Cover and tribute albums are hardly a new idea—some of the most celebrated records from artists like Johnny Cash, Cat Power, and David Bowie are built around reimagining other people’s songs. And while the world probably doesn’t need another covers album, that’s never stopped certain voices from breathing new life into familiar tunes.
This Friday, August 15, Louisiana rock mainstays Cowboy Mouth will release Cover Yo Azz, their spin on ten tracks originally by artists such as The Who, R.E.M., The Replacements, and Queen.
“John (Thomas Griffin) and I were on the phone one day talking about maybe learning a cover song, when he suddenly said, ‘Dude, we should do a covers album!’ My first thought was, ‘Why?’ Then I figured… ‘Why not?’” recalls frontman and drummer Fred LeBlanc. “I ran it by friends and family, and everyone loved the idea. So we pulled together a bunch of songs we liked, each of us bringing our own sound and energy. We had a blast putting a Cowboy Mouth twist on some amazing tracks.”
The band has generously shared an exclusive premiere of Cover Yo Azz along with a track-by-track breakdown of the stories and inspirations behind each song. Dig in and enjoy!
“My Way” (Anka/Thibaut/Francois/Revaux)
Written by Paul Anka, this was sung originally by Frank Sinatra, then also by Elvis Presley, and then by Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. Sometimes a song is so good that it goes beyond whoever is singing it. I love that it’s a declaration of real and raw aliveness, while also admitting flaws we all possess. It’s one of the most human tunes I’ve ever heard, and I love singing it.
“The Real Me” (Pete Townsend)
Written by Pete Townshend and originally performed by The Who on their Quadrophenia album. John Thomas wanted to do this song for years. So we finally did. Everyone on this track plays their hearts out, but the real star is John Thomas, who gives this song everything he’s got, singing it like his life depends on it… and who knows? Maybe it does.
John was the first “rock star” I ever met in person during the early days of his first band, the Red Rockers, where he was the lead guitarist AND the front man/lead singer. Every time I look to my right onstage and see JT doing his thing, I realize I’m truly the fan who’s always been lucky enough to be in the band.
“Can’t Hardly Wait” (Paul Westerberg)
In late 1983 through the middle of 1984, I was kind of lost, thinking my life as a musician was over because my first band, The Backbeats, broke up.
While playing the South Louisiana frat circuit in a rockabilly cover band called the Mistreaters, I also spent some time in Athens, Georgia, taking in the thriving music scene there at the time. Staying with some buddies who went to UGA, I got turned onto bands I never heard of in Louisiana: Hüsker Dü, The Minutemen, Jason & The Scorchers, and the Replacements. These groups were very different from what was being developed in mainstream American rock at the time. Harder, edgier, and relatable to a kid from New Orleans who loved the connection between Delta blues and punk rock.
The newer bands were perfect for the energy-filled angry young man I was at the time, especially after The Clash broke up.
My favorite of these newer groups, The Replacements, particularly captured my ear and heart. Not only with their devotion to classic pop and punk rock but also their attitude of IDGAF to the entire music industry.
“I’m Gonna Be A Wheel Someday” (Roy Hayes/Fats Domino/Dave Bartholomew)
This is one of the first songs CM learned back in the early ‘90s. I’ve always loved the attitude of this song with its “turning lemons into lemonade” vibe as a theme running through many Cowboy Mouth songs.
While I’m a huge fan of the Fats Domino version, it is the more obscure recording by Bobby Mitchell with a slinkier groove and a bit more attitude that caught my ear. Thanks so much to Becky, Bash, Eli, Evie, and Pershing for help with the shouts and claps on this one!
“’Til I Gain Control Again” (Rodney Crowell)
Griff had a side band during the early days of CM called the Wild Peyotes. It was a few friends getting together from time to time playing old country songs they knew and loved, while perhaps tossing back a few… This song was one of their staples.
Anyway, when the idea for this album presented itself, I thought of all the times I heard John singing this tune in the old tour bus during the first years of CM. I always loved the way this obscure Rodney Crowell-written classic brought out a vulnerability in John’s voice that springs the track to life. Dwight Breland adds the almost otherworldly steel guitar to this track, and does a beautiful job.
SIDE B ⚡
“Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves” (Bob Stone)
When I was a young boy growing up in Louisiana, I would fall asleep to the sound of my clock radio in the open window beside my bed, playing hit songs of the mid-to-late 1970s.
I always refer to this group of tunes that I secretly loved as my “Clock Radio Classics.” These include Michael Murphy’s Wildfire, Do You Feel Like I Do? by Peter Frampton (the live LONG version), America singing Sister Golden Hair, and this Cher hit.
This song always fired my imagination, because the original recording sounded like a circus. That, combined with the forbidden nature of the lyrics, painted a very exotic picture in my young mind. It still does to this day.
“Perfect Circle” (Berry/Buck/Mills/Stipe)
In the early-to-mid 1980s, R.E.M. managed to create a completely new and unique sound using just the basic ingredients of rock ‘n’ roll (guitar, bass, drums, and vocals).
To me, Perfect Circle from their first album, Murmur, is one of their finest. Every version of this tune I’ve ever heard sounds like a dream you just can’t get your hands on.
The song’s meaning is elusive and could be interpreted a hundred different ways by a hundred different listeners. Kevin Griffin from Better Than Ezra once told me that he loved this song so much he wrote a sister tune to it (“A Lifetime”). To this day, one of my great rock ‘n’ roll shames was getting busted by Don Dixon (one of the producers of the original recording) trying to figure out the piano lick on the actual keyboard that R.E.M. recorded with in the same studio. What the hell… I was a fan, still am.
“Just Another Night” (Ian Hunter/Mick Ronson)
Originally the lead singer/songwriter for 70s glam band Mott The Hoople, lan Hunter is one of my favorite songwriters of all time. If you dig into his catalogue, you will find some real gems that others rode to success such as “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” and “Cleveland Rocks.” He also wrote one of my favorites, “Irene Wilde.”
“Just Another Night” could be considered another of Fred’s “Clock Radio Classics.” There’s a live version of the song where Hunter introduces it saying, “this is a song about a night in the Indianapolis city jail.” I’m not 100% sure what all of the lyrics mean, but it sure sounds like a helluva good time.
“Fat Bottomed Girls” (Brian May)
When John first brought this Queen semi-classic for inclusion, I hesitated. When he suggested adding a bluegrass spin, I was in!
So, we began the process. I have always been amazed by John’s natural talent, but for some reason, we just couldn’t get the exact feeling we wanted for this song. As a joke, I suggested that JTG “sing it like a pirate!” Only John could interpret that to create something even better than what we imagined. I’m still impressed.
Top it off with some fancy fiddle work from the king of Texas, Brendon Anthony, add stylish acoustic leads from Frankie, and some Bill Black/Elvis-style bass from the Cajun Cannon himself, Brian Broussard, and CM could be rightfully accused of “passing a good time,” as we say in Louisiana.
“City By A River” (Bryan/Felber/Rucker/Sonefeld)
The first time Cowboy Mouth ever played in Columbia, SC, we played to a grand total of five people, some of whom were in a local band called Hootie and the Blowfish. They came out to see us because they were fans of my previous band, Dash Rip Rock. A friendship blossomed between Hootie and CM that endures to this day.
Over time, their generosity towards us (and a whole a fraternity of touring bands) has been extremely beneficial. And I am grateful. I never hesitate to thank them for basically giving us a career. When their first album exploded, we were one of the bands that they took on their wild ride. One week It we were playing a Cajun dance hall in Southwest Louisiana, and the next week, we were opening for the hottest band in the world at the Greek Theater in Hollywood. Like I said, it’s been quite a ride.
“City By A River,” written mostly by HBF guitarist Mark Bryan, is about longing for the intangible. Maybe it’s heaven, maybe it’s home… maybe it’s both. And no one plays it better than Mark, which is exactly why we needed him to play the lead guitar along with Frankie G on this song. To all of the Hootie guys, their families, friends, and crew…”thank you” for all the great times, great friendships, and great music.
This song is dedicated to the memories of both Kevin Heister and the one and only DB. Godspeed, gentlemen.
