Good Cover Version: Lauren Ruth Ward Does Jefferson Airplane

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.

Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" is one of those mind-bending, day-tripping songs that psych fans still adore to this day (including yours truly). Since today is legendary sonic sorceress Grace Slick's birthday, it's definitely the right time to talk a little about Lauren Ruth Ward's excellent cover of that very song.

Ward's "White Rabbit" treads similar territory as the Jefferson Airplane, a militant drum beat and bassline anchoring the noise behind her voice. And what a voice. Ward could easily be a time traveler from the very era that "White Rabbit" comes from, her voice rich and transformative, easily transitioning from coquettish, lowered eyelid purrs to full-on white hot power. A great tribute to a hell of a song from a lady you'll probably be hearing a lot more about in the very near future.

[posted 10.30.18]