What a Wonderful World – NICK CAVE & SHANE MacGOWAN

Few split EPs have the feel of a group effort, but this collaboration between Nick Cave and Shane MacGowan (with Cave’s Bad Seeds serving as the backing band) is a wonderful effort that effortlessly combines the talents of both artists. On the title track, Cave’s sad croon and MacGowan’s slurred moan bring a lazy, comforting touch to the Louis Armstrong standard. It is this shuffling feel that looms over the rest of the EP, which consists of the two artists covering each other’s songs. Cave’s version of “Rainy Night in Soho” is drenched with his gloomy, heroin-addled howl. But his sad voice is what makes his rendition of MacGowan’s Irish ballad almost as good as the original. Likewise, hearing Shane MacGowan drunkenly belt out “Lucy” makes it that much more touching. The song feels more like ’70s Tom Waits, giving it a slight (but necessary) twist from its original incarnation. Fans of both artists will probably really enjoy this EP, while even those curious about the two artists could easily start their exposure here on this inexpensive delight.

I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world

I see skies of blue And clouds of white The bright blessed day The dark sacred night And I think to myself What a wonderful world

The colors of the rainbow So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by I see friends shaking hands Saying, “How do you do?” They’re really saying I love you

I hear babies cry I watch them grow They’ll learn much more Than I’ll ever know And I think to myself What a wonderful world Yes, I think to myself What a wonderful world Ooh, yes