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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)

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

-Egil