Need help finding CD...

December 1, 2005 8:03 AM

MusicFilter - Looking for the name of a CD of jazz remixes/reimaginings/versions of "alternative" songs.

Features songs originally done by Soundgarden and Stone Temple Pilots. Wanted for a friend who is hard to buy for, but mentioned not being able to find this CD. Tried Google and other sources. Help!

posted by weirdoactor to Media & Arts (21 answers total)

Sounds slightly like it could be The Bad Plus, although the albums I see on Amazon have Nirvana, Blondie, Aphex Twin, Pixies, and Black Sabbath covers, but not STP or Soundgarden...
posted by Robot Johnny at 8:07 AM on December 1, 2005

It's not the record you're talking about, but you might also consider Herbie Hancock's "The New Standards."
posted by Captaintripps at 8:10 AM on December 1, 2005

Best answer: Just to double-check: you're looking for jazz and not "jazzy" lounge music?

Because there's at least one compilation of loungy covers of grunge songs and other popular music.
posted by rxrfrx at 8:20 AM on December 1, 2005

Is it Loungapalooza?

Black Hole Sun, covered by Steve & Eydie, is a particular favorite....
posted by Chrischris at 8:29 AM on December 1, 2005

Robot Johnny has my first thought on this, sounds like you may be thinking of The Bad Plus. Worth taking a look at even if it's not what you mean!
posted by Pollomacho at 8:35 AM on December 1, 2005

Response by poster: When she first described the songs, she didn't tell me that they featured singing; from her description, I had thought they were jazz instrumentals. Now she's telling me that the songs were sung by a deep voiced, slightly loungy singer. I played her some Richard Cheese. Success! Thanks for all the help, and the suggestions for other music that I know I'll buy.
posted by weirdoactor at 8:38 AM on December 1, 2005

Perhaps the Mike Flowers Pops Orchestra is what you're seeking.
posted by grabbingsand at 8:47 AM on December 1, 2005

If you want true cheese, The Moog Cookbook may be up your alley. Instrumental versions played in space-lounge Moog synthesizer style.
posted by matildaben at 8:53 AM on December 1, 2005

Incidently, the last Bad Plus album was one of those infected by Sony's malware. (which bums me out). If you do buy that one either make sure it's a new copy sans the rootkit demon, or check how to avoid having the rootkit intall automaticaly
posted by edgeways at 9:26 AM on December 1, 2005

Oh, I'm pretty sure that you're looking for the stupendously craptacular Paul Anka, "Rock Swings" CD. Here's the track listing:

1. It's My Life
2. True
3. Eye Of The Tiger
4. Everybody Hurts
5. Wonderwall
6. Blackhole Sun
7. It's A Sin
8. Jump
9. Smells Like Teen Spirit
10. Hello
11. Eyes Without A Face
12. Lovecats
13. The Way You Make Me Feel
14. Tears In Heaven

It will make you weep and beg for mercy while your ears bleed.
posted by ereshkigal45 at 9:29 AM on December 1, 2005

Lea DeLaria does "straight-ahead jazz" covers of pop music. black hold sun's on her album double standards.
posted by carsonb at 10:09 AM on December 1, 2005

erm, hole.
posted by carsonb at 10:10 AM on December 1, 2005

You might enjoy the recliners.
posted by adamrice at 10:16 AM on December 1, 2005

There was an article on this (or a related) topic in yesterday's NYT
posted by tew at 10:25 AM on December 1, 2005

Oh, and if it's the Anka stuff you're looking for, your friend will probably also dig the works of the irrepressible Richard Cheese
posted by Robot Johnny at 10:57 AM on December 1, 2005

Btw, does anyone know who did the bluegrass cover of 'Gin and Juice'?
posted by ob at 11:12 AM on December 1, 2005

ob: The Gourds. Found on the Gogityershinebox album. Lots of people misattribute that song, but it's The Gourds.
posted by caution live frogs at 11:33 AM on December 1, 2005

(Link here)
posted by caution live frogs at 11:34 AM on December 1, 2005

Yeah, the Paul Anka CD is pretty damn sweet...OH YEAH! Swing it, baby! Seriously, though, Smells Like Teen Spirit was pretty funny in this context...I could barely tell the difference between Anka's version of Jump and the real one, however (probably because they both suck)
posted by johnsmith415 at 11:47 AM on December 1, 2005

Thanks Caution Live Frogs, I've been looking out for that for a while now!
posted by ob at 11:56 AM on December 1, 2005

Icelandic crooner Ragnar Bjarnason did a jazzy-loungy-trippy cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit that is fantastic. There's nothing clever or ironic about it (unlike Steve&Edie and Paul Anka); he clearly loves the song, he just has his own spin to give it. It's downloadable from April Winchell's site.
posted by TimeFactor at 5:15 PM on December 1, 2005