Cat Power – Dark End Of The Street

I was introduced to Cat Power’s music when her song “Half of You” played during an episode of the show True Blood. The song fit the moment as magically as her voice fit the song. On her new covers EP “Dark End of the Street”, the attempted matches aren’t always so perfect. Chan Marshall has a world-weary, haunting, and slightly smoky voice that really suits the title song, “Ye Auld Triangle” and “Who Knows Where The Time Goes”. On the Otis Redding hit “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” her restrained delivery works less well; The band is getting into the spirit of the song, ramping up and ready to break loose but Marshall’s feet remain on the ground and she refuses to go with them. The band is excellent whether supporting Marshall’s vocals on “It Ain’t Fair” or during the stretches of the song when they’re on their own. On “Fortunate Son” the band is too loud or maybe Chan Marshall is too soft or maybe I’ve been spoiled by the CCR original. Whatever it is, the song didn’t work for me. Four of the songs on the EP did the job; I’ll be looking up some of Cat Power’s previous work, eagerly anticipating future projects. And I remain haunted by her performance of “Half of You”.