Jem Records to Release a Jersey-Centric Bowie Tribute
In 1974, Bruce Springsteen and David Bowie had a meeting in Philadelphia where Bowie was recording his ninth album, Young Americans. Bowie wound up covering two Bruce songs in the studio—“It’s Hard To Be A Saint In The City” and “Growin’ Up”—but both were given up on. Now it’s time for New Jersey to cover some Bowie.
On August 29, Jem Records Celebrates David Bowie in a various-artists tribute that rocks. Jem’s previous “Celebrations” have all been gems, starting in 2020 with John Lennon, followed by Brian Wilson, Pete Townshend, Ray Davies and Jagger/Richards. Among the artists celebrating Bowie on the new tribute are such Jersey-folk as The Weeklings (Asbury Park), The Grip Weeds (Highland Park), The Anderson Council (New Brunswick), The Cynz (East Brunswick), Paul Collins (Leonia) and Richard Barone (Hoboken).
Jem President Marty Scott tell us that he looks forward to doing it every year. “As soon as each album is released,” he explains, “I start working on the next one. This includes working with each artist on the song of their choice. I feel that this album is the best we have recorded so far.”
The first single off the album is by The Cynz. “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” is the first song Bowie ever recorded under his own name. It flopped. But it was 1966 and the world wasn’t yet ready for Bowie. The Cynz, to their credit, magnificently captures the essence of the song.
JEM Records Celebrates David Bowie:
“Space Oddity,” The Grip Weeds
“Hang on to Yourself,” Paul Collins
“Can’t Help Thinking About Me,” The Cynz
“Kooks,” The On and Ons
“Boys Keep Swinging,” The Anderson Council
“I’m Afraid of Americans,” The Airport 77s
“Modern Love,” The High Frequencies
“Changes,” The Midnight Callers
“Diamond Dogs,” The Weeklings
“Starman” (live), Richard Barone
“Heroes,” Nick Piunti & the Complicated Men