In recent months we’ve seen a swathe of tribute albums dedicated to a range of interesting musical subjects.
From the more traditional, such as an all-star tribute to the newly reformed Hunters & Collectors and Jack White’s songbook getting recorded by the same vintage rock icons that inspired him, to the quirky, like the collective of left-field musicians paying tribute to American filmmaker Wes Anderson.
A brand new collection of bands and artists are now paying tribute to a far more traditional musical topic: love.
An assortment of romantic covers have been gathered on Sweethearts 2014, a compilation album by Hear Music/Concord Music and Starbucks set for release on 4th February in time for Valentine’s Day 2014, and it’s actually the fifth in an ongoing series of musicians tackling their favourite love songs, as Consequence of Sound reports.
The latest gathering of bands contributing their odes to love are an eclectic mix, the most delightfully barmy among them being Southbound/Falls headliners Vampire Weekend doing their best take on Italian opera in Andrea Bocelli’s ‘Con Te Partirò’.
Another highlight being Beck’s heartfelt rendition of John Lennon’s ‘Love’ and a storming take on Stevie Wonder’s jubilant staple ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours’ from the back-in-action Sharon Jones.
Opening the collection is My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James in solo mode, doing a compelling version of Bob Marley’s romantic come-on ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low’ that siphons out the reggae back-end in favour of some country-tinged crooning and romantic guitar twang (listen in full below).
Elsewhere, Willie Nelson’s much-covered ‘Always On My Mind’ (see: U2, Pet Shop Boys, Metric) gets another run in the rosy grain of Bahamas, while Ben Harper shows his fondness for newly-revived 90s staple Mazzy Star in a tender take on ‘Fade Into You’, and Fiona Apple duets with her sister Maude Maggart on ‘I’m In The Middle Of A Riddle’ (famously used as the Third Man theme).
You’ll only be able to grab a physical copy of the Valentine’s Day album with your Grande Frappucino and Venti Lattes (re: at Starbucks chains) while a digital version of the album is available online at the official website from 4th February, making for a great musical themed token of affection for your Valentine (better than this lot at least).
Check out a full length stream of Jim James’ Marley tribute below, along with a 30 second teaser for every track on Sweethearts 2014, below.
