Play it Again, Sam #19b - "Purple Haze"

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Okaley dokaley. Jumping right in, we are at #19b, the "cover" portion of today's Play it Again, Sam, and it's one that I absolutely love: The Cure's cover of "Purple Haze" by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. In 1993, Reprise Records put together a tribute compilation, Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. Artists from across the musical spectrum were recruited, and given the hint that they should try to do something different with their chosen songs. One of those bands was alternative music legends, The Cure, who took that suggestion seriously and ran with it. Robert Smith and his merry band of gloomy rockers with the wicked cool pop sensibility created something entirely different, yet easily identifiable as "Purple Haze" if you listen carefully. The cover was released as a promotional single, and reached #2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. When I was living in the Denver suburb of Littleton, I spent a hell of a lot of time hanging out in a bar about four blocks from home. This was a bar that attracted a crowd that listened heavily to classic rock, as well as Garth Brooks and Jimmy Buffett and such. However, the Stone Free CD was in residence in the jukebox, and on an album that featured heavyweights such as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Buddy Guy, as well as great bands like the Spin Doctors, M.A.C.C., and P.M. Dawn, it was the rare visit that someone did not play this Cure cover. That's how cool it is! Enjoy! (Info verified by Wikipedia)