Mike Vasas
I sometimes complain about the Lansing scene. While there are some good bands, they all seem to be either punk, metal or folk. But I recently found somebody doing something different. I recently met this guy named Mike Vasas. He’s a middle school music teacher and musician.
He started a blog called Songs Not by Me (http://songsnotbyme.com) where he has been posting a cover every day this year. His song selections are impeccable and the diversity of style in these performances is just mind blowing. Some of them have incredible arrangements or rework the song in really inventive ways. The least of them are still well performed run-throughs of great songs.
I still haven’t listened to all of them, as he’s already posted over 300. But of the ones I’ve listened to, here are my favorites. They aren’t really in any order, but my two favorites are at the top.
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=913
Mr. Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=134
Back In Judy’s Jungle by Brian Eno
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=366
That’s No Reason To Cry by David Ackles
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=769
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=485
As The World Falls Down by David Bowie
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=426
Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=236
All My Friends by LCD Soundsystem
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=143
How To Write a Song by Harry Nilsson
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=1347
Coconut by Harry Nilsson
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=942
Daybreak by Harry Nilsson
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=945
Nobody Cares About The Railroads Anymore by Harry Nilsson
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=387
Daddy’s Song by Harry Nilsson
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=244
All I Think About Is You by Harry Nilsson
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=180
Love Story by Randy Newman
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=408
Fat Mama Kick by Scott Walker
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=1345
Journey Through The Past by Neil Young
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=371
In the Neighborhood by Tom Waits
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=981
Heart it Races by Architecture in Helsinki
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=935
Desolation Row by Bob Dylan
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=829
Clam Crab Cockle Cowrie by Joanna Newsom
http://www.songsnotbyme.com/?p=111