John Legend's "You Don't Know Me"
On the final episode of last season's Curb Your Enthusiasm -- a show LD fans consider a top-10 classic -- R&B singer John Legend does a killer cover of Ray Charles' You Don't Know Me. If you want to watch it (and you really should), GO HERE. There's some NSFW language toward the end of the clip (courtesy Susie Greene, natch), plus typically irreverent Curb humor. But the real reason I bring this up is because some of you out there, and I won't name names, have a special knack for "getting things." And supposedly there's an iPod-able version of Legend's performance floating around. And if that little goodie mysteriously appeared in my email inbox, well, let's just say I'd be a mighty happy (and discreet) camper. And hey, maybe there's something I could do for you someday...
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
So has anyone been able to find that version? It is still not on i-Tunes. I have the Jan Arden one, but I like John Legend's better. His is the best version, I think. I want to buy it!
Posted by: Jaimee | January 23, 2009 at 12:59 AM
I agree. I own many of Peter's books. He's a most excellent writer. Joe & I have a huge Rock & Roll library & a pretty decent vinyl library too. Between the 2 of us, we have 5 copies of Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake, 3 opened, 2 un-opened! What foresight Joe had leaving the shrink-wrap on 2 of them. People try to buy em all they time, but Joe will not sell.
Posted by: jo | August 13, 2008 at 04:13 PM
Guralnick's books are MUSTS for anyone, music fans or not: "Last Train to Memphis" (the early years) and "Careless Love." His attention to detail and poetry is mind-blowing. It's the history of America as well as a biography of excess. Unbelievable. And he's not a moralist -- he tells it straight.
Posted by: Sean Daly | August 13, 2008 at 03:57 PM
sounds like an interesting book. i havent read a book on elvis since the ultra bad goldman biography. maybe ill pick up the two books written by peter.
Posted by: CHAD | August 13, 2008 at 03:25 PM
I peed and my sister pooped in Elvis' backyard on our family vacation. I was raised under a velvet Elvis. My dad was so proud we left our marks.
Posted by: MaiSitter | August 13, 2008 at 03:17 PM
You can find Elvis's version on iTunes. I wish I could find this John Legend version. It is sweet.
Posted by: Bassnote | August 13, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Really? The King? That's huge, Chad. I'm currently reading Peter Guralnick's "Careless Love," so I'm all about Elvis these days. I'll search it out. Thanks.
Posted by: Sean Daly | August 13, 2008 at 10:16 AM
elvis did a very good version of this tune on the soundtrack to clambake, i think. long live the king
Posted by: CHAD | August 12, 2008 at 10:27 PM
John Legend is synonymous with smooth. Sort of like ... nah. I can't say it.
JL's take on that one oozes luxury, baby.
Posted by: Marissa | August 12, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I'll check it out, Michelle. Thanks.
Posted by: Sean Daly | August 12, 2008 at 04:00 PM
I like Jann Arden's version on the "My Best Friend's Wedding" soundtrack.
Posted by: Michelle | August 12, 2008 at 03:45 PM