Audio: New Order’s Bernard Sumner sing ‘In the Ghetto’

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It’s one of the more unlikely covers you’ll hear: former New Order frontman Bernard Sumner crooning Elvis Presley’s melodramatic 1969 hit “In the Ghetto” in a new recording made by the singer’s current band Bad Lieutenant for a forthcoming charity album to benefit a U.K. homeless advocacy group.
The download-only collection, 1969 Key to Change, is due out Oct. 4 and benefits Centrepoint, a British charity aiding young homeless people age 16 to 25. The 13-track compilation also features contributions from Jools Holland, Johnny Marr, Chris Difford and Ian Brown and more (see tracklist and pre-order album here).
As for Bad Lieutenant’s contribution, “In the Ghetto” is pretty faithful, anchored by an acoustic guitar figure and gospel-like backing vocals. Sumner’s wispy voice, however, is miles away from the King’s iconic baritone. (Hear a one-minute sample of the song below.)
According to an announcement of the project on Bad Lieutenant’s website, “1969 defined a musical age, catapulting us into a new era of music and rousing a generation. It’s also the year Centrepoint was set up to help homeless young people.”


(go to the link below to hear the embedded track sample)



from: http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/20...the-ghetto-bernard-sumner-1969-key-to-change/
 
Can't wait to hear the whole thing. Wonder if it'll be as good as Nick Cave's hallowed version.
 
I'm a fan of the original and this sounds better than I thought it would. But Sumner's vocals, while pleasant, are sung without any feeling for the kid who gets shot in the ghetto. Maybe if he transplanted some sympathy for one of the UK's many young tragic knifing victims the singing would've had more feeling to it. Still, sounds pretty good.
 
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