Baby What I Might've Said

Tonight on my way home from work I listened to this story about how a producer "found" an old sub-par recording by Ray Charles in a vault somewhere and got the notion to digitally cut out the old backing music and replace it with the modern day Count Basie Orchestra. The resulting product is called "Ray Sings, Basie Swings."

While I am somewhat enticed by the idea of new and wonderful possibilities for post mortem mash-ups, it just stinks of dollar signs. It's my belief that Starbucks and HearMusic will milk Ray till the last drop. So while I am intrigued by the digital possibilities, it doesn't make me feel all warm and mochaful.

On a fun note, here are some other mash-ups of bands and singers I'd like to see brought to life through the wonders of digital recording technology. Here are the rules: at least one party has to be alive and able to come into the studio and sing or play the songs of the departed. And you can't put words or chords into the mouths or hands of the "enhanced" party. This means that Johnny Cash would not have been able to sing or play the songs of the Arctic Monkeys. He could have done the songs of the Monkeys but that's getting off track. Rules, rules, rules. I've included album names where possible to save the baristas some valuable studio time and get to market sooner with their product...

Ray Charles + Coldplay  RayPlay

Neko Case + The Eagles The Eagles Have Landed  (ok, I know they're all still alive, but I couldn't resist passing along the cool title.

Brighteyes + Bonnie Tyler Turn Around Brighteyes (same thing. I will try and abide by my rules.)

AC/DC and Hank Williams Sr The Lost Highway to Hell (I would pay for this record)

Wilco + Roger Miller Roger Wilco: Wilco Plays the Songs of Roger Miller (it would probably blow our minds)

Roy Orbison + Los Lonely Boys Roy Orbison Sings With The Lonely (this would suck, we'd wish that Pearl Jam would've been asked to do this one.)

That's all I have for now. Sleepy time in the dingy city. Feel free to add to the mix while I retire to the next room.

Comments

[Pete]

If johnny Cash were still alive he'd be making sure every popular alt rock song were covered by him right now