Following the 35th anniversary of the release of Rumours, 2012 has seen an absolute glut of Fleetwood Mac covers. It seems like almost everyone has cracked out the velvet flares and floral headbands and had a go. It’s really saying something then, that The Staves’ offering is one of the better Mac covers floating around in the ether. In fact, it is probably one of the best.
The three Staveley-Taylor sisters from Watford go for the understated approach with their cover of ‘Songbird’. Rather than mimic the original piano introduction, they go for a lovely girls-school choir, harmony thing. The vocals throughout are arguably more Joni Mitchell than Stevie Nicks; everything about this cover has a much more dream-like quality than the original. Despite the distinctly West-Coast and sunshine feel of the original ‘Songbird’, The Staves have reshaped the track into something which sounds reminiscent of the English folk revival of the 70s. If in doubt, just have a little listen to the work of Sandy Denny. If someone were to make an album of chill-out music that was actually good, ‘Songbird’ would belong on it. Until then, Soundcloud will have to suffice.
If it were really, one hundred per cent necessary to find a fault with The Staves cover, those who listen to the original a couple of times a week whilst partaking in bedroom karaoke will immediately scream “but where is the emotion?!?” Perhaps it is a little too harmonious and relaxing; it certainly doesn’t have the emotive context of the original (messy breakups and partner swapping). However, that’s a bit like complaining that you have too much cake: really, really stupid. As resistant as all hard core fans are of acknowledging the merits of a new cover, it’s got to be said that The Staves have created a mighty fine track.
Discover The Staves: Official // Facebook // Twitter // Myspace
By Melissa Taylor
Dance Yrself Clean
