In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, Widespread Panic doing a live cover of "Solid Rock" 
This month we have a special focus on Artists who will be playing the 2017 Jazzfest in New Orleans. Today we highlight jamband legends Widespread Panic who headline the Acura Stage on Thursday, May 4th.
Thoughts on Original: During Dylan's Jesus period he admittedly had more misses than hits, but when the Bard felt inspired by the Lord he really let it rip and he never ripped harder during those years than he did on "Solid Rock"; this is easily our favorite "Saved Era" tune from Bobby. He gets funky, he is rocking and raw with beliefs while back up singers support wonderfully and studio musicians play expertly. In fact it may be one of his best studio recordings of any era. That war of the flesh and spirit seems to really be heating up and you can almost hear his desires crashing with his new found beliefs as he rips into the repeating verses. Immediately worth hearing if you (for some reason) skipped over that phase of Dylan's career
Cover:
Thoughts on Cover Artists:
So we have never been a huge Panic fan...in fact we don't really dig them at all. We can't argue with their fans, but the band never did it for these ears. We do enjoy Dave Schools as a bassist and loved catching him play with J Mascis in a scorching "Fog" trio. The rest of the group just never clicked with us.
Thoughts on Cover:
All that said however, they managed to pick a cover that is fresh and one of Bob's most underrated tunes. Of course they stretch it the hell out, but that is what they do. In fact the jam that starts everything off is the best part of the tune as the vocals are average. The passion and energy sure are there as things begin and stay hot.
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