Stereophonics from Wales have been together since 1992 but it was 1996 when they became the 'Stereophonics'. They have always been big in the UK but really only got widespread exposure here in NZ after their "Dakota" single in 2005. "Handbags and Gladrags" was written by Manfred Mann singer Mike d'Abo in 1967 and was first released by Chris Farlowe in the same year and by Rod Stewart a couple of years later. The TV series 'The Office' also had a version as it's theme song. It is very much an easy listening standard and in most of it's recorded history it has been just that.... well, until this version from 'Stereophonics' was released in 2001. They didn't rock it up or do anything radical with the song at all. Whether it is straight faced irony on their part or not, it worked so well that it was added to their J.E.E.P album re-release in 2002. Kelly Jones nails it with his gravel rock voice and successfully takes MOR to a rock audience.
No comments:
Post a Comment