Annie Lennox - I Put A Spell On You

The first single from the singer's new covers album Nostalgia is her take on Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put A Spell On You." The hypnotic production is faithful to the original but updated slightly. The song takes on a more dramatic, almost sinister tone. This recording of it makes it sound like it could be the opening theme of a James Bond movie. Annie's vocal performance is full and rich. She has always excelled on using the darker parts of her voice. This is a fresh and exciting cover.

Listen to a clip and purchase on iTunes here

Grade: A

Kim Sozzi - Little Bird

Dance diva Kim Sozzi is back with a cover of the Annie Lennox song. Vocally, Kim stays very faithful to Annie's original, doing a very good job. Of all the covers she has done, this one is up there with "How Did You Know."  The chilled production of the main version has some traces of the original. There are additional mixes by Italia 3, Dark Intensity, and Vincenzo Callea. The Italia 3 mix plays up the production aesthetic of the Annie original. It feels like a modernized version of that. Both Dark Intensity and Vincenzo Callea's mixes are in a similar vein as the main version throughout most sections, adding some instrumental electro breaks. The Callea one has a lush piano running under the vocal sections. Overall, the Italia 3 and main versions are the best of the bunch, however, every mix is thoroughly enjoyable and well-produced.

-Listen to the main version here (YouTube)
-Purchase the digital single here (iTunes)

Also, check out Annie's original version here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Annie Lennox - Universal Child (Remixes)

This special song was recently included on Annie's Holiday album A Cornucopia Christmas. Originally a ballad, the song has been remixed for the dancefloor by Bellatrax. It's an uplifting electro/house mix. The production is simply beautiful. Although this song may seem like an unlikely candidate for the remix treatment, it works very well.

-Listen to the original here (YouTube)
-Listen to the Bellatrax remix here (YouTube)

Grade: A

Annie Lennox - Universal Child

After some time away from recording, she is back with a new song. Performed during the 2010 edition of  American Idol Gives Back, "Universal Child" is a beautiful ballad sung the way only Annie Lennox could. She sounds fantastic on this. That haunting, ethereal quality that has made her voice loved by so many has changed very little during her impressive career. This one is a must-listen.

The digital single will be released later on and a link to purchase it will be added.

Grade: A+

Ricky Luchini featuring Moony - Little Bird

There have been a handful of covers of Annie Lennox songs released over the years. This is the latest. Annie's original version came out in 1992. It had remixes by Todd Terry, Utah Saints and N-Joi.

Singer Moony puts her own spin on this underrated gem. Appropriately, this is a full vocal cover. Her vocal performance is decent, but given that Annie Lennox is the original artist, it is very difficult to come close to that level of perfection. The piano-driven production on the Disko Kriminals mix is lovely. This is perfect for the dancefloors.

Listen to the Disko Kriminals Klub Mix here (YouTube)

Listen to the Alex Gaudino & Jason Rooney Mix here (YouTube)

Grade: B+