Covers is a compilation album by The Smithereens, released in May 2018 by Sunset Blvd Records. It was originally released as a digital download on iTunes in May 2014. The album features 22 cover songs recorded by the band between 1980 and 2008. Most of the songs have previously been released as b-sides or on tribute albums and soundtracks.
Background
Covers features songs that are collected from different sessions throughout the band's career. Guitarist Jim Babjak: âÂÂWhenever we had extra time in the studio we'd knock off covers for fun."
Critical reception
Jeff Elbel of the Illinois Entertainer rated the album 7 stars out of 10, stating: "If these songs represent the Smithereens' schoolbooks, Covers is the thesis supporting the band's tenured status as professors and proclaimers of perfect power pop."
Track listing
Notes
- "The Game of Love", "Yer Blues", "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" and "The Stroll" were recorded in 1993-1994 during sessions for A Date with The Smithereens. They were previously released on The Mega-Box Set, an unofficial 21-CD box set released in 2005 through Pat DiNizio's website in a limited edition of 500 copies. "The Stroll" was originally featured in Reform School Girl, an episode in the 1994 Showtime television series Rebel Highway.
- "Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life" were recorded in December 1987 during sessions for Green Thoughts.
- "Let's Talk About Us" was recorded in 1993 for Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell.
- "Time Won't Let Me" was recorded in June 1994 for the film Timecop but not included on the soundtrack album.
- "I Want to Tell You" was recorded in 2002 for Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison.
- "It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round" and "Shakin' All Over" were recorded spring 1991 during sessions for Blow Up.
- "Downbound Train" was recorded 24 January 1997 for One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen.
- "The Seeker" was recorded spring 1987.
Personnel
Adapted from the liner notes of Covers and Attack of The Smithereens, except where noted.
The Smithereens
- Pat DiNizio â lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica
- Jim Babjak â guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round", co-lead vocal on "One After 909"
- Dennis Diken â drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Mike Mesaros â bass, backing vocals
- Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion â bass on "Well...Alright"
Additional musicians
- Don Dixon â piano on "Ruler of My Heart"
- Michael Hamilton â keyboards on "Wooly Bully"
- Kenny Margolis â piano, backing vocals, hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us", piano on "One After 909" and "It Don't Come Easy"
- Ira Sebastian Elliott â hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us"
- Tony Visconti â backing vocals on "Let's Talk About Us"
- Jimmy Wood â harmonica on "Time Won't Let Me"
- Ron Fair â organ on "Time Won't Let Me"
- Dave Amels â piano on "I Want to Tell You"
- Bill Maryniak â organ on "Downbound Train"
- Marti Jones â co-lead vocal on "Somethin' Stupid"
Technical
- The Smithereens â production on "Wooly Bully", "Girl Don't Tell Me", "Time Won't Let Me", "It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round", "The Seeker" and "Shakin' All Over", compilation producer
- Don Dixon â production on "Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life"
- Ralph Sall â production on "Wooly Bully"
- Peter McCabe â production assistance on "Wooly Bully"
- Jon Tiven â production on "Let's Talk About Us"
- Tony Visconti â production on "Let's Talk About Us"
- Ron Fair â production on "Time Won't Let Me"
- Bennett Kaufman â production on "Time Won't Let Me"
- Don Fleming â production on "Gloomy Sunday"
- Michael Hamilton â production on "It Don't Come Easy" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round"
- Pat DiNizio â production on "Well...Alright"
- Jim Babjak â production on "Well...Alright"
- Dennis Diken â production on "Well...Alright"
- Kurt Reil â production on "Well...Alright"
- Mike Mesaros â production on "Downbound Train"
- Ed Stasium â production on "Shakin' All Over"
- Todd Sinclair â compilation supervisor
- Rebecca Baltutis â album design
- Bob Gramegna â photo restoration
References