So, I kick off my journey through “Bob Dylan top 200 songs” (my list of Bob Dylans 200 greatest songs) with number 56.
Why not start at number 1… or number 200 ? No particular reason, “I just happen to feel this way”.
I will publish posts in this category on and off, with no spesific frequency.
The original “New York Sessions” for Blood On The Tracks took place from 16-25 of September 1974 in NYC. A test pressing of the album was made, but Dylan was not comfortable. He took the album “home” to Minnesota and played it for his brother – David Zimmerman. David told Bobby that the album was not “radio friendly”, and they put together a band with local musicians at Sound 80 Studio in Minneapolis on 27 & 30 December. These two sessions ended up replacing half of the albums original New York takes… And one of the unlucky ones was “If You See Here, Say Hello”.. The released Blood On The Tracks version was recorded on December 30.
First.. both versions are terrific! As goes for all New York versions.. they’re more “naked” and soulful, at least to me. The retakes from Minneapolis might be more “sound perfect” and more “radio friendly”.. so be it. In my book “soulfulness” usually takes precedence.
The only retake from Minneapolis I prefer over the original New York version is “Tangled Up In Blue”… but that is another, and “upcoming” story.
If you see her, say hello, she might be in Tangiers She left here last early spring, is livin' there, I hear Say for me that I'm all right though new things come and go She might think that I've forgotten her, don't tell her it isn't so. We had a falling-out, like lovers often will But to think of how she left that night, it still brings me a chill And though our separation, it pierced me to the heart She still lives inside of me, we've never been apart. If you're makin' love to her, kiss her for the kid, Who always has respected her for doin' what she did Oh, I know it had to be that way, it was written in the cards Still the bitter taste still lingers on, it all came down so hard. I see a lot of people as I make the rounds And I hear her name here and there as I go from town to town And I've never gotten used to it, I just learned to turn it off Either I'm too sensitive or else I'm getting soft. Sundown, yellow moon, I replay the past I know every scene by heart, they all went by so fast If she's passing back this way I'm not that hard to find Tell her she can look me up if she's got the time.
“.. If You See Her Say Hello has been written down with the ink still wet from last night’s tears..” – —Clinton Heylin (“Still On The Road”)
Some sources points out that his kids were actually in the studio while he recorded in Minneapolis.
Anyway some of the real “punch” get lost.. but there is, as with many other great Dylan songs, more rewrites to enjoy..
Rolling Thunder Revue II version (1976)
Civic Center, Lakeland, Florida – 04/18/76
Concert recording
This version is totally different..and has turned into a “revenge song”, nevertheless.. a great performance.
This is truly a great live version, a “must hear” version indeed.
NET (Never Ending Tour) 1995 version
Brixton Academy, London – 03/30/95
Concert recording
Picked up for NET in 94, my favorite NET version is from arguably the best NET leg ever – Europe spring 95.
Every Dylan fan should get hold of at least a handful concert recordings from the “Europe spring 95″ leg.
I will dwell into this subject in forthcoming postings.
Could not find this version on youtube… but here is at least a 95-version:
Album version from Spotify:
Brilliant song, heartbreaking lyrics and (of course) I don’t enjoy the pain* that “forced” our man to create such a great piece of art.. but I love & admire the outcome.
* “A lot of people tell me they enjoy that album. It’s hard for me to relate to that. I mean, you know, people enjoying that kind of pain?” – Bob Dylan
-Egil
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