The Moon: Blue Moon

Big Star: Blue Moon [purchase]

Gleeson: Blue Moon [purchase]

No, not that "Blue Moon." This is the "Blue Moon" written by Alex Chilton for Big Star's underground masterpiece, Third/Sister Lovers. Like most of the songs on the record, this one is arranged with minimal adornment, featuring a pair of acoustic guitars, a standup bass, what sounds like a mellotron, and maybe light synthesizer. Beautiful, simple, in-and-out in 2:06.

Austin's Gleeson covered this one for Thank You Friends: An Almost There Records Salute To Big Star, and it's like they took the arrangement for "Holocaust" and sang the words to "Blue Moon." Haunting stuff. Where Chilton's take has a sweet, tender quality, Gleeson's is almost funereal. True, it helps to have Jim Fredley singing, the guy has an awesome voice. But, a big voice could overwhelm the song and that doesn't happen here. The simple arrangement stays true to the original vision, with Ty Chandler's mournful piano part essentially replacing the acoustic guitars and bass. Meanwhile, Michael Crow of Grand Champeen ... doubling as producer/engineer of this track ... provides a faux string quartet part that echoes the mellotron. In both cases, it's pop music at its most direct, beautiful, and simple.

"Let me be your one light,
And if you'd like a true heart,
Take the time to show you're mine,
And I'll be a blue moon in the dark.

While you sleep, you'll see me there,
Clouds race across the sky,
Close your eyes and don't ask why,
And I'll be a blue moon in your eyes.

Morning comes and sleeping's done,
Birds sing outside,
If demons come while you're under,
I'll be a blue moon in the sky."