Monday, February 10, 2014

Dylan Cover #125 Eric Burdon "Gotta Serve Somebody" 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 Eric Burdon of "Gotta Serve Somebody"

Thoughts on Dylan Original:
From our first take on this:
This powerful call of hellfire and brimstone rained down from the mountaintop as Dylan proclaimed his faith proudly, and this was the first song that most of the public heard confirming the fact that Bob did indeed "Go Jesus". It is point and fact with its belief and message. You gotta serve somebody...can't be simpler then that when it comes to faith can it? The original has a driving beat and a propulsion to it that sounds urgent, but not as urgent as Bob sings, reenforcing the proclamation through his powerful lyrics and leaving no man or woman on the sidelines...he brings everyone into this spiritual battle, and whatever your beliefs it is impossible not to feel Bob is committed as he runs through the verses and chorus.  

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Eric Burdon has had a great career and we get even more insight into some early problems in Germany in this clip. The lead singer for The Animals and War, Burdon has been responsible for singing such hits as "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" and "Spill The Wine". Not too shabby a resume. He is still going strong too, made obvious by this performance and his dig at Google (who sponsored the clip) at the end.

Thoughts on Cover:
Mixing a mellow Bo Diddley beat into things the group eases the tune along. Burdon mentions this was a Dylan cover he always wanted to do, because it gives the players such freedom to move. This group doesn't get to out there, in fact they play it fairly straight from the get go. Pretty video, shot out in Joshua tree, fun listen if nothing particularly memorable.

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