Tuesday, January 31, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 31: Froggie Went a Courtin'

365 Days of Dylan, Day 31: Froggie Went a Courtin'

We close out the first month of 365 Days of Dylan with Froggie Went a Courtin' from 1992's Good as I Been to You. Lyrics.

All songs on Good as I Been to You are cover versions and traditional songs. Dylan performs the songs solo with all-acoustic arrangements.



       

Froggie Went a Courtin' is a traditional Scottish folk song from the 1500s. Along with Dylan, dozens of artists have recorded the song, including Tex Ritter, Bruce Springsteen and Elizabeth Mitchell. 







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Monday, January 30, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 30: The Man in Me

365 Days of Dylan, Day 30: The Man in Me from the 1970 album New Morning.



The Man in Me is also featured on the soundtrack to the 1998 Coen Brothers film The Big Lebowski.



Noteable covers of The Man in Me (there are many):

Jeff Bridges



The Clash



  


Lonnie Mack



My Morning Jacket



The Tallest Man on Earth



Ray LaMontagne




The Avett Brothers



David Bazan




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Sunday, January 29, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 29: Isis

365 Days of Dylan, Day 29: Isis, from the album Desire. A live version was also released on Bob Dylan Live 1975, The Bootleg Series, Vol. 5.

Isis was written by Bob Dylan in collaboration with Jacques Levy. Lyrics.




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Saturday, January 28, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 28: Marchin' to the City

365 Days of Dylan, Day 28: Marchin' to the City.

"Well, I'm Sittin' in Church, in an old wooden chair. I know nobody'd look for me there."

Marchin' to the City sounds like Dylan working the Sunday morning crowd at a small country church in the glen near the river. It starts with just his voice and piano, then the band kicks in, organ, drums,  and bluesy guitar.

I can see the congregation begin to sway, holding hands down the pew, eyes closed. Bob's getting them stirred up, ready to march.

As the song fades, you hear Dylan say, "I don't know." I do know Bob. I sounds pretty good to me. Let's march.


Marchin' to the City appears on Tell Tale Signs, The Bootleg Series, Vol. 8. It's an outtake from the Time Out of Mind sessions.

According to Wikipedia, the song evolved into Til I Fell in Love with You, which appears on Time Out of Mind.

I like the raw, musical punch of Marchin' to the City. Maybe that's because it stands more as a song sketch, Dylan working out an idea. I'm a big fan of the work in progress, of watching the creative process.

I've played Tell Tale Signs more than than any other Dylan album, with the possible exception of Blood on the Tracks. It's by far my favorite release from Dylan's Bootleg series.

Though these unreleased tracks from 1989 to 2006 come from dozens of sessions, the way they are curated and organized make for a sustained listening experience through the 28-tracks.


         

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Friday, January 27, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 27: Annie's Going to Sing Her Song

365 Days of Dylan, Day 27: Annie's Going to Sing Her Song from Bob Dylan, Another Self Portrait (1969-1967), The Bootleg Series Vol. 10.



Tom Paxton, live on the BBC.



Jack Hudson's version of Annie's Going to Sing Her Song.



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Thursday, January 26, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 26: This Wheel's On Fire

365 Days of Dylan, Day 26: This Wheel's On Fire from 1967's The Basement Tapes, written by Bob Dylan and Rich Danko. Lyrics.


    

"This Wheel's on Fire" is another well-covered Dylan tune.

The Band kicks off its rendition from Music from the Big Pink with a cracking, static organ riff.

  

From The Last Waltz, The Band's farewell concert.



The Byrds' Cover from Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde.


Lovely version by Ian & Sylvia from the All American Songs collection.
Their cover also appears on the album The Best of Vanguard Years and Nashville.



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The Band, "This Wheel's On Fire." 


Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger, "This Wheel's On Fire," from "Top Of The Pops" Show (1968).



Wednesday, January 25, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 25: 900 Miles from My Home

365 Days of Dylan, Day 25: 900 Miles from My Home from The Basement Tapes Sampler, The Bootleg Volume 11. Traditional song, arranged by Bob Dylan.

"900 Miles from My Home" is another of the many examples of Dylan as an artist whose outtakes and alternate versions hold up as well or better than songs that make up the tracks on his original albums.

           


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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 24: Desolation Row

365 Days of Dylan, Day 24: Desolation Row.

"Desolation Row" closes Dylan's masterpiece Highway 61 Revisited (1965). Lyrics.

Noteable covers include recordings by My Chemical Romance, The Grateful Dead and Chris Smither.



"Desolation Row," Live from Desert Trip, October 2016.



From the Bootleg Series, Volume 4, Live 1966.



        







         

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Monday, January 23, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 23: Things Have Changed

365 Days of Dylan, Day 23: Things Have Changed, from the soundtrack to the 2000 movie Wonder Boys, based on the novel of the same title by Michael Chabon.

In 2001, the song scored a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for "Best Original Song."


Things Have Changed is one of four Dylan songs on the Wonder Boys soundtrack, along with Shooting Star, Not Dark Yet and Buckets of Rain.





        

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Sunday, January 22, 2017

Day 22: 365 Days of Dylan, The Playlist

My 365 Days of Dylan playlist is more than 22 songs strong so far. This includes a few alternate takes. This project is big fun. I'm enjoying myself as I dig deep into Dylan's catalog, giving some songs a listen for the first time in a long time and discovering others I've never heard before.

I'll repost this playlist at least once a month as I add more songs. And you can always listen on Spotify at 365 Days of Dylan.

 


What's your favorite Dylan song? I'd love to find out and include it in an upcoming post.




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365 Days of Dylan, Day 22 Masters of War

365 Days of Dylan, Day 22 Masters of War from The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. Lyrics.

This song has been in heavy rotation this week as our new president convenes his cabinet of generals. Led me to seek wisdom in the words of a past president and general.

I hate war as only a solider who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity. - Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Dylan performed "Masters of War" in 1990 at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Hall at West Point on the eve of Eisenhower's 100th birthday. "Times They Are A-Changin': It's Dylan at West Point." (NY Times) 

   

We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex - Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Some powerful versions of this song by Dylan and others.

   


   

+NPR Songs We Love: Charles Lloyd & The Marvels, 'Masters Of War (Feat. Lucinda Williams)'

  

   



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Saturday, January 21, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 21: Senor (Tales of Yankee Power)

365 Days of Dylan, Day 21: Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) from Street-Legal (1978), one of Dylan's less-loved albums.




Performances by Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia and Tim O'Brien.


From Garcia plays Dylan.


From Red on Blonde, one of my favorite Dylan cover albums. Solid stuff, every song.


Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) lyrics.

Despite negative reviews of Street-Legal, Senor (Tales of Yankee Power) is listed as 100 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Bob Dylan Songs.


        

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Friday, January 20, 2017

Masters of War, Lucinda Williams and Charles Lloyd and the Marvels

We interrupt our 365 Days of Dylan playlist project for this epic cover of "Masters of War" by Lucinda Williams and Charles Lloyd and the Marvels. Just in time for your Inagural Day listening.

 



       

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365 Days of Dylan, Day 20: Blowin' in the Wind

365 Days of Dylan, Day 20: Blowin' in the Wind the opening cut 1963's The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.


A day of change for our country. 


 It would be easy give into confusion, anger and despair. Change of any kind can cause such feelings.


I choose hope and will continue to listen for, seek and work toward a better tomorrow.

The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind.


Thursday, January 19, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 19: Man of Constant Sorrow

365 Days of Dylan, Day 19:  Man of Constant Sorrow from Bob Dylan.

Bob Dylan performed "Man of Constant Sorrow" during his first national US television appearance, in 1963. 







Many wonderful renditions of this traditional song, including the breakthrough performance by the Soggy Bottom Boys (aka Dan Tyminski) from the motion picture O Brother Where Art Thou?



The Stanley Brothers


Like the groove Donna The Buffalo brings to the song.


Rod Stewart


Had the pleasure to see Peter Rowan live at SXSW 2006. Great performer.


Carter Stanley and Blitzen Trapper from Fargo, Year Two.







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Wednesday, January 18, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 18: Changing of the Guards

365 Days of Dylan, Day 18: Changing of the Guards from Street-Legal.

Do your hearts have the courage for the changing of the guards?  Changing of the Guards lyrics.


Love this version by Patti Smith.


And this one reminds me how much I miss Chris Whitley. Beautiful. Haunting.



       

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Tuesday, January 17, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 17: Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues

365 Days of Dylan, Day 17: Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues from Highway 61 Revisited.  Dylan's fever-dream Juarez travel diary.

Just like Tom Thumb's Blues lyrics




Covers by Bryan Ferry,



The Handsome Family,


The Grateful Dead,


Judy Collins,


Neil Young and


Linda Ronstadt.



Just like Tom Thumb's Blues music video.


An alternate take from No Direction Home: Bootleg Vol. 7.



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Monday, January 16, 2017

365 Days Days of Dylan, Day 16: Chimes of Freedom



365 Days of Dylan, Day 16: Chimes of Freedom from 1964's Another Side of Bob Dylan.

Can you hear them? The chimes of freedom. The sounds of change. The song of hope.

Do you hear the chimes "Flashing for the warriors whose strength is not to fight...?"



It's Monday, January 16, 2017, Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the States. I selected "Chimes of Freedom" as today's featured Bob Dylan song.

It is not enough to say we must not wage war.
It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.
Martin Luther King, Jr.



Yes, there are reasons to despair. But so many more reasons to hope.


What can we do each day, in small ways, to keep the chimes of freedom flashing?



My country's pledge says it all, "With liberty and justice for all." How do can I work each day to put those words into action?



       

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Sunday, January 15, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 15: With God On Our Side

365 Days of Dylan, Day 15: With God On Our Side, originally from The Times They are a Changin'. 

Is this song prayer, poem, history lesson or protest? Yes. 

Another of Dylan's many covered songs. Hope you enjoy the selections on this playlist. 

"Oh my name it ain't nothin'. My age it means less. The country I come from is called the Midwest."


"If God's on our side, he'll stop the next war." 



From the BBC Tonight Show



Live at Town Hall, 1963


Joan Baez live in 1966


A great version by Dylan and Baez from The Bootleg Series, Vol. 6, Bob Dylan Live 1964.



The beautiful, plantive growl of Gurf Morlix.




Let's close with Odetta and 



Versions of "With God on Our Side by Dylan also appear on his MTV Unplugged release and Bob Dylan Live at Carnegie Hall 1963



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Saturday, January 14, 2017

365 Days of Dylan, Day 14: I Shall Be Released

365 Days of Dylan, Day 14: I Shall Be Released, first heard on The Band's Music from the Big Pink, with so many wonderful versions to follow, including two different ones on Bob Dylan's Official Bootleg releases and a number of live versions too. 






This allstar performance from The Last Waltz.








Of the many covers, I particularly love Nina Simone's...





And Jeff Buckley's.



And there are so many more wonderful versions.



Joe Cocker performed a powerful rendition at Woodstock.


Let's close with this version from Bob Dylan, the ultimate stylist of this and all his songs, from Sidetracks.


At the end of the day, with the setting of the sun, we are all looking for a little rest, a little redemption, a little release.


         

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