Roger McGuinn is a great guitar player with a distinct sound, a “jangly” shimmering guitar sound. But he is much more than that, he is a good singer and a very good Bob Dylan interpreter.
Here are 9 good renditions of Bob Dylan’s songs done by Roger McGuinn (and collaborators).
Mr. Tambourine Man:
Continue reading July 13: Roger McGuinn plays 9 good Bob Dylan covers – Happy Birthday Mr. McGuinn!
“Hey Joe” is an American popular song from the 1960s that has become a rock standard and as such has been performed in many musical styles by hundreds of different artists. “Hey Joe” tells the story of a man who is on the run and planning to head to Mexico after shooting his unfaithful wife. However, diverse credits and claims have led to confusion as to the song’s true authorship and genesis. The earliest known commercial recording of the song is the late-1965 single by the Los Angeles garage band The Leaves; the band then re-recorded the track and released it in 1966 as a follow-up single which became a hit.
Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61”
…when Dylan bounded out onstage later that evening, wearing a black frock coat and sporting a shock of wild, curly hair, he looked, from a distance, like nothing less than a holy man possessed. And from the moment he and his band (ex-Faces‘ keyboard player Ian McLagan, ex-Stone the Crows drummer Colin Allen, bassist Greg Sutton and ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor) broke into an electrifying Chuck Berryish version of “Highway 61,” it was clear that Dylan was once again a devoted rock & roller. Moreover, his voice – full of passionate declamations and dramatic vocal leaps, and displaying an emotional palette that ranged from proud anger to unabashed tenderness – immediately brought his audience back to the days of Highway 61 Revisited and Blonde on Blonde.
– Rolling Stone Magazine
Dylan played some of the biggest and best known European music venues including Schaerbeek Football Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, Ullevi Stadion in Gothenburg, Sweden, St. James Park in Newcastle, England, Wembley Stadium in London, England, Slane Castle in County Meath, Ireland.
His band included ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor on guitar, ex-Faces’ keyboard player Ian McLagan, drummer Colin Allen and bassist Greg Sutton.
Dylan was joined by several major musicians on the tour including Carlos Santana (all concerts; Santana was an opening act), Joan Baez (Hamburg, Munich and Copenhagen), Hugues Aufray (Paris and Grenoble), Pino Daniele (Milan 24 June 1984), Van Morrison (Paris, London and County Meath), Eric Clapton (London), Chrissie Hynde (London), Bono (County Meath), Leslie Dowdall (County Meath) and Steve Wickham (County Meath).
Real Live was released in the winter 1984 which documented Dylan’s 1984 summer, released by Columbia Records. Six songs from the album were recorded at Wembley Stadium on July 7, two songs were recorded at St. James Park on July 5 and another two were recorded at Slane Castle, Ireland on July 8
– Wikipedia
Continue reading July 7: Bob Dylan live on Wembley in London 1984 – Highway 61 Revisited
An incredible audience recording of a powerhouse performance. The title is taken from the all new lyrics in The Man In Me. ..The sound quality is as good as many soundboards. This is definitely one to have in any collection.
~bobsboots.com
The sound is a bit low on this one, so crank it up, put on your headphones and enjoy. I’ve listened to this recording hundreds of times on my walks, it’s a stellar performance. It is really good.
…but there is a new release “out there” that corrects the volume issue, and it is a good upgrade in other respects as well.
“The highlight of the show is perhaps one of the all time greatest versions of “All Along The Watchtower”. The song’s melody opens on the flute and gives way to a duet between David Mansfield on violin and Billy Cross on lead guitar, trading off solos between the verses until it ends with a scorching violin solo. Rarely has anything else been heard in rock and even Dylan sounds impressed as he introduces Mansfield at the end of the piece. ”
– CollectorMusicReviews
My highlights are Man in me, Masters of war, All along the watchtower and One more cup of coffee, but there are so many good that it is hard to choose.
Continue reading July 6: Bob Dylan live in Paris 1978, Border beneath the sun
Playing his first show in Newcastle in 18 years, and to an English-speaking audience for the first time on this tour, Dylan clearly enjoys the experience. One highlight is a lengthy “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” Dylan’s harmonica dueling with Santana’s guitar. The next day the Newcastle Evening Chronicle proclaims that, “Dylan the magician had breathed the kiss of life all over his work.” The concert is recorded officially, and “License to Kill” and “Tombstone Blues” both feature on Real Live.
~Clinton Heylin (Bob Dylan: A Life in Stolen Moments Day by Day 1941-1995
Dylan, who would fly in from France on his private jet, would be supported by Santana and Geordie favourites Lindisfarne. Tickets for the show cost £11 and the turnstiles opened hours before the concert, for once hammering the touts and forcing them to sell at well below face value.
On a pleasant evening, as the sun began to set, the legendary singer, then aged 43, took to the stage. The Chronicle reported: “He came, he sang, he conquered… Bob Dylan won the hearts of Northern fans – all 25,000 of them – at St James’ Park last night.
The sea of fans were calmed by his strange nasal tones echoing round the terraces, but surged with applause at every pause.“The times they have been a-changing for Dylan fans. For many, marijuana has given way to middle-aged spreads, and beads to balding heads.
But ageing hippies made up just part of the crowd which proved that Dylan now has universal appeal. The majority were just ordinary young people who came to enjoy the music. As soon as the gates opened, a carnival atmosphere descended upon St James’ Park.
Bare-chested fans were soon jogging with joy in the blazing sun to the vibrant music of support groups Lindisfarne and Santana.After the show, one 37-year-old fan, told the Chronicle it was the fourth time he’d seen the singer. “He never loses his old magic. He looks like a scruffy little man on stage – but he happens to be a genius.
Three decades on, the Kings Of Leon recently became the latest act to rock St James’ Park, but for those who watched the legendary Bob Dylan plying his trade there all those years ago, it was a show they will never forget it.
– The Chronicle
Continue reading July 5: Bob Dylan live in Newcastle, UK in 1984 (video upgrade)
