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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Imagine its 1955, 1 Sep 2005
And a young Paul Anka is sitting in the Brill Building faced with a record company executive. 'Ok Paul I have listened to these new songs, and they stink. What the hell is 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' supposed to mean? A chorus of the word 'Hello' 8 times is not what the kids want. And then you write a SONG called 'Hello'. Diane...send in Mr Sedaka...now you can learn from this kid Paul'.And then one by one over the next 30 or so years these songs written by Paul Anka are discovered by amongst other Michael Jackson, Van Halen and Nirvana. They are released without any credit to the original composer. And one day, in his attic, Paul Anka dicovers these songs he had written all those years ago and to coin another one of his songs...does it his way. This is not simply an album of covers to clad Paul Anka in modern dress to appeal to a younger audience. This is at times audacious. 'Jump' by Van Halen turns into a Cab Calloway tribute. Touching. 'Tears In Heaven' already a song most artists would not touch due to the circumstances under which it was written and its subject are treated with care and compassion. And 'Teen Spirit' which already has plaudits from non other than Dave Grohl himself. I hate to sound like an old fogey here but you can actually hear the words. Finally the torment of Kirk Cobain is channeled through a swing orchestration without losing any of its meaning. The Pet Shop Boys, Spandau Ballet and even Billy Idol are polished up with new rhythms, a new sound and a new attitude. Listen to the samples included. Then open your ears and your mind. You will not be dissapointed.
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