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 Mark Ronson does the unthinkable on "Version" Jun 08, 2010
Mark Ronson's 2003 debut album "Here Comes The Fuzz" was critically acclaimed but stalled commercially. Most of that had to do with the presentation of the album. How many albums do you know to have Rivers Cuomo, M.O.P., Anthony Hamilton, Nate Dogg, Mos Def and Ghostface Killah on the same album? Because of the diversity, his former label shrugged at the album. A couple of years later, he rose to fame producing half of Amy Winehouse's breakthrough album "Back To Black". He felt it was only right to try again as an artist, which brings us to his sophomore album "Version"- named so due to the numerous alternative and indie rock songs reimagined as soul songs.
The album starts off with an instrumental cover of the Coldplay ballad "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face". Daniel Merriweather sings lead on The Smiths' "Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before". Tiggers takes on the not-exactly-indie-rock Britney Spears song "Toxic" featuring a cameo from the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. The aforementioned Amy Winehouse shows up for "Valerie" a song that was originally performed by The Zutons. Phantom Planet turn up for the barely reccognizable cover of Radiohead's "Just". If you block out the sound of the original songs, and listen to "Version" on its own merits, it's actually a pretty good and creative record from Mark Ronson- one that only he could make.
 Good Music Dec 25, 2009
I was very excited before receiving this item, and was even more elated when I was actually holding the flawless cop in my hand. It did arrive a little late, but the copy itself did arrive in great condition. The album is a very good soulful mix of fun, and love. I have enjoyed my purchase very much, and would like to hear further music from this artist, and I would purchase again from this purveyor of fine music.
Ronson delivers Jun 09, 2009
Mark Ronson is talented beyond his years and this album shows that he is more than someone who can tip a hat to the 60s. He has assembled a high-talent roster, but even if he didn't coax great, apt performances from Lily Allen, Santo Gold, Robbie Williams and the Daptone Horns (among others), he still would be dishing up hot, catchy tracks that transcend pop appeal. He knows how to masterfully manipulate the music and get vital sounds from his musicians. This is a great album!
Oh, and if you like what he did with "Toxic" check out a different but equally cool version on the Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra effort on "Hits the Hits" which is also a unique take on pop songs.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Great album Aug 17, 2008
Surprise package. I had only heard the Radiohead 'Just' cover once before and bought the album on spec. A great eclectic mix with a mix of horns, groove, soul and funk.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
He delivers the goods in style. Jun 08, 2008
Mark Ronson's a busy man. He's been producing for Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen and Robbie Williams, yet has still found time to focus on his own studio album.
Comprised of new versions of old classics, it's a very entertaining listen from back to front, featuring the likes of Amy Winehouse, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Daniel Merriweather and Kasabian, all helping Ronson put his considerably fresh and funky twist on familiar tunes.
Highlights include the late ODB rapping to the Britney Spears refix of Toxic, Winehouse making vast improvements on the original with 'Valerie' and Phantom Planet singing an uber cool version of Radiohead's 'Just'.
Impressively suited for a party play through, this is definitely one to pick up for the nearing summer months.
With "Version", super-producer Mark Ronson has set out to prove that pop voyeurism and experimentalism don't have to be bad things using his own unique re-interpretive style.
Hence, he has assembled an album of spectacular cover versions that deliver very alternative versions of modern classics from Coldplay, The Charlatans, Radiohead and The Smiths.
Some listeners will undoubtedly write it off almost instantly as disastrous. Others may take some convincing.
But for many, "Version" is a brave, bold, blast of an album that almost always gets things right.
Ronson, for his part, emerges as a musical artist of the highest calibre -a music innovator whose funk-strewn re-interpretations effortlessly place themselves on the right side of cool.
On the whole, "Version" is a cut above most cover version compilations, as well as a darn fine party album for the approaching summer season. It probably won't impress the die-hard cynics - but for those willing to open their minds, or anyone in search of some expert funk, it delivers the goods in style.
My picks: "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face", "Oh My God", "Valerie", "Pretty Green", "Amy", "Just" and "Toxic".
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