Cat Power: Jukebox

Elly Roberts reviews

Cat Power: JukeboxDistributed by
Matador Records

• January 2008
• Rating: 6/10

---

Cat Power releases 11 covers, and two originals, on her Jukebox.

Yes, by all means do a covers album, but why drop in two originals at the sametime is perplexing. Oddly enough, they don’t sound out of place either.This is Chan Marshall’s second covers album and a tribute to the great vocalistswho’ve influenced her.

It’s a ropey start though, as Sinatra’s New York, New York lacks any kindof credibility having been transformed from a swaggering jazz standard into amid-tempo rocker. To me it just doesn’t work, and it’s a bad choice, especiallywhen you’re up against a master interpreter of songs. Power just does a blandversion with no soul.

---

She’s far more effective dealing with Hank Williams’ Ramblin’ (Wo)man, sheddingits country sensibilities bringing it bang up to date, thus making it her kindof song. Self-penned Metal Heart is where the album takes off. Hauntingpiano and vocal keep things nice and tidy, with the odd guitar break bringing somesparkling results towards the crescendo – its powerful stuff.

Taking the country shuffle (and Fleetwood Mac guitar-like solo) out of theHighwaymen’s Silver Stallion, which featured super-trio Kris Kristofferson,Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson no less, Power does a far better and rootsierversion. George Jackson wrote many a great song, covered by other singersincluding Tina Turner, Staple Singers, Liza Minelli, Bobby Gentry, and Wilson Pickett.

Here, Power’s chosen one of his more obscure Hi Records nuggets Aretha Sing One For Meand makes a real fist of it in a slow southern Soul/Blues template. For James Brown’sLost Someone from the album Tell Me What You’re Gonna Do (1961)she gets stuck into the lament’s lyrics with real empathy.

---

From what I can recall of Dylan’s I Believe In You on his 1979Slow Train Coming, Power has roughed it up with some restrained work byher new band Dirty Delta Blues who are clearly in their comfort zone. Forher second composition, Song To Bobby she casually and airily floatsthrough it, hardly breaking sweat.

Billie Holiday did a rambling version of Don’t Explain: Power’s cover isequally distant and cold-hearted. Janis Joplin’s rasping original A Woman Left Lonelyis a mix of restraint and ripping heartache – a magnificent power blues ballad – but Power’s take is wet, lacking conviction in her delivery, while Joni Mitchell’sBlue is too cool.

Truth is, Cat Power is neither a Soul nor Blues singer. She copes adequately withthe material, though she’s yet to truly find her interpretational mojo.

File under: Not quite the cat’s whiskers, yet.

Weblinks:myspace.com/catpower /matadorrecords.com/catpower

---

The full list of tracks included are :

1. New York, New York
2. Ramblin’ (Wo)man
3. Metal Heart
4. Silver Stallion
5. Aretha, Sing One For Me
6. Lost Someone
7. Lord, Help The Poor And Needy
8. I Believe In You
9. Song To Bobby
10. Don’t Explain
11. Woman Left Lonely
12. Blue

[Up to the top of this page]