Despite the rather punk rock cover, Cat Power’s “Jukebox” is all soul. Her second full album of cover tracks, Cat Power (also known as Chan Marshall) pays tribute to the singers that have influenced her the most over the years. But do not think this is a by the books tribute album, every song on the album belongs to Cat Power. She manages to make each track her own in such a way, that every artist covered should feel honored.
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Cat Power
|  Entertainment
Art
"Jukebox"
(Matador Records)
Released January 22, 2008
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A lot of ground is covered on this album; everyone from Frank Sinatra to Billy Holiday becomes transformed by Marshall’s entrancing voice. The record starts with Sinatra’s classic “New York” and Marshall belts out every word with such sincerity, that she almost puts the Chairman of the Board to shame. There’s a sense of sadness that permeates through the entire record, making it strong and even moody.
Marshall is backed up once again by the Dirty Delta Blues Band, a perfect compliment to Marshall’s raw almost country take on many of the tracks. The pain and desperation that she puts into every single word, is enough to make the listener break down and cry. It has been a long time since an album with this much raw honesty has come out.
Unlike Patti Smith’s album “Twelve”, that was released last year, Marshall goes beyond simply creating a normal cover tune. Marshall has taken the Johnny Cash route, pouring so much passion and desperation into each song, and almost works as a revival of forgotten songs.
In amongst the covers is the completely original, “Song to Bobby”, a tune that sounds right out of Bob Dylan’s catalogue. This should not be too surprising, while making the Jukebox album Chan lent her voice to the I’m Not There motion picture soundtrack. There is a lot of Dylan in Chan whether she knows it or not.
Fans of Cat Power actually have two choices when it comes to buying this album. The standard edition contains 10 songs with two hidden tracks or the deluxe edition that includes a bonus disc. If you do only go with the standard edition, make sure not to miss the extra tracks, they really help to complete the album.
On disc two of the deluxe edition, although rather short, is as strong as disc one and consumers are only cheating themselves if they chose the standard edition. Only five songs long, Chan takes on some slightly more modern tunes. Chan really challenges herself on every track, even taking on the Spanish language, “Angelitos Negros”, originally done by Roberta Flack. The outcome is one of the most beautiful songs on either disc.
Even though they have been around for quite a long time, Cat Power the Dirty Delta Blues Band is still considered a fairly independent artist. That could change with this album. Chan shows the musical ability of master, she knows her stuff without showing off too much. This is the album that will define Chan and set the bar for every album she makes after. The year may have just begun, but this is without a doubt one of the best albums of 2008.
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