Steve Baskin – Under Cover
Steve Baskin and the Fourteens hail from the Southern rock epicenter of Atlanta, and from that perspective they just released their sixth album Under Cover. Under Cover is ten versions of some of the most beloved and ubiquitous songs by some of the most famous musicians of all time, like Bowie, Elvis, the Beatles. Most of these songs are new recording, most of them are with the full band the Fourteens, and a couple of them are remastered from earlier albums by Steve. All of them hit the sweet spot with a heavy dose of badassery.
A version of David Bowie’s “Golden Years” launches the album and hits the target with its swaggery groove, clicks, and vocal playfulness. and it’s just a fun song and Steve highlights the elements well that make this song a unique catharsis. This is followed by an Elvis selection: “Suspicious Minds” that’s up tempo but also a rootsy rock affair with tambourine and high harmony vocals in the mix.
“A Hard Days Night” slows down the original version significantly and molds it into a soul searching moody number with organ and pedal steel a bit of soul.
“I Think I Love You” by the Partridge family is a reissue from Steve’s 2009 Naked, and is a darker more powerful expression than the Partridge version. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” allows pauses that differ from Tears For Fears’ version, again taking just a slightly darker turn than the original. “Under Pressure” (recall David Bowie and Queen) is a joyful affair with a slightly more fluid take than the punch of the original, and as such, it’s more of a thoughtful, reflection rendition: “I’m tired of knowing what this world is about, watching some good friends scream ‘let me out’!”
Each song is a refreshing take that manages to highlight the original song’s intent from another angle. Really interesting. You can find the music here: https://www.stevebaskin.com/
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Video Premiere: Steve B and the Fourteens “Love Is Hard”
Musicians on the album are Steve on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin, keyboard plinking and handclaps; Roger Brainard on electric and lead guitars; Geoff Gill on drums and percussion; Mary Gill on vocals; Mark Sobus on bass; and Mark Van Allen on pedal steel.
Additional musicians on the album are Lee Davis on organ and piano; Alex Rodiek on trumpet; Ben Davis on tenor sax; Wes Funderburk on trombone; Zoot Blasingame on keyboards, and accordion; Alex Slinin on electric guitar; Joe Randolph on bass; Brian Hudson on drums; Pamela Bishop on vocals; Scott Shiflett on electric guitars; Rich Herring on bass; Lester Walker on trumpet; Barry Best on organ; Franher Joseph on bass; and Mackensie Rosser on vocals.
Under Cover was produced by Steve Baskin and Rich Herring; mixed and mastered by Rich Herring at Trax Productions, Nashville, TN except “I Think I Love You” which was mixed by Glenn Matullo at Orphan Studio. It was recorded at Lee Davis Studios in Maysville, GA; Underground Studio in Atlanta, GA and Real to Reel Studios in Stockbridge, GA.
Horn arrangements for “Suspicious Minds,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Killer Queen” were by Steve Baskin.