Covers Sunday - Elizabeth Mitchell "What Goes On"

Posted over 2 years ago

Even though I catch myself walking around singing the theme to "Thomas and Friends" at work or sometimes whistling the theme to Elmo's World, I have found there is actually some decent children's music out there that won't have you searching through your Black Sabbath records for a bit of redemption.According to Wikipedia, Mitchell not only founded the band Ida with Dan Littleton, she also sang back up on that Lisa Loeb song you don't remember the name of, but would watch the video anyway, because you secretly thought she was cute in an alternative sort of way because of those glasses.Well she has a great album of kid songs and kid oriented music called "You Are My Little Bird." And while I may have never thought of playing a Velvet Underground song for my son, she manages to do a great cover that I'm sure he'll love.

Comments (9)

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Lizziegreeneyes says You had me at Elizabeth ;) She's charming. _& I am a card carrying member of the Lisa Loeb Impersonators Lounge... I ditched the specs for lasik, but that has never stopped me from rockin' a little Loeb here & there (don't listen to her music though !)_ ;)

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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contrabandwidth says So is it Lizzziegreeneyes "Mog's answer to Lisa Loeb"? Random thought: remember in the 90's you would get this big star like Ethan Hawke, but then you would get like the generic version (poor mans answer) like Skeet Ulrich? Is this still happening? I don't know why Lisa Loeb reminded me of this, other than that song wouldn't go away (or was it, it would always "Stay"?) So she outstayed her 15 minutes. That could be a post in itself.

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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Lizziegreeneyes says No doubt, I can see why she was fancied (how can you not dig a cute singer/songwriter in specs) ;) I just hope MOG doesn't come to find one day that the consensus is _*lizziegreeneyes wouldn't go away (or was it, it would always “Stay”?)"*_ But I gotta say, I think Ethan Hawke (aside from Dead Poets Society & The Before/After Sunrise) basically blew the big one as well. I never bought into him or Winona Ryder... My two faves from _Reality Bites_ were *Steve Zahn & Janeane Garofalo* - they *_were_* real, they _*weren't*_ vapid & one dimensional in my humble opinion... even if they were supporting. Don't know why the radio stations had to start killing off songs that were originally fantabulous - it's a post I am working on presently, hope to get it out sometime this coming weekend in a covers post... letting it stew. *Then I am forwarding it to all the major stations that have gone over to the dark side of CRAP... so, basically ALL stations ;P*

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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contrabandwidth says I guess w/ the actors thing, you had someone like Hawke (who admittedly wasn't great, but was everywhere, once) and then you had more of the same with a Skeet. Kind of like a lot of the new metal bands wearing masks (Slipknot, Insane Clown Passé, and some other dreadful band I can't conjer up). It poses the question, "we needed another one of these, why?" Just seemed like a very 90's thing, here's something mediocre, here have another! Speaking of Ethan Hawke, for a good laugh you should try reading his book(s). my sister is in publishing, and word on the street is it's "stinky poo-poo".

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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Lizziegreeneyes says I read _Ash Wednesday_. A friend recommended it to me & I actually liked it quite a bit. If I don't have to listen to him... just read him - not as bad ;) Bungle/GWAR now those are bands that can rock the masks... I love _*"Insane Clown Passé"*_ That had me laughing out loud. It's not just the actors that are recycled... everytime a movie/TV show would come out, another with pretty much the EXACT same storyline would also rear its ugly head... I've had it with that shite that really is quite stinky soupy-poopy ;P It's also interesting, I always thought of Skeet as a carbon of Johnny Depp moreso. James Franco (he's on the fence for me), all this brooding/I am a tortured soul/please save me crap has to end... Johnny is for me the only one in that list that doesn't come off that way to me. I think our 90's had some amazing art come out of it, but I agree - as soon as something came out that was liked - five more were fast on their heels. I'd like to think we have more originality in us. This also goes back to my argument - why do people pay GOOD MONEY on an album that is exactly the same as the ones before it... I want _my_ bands to change - if they do - I go along for the ride with them into the new territory, whether it becomes a favorite or not my cuppa tea - I am with them & appreciate their attempt at new greatness. When they start spewing the SSDD - I am AUDI yo ;P

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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contrabandwidth says Bungle and Gwar never count in that category because they were doing it before it was popular again. Yep on the Depp (damn, I'm witty), not easily replicatable. Even though he's made some shitty movies (The Ninth Gate - what was he thinking! oh and those pirates movies), I still admire him and he usually isn't the weak link in them. What you refered to earlier is the classic Transformer/Go-bots Dilema (also known as the Trading Spouses/Wife Swap) when movies or shows about seemingly the same thing come out at the same time only to confuse the consumer. Or in the case of the Transformers/Go Bots toys, infuriate a young CBW in being completely different sizes so they couldn't possible play nice together in the transforming robot world.

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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Pkntndlk8 says Hello Contra. Thank you posting this highly palatable song. I've never heard of Elizabeth Mitchell before but I reckoned her rendition of "What Goes On" is really savorlicious. Now a question comes to mind: is a song children's music because the artist is deemed a children's singer or is it because something else? For good children's music, I'd like to suggest this compilation: "Songs For the Young At Heart" with titles sung by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy, Jarvis Cocker or Kurt Wagner Though the compilation appeals to your regressive core, that which makes you want to always to those "happy-go-lucky" days of your childhood, it's genuinely enjoyable and made in a heartfelt fashion. Sincerely, Pknt

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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Wade says More kids music that doesn't suck: anything by Dan Zanes--ex of the Del Fuegos. Lou Reed even makes a guest appearance on at least one song.

Permalink posted 07/09/2007
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contrabandwidth says Wade - Yes, we are very familiar with Dan Zanes in our household. His music is lots of fun. I've considered doing a post on him here (or maybe I did already? A head cold keeps me from remembering correctly). Pkntndlk8 - Thaks for the suggestion, I like Jarvis Cocker, and the other contributing artists should make an interesting album. As for the question of what makes it children's music: I actually heard Elizabeth Mitchel on Fresh Air w/ Terry Gross, and she spoke about making a non - traditional children's album. It was a very interesting interview, kind of showcasing how much we want to keep of ourselves (as a musician in her case) when we raise children, but yet ease kids into some of our favorite things in life.

Permalink posted 07/10/2007