Mo Kenny has shared the third release from the upcoming Covers record (set for release on February 26). While the cover of Daniel Romano’s Hard On You (from 2011’s Sleep Beneath the Willow) may be one of the sparser selections chosen, Kenny certainly makes this one shine. Dan Mangan recently released a set of cover’s, aptly titled Thief…he made the following observation which seems to resonate well here as Kenny certainly does the song justice.
“Every great songwriter is a thief of their own subconscious – maybe a melody from their childhood seeps out, or a phrase from a sandwich board a decade ago. When you’re young, you learn covers because it makes you feel connected to the swirling tornado of music that you so long to be a part of. As an adult, it’s a matter of sanity. I get sick of the same taste in my mouth and I need to sing someone else’s song to cleanse my palate. My approach is that it’s nearly impossible to do a great song justice, and so I need to change it enough from its original form that it can no longer be compared to the source.”
Mo Kenny on Romano’s “Hard On You”
I’ve been a big Daniel Romano fan since I first heard this song. It was so nice to hear a modern country song that was reminiscent of the old stuff. The songwriting is so good, I was excited to strip it down so the lyrics really shine. Recorded in front of one mic at the New Scotland Yard.
It certainly does, great cover artwork as well from Matt Williams.
“Hard On You” follows “Game of Pricks” (a fittingly stripped-back and haunting number for these times according to Indie88) and Kenney‘s lonesome Patsy Cline classic “You Belong To Me.”
Pre-Order Covers via Bandcamp: https://mokenney.bandcamp.com/
Mo Kenny: https://mokenney.com/
Single Artwork by Matt Williams