The cover of "Let it Be" from the 2007 film, Across the Universe, by Carol Woods & Timothy T. Mitchum breaks the world down. (The scene in the movie does the same with its allusions to the Vietnam War and the 1967 Detroit riot.) Its visceral fragility and catharsis literally — literally — sends chills down the spine. It just — damn, the words shouldn't get in the way. In all possible seriousness, stick with these, of wisdom: just let this song be.
(Photo: screenshot from the film's "Let it Be" scene)
“Really? A soul cover album of Beatles songs? The hell you thinking? That stuff is untouchable. Un-touch-a-ble. No.”
If Soulive didn’t have that conversation, they should smack someone. And if you agreed with that, get smacked — let 'em try.
“You still gonna? Well damn, good luck to you.”
The covers on the trio’s September release, Rubber Soulive — you’re fine with it now that you heard how perfectly the title works, right? No? Okay — have been licked Soulive smooth. They leave the songs’ brilliance in a new sonic sheen.
Alright — yes, sometimes they slobber.
But “Eleanor Rigby,” from Revolver. Mm mm mmm. The chorus. The chorus, the chorus, the chorus. The licking just feels right: it swells and breathes; it explores the regret in the song’s loneliness. Just close your eyes and let your chin swivel — and not to say, “No.”
The Beatles (album version):
Soulive (live):
I could’ve posted the album version — but their studio recordings always sound a little too shiny clean. And on that note: here’s download from archive.org of a taping of this year’s downright funky Sept. 11 show at the Wescott Theater in Syracuse, NY, which I attended. The “Eleanor Rigby” to “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” thing — mm mm mmm.
(Photo: Arthur Shim for Royal Family Records. Note the black suit, skinny-black-tie hat tip to The Beatles' original style.)
