Klaxons vs. Grace

I love cover versions: the Klaxons' cover of the 90s dance band Grace's Not Over Yet. Who does it better? Klaxons, above, or the brilliant Grace below. I love the original but there's no doubting the Klaxons' version has some killerbee synth riffs in there. The original was released in 1995 and reached #6 on the charts. It was remixed and re-released by Paul Oakenfold in 1999 too, and there is apparently a February 2008 Goldfrapp cover kicking about too, courtesy of Jo Wiley's Live Lounge.




The Goldfrapp version, as performed in Jo Wiley's Live Lounge, on the 8th February 2008.

It's All About the Stragglers...and Artful Dodger

Think About Me featuring Michelle Escoffery. This used to be one of my favourite songs, heatbreaking and soothing at the same time. Just a great voice and simple composition with acoustic guitar and piano. The slower side of the Dodger, only reached #11 on the UK charts.

Twentyfourseven featuring All Sainter Mel Blatt. This song was released on the 17th September 2001, and got to #6 on the UK charts.

Please Don't Turn Me On featuring Lifford Davis. Reached #4 in the charts.

Movin' Too Fast featuring Romina Johnson. Originally released in 1999, reached a stomping #187 on the UK charts, before achieving #2 position thanks to a 2002 remix and re-release.

All of the above tracks were taken from the only Artful Dodger album to date, It's All About the Stragglers, released on November 20th 2001. The album lasts for 61.76 minutes, fans. Also included Woman Trouble and Re-Rewind. I quite liked the cover art too.

Potential Break-Up Song by Aly & AJ

Ivan by Sam Taylor-Wood

Two Months Off by Underworld

Reflekt - Need to Feel Loved

One of the best trance anthems to my ears, and a great use of sampling - the swooning strings are taken from the theme tune to the film, Road to Perdition (Jude Law, Tom Hanks). Just a great track.

Rudolf Nureyev Dances Le Corsaire

Rudolf Nureyev is one of my favourite ballet dancers (and hot too). The above photograph shows just how beautiful (and extraordinarily well hung) he was. The photograph was taken by Richard Avedon, in Paris, July 15 1961.

Look how perfect he performs an act of Le Corsaire. As well as the dancing, I love the aesthetics of this 1963 clip, the colour and feel to it.