CD Review: The Bird and the Bee, "Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates"

f there is anything to be said of The Bird and the Bee; it is that they certainly are aware of their aesthetic; and they play to it with great aplomb. If the success of the groups paring of said vision with the Bee Gees Saturday Night Fever classic How Deep is Your Love is any indication, it is little wonder that the group has chosen to record an entire album of covers. Having already exploited the blue-eyed soul of the disco era, it seems only natural that the Los Angeles duo would focus next on the Rock n Soul of Daryl Hall and John Oates with Interpreting the Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates (2010 Blue Note)

Hall & Oates are experiencing of a sort of renaissance these days, cherished by the middle-aged hipsters that grew up with the bands music as a backdrop. Fans of Halls online series, Live from Daryls House, are already accustomed to hearing contemporary artists put their spin on Hall & Oates classics. The results vary as wildly as you would imagine with guests ranging from the legendary Smokey Robinson to Chromeo, but more often than not, the common ground found playing the H&O songbook is where the magic happens.

But we already know those songs, so lets focus first on the records lone original track, Heard it on the Radio. In the context of the album, it wouldnt be too far of a stretch to assume this was another cover. The Hall & Oates feel is there, complete with references to Kiss On My List and choppy guitar stabs granted, it is more likely a guitar keyboard patch. I can definitely see this track taking residence on many a summer mixtape.