but my words just blow away
Liz Durrett is from Athens, Georgia, and has the sort of warmly knowing voice that makes me miss Cat Power just a little bit less. Her first two albums were produced by her uncle Vic Chesnutt, while her latest album Outside Our Gates (2008, Warm Records) was produced by Eric Bachmann of Archers of Loaf / Crooked Fingers fame.
This Cat Stevens song has always been one of my best-loved songs to sing out loud, in all its unadorned perfection and plaintive hopelessness. Liz’s version is haunting and spare, making little chills dance down my spine.
How Can I Tell You (Cat Stevens) – Liz Durrett
The resonant, affecting result here reminds me strongly of another favorite cover treatment, Serena Ryder doing Band of Horses’ “Funeral.”
Liz contributes to a track on the forthcoming Crooked Fingers EP Reservoir Songs II, and can also be heard doing some vocals for Phosphorescent on their album Pride. With some free mp3s and a back catalog worth exploring on her website, also make sure to listen to the beautiful duet she does with her late Uncle Vic for free download.
[thanks as always, D.]
Name: Heather Browne
Just gorgeous.
Dainon — October 11, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Oh…dear…me, that was a haunting wonder. Thanks for the intro.
Wendell — October 11, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
Lost it listening to that – it brought to mind these line from The Wasteland
Who is the third who walks always beside you?
When I count, there are only you and I together 360
But when I look ahead up the white road
There is always another one walking beside you
Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded
I do not know whether a man or a woman
—But who is that on the other side of you?
The line about I am always walking with you is so haunting for those of us so haunted…great ‘fuel’ moment – thank you.
russell — October 11, 2010 @ 2:35 pm