There is an assumption, perhaps held by those outside the creative sphere, that covers are just a way of cashing in on something already popular. But that misses the point. If certain classic songs and musical standards were popular because they spoke to the record-buying teens of the day, the same is true of those who went on to pursue music as a career. In fact, it was such songs that inspired that path. And that is certainly true of Lurleen Ladd.
Ahead of her album of covers to follow, the aptly named Reclaimation, where she takes the songs of her own formative, gen-x days and looks for new meaning in them- meanings more applicable to the person that teenager grew into- comes her take on ‘Walk of Life.’
And Ladd goes beyond just finding new personal meaning in what is perhaps Dire Straits most famous song; she also finds a new sound to propel it. Gone is the Zydeco groove that reminded those who looked beyond, or at least below, the pop-rock shine of Mark Knopfler’s love of all things American roots music, and ushered in is a moodier slice of spacious bluesy-psychedelia, raw and more earthy, a new sound with an older echo at its heart.
Reclamation is not just the sound of 80s songs being reworked. As someone who came to the recording side of music later in life, the reclamation being evoked here is a reminder that, despite what society says, it is never too late to reclaim your hopes, ambitions, dreams, and aspirations. In an industry where many ensconced in their ivory towers lose interest in female artists if they haven’t had a chart hit by the time they turn 21, ‘Walk of Life’ is a subversive and sensational declaration of independence from such outdated attitudes.
A great reimagining, and a succulent taste of things to come.
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