Kurt Baker – Got It Covered LP (Oglio Entertainment)

For decades, Kurt Baker has been a staple of the power pop and rock ‘n’ roll scene, with many recordings spanning everything from the late sixties to the early eighties, wrapped in contemporary production for extra impact. And with his latest works, he continues to prove there’s still a time and place for that sweet, addictive, irresistible, hypnotic retro sound that decades ago ruled the airwaves. After The Leftovers’ disbandment, he pursued a successful solo career with “Got It Covered,” released on compact disc through Oglio Entertainment. Today, we’re honoured to write a few lines about the recent vinyl reissue, one of those debuts that certainly deserve a special spot in your collection.

Instead of going down an already paved path by so many and releasing his works to the world, Kurt Baker made a wise move and released a collection of covers that not only serves as a proper introduction or a showcase of his musical capabilities, but also demonstrates his musical taste and what listeners could expect in the future. Power pop, rock ‘n’ roll, punk rock, and new wave always had a special place in people’s hearts, so these seven renditions proved there’s still a market for longstanding music genres. And when you check out the tracklist, you’ll understand why that’s the case. With songs like “Let Me Out” (The Knacks), “Hanging On The Telephone” (originally written by Jack Lee and performed by The Nerves before Blondie popularized it), “Pump It Up” (Elvis Costello), “I’ve Done Everything For You” (written by Sammy Hagar, famously covered by Rick Springfield), “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” (Joe Jackson), “Cruel To Be Kind” (Nick Lowe), and “Turning Japanese” (The Vapors), you honestly cannot feel any sort of disdain. Quite the contrary, once you put a needle on this fine piece of plastic, you’ll be blown by Kurt Baker’s finesse and precision, to the point that you’ll question are there covers actually sound better than the original tunes. And the right answer is: they certainly do! Kurt Baker poured heart and soul into these renditions, and the best part about it is how they resonate on vinyl record now. This vinyl reissue offers something the original CD version don’t. Analog warmth, groove, punch, and certain dynamics only known to vinyl record lovers are just some of the qualites you’ll notice here. The remastered material definitely sounds more massive, detailed, and probably much closer to what Kurt Baker and Oglio Records intended to achieve with this debut record. After all, the artist covered songs that were initially meant to be pressed on vinyl, so this reissue checks all the boxes and unquestionably resonates with tremendous groove, power, depth, harmony, and melody.

The way Kurt Baker has covered these radio hits is nearly mind-blowing. And while all these compositions resonate with that fascinating energy and captivating ambiance that immediately forces you to singalong lyrics, hum the melodies, and dance to the beats, there are certainly those who stand out due to Kurt Baker’s incredible musicianship and vocal performance. He wisely placed “Let Me Out” as the introductory piece, gradually preparing listeners for the wild ride. “Hanging On The Telephone” brings some relentless energy, probably sounding even better than the original. It’s certainly one of the best renditions we’ve ever heard. “Pump It Up” brings those artsy punk vibes, only Devo could bring, and once again, Kurt Baker delivers it with precision and finesse, all while breathing fresh air into a timeless song. If you desperately needed a mixture of pure, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll, power pop, and new wave, then Baker’s rendition of “I’ve Done Everything For You” will definitely satisfy your cravings. With such marvelous verses and anthemic choruses, this song will leave you speechless. Baker’s knack for combining tension and release, and the pacing of this cover album, is impressive. He proves it with “Is She Really Going Out With Him?,” a captivating ballad that proves he’s not only about wild, raw rock ‘n’ roll music, but also about those calm, soothing, relaxing, ethereal ballads. It’s certainly one of the standouts here. In one way or another, “Cruel To Be Kind” carries the same vibe, but in Baker’s cover, you’ll probably hear some The Clash influences. His voice sounds like all those compositions sung by Mick Jones, and this detail is vividly audible during the first verse. All in all, another excellent cover that showcases his profound love for Nick Lowe’s incredible song. This fine piece of plastic comes to an end with another banger. Like many songs included on Baker’s debut, “Turning Japanese” also sounds better than the original, thanks to his outstanding performance, vocal abilities, and wild energy he infused into it. It’s a perfect closure to such an incredible debut cover that put Kurt Baker’s solo career in the limelight.

“Got It Covered” definitely deserves a special place in your vinyl collection, not only because it stands out as a document of Kurt Baker’s love for exceptional music, but also because his renditions of the classics sound even better than the originals. He poured heart and soul into this fine piece of artistry, and now, pressed on a ruby red vinyl, it looks and sounds glamurous. Do not miss a chance to own a piece of rock ‘n’ roll history. Head to Oglio Entertainment and grab this gem.