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Rating: Everything is swing.
Everything can be experienced in terms of swing because it is a lifestyle, an approach to things that is light, amused, carefree, and in some ways irresistible.
Pushing this idea to the extreme, even the brave Paul Anka (at a more than retirement age) released in 2005 this "Rock Swings", a cover album of ultra-famous rock songs that, to be honest, are as related as an umbrella on a sewing machine (as the philosopher sgalattiato would say) with swing (as proof of the theory announced above).
So what is the point of reinterpreting evergreen tracks from the History of Rock in a irreverent/lighthearted way (swing, indeed) if not for a clever bending to purely economic/commercial ends?
The operation was, in some ways, simple and clever at the same time:
1) Put a singer now forgotten in the limelight (Paul Anka, the 65-year-old legendary singer of "Diana" in the mid-60s and among others, author of Sinatra's "My Way"!!), looking for any pretext to resurface, or at least gasp some fresh air
2) Add the renewed passion people have for this old-fashioned genre, a nostalgic reminder of the good old days (thanks to various Bublès & the like)
3) A reputable record label (Verve) to back the project
4) Add some truly historical tracks from a repertoire as far from jazz and swing as possible (we are talking about Cure and Nirvana, above all!!)
5) Put an arranger who knows their stuff to perfectly suit songs otherwise impossible to rearrange
6) Mix it all, et voilà... the album is done!
What more can be said other than being dumbfounded and astonished at how this outfit of rhinestones and glitter from an old-style nightclub fits almost seamlessly to songs like It's my Life (by Bon Jovi) or Everybody Hurts (REM), Wonderwall (Oasis), Blackhole Sun (SoundGarden), Jump (Van Halen) or even Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana), reinterpreting these songs in a distorted and, in some ways, unrecognizable manner.
Of course, seeing this "semi scandal" brings a lump to the throat, and this "violating" of pieces of emotional memory (in fact, that’s exactly what these songs are!) simply cannot be justified. Moreover, if it’s done by an overly lifted old man with a conspicuous toupee (see the cover), it makes you even more irritated.
On one hand you can say: GOOD, this proves that some rock is well written and truly deserves more, perhaps a second life. On the other hand you might argue: IF a song is BORN in that way, with that arrangement, with that mood, it is fair to preserve it like that in the hearts of those who loved it.
Frankly, I lean towards the second hypothesis (also because, how the heck can you imagine words written by someone like Kurt Cobain being sung by someone in tailcoat and bowtie, performing it in a theater in front of a bunch of old, fur-draped, and bejeweled folks applauding?!).
Oh yes... everything can be swing, apparently (alas!).
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
05 Wonderwall (03:37)
[Originally by Oasis]
Today is gonna be the day
That they're gonna throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you gotta do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do about you now
Backbeat the word was on the street
That the fire in your heart is out
I'm sure you've heard it all before
But you never really had a doubt
I don't believe that anybody feels
The way I do about you now
And all the roads we have to walk along are winding
And all the lights that lead us there are blinding
There are many things that I would
Like to say to you
I don't know how
Because maybe
You're gonna be the one saves saves me?
And after all
You're my wonderwall
Today was gonna be the day
But they'll never throw it back to you
By now you should've somehow
Realized what you're not to do
I don't believe that anybody
Feels the way I do
About you now
And all the roads that lead to you were winding
And all the lights that light the way are blinding
There are many things that I would like to say to you
I don't know how
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me?
And after all
You're my wonderwall
I said maybe
You're gonna be the one who saves me?
And after an
You're my wonderwall
Said maybe
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
You're gonna be the one that saves me
07 It's a Sin (04:58)
When I look back upon my life
It's always with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me, I didn't believe it
Father, you fought me, 'cause I didn't care
And I still don't understand
So I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to - it's a sin
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
08 Jump (03:36)
[Originally by Van Halen]
I get up, and nothin' gets me down
You got it tough, I've seen the toughest around
And I know, baby, just how you feel
You got to roll with the punches and get to what's real
Ah, can't ya see me standin' here
I got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen
Ah, can't ya see what I mean?
Ah, might as well jump. Jump!
Might as well jump
Go ahead an' jump. Jump!
Go ahead and jump
Ow-oh! Hey, you! Who said that? Baby, how you been?
You say you don't know, you won't know until you begin
So can't ya see me standing here
I got my back against the record machine
I ain't the worst that you've seen
Ah, can't ya see what I mean?
Ah, might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead and jump
Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead and jump
Jump!
Might as well jump. Jump!
Go ahead and jump
Get it in, jump. Jump!
Go ahead and jump
Jump! Jump! Jump! Jump!
09 Smells Like Teen Spirit (02:42)
Load up on guns and bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over bored and self assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word
Hello, hello, hello, how low? [x3]
Hello, hello, hello!
With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yay! [x3]
I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end
Hello, hello, hello, how low? [x3]
Hello, hello, hello!
With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My Libido
Yay! [x3]
And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard, it was hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind
Hello, hello, hello, how low? [x3]
Hello, hello, hello!
With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
10 Hello (05:14)
I've been alone with you
Inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips
A thousand times
I sometimes see you
Pass outside my door
Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
Because you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much
I love you
I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again
How much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow
Hello!
I've just got to let you know
Because I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you
Hello!
Is it me you're looking for?
Becuase I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely?
Or is someone loving you?
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying I love you
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Other reviews
By sfascia carrozze
The ultra-modulated “Black Hole Sun” became a sober ultra-sentimental, reflective, and aurally gratifying track.
Hearing the aged Paul who with his “Com’On” mimics the David Lee Roth of Van Halen-era, is quite amusing.
