Monday, December 2, 2013

Dylan Cover #115 Jason Bennett "Let Me Die In My Footsteps"

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by the Jason Bennett of the Dylan tune "Let Me Die In My Footsteps"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we talked about a cover version of this song.
A Dylan track that for once you don't have to wonder what he is singing about. Dylan's reaction to nuclear war and the cold war scare that was happening "Let Me Die In My Footsteps" is a defiant reaction to the idea of bomb shelters and fear. A proud American song that still resonates today and an early Dylan track we go back to periodically. Also sounding a whole hell of a lot like "Long Black Veil" helps things out too. Quick side note, it was the first Dylan song we put on the morning of September 11th 2001.    
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
I have not heard of Jason Bennett, but like many other entries to this series we are happy to find new artists and fellow fans of the Bard. you can find more info on Jason here.
Thoughts on Cover:
The added solemn violin of Tim Lorsch is a great touch for this song providing deep power and a sad tone. While I think of this track as defiant as opposed to meek, the concept of death is everywhere and there is an inherit sadness in that, conveyed nicely in Jason Bennett's version of the tune. The only slight deviation is the Dylan sounding vocal tinge, but that is to be expected from about 90% of the folk singers who came after him I guess. 
Grade: Solid B

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