Two new songs up at the web site for the charity, Target Cancer, RightTrackTunes.org. You might remember the Christmas tunes we did for the same organization. One is a Van Morrison cover, the other is a Staples Singers cover. Many of you who used to come to the Toad and Lizard Lounge residencies of yore probably have heard me cover these songs before. Download them for a great cause.
Bill Janovitz and the Q-Dee Revue-y –
Cul De Sac & What You Gonna Do?
Cul De Sac
This is a Van Morrison number from an almost criminally overlooked album called Veedon Fleece. In many ways, the album is an answer from a slightly more mature Morrison to the Astral Weeks of his younger days. Granted, though there were five albums (six if you count the live It’s Too Late to Stop Now), Van was still only 29 by the time VF came out in 1974. The yearning, the sense of place and of home, of comforting the restless soul — all those great Van themes appear here. Most interestingly, though, VF represents his first album written after a long hiatus from his native Northern Ireland. While Astral Weeks was about making it back home, Cul De Sac says in a few words all that needs to be said on the subject. The meaning is in the heart of Van’s voice as he sings over the gospel/soul progression.
This song was originally recorded by Van Morrison in 1974. This version was recorded live in Studio B at Q Division Studios in Somerville, MA on December 9, 2010 by The Q-Dee Revue-y – exclusively available here.
Bill Janovitz – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Tom Polce – Guitar
Ryan Spraker – Guitar
Matt Pynn – Pedal Steel
Matt Tahaney – Bass
Steve Scully – Drums
Phil Aiken – Piano
Andrew Jones – Percussion
Paul Ahlstrand – Baritone Saxophone
Produced by Tom Polce
Recorded and Mixed by Pat DiCenso
What You Gonna Do?
I don’t personally know of any other versions of this song aside from the Staple Singers. At least, I have not heard any. The recording on Freedom Highway was done in a Chicago church in the late 1960s and you can hear how its influence seeped into the late 1960s/early-1970s roots revival, with The Band and the Rolling Stones absorbing that full gospel tilt. This was a great late-night session just before Christmas, and I was able to sing with and off of Chris Toppin and Jenny Dee.
This song was originally recorded by The Staple Singers in 1965. This version was recorded live in Studio B at Q Division Studios in Somerville, MA on December 9, 2010 by The Q-Dee Revue-y – exclusively available here.
Bill Janovitz – Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Tom Polce – Guitar
Ryan Spraker – Guitar
Matt Tahaney – Bass
Steve Scully – Drums
Phil Aiken – Piano
Chris Toppin – Background Vocals
Jenny Dee – Background Vocals
Andrew Jones – Percussion
Produced by Tom Polce
Recorded and Mixed by Pat DiCenso