The Queen of Cover Songs Karine Hannah Premieres her Classics EP exclusively here on Music Crowns. The EP consists of 5 songs plus a bonus track. Each track features hit classic songs that we all know and love.
The EP starts with Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Sound of Silence’.Immediately the sound of a deep dark piano fills your ears, really setting the song’s tone within the first few seconds. This theme continues when Karine Hannah’s vocals start. A beautiful dark feeling is picked up as soon as the first vocals are heard. The rawness of Karine Hannah’s voice adds an aspect of vulnerability that overflows onto the listener. There are gorgeous cracks in her voice, showing genuine emotion from her soul, something challenging to do in a cover of someone else’s song.
She follows up with a reimagined version of Randy Newman’s hit ‘I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today’. Karine Hannah’s cover of the 1968 classic ‘I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today’ by Randy Newman is nothing short of excellent. There is no need to be familiar with the original to enjoy Hannah’s rendition fully.
The third track on the EP is ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ by Santa Esmerald. The song starts slowly with softer vocals, and it feels like Karine is talking right to us. The way she sings the words gives off an innocent and honest vibe, so I’d believe anything she’d tell me. At the end of the first verse and beginning of the bridge, there is a quick switch from low notes into high, executed as smooth as butter. The song ends with a powerful vocal riff from Karine Hannah, followed by a soft piano riff that sounds just as innocent as the lyrics. If you need me, I’ll just listen to that section on repeat.
Karine crosses the threshold to the B Side with Led Zeppelin’s ‘All My Love’. Hannah’s take on this one is definitely a departure from the original, but they can exist alongside each other. Hannah’s is so distinctly her, with those vocal quirks and grand piano melodies that carry all her covers.
She chose the fifth track, a timeless classic song, ‘The Long and Winding Road’ by none other than The Beatles. While this version of ‘The Long and Winding Road’ forgoes the brass of the original, it does not suffer for it. Hannah’s spectacular voice is enough to carry the track to its completion, and the piano and strings accompaniment only serve to heighten her vocals, not drown them out. She’s singing with the instruments, harmonizing with herself in an elegant and captivating ballad.
Rounding out the EP, Karine Hannah gives us a bonus track of a song we all know and love to sing along to `California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and The Papas. Karine Hannah’s rendition of the 1966 hit ‘California Dreamin’’ is exceptionally unique. She transformed the formerly R&B/Soul song into a soothing ballad. From the first listen, her talent is evident. The intro alone is something that takes you by surprise. You will feel as if you are being transported into a different universe via Hannah’s striking harmonies.
Karine Hannah’s Classics EP will be available for streaming and download tomorrow. You can connect with Karine here: http://www.karinehannah.com/
