Some truly awesome cover versions

Over the years, I've amassed quite the collection of "Tribute" albums and the like, and I've always been a bigger fan of the out-of-left-field cover versions than the note-perfect carbon copies of the originals.

I think you'll agree the these tracks fall squarely into the former category.

Polysics' insane electro-punk version of My Sharona
Goldfinger's ska-tastic take on Rio
Elbow puts a distinctive low-fi stamp on Independent Woman

DJ PotPie UK at Delilah's - Sunday, August 14th

It's true! The long wait is at an end -- I'll be back at Delilah's this coming Sunday, August 14th. Great music, Great people, Great Whiskey selection, Great ambience, and a Great deal of cigarette smoke - why, it's an embarrassment of riches! I'll begin spinning (the track wheels of my iPods) at 9 PM -- hope you can make it:

DJ PotPie UK
Sunday, August 14 - 9 PM
Delilah's
2771 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL

Gang Gang Gang Ging Gang Gang Gang Gung Gung

Marlena Shaw. Who can help but love a woman who spends half the song singing nonsense syllables -- especially when there's an echo effect that randomly wanders in and out of the track? Still not convinced? People, she's Aretha Franklin's favorite singer.

The Sound of Cologne

Went to see Kraftwerk a couple of weeks ago -- don't miss them if they're playing anywhere near you. The show made me remember this great power pop tribute to German bands by Doleful Lions, "The Sound of Cologne". Sadly, the album is out of print, so enjoy it here!

An all-Martin post

More fine pop -- today exclusively by gentlemen named "Martin":

In 1989, Marty Willson-Piper of The Church put out the fine DIY single She's King.

Four years later, Martin Newall of The Cleaners from Venus put out the excellent album, The Greatest Living Englishman, which features the delightful lead-off track Goodbye Dreaming Fields.

I Heart College Radio

Thank you, WLUW, for introducing me to this great song, which I'd never have heard otherwise. Do yourself a favor, and buy the album here.

Girls x 3

Three underappreciated girl-led bands today:

Clouds - a fantastic Australian band, whose 1991 album, Penny Century, features this cool ode to Hieronymus Bosch

Voice of the Beehive - best known for "I Say Nothing" off of their debut, Let It Bee -- released some excellent power poppy tunes, as exemplified by the delightful I'm Shooting Cupid off of 1991's Honey Lingers.

Jale - best known for. . .oh, who am I kidding? They're not best known for anything, unfortunately. Still, Ali off of 1996's So Wound is a great song.

Enjoy!

Yes, I know it's been awhile. . .

Sorry sorry sorry -- I've been BUSY! Just one song today -- All For Love & Love For All from Stephen Duffy's on-again-off-again project, The Lilac Time. I'm a sucker for the judicious use of a Beatles quote.

It breaks your heart

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's finding a great record in the cut-out bin -- especially when there are multiple copies. All three of these songs are from unjustly overlooked records which I've seen over the years alongside the likes of Hootie & The Blowfish and Hanson in the $1.00 bin.

Oh Janine by The Greenberry Woods (from Big Money Item).

Mr. Twentieth Century Man by Stephen Duffy (from Duffy).

The Patience Business by Something Happens (from Stuck Together With God's Glue).

Three great power pop songs by three different control freaks

Some of the best power pop has always been made by guys who like to lock themselves in a room with a 4-track and a bunch of instruments -- herewith, three fine examples of the genre by three different DIY guys:

I Love You Better by David Grahame (from the great compilation Yellow Pills, Volume 4).

Miss July by Brad Jones (from his album Gilt-Flake).

When She Arrives by Richard X. Heyman (from his album Cornerstone).

Song of the Day

Miami by Superheroes. Thomas Troelsen and his band, Superheroes, are huge stars in Denmark -- listen to this song and find out why. Their new compilation, Behind Our Masks We Are Perfectly Ordinary People is finally available in the States.

Another song you can't (or shouldn't) live without

Sona Sona This song is from the amazing (in more ways than one) Bollywood film, Major Saab, which is sort of a remake of An Officer and a Gentleman, and yet not even slightly reminiscent of that movie. Anyway, the movie lasts about 18 hours, and the fantastic wedding scene featuring this song doesn't arrive until around the 17:45 mark, but it's worth the wait. Thank God for the "skip to song" option on Bollywood dvds. "Sona Sona" is available on the great compilation The Very Best Bollywood Songs, Vol. 2.

Today's favorite song

Bastardo by Charlotte Hatherley. If you're a fan of power pop, you owe it to yourself to buy this entire album -- available for download at the great UK site KarmaDownload.com

Thanks, everyone

Thanks a million to everyone who came out for my DJ debut at Delilah's -- it was a lot of fun! Looking forward to coming back soon -- I'll let you all know the date as soon as it's scheduled.

DJ PotPie UK at Delilah's - Sunday, March 13th

I'll be spinning at 9 PM this Sunday, March 13th:
Delilah's
2771 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL

Punk, Bollywood, Northern Soul, Power Pop, Glam, Funk/R&B, Indie, British Invasion, Jazz, Mash-ups, Old School Rap, Lounge, Metal. . . .

No Cover. Delilah's offers everything you could possibly imagine wanting to drink. No matter how broad your record collection, I guarantee you will hear things you've never heard before.

See the poster here.