Monday, February 3, 2014

Dylan Cover #124 Tea Leaf Green "Positively 4th Street" Live

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 Tea Leaf Green playing "Positively 4th Street"

Thoughts on Original:
There are two songs I go to when I think of mean, spiteful, angry, hurtful, badass Dylan and this is one of them. Young but full of piss and hate Dylan sings this tune to obviously someone he can't stand. I really don't care who it is specifically about because that rarely if ever matters in songs but Dylan rips into them here. It is a good one for any artist to use to lash out at slights (real or perceived). It has never been one of my favorites but it is hard to deny how powerful this tune is. 
Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Tea Leaf Green are a 2nd (or 3rd or 4th depending on who you ask) generation jamband from San Fransisco who became popular after I had stopped listening to most of the bands on the scene so I have not caught them live and that is where they butter their biscuits. They are still going strong today with solid musicianship and a loving fan base.
Thoughts on Cover:
A really well played and nuanced live version, guitars, organ, and guest fiddler Tim Carbone all have room to breath and move around without extending the track beyond its limits. Vocally Josh Clark, sings it his own way and does a fine job, especially as the track climaxes. A fun Monday listen, if anything they make the song a bit too cheery....but then you listen to the words...

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