Seen the arrow on the doorpost
Saying, “This land is condemned
All the way from New Orleans
To New Jerusalem”
I traveled through East Texas
Where many martyrs fell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
Dylan’s “Blind Willie McTell” @ the 17th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards ceremony – 12 January 2012 – was performed as a tribute to Martin Scorsese.
And what a Great performance it was..
Introduction by Olivia Harrison: (widow of friend George Harrison)
Marty’s mastery of music … tells us he’s a sensitive soul. That’s why so many great musicians of our time have entrusted him their legacies, like The Band, The Rolling Stones, and of course this incomparable artist about to take this stage. Marty once said, ‘This man was ageless because he keeps turning new corners, beating down new paths, redefining himself and his art as he goes.’ And the same is true of Marty. Ladies and gentlemen, here to pay tribute to Martin Scorsese is Bob Dylan.
Hollywood Palladium Theater
Los Angeles, California
Musicians:
- Bob Dylan (vocal & harmonica)
- Stu Kimball (guitar)
- Charlie Sexton (guitar)
- Donnie Herron (banjo)
- Tony Garnier (bass)
- George Receli (drums)
Well, I heard that hoot owl singing
As they were taking down the tents
The stars above the barren trees
Were his only audience
Them charcoal gypsy maidens
Can strut their feathers well
But nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
See them big plantations burning
Hear the cracking of the whips
Smell that sweet magnolia blooming
See the ghosts of slavery ships
I can hear them tribes a-moaning
Hear that undertaker’s bell
Nobody can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
There’s a woman by the river
With some fine young handsome man
He’s dressed up like a squire
Bootlegged whiskey in his hand
There’s a chain gang on the highway
I can hear them rebels yell
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
Well, God is in His heaven
And we all want what’s His
But power and greed and corruptible seed
Seem to be all that there is
I’m gazing out the window
Of the St. James Hotel
And I know no one can sing the blues
Like Blind Willie McTell
Check out:
-Egil
Wow.
Brilliant song pulling in American history – last verse ‘power and greed and corruptible seed seem to be all that there is’ one of Dylan’s best. Great performance by Kermit the Frog; he may not be able to sing but he can still kick it!
Great song performed with incredible purpose. Bob cooked here.
the band was especially sharpe. I love Leo telling the crowd to “give it up” are you kidding me….. they should have been on their feet anyway!
Bob nailed it on that one!