I can’t exactly recall the first time I heard “Some Velvet Morning,” the 1967 psych-country classic written by Lee Hazlewood and recorded as a duet with Nancy Sinatra. I do remember being floored as a child by how spectral it sounded. It wasn’t so much dark and foreboding (that would come later) as it was otherworldly. The vocals were chilling in a way I couldn’t quite yet understand, and yet beautiful. With my youthful imagination the song’s mystical leanings were not lost on me. Music was nothing if not a transportive experience, and “Some Velvet Morning” took me somewhere eerie, wondrous, and new.

Still, until the press release crossed my inbox last week, it had been years since I had listened to the song. But within moments of hitting play, the new cover from Jordan Reynolds—aka Rose Hotel—and Mick Mayer of Red Sea sent those early memories flooding back.

Recorded in just eight hours with help from Jack Blauvelt (Neighbor Lady, CDSM, Night Palace), the Atlanta duo’s version takes a more playful and ethereal approach. In a bit of a curveball, the pair swap roles with Reynolds gamely adopting Hazelwood’s mythical musings. Mayer, meanwhile, makes for an effective Phaedra, his airy vocals conjuring a sense of magic and mystery. Perhaps it has something to do with how quickly the song came together, but there’s a spontaneity to the recording that feels essential. Musically, the song sweeps along gracefully, but it’s the way their voices interact and intertwine that provides the tension and drama.

“The song is really unique with those two distinct worlds, as parts, playfully partitioned off,” Mayer explains. “This encouraged contrast in a way that allowed us to emphasize each of our own artistic voices without compromise. At the same time we were all supporting each other’s ‘part’ by obviously playing and singing over the whole track. It made the process that much more interesting for me.”

Listen below.

Much like the original first appeared on a soundtrack for a Sinatra-led television special, this new rendition was also created in service of a broader vision. While putting together ideas for an October show at the EARL, Reynolds wanted to do something unique and special. After seeing Red Sea perform earlier this year, she was eager to pursue some form of collaboration and the show felt like a perfect opportunity to combine forces.

Working with promoter Kyle Swick of Irrelevant Music, the trio collaborated on different ways they could change the structure and promotion of the event. In addition to performances from Rose Hotel, Mayer, and Dream Wave, the decision was made to include poetry with poets Karl Green, Grace Wayne, and Melanie Paulos all tapped to do readings. It was out of this spirit of creative cohesion that Reynolds first got the idea for the cover. From there, everything seemed to come together organically.

“The final billing for the show that coalesced was ‘Some Velvet Evening: A Night of Poetry and Song’ inspired by the title of the single and my recent obsession with Blue Velvet/David Lynch movies [laughs]. So we’ve been sort of cross promoting the single release and the show together as a full package experience. The song is also a little spooky, which feels perfect for the autumnal season.”

Some Velvet Evening: A Night of Poetry and Song will take place on Sat., Oct. 21 at the EARL. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $16 in advance or $20 DOS. 21+ to enter.

More Info
Web: rosehotelmusic.com
Bandcamp: rosehotel.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @rosehotelmusic
Instagram: @rosehotel_
SoundCloud: @rose-hotel

Bandcamp: mickmayer.bandcamp.com
Instagram: @mickmayer_
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