Three of a Kind #47

A selection from the 1994 compilation LP If I Were A Carpenter today; which isn't, surprisingly, a tribute to the skilled woodworkers of the world, but rather to the brother-sister duo who set the pop charts ablaze with their cheesetastic easy-listening hits in them thar seventies.

The album brings together what'd be best-described as a largely college radio-friendly bunch of artists: American Music Club, Shonen Knife, Sonic Youth, The Cranberries, Bettie Serveert, Dishwalla (I must confess I'd never heard of this bunch before), Sheryl Crow, Johnette (Johnette?!) Napolitano with Marc Moreland, Redd Kross, Babes In Toyland, Cracker, Matthew Sweet, 4 Non Blondes, and Grant Lee Buffalo - all performing, perhaps unsurprisingly given the nature of the album, covers of classic Carpenters cuts (alliteration alert!).

But are any of them up there with the originals, I don't hear you ask. Well, mostly, no. But it's a pleasant enough listen. Here are a few of my favourites - with pride of place going to Shonen Knife's frankly inspired take on Top Of The World!

Shonen Knife - Top Of The World mp3

Babes In Toyland - Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft mp3

Bettie Serveert - For All We Know mp3

(mp3s available for a week)

The album seems to have long since gone out of print, by the way, so it looks as if places like eBay and Amazon Marketplace would be your best bet for tracking a copy down now. If you're interested, like.

Three Of A Kind #43

Continuing the summery theme established by young Spike t'other day, today we're featuring a trio of shiny happy cover versions ideal for listening to on a summer's day.

First up, it's Japanese all-girl popsters Shonen Knife with The Monkees classic Daydream Believer. Mick from the splendid Raiding The Vinyl Archive wrote this excellent piece about the song's composer, former Kingston Trio member John Stewart, who sadly died earlier this year.

Shonen Knife - Daydream Believer mp3 (available for 7 days)

Mildly Interesting Pop Fact: Shonen Knife have been together for a whopping twenty-seven years. Blimey o'riley!

Next, it's the prolific Of Montreal with a cover of Gorky's Zygotic Mynci's fantastic Spanish Dance Troupe. I love the original and this version has to be right up there too.

Of Montreal - Spanish Dance Troupe mp3 (available for 7 days)

Mildly Interesting Pop Fact: despite their name, Of Montreal aren't actually Canadian at all; they're from the USA, and, like most American bands, hail from Athens, Georgia. Swizz!

Finally today, Coventry legends The Specials tackle the Carl Sigman and Herbert Magidson-penned classic Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think). A joyous song in so many ways, nothing tops the bit at the start when Terry Hall deadpans, "Hello, I'm Terry and I'm going to enjoy myself first." Comedy gold.

The Specials - Enjoy Yourself mp3 (available for 7 days)

Mildly Interesting Pop Fact: this song was written in 1949. Cripes!

Buy music by today's featured artists here.