Dylan Cover #573 The Willing "My Back Pages"

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 Willing of "My Back Pages"

Thoughts on Dylan Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:

The original has taken upon itself a cultural importance, and the chorus has simply become iconic. I doubt Dylan intended such, but it toes the line of out and out protest and illustrative questions. He puts down everyone from evangelists to girls, but the language snakes and flows so magically that it doesn't seem as harsh as "Positively 4th St" or "Ballad in Plain D". The sense of exhaling desperation or at least the realization that age confuses things even more seems to be what I take from this tune after each listen, but things can change...or can they?

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

The is RtBE's first time checking out The Willing. This Chicagoland band played the Midwest in the 70's and got back after it in recent years. Check them out. 

Thoughts on Cover:

Like a lot of covers of this song, this full band version owes as much to The Byrd's as it does to Dylan. From the drums to the gorgeous harmonies which are pristine. Surprisingly, all the members take turn singing lead verses clearly. The Willing expertly serve up an excellent version of this Dylan classic.