Recording-wise, it’s been a bit of a dry spell for The Cure, but Robert Smith continues to dabble in different side projects, the latest of which is a cover of “Small Hours” by the late U.K. folk-rock figure John Martyn. Smith’s new recording of the song — the closing track to Martyn’s 1977 album One World — appears on Johnny Boy Would Love This… A Tribute to John Martyn, which is due out Aug. 16. Lauren Laverne debuted the song on BBC 6 Music today, and you can stream and/or download the radio rip below thanks to ever-vigilant fan site Chain of Flowers.
Stream Robert Smith’s cover of ‘Small Hours’ after the jump…
Robert Smith, ‘Small Hours’ (BBC 6 Music) by CoF
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
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- Teaser: The Cure’s Robert Smith and The Japanese Popstars, ‘Take Forever’
Wow – just beautiful. I’m on my 3rd listen already, loving it!!!
Have to agree that this is EASILY the best thing RS has done outside the Cure (and maybe it points towards what that long talked about RS solo album would sound like…)
Recalls the spacious feel of the Cure’s strongest material too, which is never a bad thing in my opinion.
Beautiful. Reminds me of what the Cure used to be like. Sad that it’s just a cover. The ocean backing track sounds the same as Pirate ships.
It reminds me of the open, leisurely paced arrangements of Disintegration and Wish.
Sounds straight out of the Wish Era. Too bad for the radio announcer talking over the end, otherwise this would make an incredible download. Will just have to buy it. :9 Spoiled, spoiled.
Um… it’s a cover of John Martyn. It’s what HE used to be like, really. Don’t get me wrong, I love this–very respectful and lovely and that magnificent voice, as always, makes me smile. But if you know the original you know that this isn’t far afield. The version Martyn did for John Peel is well worth 99 cents.
original ’78 version is incredible and robert smith nailed this.
life isn’t perfect but there is this one off beat at 49 seconds that startles me every time i listen. wonder how he missed that.