So one again I find myself in a position where I feel I need to give you a disclaimer before the review. I am very familiar with Anthony’s music and have been for a while. I was first introduced to his vocals on BTVS (doing a cover of this very song and Once More With Feeling) then via Youtube videos of his stint as Frank N Furter in Rocky all the way up to Repo! The Genetic Opera. I love his voice quite a lot so getting to do this review with his blessing is a real treat for me.
If youre expecting a note by note cover of The Who’s song you may be disappointing. This is a cover that was inspired by the original and it’s beautiful. Head’s vocals treat these lyrics like they are his life’s story. To me that is what makes this cover as perfect as it is. I’ve heard plenty of covers that were good, but the artists didn’t really make it their own. Anthony didn’t have that problem at all. I am in love with his added runs and drops. The emotion that he sings with is almost more than I can take. He has a great range and with the piano accompaniment this song has such a powerful punch that you have to listen to it to really understand what’s happening.
OK, so I totally expected this to be like the cover he did on Buffy. I was happily surprised by the modifications to the original arrangement. Singing it with a single piano was nothing short of brilliant. I need to get a copy of this song to put on my phone so I can take it with me and share it with the world. Scoff if you want but prior to this my favorite cover of this song was done by Limp Bizkit. In that case I really felt Durst was able to really dig and emotionally connect with the song, turning out a superior song. I have to say that Anthony Stewart Head’s interpretation of the song was a beautiful surprise, taking the song in directions I’d never thought of.
Anthony Stewart Head was born on February 20, 1954 in Camden Town, north London, England. Anthony is an English actor and musician. Having already had a successful career, with regular TV appearances and stage roles, including leads at the Royal National Theatre, he became “a household face” in the UK following his role in the, now classic, commercials for Nescafé Gold Blend (Taster’s Choice in the U.S.). He is internationally known for his roles as Rupert Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Uther Pendragon in Merlin, and for his role as Geoffrey Howe in the Oscar award winning film, The Iron Lady. He has also been attached to a number of other successful TV series: Little Britain, Dr. Who and Manchild. He was most recently seen in Stephen Poliakoff’s, Dancing on the Edge, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters directed by Thor Freudenthal, You, Me and Them on UK Gold and Dominion for Syfy.
In theatre, his credits include Peter Shaffer’s Yonadab at the National, Rupert Cadell in Rope at Chichester and Wyndhams and, more recently, Six Degrees of Separation at the Old Vic.
Anthony is the youngest son of parents, Seafield Head (a documentary filmmaker) and Helen Shingler (an actress). He is the younger brother of Murray Head, who originated the role of Judas in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. Anthony himself has appeared in a number of musicals, such as Godspell, Chess and The Rocky Horror Show, and has recorded a variety of music over the years.
Anthony’s long term partner is well known animal behaviour counsellor, Sarah Fisher, whom he met at the National, when he was performing in Danton’s Death. They are parents to actresses Emily and Daisy Head.
The Band is:
Anthony Stewart Head
Where You Can Get It:
| You can get the album by visiting his website. |
