Billy Bunker review of Jane’s cover of “Foggy Notion” for the American Velvet tribute album.

Confession time:  I am not a fan of the Go-Go’s.  Don’t care why.  Life is short.  This Jane Wiedlin character doesn’t have any of that poppy glitter at all, and I’d just as soon dispel the nasty rumors about her Go-Go gestation.  I feel a little dirty listening to Wiedlin’s version of Foggy Notion.  Was that song always about S&M?  I was much younger when I heard the original.  There’s a simple sense of wild-eyed excitement and drama in that Jane’s cover of Foggy Notion that brings out the delicious sense of dangerous appeal I hadn’t sensed in that song before.  The arrangements on this album are whip smart, and this cut is a good example.  There’s an elemental solo on acoustic in the middle of the tune that feels like thinking things over.  So maybe the singer will take the straight and narrow, and listen to the voice of Mommy, back off, and walk away, but NAAAAH!  The next verse lights up a little mischievous twinkle in the eye like a gal who knew all along there was no stopping now.

P.S. The original version of “Foggy Notion” ends in a repeat of the name “Sally Mae” which has never been explained to me. Jane does something astonishing by substituting “Billy Joel” for those repeats. I have no clue what that means in the original or this version, but I think it’s brilliant. Somebody please explain this to me! Hey Jane, what up? That sort of fearless irreverence is something the original Velvets would love. If I were Billy Joel, I’d be flattered probably a little disturbed.

P.P.S. Just got an email from Jane Wiedlin:
“Hi Billy,
Billie JOE, not Billy Joel!!!!!!!
Laughing my ass off,
Jane”
So I have to do my best Emilie LaTella and say, “Never mind,” and thanks for the correction, Jane. This is too funny not to leave in the review.

You can read the full album review HERE.

The FOGGY NOTION song and the AMERICAN VELVET album is now available for download HERE.
Support Indie Labels!