This is not a “best from 1971” list, just 5 Great songs Bob Dylan recorded in 1971.
Previous in this series:
George Jackson
Columbia Studio B
New York City, New York
4 November 1971
Produced by Bob Dylan
Released on single, 12 November 1971
I woke up this mornin’
There were tears in my bed
They killed a man I really loved
Shot him through the head
Lord, Lord
They cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere
Studio B
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
24 September 1971
Released on BOB DYLAN’S GREATEST HITS, VOL. 2, 17 November 1971.
Clouds so swift
Rain won’t lift
Gate won’t close
Railings froze
Get your mind off wintertime
You ain’t goin’ nowhere
Whoo-ee! Ride me high
Tomorrow’s the day
My bride’s gonna come
Oh, oh, are we gonna fly
Down in the easy chair!
I Shall Be Released
Studio B
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
24 September 1971
Released on BOB DYLAN’S GREATEST HITS, VOL. 2, 17 November 1971.
They say ev’rything can be replaced
Yet ev’ry distance is not near
So I remember ev’ry face
Of ev’ry man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
–
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Blue Rock Studios
New York City, New York
16–19 March 1971
Produced by Bob Johnston and Leon Russell
Released on BOB DYLAN’S GREATEST HITS, VOL. 2, 17 November 1971.
Oh, the streets of Rome are filled with rubble
Ancient footprints are everywhere
You can almost think that you’re seein’ double
On a cold, dark night on the Spanish Stairs
Got to hurry on back to my hotel room
Where I’ve got me a date with Botticelli’s niece
She promised that she’d be right there with me
When I paint my masterpiece
–
Watching The River Flow
Blue Rock Studios
New York City, New York
16–19 March 1971
Produced by Bob Johnston and Leon Russell
Released on BOB DYLAN’S GREATEST HITS, VOL. 2, 17 November 1971.
What’s the matter with me
I don’t have much to say
Daylight sneakin’ through the window
And I’m still in this all-night café
Walkin’ to and fro beneath the moon
Out to where the trucks are rollin’ slow
To sit down on this bank of sand
And watch the river flow
-Egil
Whilst not related to the intrinsic quality and attractiveness of the song, Dylan’s relationship, or to be more precise lack-of-relationship with the song George Jackson is surely worthy of significant comment.
Has Bob ever turned his back so clearly on one of his compositions must surely be the first question in this context?
And “why” as the second and more intriguing question.