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Top 10 Bob Dylan Covers
Yes, to some, Dylan is a sacred cow that is infallible but I have found that I generally prefer his songs as performed by other artists. To call him a gifted songwriter is selling him short but to call him a good singer is giving him too much credit. With that in mind…
Them – “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue,” from_Them Again_ (Decca)
There are many great renditions of this song including Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs as well as, yes, Hole. But Van Morrison‘s vocals here really take it to another level. If you hadn’t heard this song before, you have definitely heard it sampled in Beck‘s “Jack-Ass,”.
Andrew Bird – “Oh Sister,” from Soldier On (Grimsey)
This is just great. And who thought it would inspire a two part harmony. Youtube link features a new favorite of mine, Jesca Hoop, backing up Mr. Bird.
George Harrison – “If Not For You,” from All Things Must Pass (Apple)
Dylan lent this song to George and Harrison lent it its beauty.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience – “All Along The Watchtower,” from Electric Ladyland (Reprise)
Oh yeah, this old thing? You may have heard it before.
Rage Against The Machine – “Maggie’s Farm,” from Renegades (Epic)
While the style is completely different, RATM capture the narrator’s spirit and spew out a more palpable disdain he has for his station in life.
PJ Harvey – “Highway 61 Revisited,” from Rid Of Me (Island)
Miss Polly Jean along with the unmistakable drum sound recorded by engineer Steve Albini make this a much more aggressive and tribal journey.
16 Horsepower – “Nobody ‘Cept You,” from Secret South (Alternative Tentacles)
While I inevitably give any Alternative Tentacles band a chance, I am not much of a fan of 16 Horsepower, but this is my favorite song that they do.
Cat Power – “I Believe In You,” from Jukebox (Matador)
Chan Marshall performs some great covers and her voice is perfect for reinterpreting Dylan. Her version of “Stuck Inside Of Mobile,” is excellent as well.
Iron And Wine & Calexico – “Dark Eyes,” from ‘m Not There Original Soundtrack (Columbia)
Sam Beam is a great mouthpiece for a Dylan song because his vocals are so hushed, the way Dylan’s should be. The arrangement here is much more interesting without being cluttered. This list could have been all selections from I’m Not There because there are so many great renditions on there, but that would have been cheating.
Ministry – “Lay Lady Lay,” from Filth Pig (Warner Bros.)
Maybe not one of the greatest but certainly one of the most drastically different versions of a Robert Zimmerman-penned track.
