Joss Stone, Super Duper Love | COVERS

In the 27^th edition of COVERS (2024), Joss Stone delivers a compelling rendition of “Super Duper Love” originally performed by Sugar Billy.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 27^th edition of COVERS (2024), Joss Stone delivers a compelling rendition of “Super Duper Love” originally performed by Sugar Billy.

“Yeah / Are you diggin’ on me? / Yeah, yeah / I’m diggin’ on you now, baby.” “Super Duper Love” was an epic introduction to Grammy-winning singer/songwriter, Joss Stone.  “Super Duper Love” appeared on her 2003, gold-certified debut album, The Soul Sessions. In Stone’s hands, “Super Duper Love” sounded refreshing despite hearkening back to the soul music of old.  A Billy Sugar (Willie Garner) cover, Stone infused her fair share of soul into the cut at the mere age of 16. Stone was supported by some supremely talented musicians including Little Beaver on guitar, Latimore on piano, the late Betty Wright on backing vocals, and Cindy Blackman on drums.  That’s a loaded roster!

The music superbly captures the high-flying nature of the original.  Little Beaver kills it on guitar, while Timmy Thomas ‘churches it up’ on the organ. Jack Daley’s bass line anchors, in all its fatness.  Of course, it is Stone who is the star of the show.  Although youthful at the time, her voice was mature well beyond its years.  Many English singers have proven themselves to have the chops to hang in soul circles and Joss was no different.  She sings powerfully and expressively, channeling her inner Sugar Billy superbly. “In the presence of all my friends / You stood there holdin’ my hand,” she sings convincingly, adding, “And you promised me faithfully / That you will be my only man.” She likely hadn’t experienced the full effect of love at the time (she was 16), but, you couldn’t tell by how invested she sounded. Stone gets a lift from backing vocals, something absent from the original.  All told, “Super Duper Love” sounded like the proper lane and vibe for Stone.  Throughout her career, she’s brought ample soul to her music which is dope.

Joss Stone // The Soul Sessions // Virgin // 2023

Joss Stone, Super Duper Love: Covers No. 27 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Virgin; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]