Favourite covers of Dylan songs

Subject: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:25 AM

I was listening to the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert CD this morning and it got me thinking of my favourite covers of Dylan tunes. I really like the Band's version of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" from this CD. Others include Jimi's "All Along The Watchtower", Johnny Winter's "Highway 61 Revisited" and Joe Cocker & Leon Russell's version of "Girl From the North Country" from Mad Dogs & Englishmen.

What are yours?

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Midchuck
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:39 AM

Tim O'Brien, Red on Blonde - the whole damned album.

Joan Baez, Any Day Now - ditto.

Couple of other bluegrass treatments I like but have to dig around in bad memory sectors for.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Matt_R (at ECU)
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:42 AM

George Harrison does an excellent cover of "If Not For You" on All Things Must Pass. I like it better than the original...although on the Bootleg Vol.1 there's a recording of them playing it together...coolness.

I also ADORE former Social Distortion frontman Mike Ness's rockabilly romp through "Don't Think Twice" on his country/rockabilly album Cheating at Solitaire. When Mike sings it, it IS a blow-off song, no bones about it! And he kinda adds a neat little coda to the end which makes it different from all the other covers I have heard.

I also have Irish singer Sinead Lohan doing a GORGEOUS job on "To Ramona". Beautiful. She adds a classical guitar to give it a hint more of the Spanish-y sound.

Come to think of it, U2 does a pretty neat cover of "All Along The Watchtower" themselves.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mikey joe
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:43 AM

From that concert. Ritchie Havens 'Just Like a Woman' is pretty incredible. Also Mr. Young gives Tom Thumb a good going over. Some really good stuff on that CD actually

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:44 AM

Bob (like Cohen) is blessed with interpreters who find the tune in what appears to be tunelessness, and you go back and discover how great the original is. My current faves:
Judy Collins, "Dark Eyes" from her Dylan album which also contains a dreadful version of "Just Like A Woman".

Joan Baez, "Love Is Just A Four Letter Word"

John Lennon, "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" (joke).

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:50 AM

Mikey Joe,

I had forgotten Richie Havens contribution, but yes, that was a wonderful version of Just Like a Woman.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 10:53 AM

Does anyone know if Sinead O'Connor ever recorded her version of "Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat"? It was supposed to be the best ever.

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: LR Mole
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:08 AM

What is this with the "u" in the word "favorite"? Arlo does a nice, ominous "Gates of Eden, though.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mikey joe
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:24 AM

Sineads version has been recorded I picked it up off Napster a few months ago and truly is pretty incredible. Agreed re Sinead Lohans 'To Ramona' Very well down. I've heard a version of Luke Kelly singing with 'God On Our Side' as well which needs nothing said about it really.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:28 AM

We Canadians ululate. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:36 AM

old tarps, manhole covers, scrap lumber....any of these will do nicely...*big grin as I duck & run*

(never could resist a straight line)

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:41 AM

I shouldn't have started this thread as I can see it's going to cost me money.

What album is Sinead O'Connor's Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat on? Ditto for the Arlo Guthrie Gates of Eden.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: LR Mole
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:45 AM

Arlo's is on "Last of the Brooklyn Cowboys", I think.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:54 AM

Thanks LR.

I just remembered Rod Stewarts "Only a Hobo"

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Darren
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 11:58 AM

Joe Cocker's smokin version of "Dear Landlord"

Subject: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 12:13 PM

I wish I knew the band's name, but I caught a rocking blues band on Austin City Limits one night that covered "Sweetheart Like You" off of 'Infidels', and it was fantastic...

Anybody else know who I'm talking about?

Other than that, Richies live version of "Just Like A Women" is my favorite...

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: mousethief
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 12:15 PM

Trash can lid?

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 01:07 PM

My favourites are mostly by Joan Baez (all of them). I absolutely love how she does Dylan, because it's somehow the complete opposite counterpoint to how he does it (which I also love). In that sense, they are the perfect combination...like Yin and Yang, you might say. They have done some great duets together.

Shawn Colvin does a very nice rendition of "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" on her album "Cover Girl", which is great all the way through.

When Hendrix did Dylan he did it very well. Bob remodelled "All Along The Watchtower" to sound quite a bit like the Hendrix version.

The Byrds? I appreciated their covers of Dylan, but I felt that they smoothed them out a little too much or something...and they left out some of the lyrics on "Tambourine Man".

I like my covers of Dylan too...but they have not been recorded. I very seldom hear anyone around here do Dylan full justice, except for me. My friend Walsh says I AM Bob Dylan, which is kind of him, but he's wrong, of course. Walsh loves Dylan.

I would LOVE to hear Sinead O'Connor do ANY Dylan song. That girl knows how to sing and mean it.

- LH

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 01:45 PM

While we're talking about Sinead O'Connor, what the hell was her frigg'n problem at the 30th Anniversary For Dylan thing??? I lost what little respect I had for her with that little display...

Poor little Irish waif can't handle magic mushrooms or what?!?!

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 01:55 PM

Her "problem" was that she was being booed off the stage. This concert was about a week after she ripped up the picture of the Pope on Saturday Night Life and a lot of the crowd were upset with her. Personally, I thought she stood up to them remarkably well and handled herself with dignity.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 01:57 PM

Mole, "favourite" has a much longer pedigree than "favorite". Always a problem for me to know which way to spell it as a Brit in the US.

I like Roger McGuinn singing Dylan.

Murray

Subject:
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 02:05 PM

Handled herself with dignity?? A screaming fit and puking all over the stage??? Very dignified...

Seems to me that if a crowd is booing you off the stage at someone elses show, the dignified thing to do would be to fold up yer tents and pack it in... When the mob speaks, even Ceasar listenes...

I had forgot that the concert was shortly after her little SNL stunt... The things people do to get attention... Too bad such a fine singer has to be such a flake...

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 02:23 PM

Agree with Steve Latimer about The Band's "When I Paint My Masterpiece" - especially love Garth Hudson's accordion riffs and fills.

Also, Arlo's cover of "When the Ship Comes In" from the Hobo's Lullaby album.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 02:23 PM

Clinton,

I don't think she puked on stage, if she did, I didn't see it. I thought it took a lot of strength for her to try to start her song several times given the circumstances.

So she's a flake, so what? She's a fine artist, one of my all time favourite female singers. We could easily start another thread on our favourite artists who are also flakes.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Matt_R
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 02:25 PM

Clinton!!! We agree on something!!!

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 02:45 PM

AARON NEVILLE "With God On Our Side"

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 02:47 PM

LOL!! matt!! LOL!!!

Naaah Steve... no worries... it's just opinion eh...

Most likely you'll go your way, I'll go mine...

LOL!

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 03:38 PM

Sinead O'Connor - total flake, great singer/performer.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 04:39 PM

I think that Sinead is a person who feels she has got to stand up for certain ideals, and if necessary pay the price for it. As such, she gets carried away sometimes. Joan Baez was like that too, but she was usually a little more controlled in how she went about it. She had a talent for appearing cool on the outside while falling to pieces on the inside. Sinead is not quite so cool-headed.

Joan believed she could in some small way change the world, and that it was her duty to do so.

I bet Sinead feels just the same.

That's a tough row to how, and it will always draw a lot of flack from people who will point out that the "crusader" herself is not perfect.

Well, who is? Actually the lack of perfection in you and me is what keeps life interesting.

As for Sinead, she is perfect at one thing, and that is being herself. Good for her.

- LH

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 04:58 PM

"As for Sinead, she is perfect at one thing, and that is being herself. Good for her."

What a load of new age claptrap THAT is!!! It's totally meaningless!!! Charles Manson is good at being himself too!!

Didn't there used to be a good thread around here about dylan covers?? Let's get back to that, before someone get's hurt here, k?

Peace out folks...

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Green Eyed Lady
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 05:07 PM

One of the best versions I've ever heard of "Don't Think Twice It's Allright" I believe was done by a Mudcatter named Micheal Kay. I seem to recall downloading it from a link on this site a number of months ago. I wonder if he's done anymore Dylan covers?

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,jaze
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 05:12 PM

Every cover of Dylan done by Joan Baez has been done extremely well. She brings a new dimension and often a lot of clarity to Dylan's songs. I like Bob Dylan-just got his 1st 3 lp's on cd for Christmas. Stevie Wonder did an incredible version of Blowin In The Wind on that 30th gala. Strange that his most famous interpreter (Joan Baez) wasn't invited.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: john c
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 05:15 PM

I know its old and its corny - but I can still remember the thrill of hearing Manfred Mann´s Mighty Quinn for the first time when I was still at school (yip, its that long ago!). And Ive loved it ever since.
And Lou Reed sang Foot of Love (?) at the BD Gala - brilliant it was too.
And Johnny Winter´s Highway 61.
And the aforementioned Just Like A Woman by Ritchie Havens.
Aw ra best,
J.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mountain Dog
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 05:42 PM

Another just popped into mind as I read Green-Eyed Lady's post: I saw Doc Watson at an outdoor bluegrass bash in Colorado a couple of years ago and he pulled out a beautifully sung and picked version of "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright". I'd heard him do a studio cover of it years before, but it weren't a patch on the liver version.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Zebedee
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 05:56 PM

I'm amazed that The Byrds haven't been mentioned more in this thread.

Their version of 'My Back Pages' is sublime.

Ed

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,DrWord
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 06:09 PM

*Many* years ago Odetta released "Odetta Sings Dylan", with among others, Russ Savakus and Bruce Langhorn backing her. The album is worth it for their licks alone! She does up a cookin version of "Walikin down the Line" and an astonishing sloooooow Mr Tambourine Man. Another highlight was Bob duetting with--I think--Bette Middler* on "buckets a rain" -- pretty kewl rendition. *if this is the wrong singer please post a correction 4 me :)

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 06:09 PM

Joan may have been on tour or whatever at the time. Who knows? Or maybe she just didn't feel like it. Bob has also not shown up sometimes at things where people expected him to.

Hey Clinton - "New Age Claptrap"??? OOOO...! Them's strong words, son! You better jist git yer shootin' irons strapped on and yer hat pulled down tight, ya varmint!

And that just for saying that Sinead O'Connor knows how to be herself...in other words, she's got the guts to go her own way.

The fact is, I have met hundreds and hundreds of people who are no damn good at all at being themselves. You know why? They are too busy doing and saying what they think everybody else wants them to. Check out your average office or neighborhood for this kind of namby-pamby, mediocre, and predictable behaviour. Check out your average group of conformist teenagers. It's pathetic. Those people are not being themselves, they are being what they think the world around them wants and will approve of.

If I was worried about what a number of you on Mudcat think, I would not have broached any number of subjects here that have gotten me into trouble from time to time. I am interested in what you think, but I ain't worried about it. Thus I can freely discuss reincarnation and other "New Age Claptrap" which civilizations far wiser than this one took for granted long before any of you were born into the present consumer lifestyle version of reality.

Don't like it? Tough. You can probably get what you want at WalMart instead.

- LH

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Mark. West Sussex. UK
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 06:50 PM

Gotta be "Si tu doit partir" by Fairport Convention. In fact all the Fairport covers are classics. I also prefer Nic Jones' original version of "Canadee-i-o" but that's a whole new can of worms innit.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Zebedee
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 08:13 PM

Complete thread creap, but I think the use of the word "innit" the worst thing that has ever hapenened in the history of the English language.

(this may not make any sense to people who don't live in England, but it is our language)

Ed - being provocative

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Jan 01 - 09:04 PM

Yeah Zeb, doanit gitcha'?

I like Arlo's covers, but then again, I like Arlo. He does a number of them in concerts that aren't recorded and I have always found them great.

The 30th Concert was a good "watch" and I view the tape every now and then. Some were good, some were great, some were pretty marginal, and some of them just bit the big one. I don't think anyone "bit the big one" more than Johnny and June.......that was completely awful. Johnny sang a half step flat in one key, June was half tone sharp in another, and the band played (very well) in a third.

***Johnny Winter slidin' it as only he can. Just fun to watch if nothing else. He didn't like the tempo and was trying to get the band to pick it up, meanwhile forgetting verses right and left....but still an amazing performance by the skinniest, whitest, guy on the planet!

***The Band....Just did a fine job on "Masterpiece" as only they could do it.

***Eric Clapton....Ol' Slow Hand brought something entirely different to "Don't Think Twice" and its still one of the best parts of that show for me. The words took on an entirely different meaning in his treatment. From a sarcastic, kind of "aw screw it" song to a mournful plea......unbelievable!

***Tom Petty....Always does Dylan well and did a song that doesn't get much notice, but is one of his best, "License to Kill."

***Nanci Griffith....The best of this was her picker sideman and the backup by Carolyn Hester on "Boots of Spanish Leather."

***Ritchie Havens...Perhaps the best rendition of "Just Like a Woman" I have ever heard! And that guitar style........How long is his thumb anyway?

***Neil Young.....Well he was Neil at his competely screwed and terminally weird best. An absolute RIOT to watch.....It was difficult to tell if he was playing that Les Paul or screwing it.

***Lou Reed on "Foot of Pride?" The band was great with the arrangement, but Lou should have called it in.

***Roger McGuinn......He was OK because he was with Tom and the Heartbreakers. I can't stand the guy and when he gets into that head bobbing thing he looks like he belongs in the rear window of a Jamaican taxi.

***Eddie Vedder simply tore up "Masters of War"....a good one for him and right down his alley.

***Chrissie Hynde ..... good job, but have you ever noticed she looks like the female version of Tom Petty?

***George Harrison.....I love "Absolutely Sweet Marie" but George to me was pretty so-so on that night.

***Bob Dylan covering Bob Dylan......On that night Bob was the ultimate spoof of himself. His playing was really good, but Bob can never figure out how to end a song. His voice though.........I know each of those songs well and I couldn't recognize one word in ten!!! It was as though Bob did a bad imitation of himself. What can you say? He's Dylan.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:16 AM

I have to agree with 'Spaw about Johnny and June, although contrary to jaze's opinion I found Stevie Wonders performance absolutely horrible. I thought his intro was long and annoying, he dragged the song out and completely oversung it.

Yeah, Bob's singing wasn't on that night, I've seen him a couple of times since then and it has been much better. But I was amazed at his command of the audience, a solo performer, an acoustic guitar, 18,000 people and you could have heard a pin drop while he was performing.

I enjoyed "Foot of Pride" even though Lou Reed relied so much on the telestrator that it was almost like Karaoke.

Speaking of the Telestrator, I thought it was funny that they were running it when Johnny was doing Highway 61. Johnny can't see much past his nose, maybe that's why he mixed up some verses. I also loved the part when Johnny was introduced. Steve Cropper was looking off to his right, Johnny came out, plugged in and did a vintage JW slide riff just to see that he was in tune. Croppers head turned so fast that I thougth he'd break his neck and he had such a huge, admiring smile. Johnny, the finest electric slide player I've ever heard.

The other thing about that night is that the band was outstanding. They sure assembled some Rock heavyweights that night and they were on.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:27 AM

Little Hawk, I note that we have disagreed about some things here and there, but I am with you on this one!!!!! We are turning into a world of pallid replicas even before cloning arrives. The best thing about Mudcat is that it has more than the normal ratio of people who are not afraid to be different. Of course it is not altogether clear who Sinead O'Connor is from one week to the next, but what a woman. TAKE NO PRISONERS!!! (in a non-violent, caring way of course).....

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:38 AM

It's a shame about Sinead. I think the move that she made on SNL almost ruined her career. I didn't see it and don't understand her motives, but obviously she believed strongly in them. I know lots of people who won't listen to her because of her antics that night. It's their loss.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 10:56 AM

There are people who won't go and see Vanessa Redgrave because of her views on a whole range of political issues (and she has been pretty way out on occasion), but she is probably the greatest actress of our time. The two women have a lot in common: they hurl themselves completely into what they do. Another loss.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 11:13 AM

Thanks, Peter.

Hey, Spaw, nice analysis of the 30th Bobfest. You're right about Tom Petty...born to do Dylan. There's a great video available of a concert Dylan did in Australia where he's backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. It's called "Hard to Handle"...and it's hard to find. He sings far better on it than he did at the 30th.

Every time I've ever seen him live, he was far better than that, in fact. "I can't help it if I'm lucky..."

- LH

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 11:30 AM

I agree with you all about hearing Dylan a lot better and I certainly agree he had the audience that night.

The other thing I meant to mention and never got back too, Steve touched on and that's the house gand that night and specifically Steve Cropper. The guy has got serious chops.........Whatever was happening he was doing it. Pretty underated guitar player.

Spaw

Subject: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 12:30 PM

So, nobody knows who might have covered "Sweetheart Like You" on Austin City Limits one night??

"Talk new age all ya want
Old age wins in the end"
--Garnet Rogers--

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 12:41 PM

Don't know, Clinton. Judy Collins does a not bad version on her Dylan album. (She is a little too cultivated to make it work -- it really needs Tom Waits). Hey!!!!!

New TOPIC: Who would you like to see cover a Dylan song?

Cecilia Bartolli: Visions of Johanna. (joke)

yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 12:55 PM

I'd like to see my new band, 4th Street find enough time to get a few rhursals in and get "Sweetheart Like You" tucked under our belts...

;-)

Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,LEJ
Date: 09 Jan 01 - 01:46 PM

Hey Spaw,McGuinn said if you don't stop dissing him he's gonna ask for his purple Ben Franklin glasses back.

The Byrds did terrific versions of several Dylan songs,two of which beat(in my opinion) Bob's versions: My Back Pages,and You Ain't Goin' Nowhere.Not to mention that the much-maligned Mr McGuinn made a fashion out of imitating the rather,er,unique sound of Mr Dylan's voice,which previously had served primarily as a means of frightening children.

I also enjoyed Jimi's live (Monterrey Pop) version of Like A Rolling Stone,even though Jimi made a habit of screwing up the words to Bob's stuff...

Veder did indeed do a remarkable job on Masters of War.

And finally (donning plate armor) I always liked the Turtles version of It Aint Me Babe.