Just a few days ago I had decided to revisit the Detroit Cobras after not listening to them for a couple years. I happened on a live video of "As Long As I Have You". That voice of Rachel Nagy's had far more range that I remembered. In the video she sounds at times like Chrissie Hynde with added gravel, but on the choruses when she really ramps it up she hits Janis Joplin territory. After watching the video I got to thinking about the Detroit Cobras, how they've been dissed over the years because they do all covers. What? Everyone does covers. If it's a good song who cares? Oh, I know, all those singer-songwriter types that can't conceive of someone else getting the publishing royalties. The bands with grand schemes to be huge, rock stars with money flowing in from multiple streams. Beside them, who really could give a shit who wrote a song? If it's good, it's good. Especially in the hands of band like the Detroit Cobras who always sound exactly like the Detroit Cobras, thanks in no small part to Nagy's voice. They have a steady swagger that says "I'm a lifer", the no shits given attitude. Let the others chase fame, tell us how it is.
The Detroit Cobras - Putty in Your Hands mp3 at T.S.McClellan
The Detroit Cobras - Can't Do Without You mp3 at Andre Cilliers
The Detroit Cobras - Last Night mp3 at Andre Cilliers
The Detroit Cobras - Insane Asylum (streaming) at YouTube
Video:
The Detroit Cobras - Stay Down at YouTube 2020, their last video
The Detroit Cobras - Right Around the Corner at YouTube In their element on a party boat.
Many more videos at YouTube
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