Continued from part II. http://www.examiner.com/music-in-los-angeles/rachel-pearl-jams-part-ii Rachel Pearl. Bringing together past, present and future. Nashville and Los Angeles. Pop and traditional. Not altogether unlike New Yorker Jimmy Fallon himself, whose skits have been so successful in putting traditional (ie Neil Young) arrangements on current pop hits (see "keep your pants on").
W.E. Imagine my surprise to hear your awesome live cover of Miley Cyrus (!) mega teen-pop hit "Party in the USA." Was this inspired by the Jimmy Fallon (as Neil Young), Crosby and Nash version or did it predate this? It is interesting that such a such a seemingly frivolous pop tune can turn into such a beautiful lament. The song itself seems to be a commentary or depiction of some sort regarding coming to LA from other areas of the country. What is your perspective on "Party In the USA" and, more broadly, on the Los Angeles area?
R.P. My cover of "Party in the USA" was inspired before the Jimmy Fallon episode aired. A close friend told me that I should cover it. She was sort of my "inside" to top 40 music at the time, so I just took her word for it. It was the first time I considered covering anything so new. It really opened up the possibilities and I've learned to keep an open mind about my music.Miley's song does paint a good picture of what it's like to visit Los Angeles when coming from a place like Nashville. There's a lot of beauty there, in the landscape and the natives! It can be intimidating. There is also a lot of art there that I respect.
And respect is exactly what Rachel has earned by staying true to her vision while keep her ears and mind open to the pulse of pop from Nashville to Los Angeles and beyond.
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