Gretchen Wilson: Under The Covers - 2013

Really impressive (perhaps surprisingly) is Gretchen Wilson's 2013 album of covers, titled Under The Covers. As with her live album it is really well played and there is a deep, bassy sound quality throughout the album. 

The choices veer much more to the rock and blues side of things to the country. In fact, there isn't a country cut on there. Personally, I much prefer Gretchen as a rocker than a country singer. She has a strong voice that is suited to rock and she gets what is necessary to perform the songs. As with many albums of covers, the originals are not bettered, but she certainly doesn't disgrace herself. 

The album comes over like a live album where the band play a load of covers in a small, intimate venue and play them well. 

The highlights are The Faces' Stay With Me, Jackson Browne/The Jackson 5's Doctor My Eyes, Bob Seger's Her Strut, Derek & The Dominoes Bell-Bottom Blues, a particularly convincing version of Led Zeppelin's Over The Hill And Far Away, Bad Company's eponymous number and a beautiful rendition of Van Morrison's Into The Mystic. Anyone who can cover Van so well deserves praise. Get that girl a beer!

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