Exploring Cover Songs

Original: Flume by Bon Iver

Cover: Flume by Alex Humphrey

            As a musician myself, I’ve always been wary of covers. I adore a great cover, but nothing is worse than a bad rendition of an already wonderful song. However, this cover of ‘Flume’ (originally recorded by Justin Vernon AKA Bon Iver) composed by Alex Humphrey takes an already raw, heart-wrenching track, and makes it even more powerful. I didn’t think that was at all possible. But, she utilizes different/even more stripped down instrumentation, a female voice with an obviously different timbre, but a similar approach in the recording process. In this blog, I’ll focus on contrast and affinity between these two versions of ‘Flume’.

            The MELODY in both of these versions stays relatively the same. Humphrey very clearly used Justin Vernon’s melody as a guideline for her interpretation. However, her harmonies are a little different as well. I’d say as a whole though, she generally follows the melody and harmony laid down originally by Vernon, but takes some creative freedom every now and again with small vocal riffs.

            (MUSICAL QUALITY) Where as Justin Vernon uses multiple layers of acoustic guitar, vocal tracks, bass drums, stomping, clicks (probably drumsticks or something of the sort), and etc; Alex Humphrey takes a simpler approach. She uses vibes, a few vocal tracks, and a keyboard track. Vernon’s version has a bit more of a rhythmic drive to it, with the bass/stomping and the clicks that pull that track forward. Humphrey’s is a bit more syncopated.

            One stark contrast to be found between the two tracks, is that Humphrey’s version is so much more smooth and silky in timbre. She’s got a more trained, warm, woman’s voice. Where as, obviously, Justin has a man’s voice. It’s a little less tamed (not because it’s a man’s voice, but because it doesn’t have a refined quality to it), and thus it brings so much emotion to the table. I feel like Humphrey’s take on the track, smoothes out all of Justin’s rough spots and brings out all of his emotion in a more methodical, smooth, way.

            Their method of recording also bound the two together. They both had a very simple recording setup that gave their tracks a raw, brooding, feel.

            Overall, I enjoy both tracks, but my preference for one or the other sways solely depending on my mood that particular day. Alex Humphrey’s is a more refined version, smooth, and warm in timbre; Justin Vernon’s original version is much more raw and thus brings much more heartbreak to the table. It just depends on what you want to hear that evening. They’re both great versions of the song.