Posted by Avanhizzle in David Bowie, Glam, Hand Me Down tuesdaY | 0 Comments
Hear Phosphorescent and Bowie Cover The Beatles’ “Across the Universe” *Hand Me Down 2sdaY*
While there has been a lot of filmic attention devoted to one of John Lennon’s finest Beatle moments, “Across the Universe” (The 2007 musical named after the song, Fiona Apple covering it for Pleasantville and Rufus Wainwright crooning it on the I Am Sam soundtrack) I have recently been digging two versions that have nothing to do with celluloid. Pretty as powdered sugar when sung by Lennon, the song becomes less of that too attractive and perfect sibling when put in the hands of David Bowie and Matt Houck of Phosphorescent. And that’s not bad.
Listen to find that both add wonderful musical touches and another dimension to the classic. Bowie’s power chorded and seventies melodic; Phosphorescent’s twangy and down home. With the same magical melody and the new musical interpretations the song is able to keep it’s angel wings. But it’s the exhausted, depleted and ‘plastic-soul’ vocal drawl of Bowie and the high pitched and voice cracking of Houck that give the song a more human element. While I’ve always liked the original, I’m thankful that these two dudes helped “Across the Universe” fall to earth. Happy 2sdaY!
BUY: Bowie’s Version, Click Here
Find Phosphorescent’s in the October issue of Mojo Magazine
