Covers (The Smithereens)

''Covers'' is a compilation album by The Smithereens, released in May 2018 by Sunset Blvd Records. It was originally released as a digital download on iTunes in May 2014. The album features 22 cover songs recorded by the band between 1980 and 2008. Most of the songs have previously been released as b-sides or on tribute albums and soundtracks.

Background

''Covers'' features songs that are collected from different sessions throughout the band's career. Guitarist Jim Babjak: “Whenever we had extra time in the studio we’d knock off covers for fun."

Critical reception

Jeff Elbel of the ''Illinois Entertainer'' rated the album 7 stars out of 10, stating: "If these songs represent the Smithereens' schoolbooks, ''Covers'' is the thesis supporting the band's tenured status as professors and proclaimers of perfect power pop."

Track listing

;Notes
*"The Game of Love", "Yer Blues", "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" and "The Stroll" were recorded in 1993-1994 during sessions for ''A Date with The Smithereens''. They were previously released on ''The Mega-Box Set'', an unofficial 21-CD box set released in 2005 through Pat DiNizio's website in a limited edition of 500 copies. "The Stroll" was originally featured in ''Reform School Girl'', an episode in the 1994 Showtime television series '' Rebel Highway''.

*"Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life" were recorded in December 1987 during sessions for '' Green Thoughts''.

*"Let's Talk About Us" was recorded in 1993 for ''Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell''.V/A feat. Jon Spencer – Brace Yourself: A Tribute To Otis Blackwell (CD, US)
. Pop-catastrophe.co.uk. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.

*"Time Won't Let Me" was recorded in June 1994 for the film '' Timecop'' but not included on the soundtrack album.The Smithereens – Time Won't Let Me (From The Motion Picture "Timecop") on Discogs
. Discogs.com. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.Timecop on Discogs
. Discogs.com. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.

*"I Want to Tell You" was recorded in 2002 for ''Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison''.
. Houseofvibes.com. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.

*"It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round" and "Shakin' All Over" were recorded spring 1991 during sessions for '' Blow Up''.

*"Downbound Train" was recorded 24 January 1997 for ''One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen''.Various Artists/One Step Up - Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen
. Yahoo! GeoCities. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.

*"The Seeker" was recorded spring 1987.

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of ''Covers'' and ''Attack of The Smithereens'', except where noted.
;The Smithereens
*Pat DiNizio – lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica
*Jim Babjak – guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round", co-lead vocal on "One After 909"
*Dennis Diken – drums, percussion, backing vocals
*Mike Mesaros – bass, backing vocals
*Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion – bass on "Well...Alright"
;Additional musicians
* Don Dixon – piano on "Ruler of My Heart"
*Michael Hamilton – keyboards on "Wooly Bully"Encino Man on Discogs.com
. Discogs.com. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.
*Kenny Margolis – piano, backing vocals, hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us",Brace Yourself! A Tribute To Otis Blackwell on Discogs.com
. Discogs.com. Retrieved on 22 September 2018. piano on "One After 909" and "It Don't Come Easy"
*Ira Sebastian Elliott – hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us"
* Tony Visconti – backing vocals on "Let's Talk About Us"
*Jimmy Wood – harmonica on "Time Won't Let Me"The Smithereens – Time Won't Let Me (From The Motion Picture "Timecop") on Discogs
. Discogs.com. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.
* Ron Fair – organ on "Time Won't Let Me"
* Dave Amels – piano on "I Want to Tell You"
*Bill Maryniak – organ on "Downbound Train"Various Artists/One Step Up - Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen
. Yahoo! GeoCities. Retrieved on 22 September 2018.
* Marti Jones – co-lead vocal on "Somethin' Stupid"

;Technical
*The Smithereens – production on "Wooly Bully", "Girl Don't Tell Me", "Time Won't Let Me", "It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round", "The Seeker" and "Shakin' All Over", compilation producer
* Don Dixon – production on "Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life"
* Ralph Sall – production on "Wooly Bully"
*Peter McCabe – production assistance on "Wooly Bully"
* Jon Tiven – production on "Let's Talk About Us"
*Tony Visconti – production on "Let's Talk About Us"
*Ron Fair – production on "Time Won't Let Me"
*Bennett Kaufman – production on "Time Won't Let Me"
* Don Fleming – production on "Gloomy Sunday"
*Michael Hamilton – production on "It Don't Come Easy" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round"
* Pat DiNizio – production on "Well...Alright"
*Jim Babjak – production on "Well...Alright"
*Dennis Diken – production on "Well...Alright"
* Kurt Reil – production on "Well...Alright"
*Mike Mesaros – production on "Downbound Train"
* Ed Stasium – production on "Shakin' All Over"
*Todd Sinclair – compilation supervisor
*Rebecca Baltutis – album design
*Bob Gramegna – photo restoration

References

{{The Smithereens

The Smithereens albums
2018 compilation albums
Covers albums