Maybe some songs are too important to cover
When Billie Holiday recorded Strange Fruit, it was an important moment. The powerful atmospherics of the composition profoundly expressed the horror of the lynching of black men that occurred primarily in the south of the United States of America during the 100 years proceeding the American civil war, and has become synonymous with the American civil rights movement of the 1950’s and 60’s.
Lately I’ve come across a couple of recent covers of the song by contemporary singers, that have artfully reconstructed the atmosphere of the early recordings, and deliver powerful vocal performances. Check them out on my space:
As well as these covers are delivered, I’m left wondering what it is these performers believe they can add to a song of such importance. Can anyone covering this song in this day and age be anything more self indulgent posturing, and ultimately disrespectful to the seriousness of the issues the song confronts? Perhaps some songs are just too important to cover.
