Covers (The Smithereens album)


Covers is a compilation album by The Smithereens, released in May 2018 by Sunset Blvd Records. It was originally released as a digital download on iTunes in May 2014. The album features 22 cover songs recorded by the band between 1980 and 2008. Most of the songs have previously been released as b-sides or on tribute albums and soundtracks.

Background

Covers features songs that are collected from different sessions throughout the band's career. Guitarist Jim Babjak: “Whenever we had extra time in the studio we’d knock off covers for fun."

Critical reception

Jeff Elbel of the Illinois Entertainer rated the album 7 stars out of 10, stating: "If these songs represent the Smithereens' schoolbooks, Covers is the thesis supporting the band's tenured status as professors and proclaimers of perfect power pop."

Track listing

;Notes
  • "The Game of Love", "Yer Blues", "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" and "The Stroll" were recorded in 1993-1994 during sessions for A Date with The Smithereens. They were previously released on The Mega-Box Set, an unofficial 21-CD box set released in 2005 through Pat DiNizio's website in a limited edition of 500 copies. "The Stroll" was originally featured in Reform School Girl, an episode in the 1994 Showtime television series Rebel Highway.
  • "Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life" were recorded in December 1987 during sessions for Green Thoughts.
  • "Let's Talk About Us" was recorded in 1993 for Brace Yourself! A Tribute to Otis Blackwell.
  • "Time Won't Let Me" was recorded in June 1994 for the film Timecop but not included on the soundtrack album.
  • "I Want to Tell You" was recorded in 2002 for Songs from the Material World: A Tribute to George Harrison.
  • "It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round" and "Shakin' All Over" were recorded spring 1991 during sessions for Blow Up.
  • "Downbound Train" was recorded 24 January 1997 for One Step Up/Two Steps Back: The Songs of Bruce Springsteen.
  • "The Seeker" was recorded spring 1987.

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of Covers and Attack of The Smithereens, except where noted.
;The Smithereens
  • Pat DiNizio – lead and backing vocals, guitar, harmonica
  • Jim Babjak – guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Rosie Won't You Please Come Home" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round", co-lead vocal on "One After 909"
  • Dennis Diken – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Mike Mesaros – bass, backing vocals
  • Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion – bass on "Well...Alright"
;Additional musicians
  • Don Dixon – piano on "Ruler of My Heart"
  • Michael Hamilton – keyboards on "Wooly Bully"
  • Kenny Margolis – piano, backing vocals, hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us", piano on "One After 909" and "It Don't Come Easy"
  • Ira Sebastian Elliott – hand claps on "Let's Talk About Us"
  • Tony Visconti – backing vocals on "Let's Talk About Us"
  • Jimmy Wood – harmonica on "Time Won't Let Me"
  • Ron Fair – organ on "Time Won't Let Me"
  • Dave Amels – piano on "I Want to Tell You"
  • Bill Maryniak – organ on "Downbound Train"
  • Marti Jones – co-lead vocal on "Somethin' Stupid"
;Technical
  • The Smithereens – production on "Wooly Bully", "Girl Don't Tell Me", "Time Won't Let Me", "It Don't Come Easy", "The World Keeps Going 'Round", "The Seeker" and "Shakin' All Over", compilation producer
  • Don Dixon – production on "Ruler of My Heart", "One After 909", "Somethin' Stupid" and "Lust For Life"
  • Ralph Sall – production on "Wooly Bully"
  • Peter McCabe – production assistance on "Wooly Bully"
  • Jon Tiven – production on "Let's Talk About Us"
  • Tony Visconti – production on "Let's Talk About Us"
  • Ron Fair – production on "Time Won't Let Me"
  • Bennett Kaufman – production on "Time Won't Let Me"
  • Don Fleming – production on "Gloomy Sunday"
  • Michael Hamilton – production on "It Don't Come Easy" and "The World Keeps Going 'Round"
  • Pat DiNizio – production on "Well...Alright"
  • Jim Babjak – production on "Well...Alright"
  • Dennis Diken – production on "Well...Alright"
  • Kurt Reil – production on "Well...Alright"
  • Mike Mesaros – production on "Downbound Train"
  • Ed Stasium – production on "Shakin' All Over"
  • Todd Sinclair – compilation supervisor
  • Rebecca Baltutis – album design
  • Bob Gramegna – photo restoration