“What is Love” Cover on the Wurlitzer Organ
Posted in: Covers, Featured, contemporary
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Wurlitzer Electronic Pianos were some of the first electrified keyboards on the market – while not “Synths” in their own right, they represented a shift from conventional piano design towards electronic pickups and design enough to be classified as some of the earliest “synths”, in the sense of an electronic keyboard that did not require hammers hitting strings.
The song “What Is Love” was a tacky 90’s anthem by “Haddaway” that was most possibly one of the more memorable one-hit-wonders from the 1990’s.
SynthTube readers know it to be the song that the now virally-famous (140,000 views and rising) “Chicken Man” played on MELODICA, bass guitar and loop pedal in Flinders Street in Melbourne the other day. For those who are curious, we are able to report with accuracy that Chicken Man has been revealed to be none other than James Bowers, from the Melbourne-based group, “Dudes With Trowels” (Facebook Link) James Bowers’ own impressive Jazz keyboard chops can be heard at his myspace page : http://www.myspace.com/jamesbowersmusic.
Anyway. Onto today’s video. “Diane Birch” on YT posted this rather wonderful cover of “What Is Love” featuring her own sultry voice and moody Wurlitzer Organ performance of the song. It’s videos like this (and indeed, like Chicken Man’s) that make you realise music is truly in the performer. What was considered a “tacky” anthem of the 90’s – even as it was well written – can sound so much more impressive in the hands of a truly talented performer. We urge you, to click on the image and watch this video, and prepare to be surprised that such a “tacky” song, could be sung and performed so soulfully.
We’re certainly looking at the song in a whole new light.
Enjoy.
EDIT : 14/12/2009 : It appears that the reason why Diane Birch’s youtube account features only ONE video is that she has actually been successfully published as a recording artist. Wonderful, modern soul voice, picture Amy Winehouse without the drugs and twice the talent. Diane Birch Music at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqZ_15A6G8E and www.dianebirch.com
