Curtis Cooper | photo by Rachel Del Sordo for WXPN
Curtis Cooper covers Willie Nelson, Witch H(c)unt covers The Moldy Peaches for new West Philly-centric comp
In my regular digging around on Bandcamp last week, I came across a terrific collection of cover songs that seems like it was released apropos of nothing. Which, sometimes, is the best way to release music.
Recorded by local musician Georgey V over the winter on a Fostex 160 multitracker, COOL PHILLY BANDS RECORD COOL SONGS pretty much delivers what its title promises, hovering in the vicinity of the West Philadelphia basement show scene. Of note is Doriana Thornton’s Witch H(c)unt project covering one of my favorites from The Moldy Peaches, “Lucky Number Nine.” Curtis Cooper brings jazzy strums and a lo-fi crackle to their version of Willie Nelson’s “Crazy” (popularized by the great Patsy Cline, of course). And Georgey V pops up in the mix as well to close the set with the Dr. Dog deep cut “Adeline.”
The vibe is anti-folk, punked-out and warmly communal — give it a listen below, and grab a download at Bandcamp; it’s a benefit for Juntos, a Philly-based Latinx immigrant rights organization.