like a version (five)

For Xmas my niece bought me a cd called "like a version", a Triple J publication that puts together covers of well-known contemporary songs. In his introductory note to the album Robbie Buck, the Triple J radio host, describes the process as "ludicrously simple...offer an artist the chance to pay homage...then sit back and watch the magic unfold." I wouldn't argue the point that magic unfolds - it does, on quite a few of the tracks, but I'd suggest there's a lot more in it than the automatic process he reduces it to. It's interesting the choices the artists make (possibly but not necessarily ode or homage), there's a tension in the interpretation itself, in its distancing or sense of rapport or approximation, and in this context at least, technical considerations are foregrounded - most obviously, vocal range. The Kooks do MGMT (well), Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals do a great version of Under Pressure, and Bob Evans' version of Lily Allen's Not Fair asked me to rethink that song's comments on gender. And the album answered the question of who had done that fantastic version of Berlin Chair - the anonymous one I'd heard one day on the radio on my way to work...It's Holly Throsby.