FREE MUSIC FRIDAY

Despite still being in the vice-like grip of man flu – did we mention it before?– we’ve managed to put together a lean, mean Free Music Friday that’s guaranteed to warm even the most wintery of cockles. Let's go!

Of all the people you’d expect reggae legend Jimmy Cliff to cover, Californian Crazy Color merchants Rancid probably aren’t among them.
A strange marriage but the [link]soundcloud.com/rfp86/jimmy-cliff-ruby-soho-rancid[/link] cover of the … 'And Out Come The Wolves' track is rather splendid.

The Hot Press jury is divided over Mariachi El Bronx’s [link]www.covermesongs.com/MP3s/News1111/30Quickies/OnlytheLonely.mp3[/link] jollying up of the Roy Orbison classic. There are also those among the Trinity Street throng who feel that Mrs. Bishop are little feckers for giving Howlin' Pelle and the boys the Air Supply treatment. Make your own mind up at [link]www.covermesongs.com/MP3s/News1211/01HatetoSayIToldYouSo.mp3[/link]

We are however unanimous in our liking of what Trent Reznor and Karen O have done to Led Zep’s ‘The Immigrant Song’. Indulge in its electro-flavoured awesomeness @ [link]www.covermesongs.com/2011/12/listen-trent-reznor-and-karen-o-cover-led-zeppelins-immigrant-song-on-dragon-tattoo-soundtrack.html#more-30666[/link]. It’s culled from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo soundtrack, which runs to a whopping 37 tracks and is out next week.

The Webb Sisters, who - trivia fans take note - hail from Stuart Clark’s hometown of Sevenoaks, are among the acts contributing tunes to the upcoming Mojo tribute to George Harrison. We think George and their erstwhile boss Leonard Cohen would very much approve. [link]soundcloud.com/the3penguins/the-webb-sisters-i-need-you[/link]

We've also been drooling over their cover of Tracy Chapman's 'Baby Can I Hold You'.

The whole of The Black Keys’ incendiary El Camino is streaming in its entirety at
[link]3voor12.vpro.nl/speler/luisterpaal/45289685#luisterpaal.45369704[/link] although we should warn you that like us the link can be a bit temperamental.
Click around on the same site and you’ll also find the latest offerings from Peter Broderick, Mary J. Blige, Kate Bush, to name but three. As back up, there are five kickin’ Black Keys choons at [link]www.hotpress.com/news/8549070.html[/link]

We are seriously loving undun, the new album from The Roots whose mainman ?uestlove was a very welcome visitor a couple of years ago to the Hot Press Chatroom @ Electric Picnic. Try before you buy at [link]www.npr.org/2011/11/28/142873013/first-listen-the-roots-undun[/link]

Philadelphia’s Delta Drift, who are essentially Brendan Burke and assorted musical chums, have not one, but two Radiohead covers for your delectation and a whole album, Meridian, that can be snapped up for free. [link]www.covermesongs.com/MP3s/News1111/30Quickies/Cuttooth.mp3[/link]
Check out [link]deltadrift.bandcamp.com[/link] for more.

We’re not overly keen on the bloke regurgitating his dinner, but the rarities and Little Dragon remix of ‘Cocaine’ at [link]oddfuture.tumblr.com[/link] are essential listening.

Fiddy is streaming a new tune, ‘Stop Crying’, at [link]www.examiner.com/music-in-national/50-cent-stop-crying-audio-video[/link] which is culled from a free mixtape that will be online in time for Crimbo.

Soul Side In, The Hang-Ten Hangmen and Go Go Jimmy Go are among the nine hip new Canadian outfits whose wares can be sampled at [link]www.canada.com/entertainment/music/downloads/index.html[/link]

Our favourite cult Texans are giving away a free five-tracker at [link]www.okkervilriver.com[/link] which includes covers of Ted Lucas, Jim Sullivan, David McComb and Bill Fay tunes. Damn fine stuff!

Next to Derry where the Arthur’s Day Play On The Day finalists and Hot Press split-cover stars Mojo Gogo are streaming their excellent new single ‘Trigger’.
Is it just us or does the young gentleman singing at [link]mojo-gogo.bandcamp.com[/link] have a bit of a Philip Lynott thing going on?

Tenonsaw hail from Fermoy in County Cork , make a gorgeous acoustic folk noise and are streaming their new three-tracker at

Once again we’ve let you down by failing to find any new music by The National – boo! – but click here: [link]instagr.am/p/WYMLu[/link] to see Matt in his lovely Santa cardie. Legend!

And that, we’re afraid, is yer’ Free Music Friday lot! @stuartclark66 is the address to tweet your links to for next week.