Back in 2016, Kris Angelis released her All Covered Up Vol 1 EP. It’s only three covers but I knew and loved them all. After eight years, All Covered Up Vol 2 has finally dropped. This time it’s five live and acoustic tracks and might be a sequel better than the original, in my gay opinion.
The EP starts with a dark and emotional version of The Cranberries’ “Zombie”. Then Kris turns it around on “I’m A Believer” by The Monkeys, which is upbeat with a hint of 70’s folk realness. I always love when a diva covers Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” which is a true classic and Kris doesn’t disappoint with a much more melancholy and pleading version.
I’m not familiar with the original versions of the last two songs. Of course, I know who Tom Petty is, but Leonard Cohen not so much. However, both “Wildflowers” and “Hallelujah” are folk perfection.
This past summer, my sister and I were lucky enough to catch Kris in concert at a winery just over the border in Rhode Island. Kris performed for a few hours almost non-stop, taking just a few short breaks. She did a chunk of her own songs and sprinkled in a few of these covers and others. The true test of a singer/songwriter’s greatness is when they ask for and are able take requests, which Kris did, and I got to hear two of my favorites. That’s also where I heard “Hallelujah” for the first time and learned it’s one of my sister’s all-time favs. Definitely check her out if given the chance, her talent isn’t to be missed.
Whether you’re a fan of Kris, one of the artists she covered, or just love acoustic guitar with a folksy vocal, this EP is for you.
