Covers can be a touchy thing. On one hand, covers can be a good way to pay tribute to a artist you appreciate, as well as give you a way to stretch out on a familiar tune, on the other hand, if you play too many, you risk being called "unoriginal" or "a cover band." And yet, there are genres where covers are expected, almost required, especially in the jazz realm. Bop is built almost entirely on covers, while some of the best songs out there are improvements on the originals.
Which is why I didn't even bat an eye when the new Coolin' System album (recorded at the new GED Soul house in Nashville) had nary an original on it. While none of the covers are particularly well known (thus taking the George Thorogood rout of obscure non-originals), they are covers still, but everyone in the band is enough of a bad ass to pull it off without drawing criticism for doing so.
Which brings us to today's cut, Smoking at Tiffany's. Originally by Jazz Soul group Funk, Inc. it came out in 1973 on the album Hanging out. The System prefers to play it strait, not messing with the arrangement much and letting their musicianship hang out in front. Just give it a listen.
Hear it here:
http://www.gedsoulrecords.com/home.html
Hear the original Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfyL89y1olk
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