What is it about clapping? Both a way of showing appreciation, and a way to join in with the music we appreciate. Our hands are like our own personal drum kits that we take with us everywhere we go. Is it any surprise that the simple act of clapping has been the focus of many a great song?

Clap Your Hands – A Tribe Called Quest

Clap Hands – Tom Waits

Clap for the Wolfman – The Guess Who

Clap Hands – Beck

Is this Love – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
* Ok, this one is a bit of a cheat, but how could I leave out Clap Your Hands Say Yeah in a post about clapping?

Beck’s Record Club is at it again!

INXS was the first concert I attended, with my sister , when I was 12. I will always remember that evening with great fondness. INXS was a staple in my young life. Beck’s tribute to the now classic, 1986 Kick is pretty freaking awesome.

This time, Beck brings together “Liars, Annie Clark and Daniel Hart from St. Vincent, Sergio Dias from the legendary Brazilian band Os Mutantes, as well as RC veteran Brian Lebarto” to great effect.

Only the first 6 tracks from the are up thus far at Beck’s Record Club, so we will all have to patiently wait for the remainder. I couldn’t wait though to share their rendition of New Sensation, which is so beautifully redone, in such a non-INXS manner, sensitive and subdued. Absolutely gorgeous! Check it out:

New Sensation – Beck’s Record Club

Record Club: INXS “New Sensation” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Have you heard about what Beck is up to these day? It’s super cool. He calls it Record Club: “is an informal meeting of various musicians to record an album in a day“. He brings together a wide variety of artists to record a classic album in its entirety, all in one day. Beck is the coolest. For real.

I love the creativity involved in this project. And the musicians involved! The collaborations are pretty neat. Beck even put together little videos for each of the tracks. Check out a sampling of my favourite offerings from the 3 albums worth of material Beck has released through Record Club.

The Velvet Underground & Nico

For the first album of the project Beck brought together Nigel Godrich one of Radiohead’s producers, drummer Joey Waronker, Beck’s keyboardist Brian Lebarton, Bram Inscore, and Thorunn Magnusdottir, among others to cover the 1967 album The Velvet Underground & Nico.

Heroin (Alt version)

All Tomorrows Parties

Record Club: Velvet Underground & Nico “All Tomorrow’s Parties” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Songs Of Leonard Cohen

Beck brought together Devendra Banhart, Ben, Andrew and Will from MGMT, Andrew from Wolfmother and Binki from Little Joy, among others to cover every song from the 1967 album The Songs of Leonard Cohen.

Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye

Winter Lady

Record Club: Songs Of Leonard Cohen “Winter Lady” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

Skip Spence’s Oar

Wilco, Jamie Lidell and Feist came together with Beck and others to redo Alexander “Skip” Spence’s 1969 album Oar.

Books of Moses

Little Hands

Record Club: Skip Spence “Little Hands” from Beck Hansen on Vimeo.

If you are left wanting more, head over to Beck’s Record Club!

30. Gone – Kanye West

From the 2005 album Late Registration.

29. Skinny Love – Bon Iver

From the 2008 album From Emma, Forever Ago.

28. Missing – Beck

Off the 2005 album Guero.

27. Boy with a Coin – Iron & Wine

From the 2007 album The Shepherd’s Dog.

26. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z

From the 2008 album Blueprint 3.

25. Big Bird in a Small Cage – Patrick Watson

Off the 2009 album Wooden Arms.

24. The Modern Age – The Strokes

From the 2001 album Is This It?.

23. Get Your Freak On – Missy Elliot

From the 2001 album Miss E… So Addictive.

22. Dance, Dance, Dance – Lykke Li

From her debut album Youth Novels, released in 2008.

21. Sky Starts Falling – Doves

From the 2005 album The Last Broadcast.

Boxstr, my beloved file server, has gone out of business. I’m sad about it… but I guess it makes sense. Their business model was no better than the one I have for this blog. Well… it was a little better, they got $24 out of me. C’est la vie.

As a result, all of the mp3′s posted earlier than yesterday aren’t there any more. Its sad, I know, but its the way the cookie crumbles.

Here’s the silver lining, complete with a ukulele!:

Missing (Remix By Hugo Nicolson) by Beck

I’ve committed to box.net as my new file server, hopefully it doesn’t go under too, or I might end up in hysterics!  I’m treating this change as an opportunity to call in a new era here on the Road 2 Nowhere… I still don’t know where I’m headed, but you are welcome to come along for the ride!