Sunday, January 23, 2022

Under The Covers: An Undercover Investigation

Stinky had a brainstorm recently, a megawatt metaconcept that plays 3-D chess with the fourth wall. It's a riddle wrapped in a mystery, hidden in a box of chocolates, eaten by a snake chasing its own tail. You might want to sit down before you read any further.

It's a compilation of cover songs exclusively from cover albums that are titled "Under The Covers". 

I was staggered by the concept. When I regained my composure, I started digging through Discogs and other sources. We decided to forgive Dwight Yoakam, and gave a pass to Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs (just cuz they're cute), but there's no excuse for the sheer number of artists and labels who thought that "Under The Covers" or "Undercover" was anything but a stale pun and a lazy title for an album or a compilation. 

We're looking at you, RHCP, Ozzy, Ministry, Joe Lynn Turner, Motorhead, Trixter, Tangerine Dream... When did Trixter become an online feud rather than carefree hair metal hooligans? When did glam turn glum? How the motley have fallen!

As our investigation deepened into this corny compendium of cliche, Stinky had another inspiration. Today we unveil our own record label and its debut release. Jon-Ky Records (patent pending) proudly presents our superfluous addition to the tired tradition of cover albums called "Under The Covers"!  

Check out the logo, and the hirstute hunk beneath the fuzzy blanket! That'll shift some units, huh? Gaze unafraid into his gaudy goggles! Stare deep into his spectacular spectacles! Buy the album! Don't fear the peepers!

15 comments:

  1. Under The Covers

    https://www.mediafire.com/file/hetq5i27i7uc2x3/Und3r+Th3+C0ver$.zip/file

    First in a fine line of Jon-Ky Records products!

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    1. Mediafire link is still working two years later; but just in case, here's a backup link on MEGA: http://tinyurl.com/JonkyNumber1

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  2. You know me. I’m an undercover music jonky. I’ll try a hit. Free, you say. How much for the next taste, though???

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  3. Could late-night, TV commercial advertising be far off for Jon-Ky Records? I think not; congratulations!

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  4. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Nathan, special discount to friends and family. Bacon PB Muffin, you picked up on the K-Tel vibe that we were after. Nick, we hope it doesn't disappoint!

    01. Won't Last A Day - Alex Hart
    02. The Boys Are Back In Town - The Cardigans
    03. I'd Rather Go Blind - Karen Lee Batten
    04. Trouble - Matthew Sweet & Susannah Hoffs
    05. Baby Don't Go - Dwight Yoakam
    06. Higher Ground - The Red Hot Chili Peppers
    07. Safety Dance - Ninja Sex Party
    08. Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves - Marina
    09. Can't Get Enough Of You Baby - The Colourfield
    10. I Just Died In Your Arms Last Night - Lord
    11. The Man Who Sold The World - Nirvana
    12. Wicked Game - Tangerine Dream
    13. Woman - Ozzy Osbourne
    14. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down - Bob Dylan
    15. Sharp Dressed Man - Ministry
    16. Vehicle - Joe Lynn Turner
    17. Break On Through - Night Shift
    18. L.A. Woman - Billy Idol
    19. Rockaway Beach - Motorhead
    20. Love Is The Seventh Wave - Maria Joao & Mario Laginha
    21. Eleanor Rigby - Lou Volpe
    22. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover - Trixter

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  5. Love the concept. How ever did you think of it?

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  6. Just as recording artists rarely know when they’ve cut a hit, I hadn’t recognized UNDER THE COVERS was even a good idea.

    I’d noticed how many variations on that title there were, and I thought there might be enough to cull the needed 22-25 good tracks from, and I mentioned it to Jon who responded enthusiastically.

    He leapt into action, and sent me a list, and sure enough there were enough tracks. But to make it listenable, I used three tracks from a record label compilation with that name. Which I view as ALMOST cheating. I had three other tracks to replace them, but it didn’t make nearly as good a listen as a CD—which is always our goal.

    Thanks to all who commented!

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  7. Mind Blown! I hope this is the first in a long line of megawatt metaconcept head-exploding reality shattering Jon-Ky Records releases to come.

    How do I join the Jon-Ky Records fan club?! Where can I find the shirts, stickers, socks, hats, knickers and other Jon-Ky merch?

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    1. You're right, Mr. D -- we need a line of beer koozies, bottle openers and gimmie caps.

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  8. Mr. D:

    I'm sorry to report that I've dropped the ball on the merch.

    All we have are JON-KY Swizzlesticks from the same company that produced The Tubes Third Reich Swizzlesticks--so you know they're top quality!!

    El Stinkeroo

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  9. One of my favourite tracks on this album is Maria João & Mário Laginha doing Sting’s “Love Is The Seventh Wave”. What a great voice she has!

    Never having heard of either of these Portuguese artists before I went looking for information on them, (and free downloads). Of course there’s bugger-all. Inevitably the album that your included track comes from is called “Undercovers”, but it’s hard to find. Of course, I could BUY it, but where’s the fun in that?

    So I was wondering if you actually had the whole album and could post it, please.

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    1. Should be able to hook you up with it in the next day or two. I'm glad to know that you found a new favorite!

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    2. Oh cool. That'll be fantastic. Thanks!

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  10. Here you go, 96dbFreak:

    https://www.mediafire.com/file/37cs8skebwm4uqj/Maria_J0a0_%2526_Mari0_Laginha_-_Underc0vers.zip/file

    ReplyDelete