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Favourite covers of Dylan songs

08 Jan 01 - 10:25 AM (#370831)
Subject: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

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?


08 Jan 01 - 10:39 AM (#370835)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Midchuck

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.


08 Jan 01 - 10:42 AM (#370837)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Matt_R (at ECU)

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.


08 Jan 01 - 10:43 AM (#370839)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mikey joe

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


08 Jan 01 - 10:44 AM (#370840)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

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.


08 Jan 01 - 10:50 AM (#370842)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Mikey Joe,

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


08 Jan 01 - 10:53 AM (#370845)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

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.


08 Jan 01 - 11:08 AM (#370849)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: LR Mole

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


08 Jan 01 - 11:24 AM (#370858)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mikey joe

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.


08 Jan 01 - 11:28 AM (#370861)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

We Canadians ululate. yours, Peter T.


08 Jan 01 - 11:36 AM (#370866)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Bill D

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

(never could resist a straight line)


08 Jan 01 - 11:41 AM (#370869)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

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.


08 Jan 01 - 11:45 AM (#370871)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: LR Mole

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


08 Jan 01 - 11:54 AM (#370879)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Thanks LR.

I just remembered Rod Stewarts "Only a Hobo"


08 Jan 01 - 11:58 AM (#370882)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Darren

Joe Cocker's smokin version of "Dear Landlord"


08 Jan 01 - 12:13 PM (#370894)
Subject: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2

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...


08 Jan 01 - 12:15 PM (#370898)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: mousethief

Trash can lid?


08 Jan 01 - 01:07 PM (#370937)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk

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


08 Jan 01 - 01:45 PM (#370965)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2

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?!?!


08 Jan 01 - 01:55 PM (#370975)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

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.


08 Jan 01 - 01:57 PM (#370976)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Murray MacLeod

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


08 Jan 01 - 02:05 PM (#370985)
Subject:
From: Clinton Hammond2

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...


08 Jan 01 - 02:23 PM (#370998)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mountain Dog

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.


08 Jan 01 - 02:23 PM (#371001)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

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.


08 Jan 01 - 02:25 PM (#371003)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Matt_R

Clinton!!! We agree on something!!!


08 Jan 01 - 02:45 PM (#371016)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: fat B****rd

AARON NEVILLE "With God On Our Side"


08 Jan 01 - 02:47 PM (#371017)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2

LOL!! matt!! LOL!!!

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

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

LOL!


08 Jan 01 - 03:38 PM (#371042)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

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

08 Jan 01 - 04:39 PM (#371071)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk

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


08 Jan 01 - 04:58 PM (#371086)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2

"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...


08 Jan 01 - 05:07 PM (#371095)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Green Eyed Lady

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?


08 Jan 01 - 05:12 PM (#371104)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,jaze

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.


08 Jan 01 - 05:15 PM (#371105)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: john c

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.


08 Jan 01 - 05:42 PM (#371123)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Mountain Dog

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.


08 Jan 01 - 05:56 PM (#371136)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Zebedee

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

Their version of 'My Back Pages' is sublime.

Ed


08 Jan 01 - 06:09 PM (#371148)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,DrWord

*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 :)


08 Jan 01 - 06:09 PM (#371150)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk

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


08 Jan 01 - 06:50 PM (#371182)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Mark. West Sussex. UK

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.


08 Jan 01 - 08:13 PM (#371231)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Zebedee

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


08 Jan 01 - 09:04 PM (#371244)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49

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.


09 Jan 01 - 10:16 AM (#371389)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

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.


09 Jan 01 - 10:27 AM (#371401)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

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.


09 Jan 01 - 10:38 AM (#371408)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

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.


09 Jan 01 - 10:56 AM (#371426)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

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.


09 Jan 01 - 11:13 AM (#371448)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk

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


09 Jan 01 - 11:30 AM (#371471)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49

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


09 Jan 01 - 12:30 PM (#371501)
Subject: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2

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--


09 Jan 01 - 12:41 PM (#371505)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

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.


09 Jan 01 - 12:55 PM (#371511)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clinton Hammond2

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...

;-)


09 Jan 01 - 01:46 PM (#371547)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,LEJ

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.


09 Jan 01 - 02:01 PM (#371564)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Not really covers, but a couple of duets that I like are "Heartland" that Bob co-wrote and sings with Willie Nelson and "Sign Language" that Bob wrote and has only ever recorded it as a duet with Clapton on his No Reason To Cry album.

Peter T brings up a good point. Far too often I've heard people try to homogenize Dylan songs and they lose the feel of the song.

LEJ, I forgot about Jimi doing Like a Rolling Stone (that's his grandmother over there), a nice job indeed.

Oh, and a performer who I greatly admire and respect, Susan Latimer does a neat uptempo version of "Million Miles". A Bob fanatic that I met likes it better than the original.


09 Jan 01 - 07:04 PM (#371827)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: rube1

The Rolling Stones on a recent live album do a very respectful "Like a Rolling Stone.


09 Jan 01 - 07:07 PM (#371833)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin

I don't know if anybody has even heard of them, but I have an album by Piccadilly Line on which they perform a good version of 'Visions of Johanna'. A Dylanophile friend of mine thought it was quite good.

The album was named after one of their songs, 'Emily Small', after whom we named our very beautiful cat, of blessed memory (also known as Smallpiece and other variations).

It's a very old and obscure album, but oh hell, the nostalgia!

Lhieuish,

Bobby Bob


09 Jan 01 - 07:24 PM (#371849)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin

The other choice for naming Emily Small was Ella Guru, from the oeuvre of the superlative Captain Beefheart. Emily Small was from a litter in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area, and it was at the good Captain's concert in Newcastle that I had the opportunity to talk to him.

Despite that, we went for the perhaps gentler persuasion of Emily Small to name her, and I'm sure it was the right decision in the end.

Chicken shit hippies.

Bannaghtyn,

Bobby Bob


09 Jan 01 - 07:53 PM (#371870)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: wysiwyg

OK, I'm being bad, I didn't read any of the posts. I just have an opinion.

I dunno now what it was Little Hawk sang when some of us got together awhile back, but it was that one. You'd have thought he'd just written it, it was done that naturally. Kinda spooky.

~S~


09 Jan 01 - 09:59 PM (#371948)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Caitrin

My all-time favorite Dylan cover is Pete Townshend's version of "Girl from the North Country", on the Live in Chicago album. Absolutely beautiful, in a Pete Townshend-y way. Second favorite would have to be Joan Baez's "Simple Twist of Fate", especially with her little Dylan impression in the next to last verse.


09 Jan 01 - 11:50 PM (#371997)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: DonMeixner

Spaw,

Steve Cropper is a guitar god where I come from. I assume you are familiar with his work, serous chops indeed.

Don


10 Jan 01 - 01:31 AM (#372015)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: john c

Steve Cropper - probably my favourite e-guitarist of all time (along with Richard Thompson and Peter Green in his prime). The guy just knows instictivly what to play and, far more important, what NOT to play. And he wrote some of the best songs ever. A hero!
Returning to the theme - Willie Nelson singing What Was it You Wanted at the BD gala wasnt that bad either!


10 Jan 01 - 09:33 AM (#372133)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Grab

"Don't think twice" by Peter, Paul and Mary. Doesn't have the raw drive of the Dylan version, but the harmonies are cracking.

Grab.


10 Jan 01 - 10:03 AM (#372147)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: LR Mole

Sandy Denny's "Tomorrow's a Long Time" cover is wonderful, and desolate.


10 Jan 01 - 11:44 AM (#372200)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Peter,

Isn't that the woman with the big, you know, on the Telly?

Caitrin, I'd love to hear the Townsend version of "Girl of The North Country"


10 Jan 01 - 11:29 PM (#372678)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Rich(bodhránai gan ciall)

Bob Weir and Rob Wasserman "Desolation Row"

Altan "Girl From the North Country"

Grateful Dead "Tom Thumb's Blues"

Eric Clapton's reggae version of "Knockin on Heaven's Door"



Rich


11 Jan 01 - 04:05 AM (#372753)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Rev

I have always like Jerry Garcia's versions (both acoustic and electric) of "She Belongs To Me."


11 Jan 01 - 12:34 PM (#372831)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: LR Mole

Ululate? I didn't think anyone used that word but Tom Wolfe.Probably Sting, now. To creep the thread and examine the other side of the topic, remember the unimaginably regurgitational "Don't Think Twice" done by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, as The Wonder Who, in grating falsetto? I wish I didn't remember it.


11 Jan 01 - 01:50 PM (#372872)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Little Hawk

Praise - I believe it was "Simple Twist Of Fate" that I sang at the Moosewood that night...

"Blood On The Tracks" may be my favourite Dylan album of all time...either that or it's "Bringing It All Back Home".

- LH


11 Jan 01 - 01:57 PM (#372875)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

Some of us do not notice Cecilia's heaving embonpoint (always wanted to use that in a sentence) as she wafts us into the arms of the muse. By the way, did you see that Kate Winslett is going on a diet? Is this not like taking away Picasso's crayons? yours, Peter T.


11 Jan 01 - 02:08 PM (#372881)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peg

I do like Richie Havens' version of that, too; he occasionally performs live in Boston's South Station lunchtime concerts...

and Jimi's version of All Along the Watchtower is not only my favorite Dylan cover but one of my favorite recordinsg ever made...(it is used to great efefct in the British film "Withnail and I")

oh, and on Sinead; she never puked on stage (where did THAT come from?)

She tore up the Pope's pic on national TV because that asshole (the pope) had recently been quite vocal about his views on abortion and women's subservient role in society. Sinead is Irish, you see, and at this same time there occurred a well-publicized case of a young Irish girl who became pregnant as a result of incest and was denied the right to have an abortion. Sinead was not only offering her indignation as an individual, but for proponents of women's reproductive rights the world over.

I think her ability to maintain her dignity, not to mention sing another powerful song at the spur of the moment, a cappella, when all those white Yuppie men (most of whom probably became Dylan fans when it became trendy in the 80s) were jeering her was nothing short of astounding. Kris Kristofferson's efforts to comfort her were also admirable.

Booing a musician for expressing their political beliefs is right up there with booing politicians for their musical abilities...and just as offensive as criticizing them for their sexual preferences; but, given who initially made these ignorant comments, guess we have to expect that...


11 Jan 01 - 02:09 PM (#372883)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49

Say Praise, did it go something like this?

They sat together in the park
As the evening sky grew dark
He looked at her and ripped a fart
She feinted dead away
Then he was heard to say
It was something that I ate
That's left me in this flatulistic state.

It was probably STOF then...........Can someone get the smelling salts?

Spaw


11 Jan 01 - 02:34 PM (#372901)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

'Spaw,

That's bordering on Sacreligous my friend.

Steve


11 Jan 01 - 03:02 PM (#372915)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Pseudolus

"Booing a musician for expressing their political beliefs is right up there with booing politicians for their musical abilities..."

So it's ok for her to take advantage of her public position to make her statement but it was wrong for those who opposed her to voice theirs? Whatever side of the issue you find yourself on, your right to voice that opinion is supported by the other side's right to voice theirs.

Oh yeah, Danny Quinn, for those who know him, does a right nice job of "Lay Down Your Weary Tune".

Frank


11 Jan 01 - 03:13 PM (#372919)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49

Exactly and well put Frank! I don't know who composed the audience, but O'Connor's right to free speech does not exceed theirs. Both exercised the right.

(Reminded me of SDS meetings)

Spaw


11 Jan 01 - 03:22 PM (#372924)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Frankie Valli? Yuk.


11 Jan 01 - 10:04 PM (#373110)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Callie

Ron Sexsmith did a fantastic version of that Dylan song "my love she speaks like silence without ideals or violence." in a concert I saw.


11 Jan 01 - 10:17 PM (#373113)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49

The song, Callie, is "Love Minus Zero, No Limit."

My loves rips them silent
They smell putrid and virulent
The fumes deplete the ozone
And frogs die in her wake.
Trees along the parkway
All die as she passes
She knows she should take Bean-O
But the cabbage is just too damn good.

Spaw


11 Jan 01 - 11:29 PM (#373141)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peg

Pseudolus wrote:

So it's ok for her to take advantage of her public position to make her statement --isn't that what popular performers do? What's wrong with it? We tend to expect it of them, I should think.

but it was wrong for those who opposed her to voice theirs? --they were not really articulating anything amounting to a political statement; they were yelling and jeering like a bunch of gorillas.

Whatever side of the issue you find yourself on, your right to voice that opinion is supported by the other side's right to voice theirs. --I agree with that.

But she is still far more of a class act than those yahoos who tried to boo her off stage for dissing that asshole in the Vatican, and that's *my* opinion.


11 Jan 01 - 11:35 PM (#373144)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Callie

Thanks Spaw. That warmed my heart. Or WAS it my heart?


11 Jan 01 - 11:38 PM (#373145)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Matt_R

Yeah well Peg, if she killed trees on stage and wished everyone "Damned Be", you'd be pretty p.o.'ed too.


12 Jan 01 - 07:49 AM (#373248)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clifton53

How's about a simple creep of thread here. What songs has Dylan covered that you admire? One that leaps to mind is a cover I heard at the end of a movie. Over the closing credits, we were treated to Dylan doing "Ring Of Fire", the old Johnny Cash country classic. Damn if I can remember the movie though.

Clifton53


12 Jan 01 - 09:26 AM (#373285)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Pseudolus

Peg, I agree, there's nothing necessarily wrong with using her position to state her case....I didn't say there was. However, you still don't seem to be allowing the other side the ability to voice theirs. If they are reacting to a political statement or action that she made, isn't their opposing reaction by definition a political statement?

Also, remember she didn't just simply "speak out" against someone she disagrees with, she made a bold statement by ripping that picture, I assume for the purposes of making a strong point. You can't expect bold statements to go unchallenged by those who disagree. Kinda like the difference between, "I strongly disagree with the beliefs of the Pope and have no respect for him whatsoever" .vs. "that asshole in the vatican". One is a statement of your beliefs and the other is on the borderline of an attack. A statement of you beliefs is likely to start a discussion, maybe even a lively one. An attack is more likely to start a fight.

And that is my humble opinion......

Frank


12 Jan 01 - 09:27 AM (#373286)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Clinton 53,

Can't help you with the movie, but in terms of Bob covering others, I have a few that I really like. The first Bob album only had two originals on it, his covers of "In My Time Of Dyin'" and "See That My Grave is Kept Clean" are powerful adaptations.

I also like his live version of "I Am the Man, Thomas" a Stanley Brothers tune. You can hear that one on www.bobdylan.com.

Froggie Went A Courtin' is pretty neat too.


12 Jan 01 - 09:34 AM (#373290)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peg

Psudolus: fair enough and you make a valid point. (I still think the Pope is an asshole...so put 'em up! ;) And you are correct that there are different ways to make these sorts of statements, just as there are different ways to respond to them. One person's art is another person's abomination;one person's protest is another person's insult.

Matt R: grow up.


12 Jan 01 - 09:49 AM (#373299)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Matt_R

Peg: No.

Actually, I read in the Saturday Night Live handbook that she said afterwards that she had nothing against the Pope or Catholicism in particular, but that it was a protest against all world religions.


12 Jan 01 - 10:44 AM (#373319)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clifton53

Mercy, now I'm getting mixed up with Clinton. We got cliffa, Clinton, and Clifton, very confusing. 'Tis why I put the stupid 53 at the end of my name. Identity crisis?

CLIFTON53


12 Jan 01 - 11:01 AM (#373332)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Clifton,

Sorry about that.

Steve


12 Jan 01 - 11:05 AM (#373337)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: catspaw49

Tell you what..........If you have missed Bob's cover of "Hard Times".........you ain't missed squat.

Spaw


12 Jan 01 - 12:25 PM (#373380)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,guinnesschik

Great thread. It may have been Jimmy LaFave who did the Austin City Limits thing. He also does (my favorite)a killer version of "You're A Big Girl Now." Joe Cocker's version of "Just Like A Woman" also manages to kick a little arse.

I also love Dylan's cover of PeeWee King's "You Belong To Me."


12 Jan 01 - 01:03 PM (#373402)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Pseudolus

Peg, We'll agree to disagree on the Pope thing. I don't believe in everything he says (excuse me whilst I duck the lightning!!) but I guess I'm not ready to denounce him either. Not that I don't enjoy lacing up the gloves, but let's save that for something I'm slightly more passionate about.

Take Care, Frank


12 Jan 01 - 01:04 PM (#373403)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Clifton53

S'all right Steve. I also love that first album, still play it a lot.


12 Jan 01 - 01:28 PM (#373417)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,DrWord

Now if some happy catter would compile the covers mentioned in the thread ... thx ppl, 4 all the happy reminders ... does go to show what a poet our bob is :)

cheers dennis


12 Jan 01 - 01:33 PM (#373421)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

I think anyone who reads Sinead O'Connor for explanations of what she is up to is in for some bizarre times. I confess that I always await her ramblings and interviews with interest simply because she has no idea from one week to another what she likes or hates. She is one of the world's great haters, like Carlyle. You can never really be sure what is going to come out -- the Pope has a secret lair in Macchu Picchu, etc. As Yeats said, the best lack all conviction, the worst are full of passionate intensity. It would be nice if she were more tightly focussed --certainly more dangerous, as far as I can tell. None of it really matters. She sings like an avenging banshee.
yours, Peter T.


12 Jan 01 - 01:47 PM (#373426)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Guinnesschick,

I can't believe I forgot Joe's cover of "Just Like a Woman". That's a beauty.


12 Jan 01 - 03:52 PM (#373511)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peg

Peter T: well said!! I agree with much of that.

artists can be assholes, can't they?

Pseudolus: since we are all helpless regarding his Holiness, I agree, there are bigger fish to fry.

now, about that compilation: isn't there one already out there somewhere?

Can you imagine one the same size and scope of "Biograph" but with all covers/???

I had the pleasure of attending a couple of lectures by BU professor Christopher Ricks on Dylan; he is considered a Dylan "scholar"(also an expert on Eliot and Beckett) and hearing him discuss lyrics like "Baby please stop crying" in his clipped British accent is oddly exhilirating...


12 Jan 01 - 03:59 PM (#373514)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

Hey Peg, I remember attending Ricks' first lectures on Dylan in Cambridge a long, long time ago. Some of it appears in the collection "The Force of Poetry". I believe there is also a specific article out there somewhere. He is by far the best critic of Dylan's lyrics. His lecture on Eliot, Dylan, and The Waste Land is a classic. yours, Peter T.


12 Jan 01 - 07:59 PM (#373646)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: lesblank

Surprised none of you have mentioned "Walkin' Down the Line" by The Dilliards.


12 Jan 01 - 08:42 PM (#373670)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: t-tone

Well it's got to be the Bands "masterpiece" (1) June Carter's stuff, Chrissie Hynde's, Mary Chapin, Shawn Colvin and Rosanne Cash was great, hell the whole tribute was superb.


02 Feb 01 - 07:40 PM (#388817)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer

I just got Biograph (there is a related thread). I was listening primarily to the previously unreleased and live material that i hadn't heard before. I have always liked Emmylou Harris's version of "Every Grain Of Sand", I just heard Bob's version for the first time today. Kinda weird hearing the cover first. I do like it though.


03 Feb 01 - 12:11 AM (#388991)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Harry O

For Dylan covers 'tangled up in blues' (I know, that was horrible), check these two good blues cds...

Chicago blues guitarist Bob Margolin, who played with Muddy Waters, covers "Not Dark Yet" from Dylan's "Time Out of Mind" on his "Hold Me To It" release in 1999. Margolin's version was home recorded as a demo, and he played all the intruments. Very nice.

The best however, is from Clarence Gatemouth Brown's "Long Way Home" cd from 1996. He does a great cover of "Don't Think Twice". What makes this one so special, besides Clapton on lead guitar, is Maria Muldar singing one of the verses. This is a remarkable version and isn't even the best song on the album! Highly recommend this one to friends.

Best regards from Northwest Ohio!


28 Jun 01 - 12:51 AM (#493679)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: davidg

I revived this one to mention a record that's come out in the meantime: Martin Simpson's "Boots of Spanish Leather" on the "Nod to Bob" comp. Also the Robbie Robertson-less Band doing "Blind Willie McTell" on "Jericho." And, just because I love and miss him so much, Harry Nilsson's insane ranting of "Subterranean Homesick Blues" on "Pussycats."(J. Lennon, prod).


28 Jun 01 - 12:54 PM (#494065)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: balladeer

I'm glad to know that at least one serious academic includes Bob Dylan when he lectures on the great poets of the twentieth century. It's my feeling that he belongs in that august company.

My favoUrite secondary interpreters of Bob have always been Joan Baez and The Band, in no particular order, depends on the mood of the moment. As I age, I more and more prefer to just listen to the man himself. I find I have grown fond of his eccentricities over the years.

Recently I've added my own contribution to the catalogue. My CD, (read no further if you object to shameless self promotion) which will be released at The Free Times Cafe in Toronto on October 27, contains one Dylan song.


28 Jun 01 - 01:25 PM (#494086)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Steve Latimer

Balladeer,

Which song is on your CD?


28 Jun 01 - 02:03 PM (#494123)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

Not to break the thread of the thread -- what are you singing, balladeer? -- but there are some great things on "Nod to Bob". Not boring and conventional renditions at all. yours, Peter T.


28 Jun 01 - 02:54 PM (#494154)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

Some tedious conventional things too. Not to mislead anyone. yours, Peter T.


29 Jun 01 - 12:18 AM (#494495)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: balladeer

Steve, Peter: Bob Dylan's Dream. Thanks for asking.


29 Jun 01 - 01:49 AM (#494530)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,equalrice

Fairport doing "Million Dollar Bash." And didn't Sandy Denny do a cover of "Percy's Song" ?

In the 80s one of those LA cowpunk bands did a nice job on "Absolutely Sweet Marie." Rank and File? Lone Justice? Someone like that.


29 Jun 01 - 05:51 AM (#494585)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Jim Cheydi

Tom Watt's version of Subterranean Homesick Blues.

Bob Dylan - 'The bloke who couldn't sing at the end of the 'We are the World' video'

Sinead O'Connor - Can't spell skinhead


29 Jun 01 - 05:41 PM (#495043)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: Peter T.

Certainly the worst, unspeakably bad covers of Bob Dylan songs have been done by Bob Dylan.

yours, Peter T.


05 Sep 01 - 11:12 PM (#543081)
Subject: RE: Favourite covers of Dylan songs
From: GUEST,Steve Latimer

Futher to the best covers by Bob, I got the Bootleg Series not long ago. I love the first CD. Highlights for me are the traditional "No More Auction Block" and "House Carpenter".

I once heard Bob do "Barbara Allen" in concert. Bob in the eighties, great song, bad show.

Steve