Good Cover Version: Nicole Atkins & Indianola Do Iggy Pop

Pulp gave the world the song "Bad Cover Version." But seeing as I'm a sonic optimist, I'm of the belief that there's more likely than not more good cover versions floating around than bad ones. Good Cover Version celebrates the good, and leaves all that bad and ugly stuff alone.

It's tough to best the vocal combination of Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson on the divine "Candy," but my goodness gracious Nicole Atkins and Owen Beverly (aka Indianola) certainly do give those two a run for their money.

The latter's rendition of "Candy" takes the song and places it in a late 50s/60s state of mind, girl group-style gloss to the overall sound complementing the throwback vocals of both Atkins and Beverly. The pair picks up on the more desperate, haunted elements of the song, and the result is a marvelously lovelorn thing of beauty. Perhaps this will find its way onto the set when Atkins and Indianola hit the road together for some dates, starting this very weekend.

[posted 4.21.18]