Monday, February 9, 2026

Dylan Cover #718 Dave Alvin "Highway 61 Revisited"

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 Dave Alvin playing "Highway 61 Revisited"



Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
A great blues rock number that has a touch of silly from Bob with the "Siren Whistle". The original version of this tune found on the album of the same name strikes me as a bit of a put on, Bob obviously loves the historic feel and the bizarre middle American heritage but the lyrics and whistle soften the blow. The track gets increasingly better in the live versions where Dylan's backers can rev up the honky-tonk and boogie down south as the group did for us up in Saratoga back in 2000. Tony Garnier the bass player for the group lead things on a thumping rollick in the encore and the band all hopped on board as Dylan sang about God/Abraham. It was the last rocker the group played that night putting fourth a ton of 6-string energy. (They would go on to finish with the crowd singing along to "Blowing in the Wind").

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
The roots rocker behind The Blasters solo work is new to RtBE's ears.  

Thoughts on Cover:
A dramatic reading with a voice that recalls Frank Zappa tells the odd road tale before the rocking and rolling gets motoring down the highway. A unique cover that is pretty fun, even while it adds gravity to the original. 

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