Chances are that you’ve seen Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers cover of Hall & Oates “I Can’t Go For That.” It has gone viral and has nearly 1.5 million views on YouTube. The cover is part of their Van Session series, recorded with an iPhone in their van as they tour (the video descriptions include the trip starting points and destinations).
As fun as their take on the Hall & Oates classic is, dig deeper in the series and you’ll find some covers that are equally entertaining. I’m partial to their performances of George Michael’s “Faith” (recorded between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA), Pat Benetar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” (between Applegate, OR and Mt. Shasta, CA) and the old Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers chestnut “Islands in the Stream” (between San Francisco, CA and Santa Barbara, CA).
In between van recording sessions, Bluhm and crew found time to visit the studio to record their second full-length album, Driftwood, available now.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.