What makes a good cover version? Is it a case of putting a new slant on the original, like emphasising a lyric, bringing a minor part to the fore, or simply singing the Bejeezus out of it? I don’t know if I’ve ever stopped to really ponder this, but I know of a man who has. Pianist and arranger, Scott Bradlee and the Postmodern Jukebox (a collective of musicians and singers) have been busying themselves for the last couple of years working on stylised covers of modern pop. They must be doing something right, as their videos have amassed 165 million views on YouTube! Their thing is to create mashups (Nickelback as Motown or Wham! as vintage 30s jazz, to name but two). However, is a mashup a cover version, musical muscle flexing, artistic genius or simply entertainment? I’d probably plump for a bit of all the above, but judging by the capacity crowd at the Concorde 2 on Monday night, such contemplations probably don’t concern Bradlee.
I’m still trying to work out what to make of the show, as like the musical mashup concept itself, it took on a number of personalities – part MC-ed, part interspersed with mock adverts, part dance-off, part crowd-participation – all American. Like an “all-star” aural assault, it was delivered with such sickly slickness and zeal that it felt like a juggernaut being driven at breakneck speed by the finest X Factor finalists to have never won.
 
There were great moments – Blackstreet’s No Diggity sung by Ariana Savalas was definitely a coming together of music, artist and concept that worked. Savalas’ elegant and gently simmering vocal floated over a laid back Cab Calloway-style backing. It certainly had a bit of class to it.
 
Postal Service’s Such Great Heights put a smile on my face, too. Interpreted by Kiah Victoria in the style of the Jackson 5, it was beautifully sung and upbeat, but it became apparent before the end that style was overwhelming substance. Iron & Wine do a cover version of the same song that takes the opposite approach – its simplicity highlights the song’s beauty. It probably wouldn’t get people dancing and smiling like loons as tonight’s does, so I suppose that both must be given their props.
 
The music itself was not the only thing to make me smile – I have to single out the man “playing” the tambourine. Vaughn Lee "Von" Smith – actually IS an American Idol reject. That didn’t stop him from being incredibly entertaining… If you keep a 1 year old Labrador cooped up all day, then take it to the park and simultaneously throw a ball, frisbee and stick for him to chase… that’s how this man reacts when presented with a tambourine!
 
I should also be grateful to Bradlee for introducing me to Hozier’s Take me to Church (performed as a heartfelt piano ballad, with Morgan James providing vocals). The evening’s rendition made my ears prick up and encouraged me to listen to the original. I’m very glad I have – what a song that is.
 
The set climaxed with all hands to the pump or rather, gobs to the mic. The catchiest song of the evening, Taylor Swift’s Shake If Off was delivered by Mr Bradlee and Co. like the highly accomplished outfit they are; full of quality, energy and humour. Now, that’s entertainment.
Adam Atkins