Cover – DJCJ.website

[new] Dashboard Confessional – “Circles” (120bpm Cmaj)

If you want to hear an artist do a cover that’s better than the original, this would be a good example. Post Malone’s original version makes some odd choices. The auto-tune on the vocals makes it sound flat and lifeless. The warbling effect on the vocals during the chorus is distracting, and the whole sonic presentation seems muted, accentuating odd and annoying frequencies.

Dashboard Confessional brings life back to this track addressing the problems mentioned above. Nice job!

If you want to listen to this track, Spotify seems to be the only way any more. There used to be a YouTube link here, but it was taken down.

[classic] Ray Charles – “One Mint Julep” (129bpm D♯min)

When I was a little boy, I had a Sears “Denim” record player. Can you think of a reason not to make a record player or of denim? I can’t. One of my favorite records was a Ray Charles compilation. There were three songs on “Side C” that a four-year-old DJCJ particularly liked. They were tracks 2, 3, and 4. “Unchain My Heart,” “Hit The Road Jack,” and “One Mint Julep.” I played those tracks so many times that the cheap plastic needle on this record player trashed the vinyl.

Can you see how tracks 2, 3, and 4 are actually a different color? They still play, but they do not sound good. As an adult, my favorite of these tracks is “One Mint Julep.” Ray Charles’ version is a cover of The Clover’s original 1952 version. Quincy Jones did the orchestral arrangement for Ray Charles’ version. It’s fun listening to a beautifully re-mastered recording. At 2:44 you can actually hear Ray’s foot tapping. It’s one of my favorite songs ever and I hope you enjoy it too.