Cover version of the month #113
Teenage Fanclub cover International Airport
Teenage Fanclub have recorded and released some incredible cover versions over the years. Ranging from their limited edition 7-inch of The Ballad Of John & Yoko back in 1990, through to their glorious take on The Go-Betweens Easy Come, Easy Go as the b-side to the I'm In Love single, taking in the likes of The Byrds, Madonna, Neil Young, Yo La Tengo and Sebadoh en route.
Just over 20-years ago, the Fannies released a split 7-inch with their friends International Airport, recording a cover version of their song Association for a Domino Records single.
International Airport are Tom Crossley's band. Tom is an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist, currently a member of The Pastels and Gerard Love and the Magic Influence. Tom's talent, ear for sound and taste come pouring out of his music. Having seen him up close with Gerry quite a bit over the last couple of years, he really has the magic touch (influence) and brings so much to anything he is involved with.
Crossley is someone who recognises and understands the beauty of the xylophone and you can hear that throughout Association, which is an exceptionally loose, melodic and playful song. (Regardless of what version you listen to - see below) The song is musically layered with love and care. I love when it drops to almost nothing, guitars kind of hang lightly over percussion and then it all comes back in with the vocal refrain; Won't you tell it to me doctor
NOTE - I think this is the lyric, it's what I have been singing all these years!
International Airport recorded three versions;
- Association - what I presume to be the original. A laid back, stoned, kind of psych folk jam, beautifully raw version which appears on their 2004 album Reunion Of Island Goose. This version really highlights the tumbling and flowing vocal melody. I just listened to the whole album again while driving about in the Glasgow sunshine, it's a glorious messy delight.
- Association! Channel Mash - The lead version on the 4-track EP with Teenage Fanclub from the same year. It sounds like Teenage Fanclub and The Pastels might have been involved. I'm pretty sure I can heart Mitch's voice at times, also Norman's.
- Association! Int Air Source - The 4th track on the EP. More akin to the album version.
The International Airport original of Association, their Channel Mash version and Teenage Fanclub's cover are added to my Everything Flows Cool Cover Versions playlist on Spotify which also features all of the songs listed below. Search for the title or CLICK HERE
Previous covers of the month blogs
40. Jumpin' Jack Flash
44. Witchi Tai To
45. Our Lips Are Sealed
46. Sunshine Of Your Love
47. Here Comes The Sun
48. I Think We're Alone Now
49. Don't Let Me Down
50. It's Oh So Quiet
51. Alcoholiday
52. Summer Holiday
53. Who Do You Think You Are?
54. Head On
55. Nothing Compares 2 U
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