Abi Reimold | photo by Haley Richter | haleyrichterphoto.com | courtesy of the artist
Listen to Elliott Smith covers by Abi Reimold and Bruno Catrambone
The love for Elliott Smith runs deep here in Philadelphia. Abi Reimold opted to a cover his song “Everything Means Nothing To Me” for part two of her Swell Tone Music session, while Bruno Catrambone closed out a long week with a soothing recording of Smith’s “The Biggest Lie”
The original recording of “Everything Means Nothing To Me” is a kind of playful piano-based composition that erupts into an orchestral deluge, the sweeping strings counterbalanced by harsh percussion. Abi’s version, recorded late at night in the woods, centers on her looped harmonies. Layered vocals and electric guitar coax the song into a dark trance.
Former Belle‘s Bruno Catrambone (also of Cruisr) stayed a little closer to the original on his cover of “The Biggest Lie,” his hushed, layered vocals recalling the emotion and tone of Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst. Catrambone wrote that he recorded the song to help him relax after a long week, and it will certainly do that.
Listen to both covers below. Abi joins Straw Hats, Roof Doctor, boog and Manatee at the final Walla Fest show this Sunday, December 27th at The Pharmacy; more information can be found here. Catrambone brings Former Belle to West Philly’s Mantua Yacht Club on January 9th.