From its birth 1977 through to the latest instalments of the saga, music has always played a huge part in Star Wars, as sales of the soundtrack albums and the success of John Williams at awards ceremonies over the years can testify. With such success and popularity, the desire to pay tribute to the films and the music has grown at a similar rate, and so in this occasional series Jedi News takes time to look over some of the musical tributes to the sights and sounds from a galaxy far, far away….
Meco – Star Wars and Other Galactic Funk
Possibly one of the earliest musical tributes to the saga, released in 1977. At the time of the film’s release, the soundtrack was in massive demand, so much so that record stores couldn’t get enough copies. And so, many tributes were spawned to cash in on the growing market. Meco’s version one of the most instantly recognisable versions of the theme, and certainly one to get even the most reserved foot tapping. From the opening fanfare, we go on funkadelic rollercoaster ride through your favourite New Hope themes and melodies with various sound effects thrown in for good measure. Solid drums and grooving bass lay down the foundations for the intricate guitar work and sweeping strings and brass lines we all know so well. Given that disco was massive at the time of Star Wars’ release, I often think of this of the soundtrack that could have happened if George Lucas had decided to try and fit in more with the popular sounds of the time.
Galactic Empire – Galactic Empire
If you like your music with a little more dark side to it, then the prog-metal of the Galactic Empire should be right up your Death Star trench. Their debut album covers tunes from the saga and brings to mind the sounds of bands such as Dream Theater and Metallica. Another instrumental tribute, and very well (and faithfully) ‘orchestrated’ arrangements. Whilst there are shredding guitars and pounding drums around every corner, there are many of the subtler parts from the originals brought to the front by the new instrumentation. A particular highlight for me is their rendition of ‘Duel of Fates’ from The Phantom Menace – maybe because it’s one of the newer themes, but in this metallized form it becomes every bit as menacing as Darth Maul himself, and would probably be the version he had going through his head during those epic battles.
The band also perform live regularly and put on an amazing show, in full costume (although following a run in with Disney’s legal team their cosplay has been slightly modified). Definitely worth checking out if they swing by your local cantina.
Palette Swap Ninja – Princess Leia’s Stolen Death Star Plans
2017 sees the 50th anniversary of the Beatles iconic ‘Sgt Pepper’ album, and this album (available for free download) blend the sounds of the Fab Four with the story of ‘A New Hope’ to great effect. The music has been faithfully recreated to sound like the original, with one or two twists to bring in some of John Williams’ iconic themes and motifs, but that’s only half of the effort here.
The lyrics tell the story from the opening chase of the Tantive IV through to the rebels triumphant the Battle of Yavin, and each line matches as closely as possible the phrasing of the Beatles classics.
From the opening of ’Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band/Princess Leia’s Stolen Death Star Plans’ you get the message that this is done with a love of both Star Wars and The Beatles and the story unfolds through Vader’s ‘Illicit Help from Your Friends’ detailing the hunt for the plans. ‘Lucy In Sky…’ is reworked as ‘Luke is in the Desert, and whining’ and the Eastern influences of ‘Within You Without You’ become an ode to the mystical power of the force.
According to interviews this project has taken over a year to come to fruition and the attention to detail here shows why. As long as you don’t take yourself to seriously, this is a great listen.
Darth Elvis & The Imperials – IV
No mention of Star Wars musical tributes could overlook the fantastic Darth Elvis. As their biog states “In 1977 Elvis didn’t die he turned to the Darkside of the Force and ever since he has been playing music venues around the Outer Rim Territory.“
Indeed the Dark Lord’s sequin-laden jumpsuit has rightly become a regular focus of Star Wars event parties, from comic cons to the ‘Four Clubs, One Force’ bash and the sensational performance at #Cantina prior to Celebration in London last year. So this newly released collection sees some of their most popular live set committed to disc and it doesn’t disappoint. Still incorporating some Elvis classic’s (such as Burnin’ Love, now the story of Anakin & Obi-Wan’s duel on Mustafar and ‘Hound Dog’ – You Ain’t Nothin but A Nerf Herder’) the band have started to incorporate other bands material, all given a healthy dose of humour and a Star Wars makeover.
This collection sees among others Neil Diamonds ‘Sweet Caroline’ dedicated to the Emperor (Sheev Palpatine), the Jacksons ‘I Want You Back’ turned into Han’s song to Chewie! There’s something in every song, but my earworm for the whole of Celebration 2016 was the amazing ‘Tell That To Kanjiclub’ (Green Day’s ‘Welcome To Paradise’).
Another band where the musicianship is top notch and Darth Elvis himself seems to (burger) relish exploring his dark side. I was particularly impressed at #Cantina to see the whole band play in full costume, Darth Vegas (guitar) as Maul, Tie Pilot (Bass) and Stormtrooper TK4468 (Drums) and put on an amazing show, giving headliners Ash a tough act to follow. Another one to see live whenever you get chance, but buy this album first so you can sing along!!!
HOT DANG!!!!!
