP3 Expired)

    If you haven't heard Paul Anka's swing version, you're in for a laugh.
    Paul Anka - "Jump" (MP3 Expired)

    Got any "Jump" covers? Send my way. (No Pointer Sisters please.)

    Posted at 12:57 PM in




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    28 Comments

    You haven't heard Pickin' on Modest Mouse?

    http://www.cmhrecords.com/web/page.asp?pgs=product&catid=1&id=613

    Posted by: Ian! at 06/12/06 3:28 PM | Reply
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    Dolly Parton doing "Shine" by Collective Soul is waaaay better. And didn't you give us the ever so good "Toxic" by Nickel Creek?

    Posted by: Fred at 06/12/06 3:30 PM | Reply
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    You posted the original "Knights"...I think

    Posted by: Ham N' Eggs at 06/12/06 3:32 PM | Reply
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    Bluegrass tributes are nearly always fun to listen to the first time; the second and third time around you realize it's complete shit, including the Modest Mouse one Ian mentions above.

    But Nickel Creek's cover of Britney Spears' "Toxic" is fun over and over again.

    Posted by: Brendawg at 06/12/06 3:34 PM | Reply
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    Aw, Brendawg - its not COMPLETE shit. :)

    Granted, its not brilliant, but its good fun. I'm glad I have it to dig out every once in a while.

    Posted by: Ian! at 06/12/06 3:41 PM | Reply
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    the house band in one of my local pubs is called rodeohead.

    i have no idea whether they're any good or not cos i don't go in that pub.

    that's 12 seconds of your life you won't get back, then.

    cheers.

    Posted by: the idiot at 06/12/06 3:47 PM | Reply
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    I saw Nickel Creek doing the Toxic live. Words fail to describe the greatness of that moment. And no I'm not being dramatic. Okay maybe a little.

    Nickel Creek (awesome in their own right) play a lot of covers live, and they are uniformly great. Often better than their originals. I'm waiting for their cover album. Yeah.

    Posted by: Kevin at 06/12/06 3:51 PM | Reply
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    I've never heard Nickel Creek before, but after listening to "Spit on a Stranger" I can say with confidence: That band needs to be wiped off the face of the earth quickly, and with extreme prejudice.

    Posted by: nspx at 06/12/06 3:54 PM | Reply
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    I'd have to say that I have a huge grin on my face listening to "Kelly Watch the Stars".

    Genius!

    Posted by: FauxPasFauxReal at 06/12/06 4:06 PM | Reply
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    The Franz Ferdinand one is from the aforementioned Pickin' on series...which was posted about on Stereogum last August.

    Posted by: kathryn at 06/12/06 4:55 PM | Reply
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    that bluegrass "float on" cover was kinda weird. when it comes to modest mouse covers i'll stick with kidz bop, thanks.

    Posted by: sam at 06/12/06 4:56 PM | Reply
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    I take it, on the subject of covers, we're all familiar with Hayseed Dixie, and the mighty Richard Cheese?

    Posted by: Ben Wicks at 06/12/06 5:02 PM | Reply
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    Roth's great on The String Quartet Tribute to Van Halen.

    "C'mon guys, stand up! You can't jump if yer sittin'!"

    Posted by: J at 06/12/06 5:19 PM | Reply
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    Re: "Jump" . . . Absolutely retched. The arrangment isn't bad -- it's almost clever, actually -- but the only moment when the song even approaches a bluegrass rhythm is when Roth stops singing and lets the fiddle play. And the way he warbles and draws out the ends of his phrases -- just goes to show how thin the line is between heavy metal and Broadway.

    Posted by: John at 06/12/06 5:46 PM | Reply
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    No mention of The Gourds cover of Gin and Juice?

    Posted by: Jodasm at 06/12/06 6:19 PM | Reply
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    Check out the Nickelcreek webcast at Bonnaroo if you're not convinced....
    http://blueroom.att.com/events/bonnaroo.php

    (Yes this is a tip from a PR chick but since you're talkkkkking about it...)

    Posted by: jeannine at 06/12/06 6:57 PM | Reply
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    Aztec Camera's cover of "Jump" is the definitive cover version. And Nickel Creek rocks.

    Posted by: pselby at 06/12/06 11:11 PM | Reply
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    check out van hayride - http://www.myspace.com/vanhayride
    country versions of van halen....so much better than that contrived bluegrass rendition DLR tried to pull off.

    Posted by: dar at 06/13/06 2:20 AM | Reply
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    I've always enjoyed the Meat Purveyors (Bloodshot Records) excellent Madonna bluegrass medley.

    http://www.bloodshotrecords.com/artists/themeatpurveyors/

    Posted by: Alex Hutton at 06/13/06 8:54 AM | Reply
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    Anyone know if there are existing bluegrass covers of either Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion" or Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me"? If so, I'd love to get them.

    Pine Mountain Railroad also has a fun cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" - there's a WMA clip available on their website at

    http://www.pinemountainrailroad.com/cd_infopage.htm#the%20old%20radio

    Posted by: kelley at 06/13/06 9:14 AM | Reply
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    Nickel Creek's "Spit on a Stranger" is too awful for words, forever linked with Leann Rimes' awful rendition of "Purple Rain."

    Posted by: ettett at 06/13/06 9:39 AM | Reply
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    I don't even like Van Halen, but I liked this song and now I'm really depressed...this shit was embarassing. Simon Cowell would have a fit. What is with all the fucking play by play and commentary??!?!!??! This is totally fucking ridiculous. I am so angry right now. What a way to start the day. God Damn't.

    Posted by: Arya at 06/13/06 1:07 PM | Reply
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    If you don't want to think the "Pickin' On" series is complete crap, you'd better stop listening now. Bluegrass is pretty myopic for a reason!

    Posted by: Kitty Laverne at 06/13/06 3:26 PM | Reply
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    There's a mighty bluegrass version of PE's Bring the Noise, by some guys calling themselves The Unholy Trio, that I found somewhere. Thanks for the Mary Lou Lord, always looking for more of her stuff.

    Posted by: Paul at 06/13/06 6:55 PM | Reply
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    oh my god

    I just realized that's my uncle Rob playing dobro with DLR. World's greatest dobro player backing up diamond dave. Still working it out

    Posted by: Wyeth at 06/14/06 12:02 PM | Reply
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    Kelley...

    I have the bluegrass version of Sweet Emotion...

    Contact me?

    Posted by: Bubba at 06/16/06 1:18 AM | Reply
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    Have you ever been on a stage in front of a lot of people, trying to perform something difficult [or something difficult to do with a straight face]? I think we should cut DLR some slack, because it's not easy. I got the feeling from that show that DLR was nervous, scared that people wouldn't like him, and that's why the big grin. It's like trying to hold yourself together.

    Posted by: moonie at 01/09/07 11:33 PM | Reply
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    Propheta started his musical career at the age of 13, he was inspired by great hip hop and reggae artists such as; Bob Marley, Shabba Ranks, Biggie Smalls Dr Dre El General, Vico C, Nando Boom, PlaYero, Steely & Cleavi, etc, Propheta who has created his own movement by taking crunk music and reggaeton and turning it into dirty south reggae crunk is one of the main exponents in the genre in Ny, he could be considered the lil jon or timbaland of reggaeton. Despite his young age, Propheta has had an extensive music career. During the mid 90's Propheta came to fame in the ny streets by participating in festivals and block partys. opening shows for to other artists such as Daddy Yankee, don omar and Wisin y Yandel. also producing and independently distribuiting his own records selling 8,000 to 20,000 of each tittle some of these tittles are Reggaeton Platinum 1,Sextassy Reggaeton Gold 2 and 3,Sobredosis Pistas and his own Mixtapes. Propheta, who is also a producer and song writer , has produced for a variety of artists. In 2003 he founded his own record label and released various albums with Universal Music Latino among audience's favorites his first release Reggaeton con el Propheta sold 53,000 copies with out a poster video or any type of promotions. ever since he has been participating in various projects along with big stars like; Daddy Yankee on Destruccion Total, then participated in papi chulo mix 2005 with El Chombo, lorna, Magic juan. He also produced and participated in Gasolina Del Reggaeton with Vico c,Tego,Zion y Lennox wich was the .. 1 album on the charts in germany He also produced and participated in Extreme Reggaeton , Kings of New York, Metropolis Beats and Reggaeton con el Propheta 2. in 2005 he participated in the album reggaeton exitos 2005 along with Luny Tunes ,Noriega,Cheka,don omar,Voltio. Presently he is preparing his next solo album "el futuro es ahora". As a producer he is working on the album "eL SisTeMa With other artist on his team like elchobbi,whitegold,masa,dice,hierro he is also producing for artist under kasablaca records,def jam,interscope expect propheta at his best for years to come check out towerrecords.com to find any of prophetas hit cd's

    Posted by: the future of regageton at 01/15/07 2:24 AM | Reply
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