Andrew Jaffe: Leaves on the Line

Don't worry, I'm not getting all personal on you. Rather, this month marks the sad anniversary of the death of John Peel. In his honor, a scary all-star cavalcade has recorded a version of one of his favorite songs: the Buzzcocks' "Ever Fallen in Love?" -- Robert Plant (ok), Roger Daltrey (hmmm), Elton John (!!!!), a lineup apparently OK'ed by Peel's son, which at least also includes the Buzzcocks' own Pete Shelley, who wrote the song, and a smattering of younger artists like the Datsuns. The single will be played simultaneously across the BBC radio stations on October 10; October 13 will be heretofore known as John Peel Day; and the single will actually be released on November 21 (proceeds go to Amnesty International, so donate directly if the geriatric lineup makes you gag).

Update: OK, the single's not too bad; at least it's loud, and it's fast. Not as good as the original, nor the Fine Young Cannibal's pop-candy version, nor the buzzsaw guitars of unknown mid-80s Connecticut rockers Bleached Black's version. But it's still a great song, hard to ruin. You can listen to it on the BBC's web site for the next week or so (almost exactly 1 hour and 12 minutes in).