As we get closer to the end of the indieadvent24# I'm aware today's choice could be met with a fair amount of surprise and dismay from some of the indie crowd. However, I'm sticking to my guns and coming out in support of arguably the most surprising album of cover versions we've seen in a long time.
Earlier this year, the excellent Ryan Adams bizarrely took the decision to cover Taylor Swift's 1989 album. Instead of the radio 1 live lounge-esque car crash many might have expected, Adams took each song and reinvented them in a way your ears will actually appreciate.
I was lucky enough to witness Ryan Adams perform live at the Sage, Gateshead about 10 years ago and I learnt that night he isn't one to play by the rules. He didn't have a set-list, just a book of 120+ songs that he chose to pick from at a whim. He annoyed punters by voting for a smoking break mid-set and generally crawled around the piano, smashed off his face. Despite that, it remains one of my favourite gigs as I witnessed a modern day musician not afraid to do things his way and when he sang, his voice was outstanding live.
Adams brings a touch of Jose Gonzalez Heartbeats to his version of Swift's Blank Space, and he slows the tempo down on Shake It Off in a way that Johnny Cash's great American albums would be proud of. But it's on the less famous Swift single Style, that he adds his trademark sound, many fans of the classic Gold album will undoubtedly appreciate. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but get past your Taylor Swift prejudices and open your ears to another great Ryan Adams creation - you might just enjoy it.
At this late hour on the 23rd day of the advent of indie music, my gift to you all is the enlightening sound of Style by Ryan Adams. Happy listening!
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