Between making guacamole and refurbishing furniture, Jack White has quite the wide array of talents. Of course, first and foremost, the Detroit icon is an absolutely captivating musical performer, and his latest B-side is a powerful reminder.
Third Man Records is re-releasing his single “That Black Bat Licorice” as a vinyl 7″ with White covering Harry Connick, Jr.’s “Blue Light, Red Light” on the flip-side. The song is a jazzy number from Louisiana native Connick, Jr. that was originally released over twenty years ago.
For White’s rendition, a dramatic piano part and extra loud guitar create an almost entirely new song. As it progresses, White’s sinister snarl becomes more frantic and paranoid. Someone’s there, in the dark, waiting for him to let his guard down.
The track builds to a swirling hurricane of guitar fuzz and piano keys, complemented by a Cajun-tinged swagger that seems to borrow from the original’s southern roots. It’s safe to say that even Harry Connick, Jr. himself might not recognize this cover.
When he wasn’t fending off ghosts and boogeymen, Jack White picked up two honors at the 57th Grammy Awards last weekend. He received Best Rock Performance for his single “Lazaretto” and a trophy for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package for the album The Rise & Fall Of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-27). This brings White’s total career Grammy haul to 11.
“That Black Bat Licorice” will be available digitally on February 17 and physically on February 23. Listen to “Blue Light, Red Light (Someone’s There)” below: