Americana Highways brings you this premiere of VickiKristinaBarcelona’s interpretation of Tom Waits’ song “Cold Cold Ground,” due April 24, from their forthcoming album Pawn Shop Radio, available May 29. The album, which is interpretations of Tom Waits songs, was recorded by Mark Ettinger at The Lethe Lounge, NYC; mixed by Alex Venguer at ootermind Studios; and mastered by Eliyah Reichen at Beyond Groove studios in Basel, Switzerland. “Cold Cold Ground” is Rachelle Garniez, Amanda Homi, and Terry Radigan
The project was produced and directed with editing by VickiKristinaBarcelona. This reimagining of the Tom Waits song (with its signature thick bass strings resounding) is a whimsical, throwback pop styled version. Undertaking a project of reinterpreting Tom Waits songs can best be done by taking a radical departure, and VickiKristinaBarcelona has succeeded in that. Very impressive.
“Cold Cold Ground” is most definitely all about the groove. The beautiful lazy Calypso lilt of the original demands no less. — Rachelle Garniez.
We decided to move in the direction of an homage to 1960’s Girl Groups; a hybrid of the Ronettes “Be My Baby” and the Marvelettes “Please Mister Postman”, with a nod to British Invasion riffs on guitar and banjo. As each verse has a distinct personality, it was a natural for us to choose as a group song. — Amanda Homi
We divided up the verses between us and included Doo-wop inspired vocal improvisations on the choruses. Instead of accordion, harmonica is featured in the solo section to maintain the rootsy reedy sweetness of Waits’ recording. — Terry Radigan.
Find the music here: https://ffm.to/pawnshopradio
Brilliant!