Zee Avi Takes On Morrissey In "Gang" Fight & Wins

By Craig Rosen Wed May 20, 2009 1:37pm PDT 1 Comment

It can be a good idea for a new act to release a cover version, especially if fans of the song's original performer might like the new artist. I experienced this phenomenon first hand when I heard Zee Avi's version of Morrissey's "First Of The Gang To Die." I was a big fan of the Smiths and still follow Mozzer to some extent. So, I was familiar with the track--which was Morrissey's love letter of sorts to his rabid Latino fanbase in Los Angeles--from his 2004 album You Are The Quarry.

Morrissey's original is a catchy tune propelled along with the traditional mix of electric guitars, drums, and that unmistakable croon. Avi took the song and stripped it down with just her voice and a lone acoustic guitar in a rendition that--dare I say--is even more sweet and tender (no hooligan here) than the original. Check out Avi's performance of the song live at an in-store at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach, California and you can also stream her album version below.

First Of The Gang To Die

It's only appropriate that clip above is from YouTube, because it was through the video-sharing site that Avi was discovered. The 23-year-old from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia posted homemade clips on YouTube to get feedback from a friend who couldn't attend one of her gigs. Among those watching was Raconteurs/Greenhornes drummer Patrick Keeler, who brought Avi to the attention of Raconteurs/White Stripes manager Ian Montone. He promptly signed her to his Monotone imprint, which released Avi's self-titled debut in conjunction with Jack Johnson's Brushfire Records.

As her signing would suggest, Avi is more than just a cover artist. In fact, "First Of The Gang To Die" is the only non-original on her 12-song debut. And the good news is that her originals are as good as her Morrissey cover. Check out the video for "Bitter Heart," the album's first single, below.

In that song you may have noted a full band, including a Wurlitzer and a trombone, backs Avi in the tune that swings with slightly old-time jazz feel. Elsewhere on her album, Avi delves further into a classic jazz sound in "Just You And Me," which begins with Avi on ukulele before breaking into a New Orleans-styled number complete with trumpet and trombone. Still, some of the most affecting tunes of the album are those that feature Avi and minimal instrumentation, including piano ballad "Let Me In," and "Kontoi," sung partially in her native tongue with Avi accompanying herself on uke. Avi's songwriting is top-notch throughout. "Poppy" is a catchy, slightly bluesy tune about losing a lover to drug addiction.