Review by SouthSideoftheSky — Don't try so hard
In 2003, Lana Lane released this covers album featuring strong versions of songs originally
recorded by Kansas, Uriah Heep, Rainbow, Queen, and several others. I was previously
familiar with seven out of the 11 songs covered here, but the rest were new to me. Overall, it is
a very nice collection of covers, and it is clear that Lana and I have some favourites in common
(especially the four bands mentioned above). It must however be said that the selections focus
on the Classic Rock side of Lana Lane's influences, rather than the Prog side. The disc opens
with an excellent version of the Kansas classic The Wall. Next up is Kashmir, one of Led
Zeppelin's best numbers, again a very good rendition here by Lana Lane. Soaring, originally by
a band called Aviary, was a new discovery for me, but it is a good song. Argent's Hold Your
Head Up is, however, a song that I never much liked, and the present version is not better that
the original (or Uriah Heep's version, for that matter). Innocence, originally by Enuff Znuff; I'll
See You In My Dream, originally by Giant; and Northern Lights, originally by TNT, were also all
new to my ears. I was pleasantly surprised by the choice of Queen's Don't Try So Hard, a song
that originally appeared on the Innuendo album. Certainly not among Queen's better songs,
but a good one. Still Loving You by The Scorpions is the one song here that I would say is
better than its original version. Uriah Heep's Weep In Silence is another non-obvious choice.
Finally, the album closes with Rainbow's epic Stargazer.
Covers Collection is an enjoyable listen, but by no means essential