With the new Sedibus album landing on Friday, one-half of the duo and original The Orb member Andy Falconer has concocted an intriguing selection of music for our start-of-the-week treat, otherwise known as our Monday mix.

Sedibus is a collaboration between Falconer and co-founder of The Orb, Alex Paterson. Their second album, titled ‘SETI’ (Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence), is described as “A sort of ‘ambient unplugged’, it’s full of acoustic instruments and nostalgic samples, folding space between the old world, and places where no man has gone before.”

For his guest Monday mix, Falconer selected 11 different versions of The Carpenter’s classic track “Rain Days and Mondays”.

We’re thrilled that Andy has gifted this exclusive mix to our platform. Without further ado, let’s turn things over to Andy, who has written a lovely introduction and caption for each version below.

When I was asked to do a “Monday Mix” which in some way had it’s theme rooted in this day of the week. I was at first a little all at sea with regards to what to do for a theme. The obvious ones would be a collection of “It’s Monday and I’ve got the blues because the weekend is over” songs. Or alternative go for something that’s an optimistic “Pick me up” because it’s Monday collection, but since I don’t follow the traditional working week routine and, a Monday has about as much meaning for me as a Friday. None of the above seemed relevant.

But having thought of Monday, the one song that had sprung straight into my mind was The Carpenters “Rain days and Mondays”. A song that I’d always loved. So I started to think of how I could use that song without falling into either of the above mentioned cliches. Then it came to me.

A few years ago, I’d come across a series of albums that may have been simply called “One Song”, as that’s what they were. One classic track, but with 20 or so different cover versions of the thing all on one album. As I’m a sucker for cover versions, I found them very amusing, and added the “Hey Joe” one to my collection (it’s around here somewhere). So that’s what I decided to do, and I’ve had quite some fun dragging together 11 different versions of The Carpenter’s “Rain Days and Mondays” I hope you have as much fun on this voyage of interpretation discovery as I’ve had.

1 – The Carpenters – “Rain days and Mondays”
We can’t start this little cover version odyssey without having the original for reference, so here goes.

2 – Sarah Vaughan – “Rain days and Mondays”
One of my absolute favourite ladies of Jazz, and in excellent form with this superb live version.



3 – Paul Williams – “Rain days and Mondays”
From the orchestration, the way the piano comes to the fore, and the singing style. This just screams to me, “I want to be Elton John”. It falls a little short in its aspirations but is still an entertaining effort.

4 – Olivia Newton John – “Rain days and Mondays”
The sort of safe version that you’d expect from Olivia, which plants its banner well and truly in the middle of the road.

5 – The Intruders – “Rain days and Mondays”
Now we’re getting interesting. At this point in their career The Intruders have left behind the matching suits and ties of 60’s Soul, and have discovered the satin pants and more extravagant arrangements of 70’s R&B. A fun version which is only slightly let down by a lead vocal which is occasionally suspect in its delivery.

6 – John Bates – “Rain days and Mondays”
Now, this was an unexpected gem. A live recorded Brass Band instrumental version. The dynamic range and lack of presence in the live recording is maybe a little bit of a challenge for the listener, but one that’s well worth undertaking. Love those big staccato stabs that come in later.

7 – Lim Ju Yeon – “Rain days and Mondays”
To be honest. I’m not sure if this is Lim Ju Yeon as credited or Lim Ji Yeon, the South Korean actress, but regardless. It has that extra flair to the piano that I would instantly associate with Asia and their love for classical and jazz styles.

8 – Bootleg Bandits – “Let me drown”


Here we go a tiny bit off the direct cover version track with a fun interpretation. While in the process of hunting down versions of “Rain days and Mondays”. I took a call with my friend and sometime collaborator Rob Mo and, of course, told him what I was up to. “Maybe you could do me a quick electronic remix”. I joked, and Rob being Rob. This turned up in Drop-Box 20 minutes later. Not quite what I would call an electronic remix, but it’s still pretty cool and as far as I’m concerned. Better than the over-elaborate classical guitar version from Pat Metheny, which I would have otherwise used.

9 – Benet – “Rain days and Mondays”
Simply dripping with 80’s production. Is that a syn-drum, I hear?

10 – Dami Im – “Rain days and Mondays”


I’ve included this one as an example of the sort of cover version I hate. It’s such a carbon copy of the original that brings nothing new to the table that I have to ask. “Why did you bother?”

11 – Karaoke – “Rain days and Mondays”
After listening to all the other previous versions, I think we’re all ready to sing along. Over to you.