TRACK OF THE WEEK
Written by Anna McMillan
My track of the week this week is a bit of a throwback of a throwback as over the past few days I have been looking back over old covers I used to be obsessed with. After searching through Youtube for a couple of days I finally came across The Mend’s cover of Dock Of The Bay.
I first heard this cover back in 2012 when the band formerly known as The Mend preformed the Otis Redding track at their audition for Britains Got Talent.
Hearing four snapback wearing guys in duffel coats belt out lyrics to one of the most melodic hits of the 60s was stunning to witness. The raspy voice of the two main singers Craig and Dean transported me back to the soulful 60s where black soul singers dominated the charts with their bluesy melodies.
The four piece recreated the soulful blues track by incorporating a rap into the mix, adding a youthful twist to the classic. Mixing the old school stylings of Otis Redding and the fresh, youthful sound just shows the beauty of the evolution of music.
From me listening to the original track on my record player, hearing the stripped back vocals of one of the most prestigious black American singers of the 60s along with the added wave sound effects to emphasis his surroundings, to witnessing the reincarnation of the track on modern TV.
My obsession for the track was rekindled this week as the Mend weren’t frightened to take the classics and turn them on their heads. They embraced the authenticity of the tracks and incorporated their own stylings into their music.
