Matt and Christine have both requested to hear BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY'S version of I Wan'na Be Like You.
This version of I Wan'na Be Like You was recorded for the Swingers movie soundtrack which gives the song a whole new meaning! It also appears on the band's 1999 album THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE.
If you listen carefully, you will hear a lot of elements borrowed from the Los Lobos version of this song from the STAY AWAKE cover album. But that certainly doesn't make this cover unoriginal! Big Bad Voodoo Daddy puts their own twist on the song and makes it a big band hit!
There is a lot of controversy surrounding the recording of Under the Sea by the swing band from North Carolina, SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS. Apparently, the Squirrels recorded the track for the release of The Little Mermaid on DVD in 1999. Disney was in the middle of purchasing Mammoth Records, the band's label, both all parties involved seem to have a different idea of what should happen with the song.
To make a long story short, the song got shelved and never saw the light of day until 2002 when it was released on the band's greatest hits album.
Pink Elephants on Parade - Lee Press-On & the Nails
It was my birthday last week and Jamie sent me this wonderful cover of Pink Elephants on Parade and since this is Request Friday I thought it would be a good idea to fulfill craziemutant's request for this Dumbo acid trip.
Hailing from San Fran and known for their crazy on stage antics and "sinister swing", LEE PRESS-ON & THE NAILS have proven themselves as a swing band, especially when they won the California Music Award in 1998 for Best Swing/Cabaret Act.
Although they formed in 1994, their first album wasn't released until 1998. Since then they released three other albums, their newest being EL BANGO EN FUEGO! in 2002 which includes this cover of Pink Elephants.
I would love to see these guys live because of all the stuff I read about their live show, but it seems like they have only played a few shows in the last few years.
Pink Elephants on Parade Lee Press-On & the Nails 2002
Hi folks! Jamie here again from Fong Songs with a Jungle Book cover for you.
This past summer, I took the ol' Edmonton-to-Calgary Greyhound to check out the Calgary Folk Festival for the first time. While there were several notable artists including Hawksley Workman, Neko Case, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, and Don Maclean, the big draw for me was the recently reunited Squirrel Nut Zippers. Now on a fine Saturday morning they shared a sidestage playing "Tin Pan Alley" tunes with fellow artists Eleni Mandell, Mary Flower, and... THE POLYJESTERS. Similar to the Squirrel Nut Zippers, The Polyjesters are a mish-mash of old styles including folk, swing jazz, country, and bluegrass. In fact, they describe their musical stylings as ka-chunk, which is also the name of their last album. They impressed me with their dynamic stage presence, impeccable musicianship, and good humour, which led me to catch their solo concert the next day. The core of The Polyjesters are brothers Sheldon and Jason Valleau, two good ol' Alberta boys, with a supporting cast that varies from album to album.
I picked up their latest CD at the festival and ordered another two from CDBaby.com. When I got their 2001 album Fiddlestix!, I was unexpectedly delighted to discover a Disney cover of I Wan'na Be Like You, which was masquerading under the title King of the Swingers. I was even more surprised when I started writing this post and found out they actually did a stint as the Fiddlestix, representing Canada on the Canadian stage at Disney World's EPCOT Center and this album is a result of that! I also beamed with Alberta pride when I read that Fiddlestix! was recorded entirely in a church in Olds, Alberta, a small town which I've passed through many a time en route to the mountains for skiing.
Earlier this month Disney finally updated O Canada!, a 360 degree film attraction at EPCOT, which had been peppered with dated Canadian stereotypes for over 25 years. Apparently it's now hosted by Martin Short and the theme Canada, You're a Lifetime Journey was re-recorded by Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila. Now there's a Disney cover for Kurtis to track down!
Over the years, many musical artists have paid tribute to the music of Disney. This blog pays tribute to those artists.
You won't find any original Disney songs here, these are all covers, interpretations and variations on the tunes we all love.
Covering the Mouse is not associated with Disney or any major record label. If you wish to have a song removed from my site, please email me and I will be happy to comply.
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