Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Playlist: White singers, Beyoncé songs

I don’t usually go the bootleg/illegal download route. Because I respect copyright laws, and I don’t mind paying for good music.

But yesterday I stumbled on an enchanting cover of Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love” by Antony and the Johnsons, from a live bootleg. So I just had to put together a playlist of Beyoncé covers. By any means necessary.

Click the song titles below to stream the music on my Vox blog.

1. “Crazy In Love” – Antony and the Johnsons

Tell me this track ain’t hot.

Idiosyncratic balladeer Antony Hegarty is sort of like a 21st-Century Boy George, except ten times hipper. Dude has worked with Lou Reed, Bryan Ferry, Rufus Wainwright and Björk. (And Boy George.) I think he’s, like, transgender or something.

Antony and the Johnsons released their new studio album this week. I wish this song were on it.

2. “Irreplaceable” – Kate Nash

Kate Nash is one of England’s rising stars. She just slays me with her working-class London accent. I don’t care if it’s fake like people say.

This is a poorly recorded live cover of Beyoncé’s second-biggest hit. But it’s cute.

3. “Bootylicious” – Flamboyant Bella

Flamboyant Bella is an unsigned British pop band that has developed a following on MySpace. Sounds like they covered this Destiny’s Child tune as a goof.

UPDATE (01/21/09): Big thanks to Kellybelle for adding this Lelia Broussard performance to the gumbo...

18 comments:

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Ah hem... take 2...

thanks for the Crazy in Love cover
found this on youtuber...

http://au.youtube.com/
watch?v=zGtmwZjGjyw

Ann Brock said...

UBM , I like Kate Nash voice and she did wonderful with the song.

Kellybelle said...

I like this chicks cover of Single Ladies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb47QmTT1ck

Undercover Black Man said...

charlotte: Thanks for that. Must say I enjoy the listening more than the watching.

Undercover Black Man said...

jjbrock: Yes, Kate Nash should record this song for real. I like how she pronounces "box."

Undercover Black Man said...

Kellybelle: Fabulous!

maria said...

been a big antony and the johnsons fan since the beginning. glad you caught them.

NYT did a sunday mag profile in 2005.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/04/magazine/04ANTONY.html?_r=1&scp=7&sq=antony%20and%20the%20johnsons&st=cse

tamara s brown said...

Interesting.

So does this mean Beyonce has 'created' some 'classic' songs? Will they stand the test of time? For me personally, 'Crazy in Love' is a favorite and classic Beyonce. I don't know that she's topped that song and all the hoopla surrounding it.

Bay Radical said...

The Magic Numbers do a good cover of Crazy in Love too. I like the version I heard them do live on Terry Gross better than the first google hit I just found for it though.

Undercover Black Man said...

Hey, Bay Radical! I hope all's well with you.

Thanks for that. Here's the Magic Numbers version, for those who want to check it out.

Another British band. The Brits must really love Beyonce.

Undercover Black Man said...

maria: Thanks for pointing to that great profile.

Antony is a unique talent.

Unknown said...

Have you heard the cover of "Crazy in Love" By Patrick and Eugene? Very cool version, I think. Link to a you tube clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGKzZQFvI0Y

Undercover Black Man said...

^ Fantastic, Fay! Thank you. I love the animation as well.

Unknown said...

glad you dug it, UBM! They also covered Kylie Minogue's "I Just Can't Get You Out of my Head" and that's a hoot too...

Anonymous said...

I seem to remember Brit band Elbow (who just won the Mercury Music Prize) doing a cover of "Independent Women"... its pretty funny actually, which is unusual since they are one of those "serious, arty" bands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMUTiASn2B8

Undercover Black Man said...

^ Again I ask: What is it with the Brits and Beyonce?

I do know this: British pop-music fans never stop loving you. Thirty years from now, Beyonce will probably be doing most of her gigging in the U.K.

By the way, to hear the full 4-minute version of "Crazy In Love" by Patrick & Eugene (mentioned upthread), click here.

Anonymous said...

Pop-country star Taylor Swift does "Irreplaceable"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JTex90YoHk