Dylan Cover #719 Joan Baez "Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts" (Live)

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is from Joan Baez covering "Lily, Rosemary & The Jack of Hearts" live.

Thoughts on Original

From the first time we tackled a cover of this song
A "Mr Toad's Wild Ride" of a tune, that organ twists and whirls itself around with delight.  A fully flushed out script that Dylan decided to put to tunes...in fact I am shocked there hasn't been a movie made based on this song.  Turns out there have been two screenplays written but nothing has come to fruition. 

He only played this song live once according to his official website, but this is news to me as I thought it had never been attempted...now I have to track that down....Well after some more research there is a lot of discrepancy as to whether this was ever played live, I am voting no, but who knows? Any which way it is one of the most unique story songs of Dylan's career and really would sound more at place on Desire, but as it stands it breaks up Blood On the Tracks with a transporting feel.   

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist
RtBE's has been a fan of Baez's and featured her in our Dylan series previously as well as our Full Show Friday's. 

Thoughts on Cover:

This is super impressive, and it is hard to believe it took RtBE until 2026 to hear it. For a daunting tale that Bob (maybe) never played live, Baez commands the song with ease, grace, and confidence. 

Apparently in the early 70's Bob called Joan out of the blue to talk about this song, which he had just finished. Baez, thinking about the conversation, wrote one of her best songs "Diamonds and Rust" after that phone call, amazing all around. I am no Baez historian, but this song should have been a staple as she performs it expertly. Give it a listen right now!