It’s not uncommon to find a musician that plays an instrument or two exceptionally well, but to find one that can play many and sing perfectly certainly is. Alex Winston released her debut The Basement Covers as a precursor to her actual debut Choice Notes (via HeavyRoc Music) this past week, and she is certainly one of those uncommon musicians.
A Detroit native, Winston is classically trained in opera and was born and bred on Americana. She uses her background to pay homage to some notable musical talents on her debut, including, but not limited to, the Rolling Stones, Mumford & Sons and Jack Penate.
Her brilliant debut kicks off with the single The Cave, a Mumford & Sons cover. The original piece is simplistic with persistent, raw vocals. Winston keeps the simplicity intact, including the backing of the tambourine, but grants the tune a more whimsical and soft feel, making a more charming tune than the one song by Mumford.
The Cave is followed by a much more upbeat cover of Francis & the Lights’ It’ll Be Better. The drumbeats and Winston’s cooing on the choruses give this song a playful feel that fits perfectly with her high-pitched vocal performance, and I have to admit, she hits those high notes better than Francis Farewell Starlite ever could.
One song that takes a couple listens to actually appreciate would be Winston’s interpretation of the Rolling Stones’ Play With Fire. First of all, covering the Rolling Stones is a feat in and of itself. Second of all, Play With Fire is incredible exactly how it is. While I’m not a fan of the amount of static added to Winston’s version, I have to give her credit for keeping the dreamy feel alive and for keeping the overall instrumentals of the tune in tact.
Winston proves that she is pretty talented when it comes to cover songs, granting her a solid 6.4, but the true test will be how she stacks up when it comes to penning her own tunes. Until you get a hold of Choice Notes, you can take a listen to these covers yourself by downloading The Basement Covers EP for free.
