PJ Harvey - Zaz Turned Blue (cover)

[@becingu]

Yep, this is PJ Harvey and Eric Drew Feldman from the Lounge-a-palooza album (Hollywood/Disney). As one of the album's producers, I sent her a mixtape of fairly typical lounge song, and included the original Was (Not Was) version of this at the end, never expecting her to choose it. Gladshe did. And thanks to Eric, who's also played with Beefheart, Snakefinger and the Pixies, for making this track happen. If I remember correctly, the main instruments he used were an old Wurlitzer and an Optigan.

[@allwonword]

First time I heard this song was on a CD called Lounge-a-palooza. It was released in 1997.

[@JamesJones-zt2yx]

Wow. What a gorgeous cover. It stands on its own, and I'm kicking myself for not having tracked it down fourteen years ago.

[@lastrada52]

Legendary jazz singer Mel Torme's version recorded with rock band Was (Not Was) is still my favorite -- but, I must admit PJ Harvey has done this song justice as well. Wonderful cover. Powerful. Compelling. Simply great. Mel is a hard act to follow but he would have approved. A great song is a great song......

[@becingu]

Yep, this is PJ Harvey and Eric Drew Feldman from the Lounge-a-palooza album (Hollywood/Disney). As one of the album's producers, I sent her a mixtape of fairly typical lounge song, and included the original Was (Not Was) version of this at the end, never expecting her to choose it. Glas she did. And thanks to Eric, who's also played with Beefheart, Snakefinger and the Pixies, for making this track happen. If I remember correctly, the main instruments he used are an old Wurlitzer and an Optigan.

[@glitter_bombed]

This is amazing! I would love to track this song down! Oh my GOD it's so gorgeous, her voice sounds incredible!

[@countrypaul]

I wish she was mixed further forward so we could hear the lyric without straining. Fascinating take on a most unusual song. This and the Steve & Eydie "Black Hold Sun" tracks make Lounge-a-Palozza. Nice to see comments here from those involved.

[@gilipollasizzonac]

maravillosa

[@ZZqezza]

As far as I know this cover (from 1994 I think) is collaboration between Polly and Eric Drew Feldman who is a keyboard and bass guitar player, he played on TBYML and ITD? and also toured with Polly.

[@ZZqezza]

And I found this song by chance when I was looking for some stuff which actually had nothing to do with Polly... I got it from some collection of random songs

[@thehouseofwadelee]

i like this a lot!

[@DavidBGoode]

Well done Polly.... brave to take on Mel but a great song should be sung. It adds another level of emotion in a higher register and PJ has such a lovely clear voice. Nice rock guitar too.

[@BlackThyme]

wow

[@dylanramsey1153]

@becingu well your comment is five years old but I have to say that its def a wurlitzer, at least to my ears. It's pretty hard to mistake that sound. Nice work. Aguante Captain f'n beefheart! jajajaja

[@ZZqezza]

Dance?? wow that's a suprise because I thought that the only b-side of Shame is 97 Degrees. I will definitely look for Dance:-)

[@osliczka13]

Ive never heard about this song. Where did you take it from? When did she record it?

[@gutterdandy9173]

It's from the Was (Not Was) album, Born To Laugh At Tornadoes, and was sung by the Velvet Fog, Mel Torme.

[@offrampt]

And who is Steve Brown?

[@DavidDatura]

Does anybody know what year Polly recorded this?

[@FAngus-ly8lk]

Brave of her to record a song already sung so well by Mel Tormé. She doesn't measure up, I'm afraid.

[@paintnamer6403]

I'll give it a thumbs up but the mix is off.

[@AttitudeIncDesign]

Awful, just awful when compared to the original...

[@weswemyssonbass]

Oh holy fuck, this is pitiful! Arrangement, production, her voice, performance - dire, dire, dire!

[@robertmcandrew6361]

what a massive nose!!! Mel Torme would be spinning in his grave! I bet she doesn't even know what the song means???? Do you?

[@stansatanify]

+Robert McAndrew I don't and I wrote it! DO YOU!?!? :)

[@hinkelstein69]

@@stansatanify Better don't read the "Song Review by Stewart Mason" on Allmusic, then...