Tag Archives: Will Oldham

13 great Americana versions of Bob Dylan songs

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13 great Americana versions of Bob Dylan songs

Americana is an amalgam of roots music formed by the confluence of the shared and varied traditions that make up the American musical ethos; specifically those sounds that are merged from folk, country, blues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll and other external influences. Americana, as defined by the Americana Music Association (AMA), is “contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw. While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also often uses a full electric band.”

A while ago I did a post on my top 10 country versions of Bob Dylan songs (soon to be updated), since then I’ve been made aware of a lot more songs from people who read the original post. Then most of my pickings where of classic country leaning on outlaw country, in this post I will concentrate on the new generation of country/ alt. country.

Dylan Outlaw Cowboy

Here are 13 favourite Bob Dylan songs performed by Americana artists. Lets start with a great live version:

Bobby Long & John Fullbright – It’s Not Dark Yet:

What a wonderful sound and such a great performance. These guys are just so good!

Continue reading 13 great Americana versions of Bob Dylan songs

Today: The late Ronnie Van Zant was born in 1948, 66 years ago

ronnie van zant  To me, there’s nothing freer than a bird, you know, just flying wherever he wants to go. And, I don’t know, that’s what this country is all about, being free. I think everyone wants to be a free bird.
~Ronnie Van Zant

Continue reading Today: The late Ronnie Van Zant was born in 1948, 66 years ago

Video of the day: Brownsville Girl (Dylan) – Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy

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 Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy aka Will Oldham is coming to Norway in May, playing at least three cities. It would be great to get to see him in concert, but I’m guessing it will be quite difficult to get tickets. Anyway, that’s why I chose him for the video of the day. That and the fact that he has recently played Bob Dylan’s masterpiece Brownsville Girl in concert, one of my all time favourite songs.

Brownsville Girl (Bob Dylan) covered by Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy:

“Well, there was this movie I seen one time,
about a man riding ‘cross the desert
and it starred Gregory Peck.”

– Hallgeir

Today: Lemmy is 67 & Happy Christmas!

Lemmy

“There is no x metal , no y metal , no pussy metal… Heavy metal is rock’n’roll.”
~Lemmy

“A jumbo jet taking off from LAX is like 30 smokers smoking 200 cigarettes a day for 30 fuckin’ years. And they want me to stop smoking THIS?! fuck off”
~Lemmy

We recorded his track in Los Angeles in maybe two takes about a year and a half ago. Until then I’d never met what I’d call a real rock ‘n’ roll hero before. Fuck Elvis and Keith Richards, Lemmy’s the king of rock ‘n’ roll – he told me he never considered Motörhead a metal band, he was quite adamant. Lemmy’s a living, breathing, drinking and snorting fucking legend. No one else comes close.
~Dave Grohl

Nice tribute video:

Ace of Spades:

From Wikipedia:

Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister (born 24 December 1945 in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England) is an English rock musician.

He is best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, principal songwriter and the founding and sole constant member of the rock band Motörhead as well as a former member of Hawkwind. His appearance, including his friendly mutton chops, prominent facial moles, and gravelly voice, has made him a cult icon.

Lemmy2

I Don’t Believe A Word:

For many, heavy metal is personified by a single person — unforgettable Motörhead bassist/shouter Lemmy.
~Gerg Prato (allmusic.com)

 Album of the day:

Ace of Spades (1980):

ace of spades

Other  December 24:

Lee Dorsey was born in 1924

leedorsey

Irving Lee Dorsey (December 24, 1924 – December 2, 1986) was an African American pop/R&B singer during the 1960s. Much of his work was produced by Allen Toussaint with instrumentalbacking provided by the Meters.

-Egil