Monday, August 5, 2013

Dylan Cover #98 Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris "Shelter From The Storm"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris of the Dylan tune "Shelter From The Storm"

August brings us up to and over 100 Dylan Covers talked about so far, so we are only picking great ones for this summer month, enjoy.

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover version:
An epic track, feeling simple and etched in history at the same time. Religious overtones, passionate asides all mix within the confines of the illustrious/mysterious "She" who is bringing us all in. A gorgeous song and one of my favorite odd phrases Dylan has ever recorded, "Hunted like a crocodile/Ravaged in the corn".  I have no idea what it is supposed to mean and I don't care, it is perfect.  One thing that may bring this one down a peg overall is the connection to another great song "Up To Me" which is basically the same tune...hearing one always makes me want to hear the other.    
Cover:
 
Thoughts on Cover Artists:
I had not heard of Rodney Crowell before but I know Emmylou Harris as one of the best female vocalists alive today, she is amazing.  Turns out Crowell has had an impressive career, going to have to dig into his back catalog a bit...and grab the duets album that these two released this year
Thoughts on Cover:
Wow the arraignment of the track is awesome. Great instrumentation, every single note of that electric guitar matters and the phrasing is awesome. Splitting the verses between these two fine vocalists is divine and the speed seems a bit quicker which works well too. Not worlds away from the original but they certainly add enough flourishes and gorgeous singing/playing that this is a clear winner. Now I really want to get their new disk. 
Grade: A

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