While Nick Cave is a highly original and talented songwriter in his own rite, in common with many of the musical heroes he holds most dear, he rarely misses a chance to both acknowledge the influence and cover the music of those who have provided him with sonic inspiration over the years.
This 24 track compilation collects together some of the most potent influences on Nick Cave’s enormous and ever-growing body of work. From the drone-blues of John Lee Hooker to the wild guitars of Jimi Hendrix, and from the punk-folk of the Pogues to the gothic-country of Johnny Cash - all via classic rock ‘n’ roll, country blues, murder ballads, trad-jazz, one off novelties, Neil, Bob and Elvis. .
1. Cat Man Gene Vincent (Davis, Vincent) 2:19
2. Gotta Serve Somebody (Live) Bob Dylan (Bob Dylan) 6:56
3. I Put a Spell On You Screaming J. Hawkins (Hawkins) 2:25
4. Rye Whiskey Tex Ritter (Trad, Arr Bond) 3:13
5. Hey Joe Jimi Hendrix (W. Roberts) 3:29
6. Black Betty Lead Belly (Ledbetter) 1:54
7. I’m Gonna Kill That Woman John Lee Hooker (Hooker) 3:02
8. Wanted Man Johnny Cash (Bob Dylan) 2:12
9. Man In Black (Live) Johnny Cash (Johnny Cash) 3:02
10. Bottle It Up And Go Tommy McClennan (Trad, Arr McClennan) 2:46
11. Blue Suede Shoes Elvis Presley (Perkins) 2:00
12. I’m Gonna Run To The City Of Refuge Blind Willie Johnson (Johnson) 3:24
13. Helpless (Live) Neil Young (Neil Young) 4:54
14. Fever Little Willy John (Cooley / Davenport) 2:42
15. How Long, How Long Blues Leroy Carr (Carr) 3:05
16. The Body Of An American The Pogues (MacGowan) 4:21
17. Down In The Willow Garden Everly Brothers (trad, arr Monroe) 3:04
18. Stack O’ Lee Mississippi John Hurt (trad) 2:56
19. Knoxville Girl Louvin Brothers (Louvin, Louvin) 3:49
20. Henry Lee Dick Justice (trad) 3:28
21. King Kong Kitchie-Kitchie Ki-Me-O Chubby Parker (trad) 3:09
22. Mack The Knife Louis Armstrong (Weill / Brecht) 3:25
23. Grinder Man Blues Memphis Slim (P. Chatman) 3:12