Perhaps I spoke to soon when pointing out that Lisa Hannigan’s recent version of “Willy” is one of a select few worthy Joni Mitchell covers, as Toronto trio Austra — whose impressive original music I’ve been remiss in not mentioning previously — just turned in a beautifully haunting take on “Woodstock.” Ex-opera singer Katie Stelmanis is not only up to the task of taking on Joni’s acrobatic vocal range, but the bed of synthesizers and pulsing percussion loops here update the track nicely as well, launching it out of Laurel Canyon and into another galaxy. Check out the thrilling take above (via Cover Me) and/or hear them rework a Roy Orbison song thataway.
