Paul Anka goes grunge

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

yikes-from mtv.com

Former '50s teen idol Paul Anka has recorded covers of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," Oasis' "Wonderwall" and R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" for his latest album, Rock Swings, due June 7. The 47-year show business veteran wrote big-band arrangements for the songs. ...

[flakey_foont]

1. ah,

Pat Boone beat him to that by about 10 years....when he made that Heavy Metal album in the mid '90's....

[progmom]

2. the difference is...

the anka album isn't done as tongue-in-cheek.

i hate to say it...but it's actually interesting. bordering on good.

:scared:

[flakey_foont]

6. In all fairness

I haven't heard the Anka album....and only snatches (mercifully!) of Pat Boone's metal indulgence....
the last I remember of Paul Anka he was singing the King Solomon song "You're Halving My Baby"

[MrScorpio]

7. Big Band Arrangements means he's for real

There's plenty of precedence for taking pop songs and covering them in one's own particular oeuvre.

Many jazz artists of the past have done this. There's a couple of Blue Note compilation CDs of jazz artists covering Beatles and Stevie Wonder classics.

[LoZoccolo]

8. How is his Oasis cover?

I might have to check this out. Or go on iTunes for the one song.

[Atlas Mugged]

15. "Bordering on good"?

Best laugh I've had all day!

Thanx!

[TheMightyFavog]

3. Normally, I do not endorse the use of torture..

But in Paul Anka's case I'm willing to make an exception.

[LeftyMom]

4. That's a change

Usually it's younger artists abusing older hits. Oh well, it can't be any worse than Faith Hill's bouncy, happy cover of "Piece of My Heart" or that trashy redneck girl mangling "Satisfaction."

[LoZoccolo]

9. Actually it turns out good a lot of times.

William Shatner's version of "Common People" is better than the original, and so is Johnny Cash's "Hurt".

[CBGLuthier]

12. Oh and don't forget

Mariah Carey's trashing of Without You. I guess she decided that Badfinger and Nilson didn't put enough notes in the melody the way she warbled all over it.

And then there is the absolutely horrifying Donna Summer disco upbeat verison of Jimmy Webb's Macarthur Park.

[enigmatic]

5. "The Guys Get Shirts...That's The Way It Is..."

I never get tired of listening to this..

http://www.noisetank.com/integrity/

[Left Is Write]

10. I think your original title was probably pretty accurate.

:D

[terrya]

11. As frightening as Pat Boone going metal.

[Melynn]

13. Wow, Paul Anka is still alive

I didn't know that.

[Left Is Write]

14. He's only 63 years old.

[Blue_In_AK]

16. No, he's gotta be closer to 67....

I was only 14 or so when he did "I'm just a lonely boy, lonely and blue...."

Ed. Oh, okay, 63. I'm 58, that's about right.

[bbernardini]

17. Hey, the Pat Boone album kicks ass!

The arrangements are spectacular. Considering they were done by some of the best in the business, I'm not surprised. Should be interesting to see what Paul Anka comes up with.