Since it seems most of you have been living under a rock or are as fickle as a toddler just discovering solid foods, I thought I'd let you know that fDeluxe - the Band Formerly Known as the Family - has a brand-spanking new CD. On "A.M. Static," St. Paul Peterson, Susannah Melvoin, Jellybean Johnson, Eric Leeds, and Oliver Leiber deliver their funk and soul treatment of ten songs by other artists. Cover album? Sure, but unlike the dreaded cover album - "A.M. Static" presents these tunes packaged not only as tributes to the originals, but - at the same time - fDeluxe puts their own distinct sound on them.

I think the band is able to succeed with this, where most cover albums fail, because they ARE NOT a cover band. Instead, they are seasoned professionals who appear to have an affinity for memorable music, taste for music, and appreciate longevity. Reuniting after 25 years, releasing an album of all-new material, a series of great live performances - despite the members living in different parts of the country, the love/hate relationship with the Purple One, and... well, an aging fanbase - fDeluxe has resurrected itself from the ashes because of the FANS. I will stop short of expressing my disappointment that the new incarnation of The Family doesn't seem to receive a lot of appreciation on the Org. At least not when people would rather post threads about what shoes Vanity wore in her "Pretty Mess" video, how Apollonia feels about global warming, and whether or not Jesse Johnson will see his shadow and determine another six more weeks of winter or his future involvement with The Time. But instead, my thread is about the new album - and how great it really is!

Why you should listen to the new release is because the band is STILL tight, funky, and fresh. They play together as if they are old friends picking up on a conversation they started years ago. You know what I mean, you have those friends whom you can talk to about anything after long bouts of not seeing or talking - the comfort is there to resume talking as if time and distance don't matter. This trait is the key that makes this band doing this cover album work!

For example, on "Miss You," the band presents the classic with the same guitar riffs and swagger as the Rolling Stones. Susannah and Paul share the vocals and it makes for a wonderful duet of yearning. Susannah contributes the unmistakable coos and cries that Mick Jagger did - an expected part of this song because it has been so identifiable with Jagger's stylings. It's executed brilliantly because it is so much like the original. However, the band also brings the song up to the present time by speeding it up, adding more piano, and providing a baseline that sounds like it was ripped from a Chic tune. Here is a link to a fan-made video of the track that is actually really good: http://youtu.be/tAUM2wh0aFQ

Another standout is the remaking of Deep Purple's "Hush." They kept a lot of the original arrangement and slowed it down to add even more bass, as if to sound like it was being interpreted by Sly Stone. The bass and drums make this song percolate until it literally boils over with dirty funk ooze. Add to it Eric Leeds' horn and Paul's vocal grit and send it on a home run! Explore the making of the song through a discussion between Leiber and Peterson here: http://youtu.be/P4ffMsrrn6U



For a total twist on the unexpected, be sure to pay attention to Susannah's turn on PJ Harvey's "We Float." She pleas "take life as it comes" and yet delivers an urgency when prescribing the listener to "run on in, honey, before someone blows your god-damned brains out." Wow, the notion of love is given a whole new perspective by someone who used to sing about the "screams of passion" in her pajamas! The song is utterly haunting and unforgettable; and Susannah's voice reflects a maturity that adds credibility. One moment you say to yourself, "Wow - she really can sing! (not that we ever doubted it) and then you think, "She's lived this song!" I won't provide a link to the fDeluxe version here, as I haven't found one, but you can google Harvey's version of it if you are unfamiliar with it. Trust me, fDeluxe delivers!

If I had anything negative to say about "A.M. Static," it would be that there are times when it seems like something is missing when Susannah is noticeably absent from some of the songs. No doubt, Peterson and company can hold their own - but even if Susannah was present to simply "ooh" and "aah" behind Paul's vocals, it would add to the audio experience. Instead, I close my eyes and listen and assume she's swaying in the back or gently tapping on a tambourine during those songs.



While I love being a member of the Org, and have been a member since the beginning, I cannot help but feel broken-hearted to see people in the Org family sleep on something so wonderful and talented as the reunited Family, ignoring the fact the band has something new out, when - let's not forget - they reunited because of fans. You have to admit, the band deserves a second shot and were unfairly treated in its heyday. They survived - they are back - they sound better than ever - and I just want to remind you to give them another listen. It's refreshing that on the Org we don't do a lot of promotion and perpetuation of the sheer crap most music is today. But while we're genuflecting on how much Natural Selection's "Do Anything" from 1991 did sound unmistakenly like Prince, let's not forget that there is still a band from our Purple Past making new music (albeit a recent covers album) that is just as good, if not even better, than we remember it!

[Edited 3/29/14 10:36am]

The CD is by no means old, but it did come out at least 4 months ago, as well as a live CD from the Dakota. You might have missed the discussions back then.

motherfunka said:

The CD is by no means old, but it did come out at least 4 months ago, as well as a live CD from the Dakota. You might have missed the discussions back then.

IF you preordered. The actual release just came in the mail for me. And I think Miss You was not in the download. And I'm guessing the actual (non fan) release is coming now.

Oh - and the vinyl of the extended songs from Gaslight is super cool.

and yes the AM Static record is really pretty great. Actually REALLY great. And I agree the way they rework the songs it does not sound much like a covers record. I think I've never heard Susannah sound as good as she does on this and Paul is really raw. The whole project has a raw edgy feel which is perfect for the tunes.

Zannaloaf said:

motherfunka said:

The CD is by no means old, but it did come out at least 4 months ago, as well as a live CD from the Dakota. You might have missed the discussions back then.

IF you preordered. The actual release just came in the mail for me. And I think Miss You was not in the download. And I'm guessing the actual (non fan) release is coming now.

Oh - and the vinyl of the extended songs from Gaslight is super cool.

and yes the AM Static record is really pretty great. Actually REALLY great. And I agree the way they rework the songs it does not sound much like a covers record. I think I've never heard Susannah sound as good as she does on this and Paul is really raw. The whole project has a raw edgy feel which is perfect for the tunes.

Has anyone received their copy in England yet?

Seems to be taking forever. I'm wait to check my name is in the thanks!

No interest in a cover album. sorry.

Hi SquirrelMeat, mine came on Wednesday - great package!!

I got my signed copy a couple weeks ago, even tho I downloaded it months ago. Regardless, its a great album...extremely entertaining. I am hooked on Baby Love.

FDeluxe has received a much love and attention, where have you been? And this covers Cd was already talked about.

Received my signed copy as well as that of the live album last week and have been playing them non-stop. I am not a fan of cover albums myself either, but this one is very very well done and makes all songs sound really fresh.

I can't wait for them to tour Europe again this year, yay!

i love it, the only song i'm not fussed on is the P J Harvey track. they even make All By Myself sound good

[Edited 4/1/14 14:46pm]

The cover of The Rolling Stones' "Miss You" is excellent. Sounds as if Nile Rodgers had joined the band. I wonder if the huge success of "Get Lucky" has influenced the way the band has reworked the Stones' hit. Also, great vocal performances by Susannah and St. Paul, and the Leeds' touch is brilliant as usual.

[Edited 4/3/14 8:24am]