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Before the Detroit show last night, they were playing "I'll Scratch Yours" tracks over the PA, and one of them was Randy Newman singing "Big Time". I don't know much about the project, but Googling around today, it looks like that track has not been released. Is that correct?

this is quite interesting to read - Randy Newman was always mentioned to do "Big Time", but so far there was no recording of his version (or i missed something).

That's what I've gathered. Very cool if so. We recognized Newman's voice before the song. I believe it was between the opening act and PG's show that they were playing the I'll Scratch Yours tracks. "Big Time" was first, followed by Bon Iver's "Come Talk To Me" and, I think, David Byrne's "I Don't Remember". Hopefully some other Detroiters will back me up.

I did hear the CD playing between acts. I loved it and take a look for it tonight.

Thanks for the information.

i did not hear randy newman's cover at the chicago show. i recall "come talk to me" (bon iver) and "biko" (paul simon) on the PA just prior to the start.

Actually, I did hear the Randy Newman cover in Chicago. At first I thought it might have been a So DNA track--Randy's and Peter's voices can sound similar--but finally identified it as Randy Newman. I didn't know what it was from, or if it was unreleased. I had paid little attention to those "I'll Scratch Yours" tracks before, but I was really impressed with Bon Iver's cover when I heard it before the show. I think I'll plunk down for them, minus the Lou Reed one, which after hearing the sample on iTunes, I would gladly never hear again. I just wonder if I'll end up buying them again if they release a proper album of them.

it's good to hear that newman's cover exists. why not release it as a double A side? that was my favorite part of SMB. obviously, PG has the collection together for the back to front intermission, but i am skeptical it will be released as a proper album due to lack of material.

Yeah, it seems the "I'll Scratch Yours" album was a great idea that may never happen. I dislike the thought of buying the single tunes when they may yet be released as a full album with other tracks, but by now it seems the full album may never happen anyway.

yeah, i don't like paying for SMB songs again through itunes downloads. the covers by stephin merritt and bon iver were released on 7" vinyl if you're an enthusiast.

I figure I'll just download the non-PG tracks and assemble them into a mini-album in iTunes. If they ever release a proper album, I'll have to reassess if it's worth buying them over again.

I wish I had paid more attention - I thought those were demos of PG's songs Bring out "Scratch My Back" - if you can Peter!

The covers were also playing at the Red Rocks show. I enjoyed listening to them very much. It would be great to have a "I'll Scratch Yours" CD in my collection to go along with the Scratch My Back CD.

The I'll Scratch Yours covers were playing before the Philly and Jones Beach show too. I was happy to hear them. I do hope the project gets finished. I like all of the covers except for Lou Reed's. Johnny Feathers: I feel the same way as you about Lou Reed's contribution-ugh!

Hey whats with all the hating on the Lou Reed cover! Out of all them I think that his cover and David Byrne's are the most original and best. I love Lou Reed's version of Solsbury Hill as it is completely unrecognisable and brings out a new life to the song - similar to how Peter's covers were on SMB. Lou Reed is fantastic nearly all the time (after David Bowie and Peter he is my favourite artist) and I only wish I was there when he sang it live! I do hope we get an actual release of I'll Scratch Yours. If Newman has covered Big Time I have no idea as to why it isnt on iTunes! Unless of course a release of I'll Scratch yours is soon to be on its way...