365 Days of Dylan, Day 13: 32-20 Blues

365 Days of Dylan, Day 13: 32-20 Blues.

Seems like with almost each entry I'm writing about a cover of a Dylan song. Well, Dylan liked to cover too, espeically traditional country, blues and folk songs.

His version of this Robert Johnson classic is from Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Volume 8.

Also, check out covers of 32-20 Blues by by Gov't Mule (featuring Sonny Landreth) and Eric Claption.

But it just sounds and feels to me like Dylan was adhering more closely to the spirit of the original. What do you think?

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365 Days of Dylan, Day 8: Everything is Broken

365 Days of Dylan, Day 8: "Everything is Broken" from Tell Tale Signs: The Bootleg Series Vol. 8

"Everything is Broken" first appeared on Oh, Mercy. But I like the alternate version on Tell Tale Signs.

That's the thing with Dylan, you scratch a song and find other versions you like just as well or better. Or you see him live and he takes a classic song in another completely different direction. Art breathes. Art evolves. As it is with Bob Dylan's music.

Along with alternate takes, another thing you get plenty of when you scratch are amazing covers of Dylan's music. Until I sat down for some heavy listening to prep for this post, I had not yet heard Kenny Wayne Shepherd's or R.L. Burnside's versions of "Broken."

Though I had heard Tim O'Brien's from Red on Blonde, his fabulous album of Dylan songs.

Bob Dylan on tour.

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365 Days of Dylan, Day 7: Going, Going, Gone

365 Days of Dylan, Day 7: "Going, Going, Gone."

Like Day 6 ("Tough Mama"), "Going, Going, Gone appears on Planet Waves.

I like Dylan's plantive vocal and the sharp-edged Robbie Robertson guitar flourishes that stumble the song forward. The Band plays tight and strong on this entire album.

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Bob Dylan on tour.

365 Days of Dylan, Day 6: Tough Mama

"Tough Mama" from Planet Waves.

Six days into my year-long tribute to Bob Dylan and one thing I love about this project already is the opportunity to listen to songs I may have missed or forgotten along the way.

I love the loose, basement-jam quality of "Tough Mama." Evidently, Jerry Garcia did too.

"Tough Mama"Lyrics.

           

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365 Days of Dylan, Day 4: The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

365 Days of Dylan, Day 4: The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll, Lyrics.

"The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll," like many of Dylan's songs, chronicles a violent incident of social injustice and speaks out for someone who otherwise would not have had a voice. 

We can't forget the mistakes of our past -- and our present -- if we hope to learn from and stop repeating them, if we hope to keep moving ourselves and our shared community forward. 

Songs like "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" help us remember, reflect and hopefully learn. 

Learn more: The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll Wikipedia page. 

          

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365 Days of Dylan, Day 3: Gotta Serve Somebody

365 Days of Dylan, Day 3: "Gotta Serve Somebody" from Slow Train Coming.

I think of this song in two ways. Every day, for my family, my coworkers and clients, I try to be of service. That's how I help define my purpose. The other way relates to something Steve Murphy says in the second season of Narcos, "Everybody has a boss."

I also love the slow, smooth groove of Bob's vocals with the background singers and instrumentation.

Who do you serve?

          

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365 Days of Dylan, Day 2: When I Paint My Masterpiece

Start of a new year. The canvas is blank. Time to work on my masterpiece. Here's a little musical inspiration from Bob Dylan, with some great covers and versions by the likes of the Grateful Dead, John Prine and Greensky Bluegrass.

365 Days of Dylan. Day 2. #NowPlaying When I Paint My Masterpiece - Demo by #BobDylan ♫ https://t.co/9UvLbSqdG7

— Mike Barzacchini (@RadioBarz) January 3, 2017

Really like this demo version off of Dylan's "Another Self Portrait."

Great bluegrass rave-up version by Greensky Bluegrass.

Levon Helm owns this song on the remastered "Cahoots."

Love to hear how other artists interpret Dylan's music, like the Grateful Dead from 1989,

John Prine and Garth Hudson on "Love for Levon,"

And this soulful rendition by Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang.

          

    

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365 Days of Dylan, Day 1: The Time's They are a Changin'

Happy New Year. Welcome to 2017. Today, I'm launching 365 Days of Dylan with "The Time's They are a Changin'."

No matter what this year has in store, a daily dose of Dylan will make it better.

The Time's They are a Changin' is a fitting anthem for when the song was released in 1964. Could have also been the theme song for 2016 and likely for the coming year. A timeless song about changing times.

365 Days of Dylan, Day 1, #BobDylan #DylanDays ♫ https://t.co/T12H6bHotU

— Mike Barzacchini (@RadioBarz) January 1, 2017

              

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Bob Dylan on tour.

Launching January 1, 2017: 365 Days of Dylan

Prince, Bowie, Merle, Jim Harrison, Carrie Fisher, Guy Clark, Muhammad Ali, Ralph Stanley...Sadly, this is to name just a few. Twenty-Sixteen was a tough year for my music, art and cultural heroes.

So for 2017, I'm taking a cue from Slate's celebration of legendary artists who are still living (See Wonder Week). I'm going to celebrate 365 days of Bob Dylan, his music, art and influence. I'll highlight one of his songs a day and share news, stories and other content throughout the year. I'll be curating a list of Dylan songs on Spotify and I've even launched an Amazon store featuring some of my favorite Dylan music and books.

This project is as much for me as for anyone who happens upon this blog, Spotify playlist or tweet. Bob Dylan's music, more than any other artist, has followed me, inspired me and influenced me throughout most of my life. This is a way to say "thanks" and share my love for Dylan's music while he's still on his endless tour.

Please share your Dylan memories. I'd love to hear how his music has matter to you.

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