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Song of the Day #1,026: ‘Man in the Long Black Coat’ – Joan Osborne

Two of the songs in my cover series are Bob Dylan originals. I guess it makes sense that the work of somebody with as limited a voice as Dylan would attract more capable singers.

I’ve already featured another Dylan cover that could have fit here, and like yesterday’s post, it was by Adele. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a covers album in her future… she’s a fine interpreter of others’ tunes.

Joan Osborne is as well (and she has released a covers album — 2002’s How Sweet It Is). Today’s song, however, comes from her excellent debut album, Relish.

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Song of the Day #1,025: ‘Lovesong’ – Adele

Adele has made quite a splash with her new album, 21, topping the charts on two continents and capturing the attention of both young and old listeners.

She’s even reached my wife, who seldom has time for new music. So we got the CD, and it has spent most of its time in my wife’s car. I’ve heard it once, and I liked what I heard, especially lead single ‘Rolling in the Deep.’

Another song that made a big impression on me is today’s SOTD, a cover of The Cure’s ‘Lovesong.’ I enjoy her sultry take on the pop confection enough to have it launch a new theme week.

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Song of the Day #1,024: ‘Secret Heart (Live)’ – Ron Sexsmith

I’m sticking with Ron Sexsmith’s appearance on Elvis Costello’s Spectacle for my second selection this weekend.

Today’s track is the first song on Sexsmith’s self-titled 1995 major label debut. ‘Secret Heart’ is a simple, lovely ballad about unrequited love. It has been covered by Rod Stewart and Feist, among others.

This half-circle of songwriters with guitars on Spectacle intrigues me. Sheryl Crow, Jesse Winchester, Neko Case, Costello and Sexsmith took turns playing their own songs and each other’s while the rest of the group (and the audience) quietly watched.

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Paul Simon – So Beautiful Or So What

I’ve reviewed two albums in the past week by artists on the other side of 50, ancient by rock-and-roll standards. One was Lucinda Williams’ Blessed and the other was R.E.M.’s Collapse Into Now. Both represent the best work those performers have released in years.

And now I have the privilege of reviewing the latest release of another elder statesman, Paul Simon, who is less than a year away from his 70th birthday. To mark the occasion, his new album So Beautiful Or So What is receiving some of the best reviews of his career.

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Song of the Day #1,023: ‘Everyday I Write the Book’ – Ron Sexsmith & Elvis Costello

The Elvis Costello Weekends have ended, but I’m asking Mr. Costello’s help in introducing his successor. Ladies and gentlemen, the series nobody saw coming: Ron Sexsmith Weekends.

Why, you ask, on the heels of weekends dedicated to such luminaries as Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, The Beatles and all of Motown, would I choose to shift my focus to a little-known Canadian singer-songwriter?

For a couple of reasons.

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