Tag Archives: covers

Toll Collectors Cover the Toll Collectors

I hope everyone is staying self and healthy.

We had an interesting idea. Since everyone in Christina Alessi & the Toll Collectors is also a singer/songwriter, why not cover a song that someone else in the band has written? So here are my two covers.

“Stone Meets the Sea,” one of my favorites by Christina Alessi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydFleq5aDyY

“Seventy Degrees,” by Jonathan Andrew. The song that is always stuck in my head in the best way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZeDJ7QoEpQ

Hope you enjoy them!

Atlantic City

AtlanticCity-cover

Listen on:

I’m excited to share with you a new piece of music – a cover of the Bruce Springsteen classic, Atlantic City.

This version takes the song to a place I don’t believe it’s ever been to before. To me, it conjures up a cold, windy, and desolate evening on the beaches of this classically-tragic New Jersey shore city. It sounds like something you might hear on the Stranger Things soundtrack.

It starts with a dark analog synthesizer sound that pulses slightly, conveying the constant movement of the ocean. Along with a sparse drum machine, this sound makes up the foundation of the arrangement.

As the song continues to build momentum, the bridge arrives, bringing an entirely new sonic landscape; lifting the song with brighter guitars, strings, and sounds of the ocean that propel the song into its closing. The vocal performance is stark, up-close, and at times, just a whisper. It is haunting yet intimate.

As I listen to this arrangement today, it brings to mind the current state of Atlantic City, the city. Having been released from state control, will it be primed for a rebirth? Or continue on the same haunting path?

The casinos can shine bright, but the beach can still get very cold at night.

I hope you enjoy this new interpretation of a classic.

And if you do, I’d be honored if you added it to your music library, one of your playlists, shared it with a friend, or just let me know that you listened. 🙂

Enjoy,
Josh

Watch a Video from My Maxwell’s Performance

On Thursday, May 4th, I had the privilege of entertaining the front room at Maxwell’s Tavern in Hoboken, NJ. Ty Tuschen joined me for two sets and also ran his GoPro during the gig! Check out this video, which features a unique acoustic interpretation of Disclosure’s (feat. Sam Smith) “Latch.”

If the embed doesn’t appear below, here’s a direct and shareable link: https://youtu.be/LrCjUuawN5g

Watch Two Videos from the Tierney’s Performance

What a gig!

I had a blast playing with Christina Alessi and the Toll Collectors last Friday night at Tierney’s Tavern in Montclair, NJ – 12/12/14. It was so great to play in a band with such excellent musicians.

Here was the line up:
Christina Alessi: voice and acoustic guitar
Jon Andrew: Bass
Josh Bicknell: Drums
Ty Tuschen: Guitar
Mari Hubley: Mandolin/ Vox
Sean-David Cunningham: Epic Violin

Here was the setlist:

Tierneys_12-12-14

Watch a cover of Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me”
In case the embed doesn’t work above, here’s the link: http://youtu.be/PetxyoxW2Kk

Watch a cover of “Wagon Wheel” (which actually has a pretty interesting origin story):
In case the embed doesn’t work above, here’s the link: http://youtu.be/MwjWWagcN8U

We hope to do it all over again sometime soon. Stay tuned!

At the request of a few. Enjoyed by many.

For the past few weeks, double-breasted has filmed cover songs and posted them to YouTube. This was part of our pledge to a few of our Kickstarter backers. The deal: If you donated at a certain level, you could give us a song you’d like to hear us cover. We’ll play it for you and post it to YouTube along with a dedication.

A special thank you to those who donated to Kickstarter last year. Without you, our new record “Suit Yourself” would not have been possible. Remember, the CD release party will be on February 11th!

Here are three, now available for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Amelia’s request: “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac

http://youtu.be/k4jgzdu9HEM 

 

Roxanne and Bob’s request: “Clocks” by Coldplay

http://youtu.be/e4OVJ_ydWTQ 

 

Baratier’s request: “Napolean” by Ani Difranco

http://youtu.be/4JvsgwIVHSI