Musical chameleon Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond) is never not working on some new and inspiring—and potentially wackadoo, but in the best way--project.
Like the gorgeous Penelope, a song cycle based on Homer's Odyssey (because, why not?) written by Sarah Kirkland Snider (pictured here with Shara), which she performs tonight at (Le) Poisson Rouge, with the yMusic Ensemble before the disc comes out October 26. (Head here for a free download of This Is What You’re Like, which calls to mind a hauntier, more technologically-obsessed Portishead, from the disc.)
As she gets ready for the show, we asked Shara to share her favorite cover songs.
1) Clare and the Reasons covering Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears)
I absolutely love the chamber music arrangement of this song (go Olivier Manchon!!) because you recognize the tune immediately but the recontextualization is unexpected and refreshing. Clare's voice is perfect here. (YouTube)
2) Nina Simone covering Ne Me Quitte Pas (Jacques Brel)
If you are ever needing to cry it out over a glass of wine, put this tune on the record player and cue the melancholy. I don't even know what all the French means, but it doesn't matter. I feel so much when I hear Nina sing it. It makes me so sad and move around the house in slow motion. She could suspend time. (YouTube)
3) Dayna Kurtz covering Joy in Repetition (Prince)
I am a huge Prince fan, and this is also one of my favorites of his. Dayna has such a gorgeous caramel mezzo voice and her phrasing is so great on her cover album Beautiful Yesterday. I've seen Dayna sing it live a lot too, and she sends chills up my spine every time. (YouTube)
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Sarah Kirkland Snider's Penelope feat. Shara Worden and yMusic. (Le) Poisson Rouge, Monday 10/18 at 6PM; $12
