Jeff Buckley Fans' Snobbery is a Bore

Every year you're never quite sure who's gonna be the Christmas number one... until the X-Factor winner is announced. This year the honour deservedly fell to Alexandra Burke, the second winner to be a genuinely talented singer - Leona Lewis being the other - whose debut single is a cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah'.

Imagine my confusion then, when trawling through the Facebook, when I saw that Jeff Buckley fans have thrown their toys out of the pram demanding that the "original" version be bought in order to rival Alexandra's for the number one spot. I can understand their passionate love of that version of the song, but after doing some research, it appears that there has been a multitude of cover versions released previously that haven't received such staunch opposition.

In many respects, Alexandra's version is a good effort. She has a very gospel style and this song demands such an approach. I sincerely hope that Alexandra's version gets to number one because, firstly, she is a deserving winner, and, secondly, to put one over on the 'know-all' music snobs.

Heatonia Reunion?

Although the likelihood of the last Heatonia line-up ever playing together in the same room is unlikely, nearly six years after their golden summer of 2003 a new recording is likely to be released in early 2009.

The song in question, Missing You, is based around a backing track first recorded in 2003. The recording at present features Thomas Kelly on rhythm guitar, Clare Curtis on bass and Mason Le Long on lead guitar and drums. Chris Jones, also a member of the band was unavailable for the recording session due to other commitments, but Mason’s drum beat was largely based on the version that Jones used to play when performing the song live.

It is likely that, with the power of Apple recording software, vocals and an organ part will be recorded by Kelly forthwith, with Mason possibly being asked to contribute a harmony vocal for the chorus and a lead solo.

All being well, a ‘B-side’ may be recorded too – the recording of which will be most likely undertaken by Kelly travelling to see the other members who will record their parts separately. It is understood that Jones would be expected to contribute drums to this song in lieu of the fact he isn’t featured on the A-side.

This reunion is not to be taken too seriously, but the songs are real nonetheless.