FEATURE:
I’ve Got Them on the Wedding List…
PHOTO CREDIT: Guido Harari
Keeping the Idea of a Kate Bush Tribute Album Alive
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EVEN if I have raised and explored…
IN THIS PHOTO: St. Vincent/PHOTO CREDIT: Andy Ford
this subject before, there is something about a possible Kate Bush tribute album that intrigues me. There would be plenty of reasons why it would be popular and necessary. Bush turns sixty-five on 30th July. It would not be done to commemorate that but, ahead of such a big birthday, it would be a fitting tribute to an artist that continues to inspire and amaze. There has never been one that unites major and rising artists. The albums that have been released have been good but, after a year or two where Bush’s music has been at the fore and reached new generations, it would be a great way to introduce her catalogues. There are other big things that would be great when it comes to Bush and celebrating her legacy. New books will come out, and I have been thinking about The Tour of Life from 1979 and how we really need a full set remastered and brought to YouTube or Blu-Ray. Together with it could be an album (on vinyl and C.D.) of one of the sets. Maybe this stuff will not happen, but it would be good if there was something coming from other musicians. In previous features relating to a possible tribute album, I have speculated who could cover what song. I heard that St. Vincent does a mean karaoke version of Wuthering Heights! Rather than a faithful rendition in terms of the vocal sound, it could give her a chance to take the song in a new direction.
I know Bush can be protective of her music, but she is always open to cover versions. Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) has been covered a lot lately and, through the years, there have been various versions of her biggest songs. Artists such as Guy Garvey and Björk would definitely been keen. I am not sure whether I mentioned it in previous features, but the proceeds from the album could go to a charity. Crisis is a charity Bush has supported before, so it would be wonderful to have an album out in the world that could raise more money for them. There is a raft of artists coming through and established that would pay tribute to Kate Bush. The fact that nothing of this size of scope has been brought out definitely confirms there is a need for it. I know people do find some Bush covers not nearly as good as the original, but combining eleven or twelve artists together to put their spin on her songs would be terrific. It always warms the heart when a new artists come along that says they have been impacted by Kate Bush. The same goes for those who have been around a long time. It is evident that she has touched so many people. I am not sure which tracks could be included and which artists exactly would be invited. I know that incredible artists like The Anchoress (Catherine Anne Davies) are fans of Bush’s music. Having them all together would be amazing!
PHOTO CREDIT: Nick Knight for NME
I have mentioned a few that would be right for the project. Rather than use it as a sixty-fifth birthday celebration for Kate Bush – as I suspect the album would not be out in time for 30th July -, it is a chance for artists to show their appreciation of her amazing music. Whilst Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) has been covered quite a fair bit, there are songs that could benefit from a fresh perspective. Even well-known songs such as Wuthering Heights and Wow would take on a new life if another artists took it on. I am just putting it out there but, to this point, we have not really had anything like it. Raising money for a charity Bush cares about, and meaning her music once again reaches new fans, it seems like a win-win. It would need someone to approach her/her team and raise the concept. If it is met with a ‘no’, then that is fair enough. Any artists can cover one of her songs and put it out there. It just seems like a fundraising tribute album would be effective and a collaborative tribute to her genius. Fans around the world would delight in seeing some incredible artists included…
ONTO the wedding list.