Good Cover Version: Boy Azooga Does Jim Sullivan

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 says a lot about the current state of affairs that barely an eyelash was batted about the confirmation of alien life by the US government. I mean, ordinarily that would probably be front page news for at least a week. But right now, it's a mad mad mad mad world, and not even UFO videos can get much press. So in the spirit of the times, let's give a listen to Boy Azooga's cover of cosmic country ditty "U.F.O."

Whereas Jim Sullivan's original was anchored by his gritty, wild west saloon vocals, Boy Azooga's spin goes in another direction (or should I say dimension?) and wraps the song in some frolicsome, syrupy spaced out sounds. Splitting the difference perfectly between being a little bit reverential and a little bit camp (in the best way), "U.F.O." would sound right at home on the Cardiff band's excellent 1, 2 Kung Fu! record. Knowing Sullivan's story (lack of commercial success, mysterious disappearance at the age of 35) puts something a bit sad into the listening, but kudos to Boy Azooga. They've more than done justice to the far out spirit of the song.     





[posted 5.9.20]

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