Birdy - People Help The People, Shelter, Skinny Love
Birdy - People Help The People, Shelter, Skinny Love
Her voice is so pure and innocent, she’s very young though, but that’s still talented. These are all covers (PHTP: Cherry Ghost, S: The XX, SL: Bon Iver), but I think the magic of her is that she makes them more mainstream and accessible but still retains the genuine, raw goodness, wonderful.
genre: folk
rating: PHTP: 4/5 stars, S: 4/5 stars, SL: 4/5 stars
Cover: Set Fire to the Rain - the male take
For some reason, I’d like to hear how guys cover this particular song. How do you tackle such a grand love anthem? Well there can be many different takes.
A very light take, I’m very surprised by the way he handle it, I like it a lot.
The exotic and direct take, he has a wonderful voice to take it, a treat to the ear really.
The not so up there take, but for some reason, I just think it’s good, haha.
Unique, touching and wonderful, instantly one of my favorites here, applaud.
The rock take, slightly off, but I like the rawness, very decent actually.
Finally the diva herself here, flawless?
Special - Quiet Moments
There’s this voice saying - calm down calm down… Here’s a collection of 7 calm down songs.
Maria Mena - This Too Shall Pass, Homeless
Gorgeous ballads. “This Too Shall Pass” is bright and little uplifting while “Homless” is down right heartfelt, good song before dream, amazing vocals too.
genre: pop, folk, contemporary
rating: 4/5 stars (both)
James Vincent McMorrow - We Don’t Eat , Higher Love
Haunting and beautiful. Something just swirl into your heart - chilly but pretty. Coincidentally, just like Maria, ”We Don’t Eat” is on the brighter side, with higher spirit while the cover song “Higher Love” (Steve Winwood) is cold yet emotional and touching, and only left you craving for more.
genre: folk, acoustic
rating: 4/5 stars (both)
Lana Del Rey - Video Games
This is massive. Would you expect something this beautiful from a song titled “Video Games”? lol… Amazing vocal, beautiful melody suitably matched with a bare/minimum/subtle arrangement. Watch out for this girl, she’s gonna be big. Song of the year contender.
genre: indie pop
rating: 4.5/5 stars
Charlene Soraia - Wherever You Will Go
Um… slightly cheesy, but I have a soft spot for this, nice cover (The Calling). Lovely voice with slight vulnerability, not bad at all.
genre: pop
rating: 3.5/5 stars
Rebecca Ferguson - Nothing’s Real But Love
Soulful pop, simple and heart warming, heartfelt. The focus is on the vocal and nothing else is important.
genre: soul, pop, blues
rating: 3.5/5 stars
Live Performance/Cover: George Michael - Russian Roulette
It’s a treat. Hear how effortlessly he hit those high notes, plus it’s a song I love, plus it’s George Michael! so a big treat indeed.
performance rating: 4.5/5 stars
Olly Murs - Heart on My Sleeve
Olly Murs - Heart on My Sleeve
I say it’s about time for a proper ballad as single, you know his vocal is good, and most importantly, he shows enough personality and personal characteristics in this through his vocal for me to enjoy. A nice little tune for your leisure time, it’s mind soothing…… I was slightly amazed on the first listen, and it continues to grow a little after each listen by far… lol, it’s bound to fade though. :]
(I do miss James Morrison music and Michael Johns’ voice too.)
genre: pop
rating: 3.5/5 starsy
Special: Wonderful Covers - James Blake, Ingrid Michaelson
James Blake - Limit to Your Love (Feist)
The original is great, and what James basically does is to deepen it more. While I don’t necessary like music that are “deep”, I love this cover. What stands out for me the most is his use of his voice, which is wonderful, plus it’s naturally full of character, I can really feel his emotion here. INDEED AMAZING. ^^
genre: minimal, dubstep
rating: 4/5 stars
Ingrid Michaelson - Parachute (Cheryl Cole)
Strictly speaking, this isn’t too much a cover, the song was originally co-written by Ingird for Cheryl and now she sings it back. The original version is slightly dark and elegant and this new one is cute and lively. It’s very clever to provide something quite the opposite, and thus gives it a fresh and new feel. I love them both, and am highly recommending them both… (yes, still recommending Cheryl’ one, I’m still loving that jam.) ; )
genre: indie pop
rating: 4/5 stars
e
Cover Singing Pick/ Live Performance: Randy Harrison - OMG (Usher)
Oh dear, this is such a good find! His vocal was suprisingly decent, and very interesting technique used! Randy should sing! lol, no, really, I’m serious. :)
singing rating: 3.5/5 stars
Susan Boyle - Wild Horses
In music, I think sometimes we only need a voice, a voice that touches deeply in our heart, that moves our emotion, and nothing else matters, and I think she’s got it - crystal clear, angel-like. Glad to know that she’ll selling very well, well she deserves it. For some reason, I think this song’s pretty suitable for Christmas’ listening. (One point to notice is that when handling this kind of voices, the production should be done in the direction of showcasing the voice fully, not to block it from showing and shinning, and I think this one is pretty done well.)
genre: pop, classical
rating: 4.5/5 stars
