“Weird Al” Yankovic is famous for recording spoof versions of pop songs, but Ubiquity recording artist Shawn Lee doesn’t merely spoof, he takes a song that was already good and makes it better. It’s not so much ironic pranksterism as kickass, creative borrowing. Think of him as an artier, hipper version of Weird Al.
Shawn Lee’s Ping Pong Orchestra, which releases Hits the Hits on October 9, changes the entire vibe and aesthetic of other people’s songs. Lee turns Missy Elliot’s “Get UR Freak On” into an ominous surf-guitar rant; Britney Spears’ “Toxic” into an instrumental driven by sitar and flute melodies and hard, funky drum beats; and OutKast’s hit “Hey Ya” into a swanky saloon diddy powered by accoustic guitar, piano, and harmonica.
With his collection of vintage instruments (a 1940s Clavioline, a 100-year-old Marxophone zither, and a 1900s Dulcetone), random assortment of covers—and talent—these songs are as funny as they are meticulously-performed. Pop this CD in at a stuffy wine and cheese party and see who’s first to notice something is awry.
