Beck - Sunday Morning (Velvet Underground Cover)

In the world of covers, its easy to find mediocre musicians covering great musicians. But when one great artist covers another, that is something pretty special. Beck covering The Velvet Underground definitely qualifies as the latter. Although this version isn't radically different from the original, Beck is somehow able to make an extremely chill song even slower and more relaxed. Beck is a notorious sonic-shape shifter, vastly restructuring his sound from album to album so when an isolated song like this pops up, you never know what to expect. This particular track, for instance, wouldn't stand out in the slightest if it had been featured on Beck's 2002 release Sea Change. Covers are always risky, and the more beloved the original, the higher the risk. Thats why I was surprised I liked this as much as I did. The Velvet Underground are one of the most influential and important artists of the past century and they hold a very special place in my heart. Luckily, so does Beck and he shows this legendary song every ounce of respect and reverence it deserves, while still maintaining his own artistic integrity and individuality. Rumor has it Beck is planning on covering the entire Velvet Underground & Nico album. Im intrigued, excited and skeptical.