News & Notes

Remakes Become Elektra
The Gipsy Kings doing a flamenco version of the Eagles' ''Hotel California''? Michael Feinstein warbling Jon Mitchell's (and Judy Collins' trademark) ''Both Sides Now''? Faster Pussycat turning Carly Simon's ''You're So Vain'' into a heavy-metal anthem? Those are just a few highlights from one of the fall's sure-fire camp gems: Rubaiyat, Elektra Entertainment's 40th anniversary tribute to itself.

On the 39-track record, due in October, current Elektra acts remake songs from the company's relatively glorious past. Participants include Metallica (doing Queen's ''Stone Cold Crazy''), Anita Baker (Carly Simon's ''You Belong to Me''), Teddy Pendergrass (Bread's ''Make It With You''), the Cure (the Doors' ''Hello, I Love You''), 10,000 Maniacs (Jackson Browne's ''These Days''), the Black Velvet Band (Warren Zevon's ''Warewolves of London''), and the Pixies (the Paul Butterfield Blues Band's ''Born in Chicago''). ''We definitely encouraged everyone not to do faithful covers,'' says the album's executive producer (and former Patti Smith Group guitarist) Lenny Kaye. ''We wanted them to put their own spin on the song. Elektra has been a lot different companies over the years, and the main goal was to pay tribute to all of them.''

And Speaking of Remakes
Woody Guthrie, Elvis Presley, Neil Young, the Beach Boys, and Led Zeppelin have all been the subject of recent ''tribute'' albums featuring remakes of their songs by both established and up-and-coming rockers. Next in line is another important influence on contemporary pop: Kiss. The aptly titled Hard to Believe: A Kiss Covers Compilation features cover versions of ''Beth,'' ''Love Gun.'' Lick It Up,'' ''Rock and Roll All Nite,'' ''Christine 16,'' and other Kiss classics by U.S. and Australian rock bands. ''For a lot of people, Kiss was their first important rock & roll experience,'' says guitarist Clay Tarver of the Boston band Bullet LaVolta, which contributed a rendition of ''Detroit Rock City.'' ''I always thought they were an incredibly cheese and stupid, even when I was in the second grade. But they wrote some great rock & roll songs, and they were a great band.''

No Audience Allowed
Leave it to R.E.M., who have made a career of approaching the mainstream in their own enigmatic way, to take an unusual approach to a rock & roll tradition. The group's first concert movie Tourfilm, features the work of five directors — including the band's lead singer, Michael Stipe, and avant-garde New York filmmaker Jim McCay, who reedited the 16mm and 8mm film shot during R.E.M.'s 1989 Green tour. According to McKay, each song (including the hits ''The One I Love,'' ''The End of the World as We Know It,'' and ''Stand,'' as well as the Velvet Underground's ''After Hours'') is to have its own look and feel. ''I didn't want it just to be a 'rock show,''' McKay says. ''There are no interviews, no backstage stuff, no audience shots. I wanted to document the show — and I have no tolerance for 'the wave.''' Being unconventional, though, has drawbacks. ''We'd say, ''Go to guitar solo,'' McKay adds, ''and sometimes the footage wasn't there.''

Press Release of the Week
''Death to Begin Tour of the U.S. in August.'' No, it's not an announcement of the Great Plague coming to a concert hall near you. It concerns a Florida-based ''death metal'' band named in honor of the Big Sleep. The opening acts will be Carcass and Pestilence — and why not?

Bart Turns Blue
T-shirts, buttons, key chains: What other shameless merchadising could possibly stem from The Simpsons? How about an album? In October, Geffen Records will release The Simpsons Sing the Blues, a TV soundtrack (of sorts) featuring musical contributions from the likes of M.C. Hammer (who will do a rap ''duet'' with Bart Simpson) and guitar hero Stevie Ray Vaughan. Cast members will also sing in character — and yes, daighter Lisa will be heard wailing on her saxophone. Naturally, a video is also in the works.