Dylan Covers

[Uncle Al]

I played an old record tonight - and remembered the first time I ever heard a specific Dylan song - prior to ever hearing Bob's own version. Every Dylan cover song I've ever heard has made me go back and seek out the "original" vesion, and I have never been disapointed - however I must admit that there are some fantastic versions of his songs done by others...

And let's eleminate Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" - no offense to a great (if not DEFINITIVE) version of that song, it's just a little OBVIOUS.

I was playing Johnny Winters "Highway 61 Revisted", and remembered why I sought the same titled Dylan lp. While I still love Winter's version - Dylans "Highway 61" lp is one of my top 10 all time favorites, something I cannot claim for "Second Winter".

Anyone else recommend essential Dylan cover versions? Anyone else have a similar experience?

[Michael]

Percy's Song-Arlo Guthrie, Fairport Convention. Two fine covers, Dylan never released it officially. It finally showed up on "Biograph" as unreleased! LOL!

[Jimbo]

I did a whole mix tape of Dylan covers some time ago. A few good ones, including some not so well-known:

If Not For You--George Harrison
Si Tu Dois Partir--Fairport Convention (aka "If You Gotta Go, Go Now")
The Mighty Quinn--Manfred Mann
A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall--Edie Brickell
Like a Rolling Stone--Rolling Stones:)
I Shall Be Released--Tom Robinson
Absolutely Sweet Marie--Jason & the Scorchers
It's All Over Now Baby Blue--Bonnie Raitt (best cover of this song)
The Groom's Still Waiting at the Altar--Rod Stewart (non-lp b-side)
Knockin' on Heaven's Door--Eric Clapton
Forever Young--Pretenders
...and, of course, you haven't lived until you've heard...

Mr. Tambourine Man--William Shatner(!)

I'm sure I'll think of some more...

[AKA]

To Make You Feel My Love - Billy Joel

[czeskleba]

I really like the Flying Burrito Brothers' version of "I Shall Be Released"... even though they didn't bother to finish it. Good lyrics for Gram Parsons to sing.

[TommyTunes]

Here's my picks

Manfred Mann - The Mighty Quinn
Byrds - My Back Pages
Band - I shall be Released

[Bob Lovely]

She Belongs To Me--Rick Nelson and the Stone Canyon Band

Bob

[Wie Gehts?]

"Girl from the North Country" on the Mad Dogs & Englishmen LP.

[joelee]

Tomorrow is such a long time-R. Stewart

[Jeffrey]

Hi,

Tough question, can't name just one. A great pen deserves great coverage.

Off on a slight tangent, I consider the Grateful Dead's new release "Postcards of the Hanging" to be the best individual band release of Dylan covers. The boys seriously rehearsed at Club Front w/ Bob for this tour (shown on the five or so hours of outtakes) and Jerry was relatively clean. The '87 summer tour was very tight and had many highlights such as the only time I personally saw Garcia play pedal steel.

The tangent ends,
Jeffrey

[Togo]

Have read about a new Dylan covers album on Linn records -

It is by Barb Jungr and is apparently full of torch song versions of his classics such as "Tangled Up in Blue"...that is as much as I know about it. Sounds worthy of investigation at least!

[mcow1]

Most of the early Byrds hits
Forever Young - Belafonte
It's All Over Now Baby Blue - Grateful Dead also Leon Russell
Mighty Quinn - Manfred Mann also the Dead

[Jimbo]

Maggie's Farm--U2
Chimes of Freedom--Bruce Springsteen
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere--Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (w/ McGuinn & Hillman)
You Angel You--Manfred Mann's Earth Band
It Ain't Me Babe--Turtles
Mississippi--Sheryl Crow

...and my nominee for the weirdest Dylan cover:

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right--Four Seasons

[Matt]

Bonnie did do a great version of "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue," but I'd personally hand the title to Van Morrison's version with Them.

[David Powell]

My vote for the most bizarre Dylan cover goes to the version of "Maggie's Farm" performed by Bert Parks in the film "The Freshman".

[teaser5]

I gotta second Jimbo;
Jason and The Scorchers version of "Sweet Marie" is awesome!:cool:

A great album-ful of Dylan covers: "Lo and Behold" by McGuinness Flint.

"You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome.." by Shawn Colvin too!

Peace,
Norm

[CM Wolff]

Steve Earle's cover of "My Back Pages" is on his new Sidetracks album that came out last week. Steve's version has been getting some positive comments. By the way, although Sidetracks is sort of an odds & ends collection, it is definitely worthwhile for any Earle fans, especially those fans of his 'comeback' run of albums. Good stuff.

[Craig]

Tomorrow Is A Long Time - Sandy Denny

Beautiful voice, beautiful song, Richard Thompson on guitar and Sneaky Pete Kleinow on pedal steel. Nuff said.

[Pat]

Blowin' In The Wind - Yarrow, Stookey & Travers

It Ain't Me, Babe - Turtles

[njwiv]

Three of my favorites:

"I Shall Be Released" -- The Band
"When I Paint My Masterpiece" -- The Band
"Blind Willie McTell" -- The Band

Since Richard Manuel and Rick Danko co-wrote "Tears of Rage" and "This Wheel's On Fire", respectively, I don't consider The Band's recordings of those two songs true cover versions.

Jay

[njwiv]

Originally posted by Jimbo
...and my nominee for the weirdest Dylan cover:

Don't Think Twice, It's All Right--Four Seasons

Jimbo,

Wasn't this originally released under the pseudonym "The Wonder Who"?

Jay

[peterC]

Hollies sing Dylan.


....and what about Dylan covering himself via John Lennon (4th Time Around/Norwegian Wood)!!

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by njwiv


Jimbo,

Wasn't this originally released under the pseudonym "The Wonder Who"?

Jay

Indeed it was. The 4 Seasons were so popular at the time that the single managed to reach #12. The doo-wop arrangement and Frankie's trademark falsetto make it a hoot to listen to today.

[PearlJamFan2000]

"All Along the Watchtower" - Dave Matthews Band
"Maggie's Farm" - Rage Against the Machine

[Highway Star]

It's You Ain't Goin' Nowhere from the Byrds 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' and It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry from Bloomfield/Kooper/Stills 'Super Session' for me. The guys works were certainly well revered by many artists. George Harrison's version of If Not For You is great too.