17 April 2024 - Dropkick Murphys - The Body of An American

I was fortunate enough to see Dropkick Murphys last month in State College, PA.  In my opinion, they are the perfect successors to The Pogues.

They pay tribute to Shane McGowan in their live shows, and in fact took part in a tribute to McGowan and Sinead O'Connor last month.  

This was the song they did - recorded just a few days before I saw them - and they did it beautifully.  

13 April 2024 - Elisapie - Isumagijunnaitaungituq (The Unforgiven)

We really hope Elisapie won a Juno last month. 

We love her enough to keep posting her amazing covers.

This Inuktitut (the languange, not the album Inuktitut, although, now that we mention it, that also applies) cover of a Metallica classic - that's right.  Metallica - is both bold and beautiful, and I like it. fair bit more than the original.  

Also, Elisapie's Katajjaq - throat singing - is absolutely incredible. 

5 April 2024 - Jimmy Somerville - You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)

Jimmy Sommerville was a member of two bands - Bronski Beat and The Communards - who were known for having an energetic lead vocalist who was at least supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and had a hell of a faslsetto.

So, when he went solo, it's no surprise he turned Sylvester's enduring classic into a big hit song around the world in his own right.  

Sommerville, who is gay, recorded that pride anthem in the 1980s - and it fit in with the enduring theme of LGBTQ+ activism he carried throughout all his musical projects.

This recording is from 2019 and it's like it was recorded the same day.  Jimmy is a fantastic talent. Also, horns.

1 April 2024 - boygenius - You're Still The One

March being done is always a letdown for me from a blogging standpoint.

I did finally pop my Shania cherry this year, though. 

And, I ended February with a cover of this song.  Supergroup boygenius also covered the song for BBC1 Radio - and they did so beautifully enough that this was almost the cover I posted that day. 

It wasn't.  I posted it today.  

29 March 2024 - Elisapie - Taimangalimaaq (Time After Time)

I was pretty clear that I'd be posting her again this month.

I'm completely captivated by Elisapie's album Inuktitut, which is all covers.  Is this my favorite one?  Nope.  But it's a beautifully done version of a Cyndi Lauper classic, so, yeah.  

28 March 2024 - Megan Bonnell - Try

Folk-rock singer Megan Bonnell from Ontario covers Canadian treasures Blue Rodeo.

You know, these are two artists we have never posted on Wicked Guilty Pleasures.  We really need to do that sometime, soon.  

Anyway, this is a brilliant cover and most of you wouldn't have known it was a cover if I didn't tell you that.

27 March 2024 - The Beaches - Turn Me Loose

The Beaches are an all-girl rock band from Toronto, formed in 2013.

In 2019, they did a cover of the 1982 Juno Award winning Single of the Year by Loverboy.  Jordan Miller channeling the spirit of Mike Reno is a sight to behold.  They have a complete understanding of the shred rock - with the classic guitar solo and iconic bassline - and still manage to put their own style in the song.

Check it out!!