I’ve never actually been struck by the music of Doveman (aka the solo project of Thomas Bartlett). Maybe it’s because I first heard an album of his during the great “Shhh it’s FOLK” glut of 05.
Regardless (and I’ll give credit where credit is due, the ‘Gum is responsible for pointing me to this), he has reimagined the entire Footloose soundtrack. And yes, this is “post-right-now” worthy:
This is brilliant, beautiful, genius. Barely even a cover. It takes this song and owns it like Gary Jules did with “Mad World”-Bartlett slides emotion gently across the piano with all the energy he can muster, but it’s those hollow snares that back him up near the end that clinch it for me. Loggins’ anthem of burning the dancefloor becomes a testament to small-town ennui, desolation and, ultimately, pervasive hopelessness. Here, the lyrics
I get this feeling
That time’s just holding me down
I’ll hit the ceiling
Or else I’ll tear up this town
gain a heartsick pain that’s never, ever been read into them before.
The story behind the Doveman/Footloose project is rough, and, like the songs themselves, in no way at all right for your Friday night pre-gaming. That’s why I’m saying in, opening a bottle of wine and having a quiet, over-warm evening with the rest of these songs.
Check out the story behind the Doveman/Footloose takes, and the rest of the songs, here. Pay special attention to “Let’s Hear It For The Boy”. Never has that song cut so raw.
Related Entries