There's a distinct chill in the air. The kind that makes you reach for extra covers at night. So that's exactly what I did for this month's playlist! In addition to some fresh new jams, I dug up some fun and interesting cover songs! Enjoy. To listen on Spotify, click HERE.
1. Zombie Jamboree (Harry Belafonte and His Orchestra) - No October playlist would be complete without a Halloween song! This was one I came across while searching Halloween playlists!
2. Thunder Clatter (Wild Cub) - Fun South African rhythms that would have fit nicely on Paul Simon's "Graceland".
3. Going Back to New York (Party Supplies) - Dark, brooding club jam from DJ Justin Nealis.
4. Somebody to Love (Berlin) - Terri Nunn is back and sounding as good as ever with the first of our cover songs. Here she turns Jefferson Airplane's classic rock song into a slammin' dance anthem!
5. Little Games (the Colourist) - Sunny pop from California Indie band.
6. Sailing (*NSYNC) - The second of our featured cover tunes. For people who like boy bands but wish they performed more Yacht Rock!
7. Working Woman Blues (Valerie June) - Stunning Appalachian folk music. First time I heard it I would have sworn it was something from the first part of the 20th Century, but the album was just released this year and the songs were written by Valerie June and Dan Auerbach (of the Black Keys)!
8. Get Happy/Happy Days (Pink Martini with Rufus Wainwright) - Cover Song #3. Pink Martini wisely recruited Rufus Wainwright for this fun duet that calls to mind Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand's legendary medley. Rufus is clearly a Judy Garland fan. In 2007 he recreated and released a concert album in honor of Judy's 4-time Grammy winning "Live at Carnegie Hall" recording.
9. Can't Raise a Man (K. Michelle) - Love and Hip Hop star channels Mary J. Blige and tells it like it is on this single from her long-delayed debut album.
10. The Throw (Jagwar Ma) - Funky psychedelic rock from Australian band.
11. Friday Nights (French Horn Rebellion and Viceroy) - Bouncy EDM from Brooklyn band, with a lead singer who bears a striking vocal resemblance to Barry Manilow!
12. Go All the Way (the Killers) - Cover #4. This was on the soundtrack to "Dark Shadows" but mysteriously did not show up on the album! My friend Jeff tracked it down and presented it to me on my birthday! Great version of the Raspberries 1972 hit.
13. Nothing More Whole Than a Broken Heart (the Shondes) - Awesome garage rock from New York City band. Reminds me of other female-fronted bands like Gossip and Romeo Void.
14. One Night (Matthew Koma) - Perky 80's-influenced pop from Carly Rae Jepsen's boyfriend!
15. Hunger (Rhye) - Easy funk vibe with androgynous vocals that sound like a tasty blend of Sade and Boy George.
16. Alone (Trampled by Turtles) - Gotta admit, they had me with the band name - but I was pleasantly surprised to find I totes dig their bluegrass/indie-folk sound!
17. Stairway to Heaven (Heart) - Cover #5. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Rock songs of all-time, Heart bravely covered it at the Kennedy Center during a tribute to Led Zeppelin! I'd say these ladies knocked it out of the ball park. Turn on your lava lamp and prepare to get goosebumps...
18. Ragtime (Neko Case) - Female singer-songwriter returns with a new album! This seemed like a great way to end the month as she sings about winter and snow. Love the horn section that kicks in midway through the song!
So that's October! Hope everyone has a great time trick-or-treating! See you next month!
