Monday, January 14, 2013

Bob Dylan Cover #70 Buddy Miller -With God On Our Side

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Buddy Miller playing "With God On Our Side"
Thoughts on Original:
From the first cover of this song we discussed here:  Perhaps the most poignant and lasting song Dylan has written and that speaks volumes. Lyrically it is perfect, using history, the warping of religion and politics to get across the point that man will rationalize anything, even war. Only played live 30 times since it's debut at Dylan's historic Town Hall show the song has added weight and meaning when it is played.  Morality and War, Religion and Righteousness, all just words when it comes down to it, hold life inside those letters. Musically stark Dylan uses his impressive lyrics to express the confusion perfectly, should be mandatory listing in every history classroom.
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I thought I had not heard of Buddy Miller at all, but I may have even seen him live and not known it as he has toured with Steve Earle and played with Jimmie Dale Gilmore aka Smokey from The Big Lebowski. With a little research he seems to be a country music legend, just one more artist I need to check out more.       
Thoughts on Cover:
A building take on the classic tune, that starts simple and then keeps adding musical layers as each verse progresses.  It goes for grandiose which works on one level but the slowed down pace also makes this a really long one.  While the tune can hold up to the length and production it does drag a bit which is odd.  Had you mentioned that someone did a full band version of "With God On Our Side" for 9+ minutes I would have thought I would have loved it.  While I enjoy the cover it isn't the bee's pajamas or whatever the kids say these days...
Grade B
 

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