sound of the suburbs

A pair of Stones cover versions today that have been rolling around my head for the last few days, interestingly enough both are from artists that I wouldn't normally listen to twice. 'Wild Horses' is signed by the Sundays, who are just a little bit too twee for by taste and I have never really appreciated Harriet Wheeler's voice. Having said that this cover grabbed my attention when I discovered it hidden away as a B side for one of their Parlophone singles in the early 90's, I find that her dream like vocals suit this wistful but straight forward romp through the song. The song apparently featured in a US TV commercial in 1994, anyone know what it was for, Marlboro, Cherokee Jeeps? Probably because of this the song has been tagged onto the end of their US version of 1992 album 'Blind'.
'Brown Sugar' is another altogether more demanding and possibly rewarding cover that features the combined talents of Ryan Adams and Beth Orton. Now where it not for the presence of Ms Orton I would probably not have given the song a second listen as in all honesty I always though the young Adams to be over rated, recent reports of him following in the footsteps of the Grateful Dead would appear to back me up. Though on the other hand I've had a soft spot for Beth Orton's work ever since having been hooked on her gentle folk dance numbers from her debut 'Trailer Park'. The combing of the two on this song has proved to be inspired, instead of the rocker as in the original the song is now presented as a mournful piano led ballad full of the necessary sadness that does an excellent job of summing up the real despair behind the songs title. Keef should be impressed!