Eclectic covers in `Working Class Hero' celebrate John Lennon
Yes, you read that right. The singer this time around is John Popper, the frontman for the band Blues Traveler, instead of John Lennon, the deceased Beatle.
But don't be fooled into thinking that this is just another one of those boring tribute CDs. If you listen to this one with that thought in mind, get ready to be pleasantly surprised.
Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon , an album produced by Hollywood Records, presents a collection of Lennon's work, remade by some of the biggest names in the music industry today. The songs range from well-known hits such as "Imagine" to lesser-known songs like "Steel and Glass." The artists involved include the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Candlebox, Blues Traveler, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Mary Chapin Carpenter, among others.
As with any tribute album, you would expect these artists to show their respect to the late musician by singing his songs. The most important point here, though, is that many of these artists managed to give Lennon's work some of their own flavor. On "Imagine," as the Blues Traveler played the familiar tune, you can hear their distinctive harmonica in the background. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, on "I Found Out," gave the song a hard-edged sound that made the song almost their own -- almost. It is very refreshing, for once, to hear covers of well-known songs done differently from the originals.
Other highlights of the recording include Mary Chapin Carp- enter's rendition of "Grow Old With Me," a hauntingly beautiful song that truly shows Lennon's lyrical talent, and "Instant Karma," an upbeat tune remade by Toad the Wet Sprocket.
Besides all this, the album will appeal to people of all ages. Fans of Lennon's work will listen to it for its main purpose. And the younger crowd will get it to listen to their favorite artists.
With the genius of John Lennon and the talents of these modern day artists, this album will undoubtedly meet with success.
And just imagine ... John would have been so proud.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the November 10, 1995 issue.
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