Cat Power’s powerful new take on Sinatra’s New York, New York (playing now). Click the  button to hear her version of Dylan’s I Believe In You.
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The paradox of Marshall is that although she’s a gifted songwriter, she has a history of singing covers. Jukebox follows that tradition.
The album opens with New York, New York, which seems like an odd choice for a singer with Marshall’s grit. When sung by Sinatra or Minnelli, the song is about heroically conquering a tough city in the face of significant obstacles. Although Marshall doesn’t change a word, her soulful style turns a song of triumph into one of desperation and survival.
The next cut is Hank Williams’ Ramblin’ Man (she sings Ramblin’ (Wo)Man). Before you have time to contemplate the possible connections between Sinatra and Williams, Marshall knocks you down with a version of James Brown’s Lost Someone. By this point in the album, it’s pretty obvious that Marshall will cover just about anyone, but not necessarily songs from their greatest hits.
I love her version of Bob Dylan’s I Believe in You. Of all the performers that Power can cover, she uses her seemingly unlimited vocal range to cover the most limited voice in the history of Rock. Of all the Dylan songs that she could sing, Marshall chose one that is completely unheralded. She is such an enigma
I think that’s her deal. As you listen to a collection of songs that don’t have anything in common, sung by a performer who (sort of) hides behind a pseudonym, there’s an inescapable thought: This woman doesn’t want me or anybody else to know her very well.
For me, that’s refreshing. Think of all the performers we know too much about. In many cases, their public lives make us wonder if there is an inverse relationship between fame and talent.
With Cat Power, we just get the music. There’s no big production behind the music; no big promotion behind the artist. Cat Power is a simple and satisfying experience.
