Dylan Cover #697 Toni Lindgren "Buckets of Rain" 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 Toni Lindgren playing "Buckets of Rain"

Thoughts on Original:
From our first take on a cover of this tune:
Dylan's mid-career masterpiece closes out with this song and to me it always seemed tacked on whimsically.  After going through a ton of raw emotion with "Idiot Wind" and other tunes, Blood on the Tracks finishes with this ditty.  Honestly, never one of my favorites, it acted more as a palate cleanser but a sweet one at that. 

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time we are hearing Toni Lndgren, a guitar player based in L.A.

Thoughts on Cover:

A fantastic acoustic cover that keeps it light and airy like the original. 

Dylan Cover #696 "Union Sundown" Live August 12th 2010

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 Alternate Infidels playing "Union Sundown"

Thoughts on Original:
From what has become an annual tradition here and here:
Wanted to pick this one for Labor Day as it is Dylan's take on the lack of US manufacturing jobs as well as the increasing flux of capitalism in society and the death of unions. The idea of greed taking over is nothing new, but this song seems to come from an impulsive Dylan (a lot do) and shows up on Infidel's of which Dylan has commented something along the lines of "Those songs stuck around too long".  

Ideas seem to be a bit jumbled on this disk, but not on this tune, his lament at no good paying jobs for American workers is clear, but he isn't passing the buck. It is all of HIS products that are foreign made, this isn't a plea for change as a younger Dylan might have done; it is a simple statement of fact...and a sad one at that.  

Having grown up in a extremely pro-Labor house hold, I just wanted to point this tune out and the fact that Dylan wrote it over 40 years ago, and things have only gotten worse... Happy Labor Day....

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Well this one is a mystery.  It was posted fifteen years ago to account that just has two other videos posted (another Dylan cover from the same show). All the info I got is: TRIBUTE TO BOB DYLAN 12 augusti 2010 i Vasa, Finland. 

If anyone has any more post it in the comments and I will update this post. 

Thoughts on Cover:

Normally I would skip posting this without knowing who the artists are, but this is a ripping live cover of "Union Sundown". One of the better versions of this song RtBE has heard. Stomping drums, great organ, smoking slide guitar and excellent vocals from this cover band. Great stuff!

Happy 60th Anniversary to Bob Dylan's Highway 61

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the release of Bob Dylan's classic album Highway 61.

  

A titan of a rock record. 

Dylan Cover #695 Fellowship of the Wing "Heart of Mine" 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 Fellowship of the Wing playing "Heart of Mine"

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Shot of Love found Dylan beginning to get back to more secular music after his gospel phase and "Heart of Mine" is an odd song that is cliché as hell but also loose and spastic Dylan. The fact that this version was released on Shot of Love is why the Bootleg series exists and the reason fans can become frustrated with his albums, as he himself stated: 

In an interview taken in 1984, Dylan admitted that "Heart of Mine" was "done a bunch of different ways ... but I chose for some reason a particularly funky version of that—and it's really scattered. It's not as good as some of the other versions, but I chose it because Ringo and Ronnie Wood played on it, and we did it in like ten minutes." 

Being that Dylan himself couldn't decide on how the song should actually be constructed, it makes it ripe for other artists to interpret, that is if they can get past the cheesy, "don't do the crime if you can't do the time" line...

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is our first time hearing Fellowship of the Wing but are familiar with each of the artists individually. John Kadlecik - Guitar & vocals, Jay Lane - Drums & vocals, Reed Mathis - Bass & vocals and Todd Stoops - Keyboards & vocals

Thoughts on Cover: 

A really awesome upbeat jammed out cover. While the videos sound levels aren't equal, you can really tell all of these talented players love this tune. A dynamite cover and if there is a cleaner version out there, send it RtBE's way. 

Dylan Cover #694 Jeremy Mayle "Million Miles" 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 Jeremy Mayle playing "Million Miles"

Thoughts on Original:

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

From the barren blues of Time Out Of Mind comes "Million Miles". While not a standout on that album, the song was prophetic, hinting at the fantastic twelve bar blues variations that would dominate Dylan's next two releases. When first heard though it doesn't jump out, just feels like yet ANOTHER solid track from the bard that is ripe for covering. 

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
We featured Jeremy Mayle, a folk singer from Parkersburg, West Virginia once before in our Monday cover series, and yes Jeremy, we were giving you props. 

Thoughts on Cover:

A very cool take on this tune that Mayle kicks up in exciting, solo acoustic, fashion. While the original was a slow meditative take on love, loss and life, Mayle delivers the song at wits end, frantic and disturbed. An excellent rendition of a malleable Dylan tune that feels unique as Mayle sings with gusto and soul. 

Dylan Cover #693 Jeremy Fisher "Seven Curses" 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 Jeremy Fisher playing "Seven Curses"

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune

An early tune from Dylan that lives and embodies the European folk song tradition as breathed through his lungs. The distrust of authority, the bleakness/unfairness of life, the anger and retribution all feel so natural. Dylan's harshness here seems connected to "Masters of War" as the pain and suffering flows through the end of the bitter tale. 

Also this is a great read about the song. 

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
This is the first time RtBE has come across Jeremy Fisher who is a Canadian singer and guitar teacher. He has a lot of videos where he teaches Bob Dylan songs that are worth checking out if you want to play some of these tunes. 

Thoughts on Cover: 

A fairly straight ahead live acoustic cover that dos a proper job of telling the story through song and conveying the harsh emotions. Good cover. 

Live Review: Outlaw Festival (Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Wilco etc) 8/1/25 Jones Beach, NY

Outlaw Festival 

Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Wilco, Lucinda Williams

8/1/25 Jones Beach, NY

On a gorgeous summer evening, after a crushing heatwave finally broke in the NYC area, the 10th Anniversary of the Outlaw Festival pulled into Jones Beach. The show played the on the water amphitheater for a second year in a row, as a sold out crowd slowly made their way into the venue to see to see a host of excellent musicians. 

Dylan Cover #692 Gee Gee & Soluna "Subterranean Homesick Blues" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Gee Gee & Soluna playing "Subterranean Homesick Blues" 

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we posted a cover version of this tune:
One of the most iconic songs from Dylan's most famous period and a very early showing of how powerful a music video could be. Dylan nods to beat poetry, current events, Chuck Berry's "No More Monkey Business", paranoia, and the Vietnam War all in around two minutes of linked lyrics over one of his earliest electric recordings. There is also the sly sense of humor which Dylan never gets enough credit for, while raging against the proverbial machine. A classic '60's tune in all respects and one non-Dylan fans usually love as well.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
 This is the first time RtBE has come across Gee Gee and Soluna. Gerard George "Gee Gee" Kettel in and his daughter Soluna Samay are Greek musicians.

Thoughts on Cover:

A great live rollicking cover that keeps the spirit and vibe of the original.  

Dylan Cover #691 John Lynch "One More Cup of Coffee" 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 John Lynch playing "One More Cup of Coffee"

Dylan Cover #690 Lucinda Williams "It Takes A Lot to Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry"

 In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Lucina Williams playing "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry"

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
One of my favorite titled songs in the Dylan catalog, for some reason the title just nails an elusive feeling and perfectly works with the tune. Also contains multiple epic lines, my favorite being "I wanna be your lover babe/I don't wanna be your boss", AMEN brother Bob.  A pretty straight forward blues number musically that lends itself to cover attempts, leading to...

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
Lucinda is powerful Americana artist who RtBE has seen quite a few times recently and will again on August 1st. 

 
Thoughts on Cover:

A smokey bluesy cover of a song that is customed made for this kind of delivery. Williams sounds great, band is on point. Solid all around. 

Dylan Cover #689 Ken Tizzard "Tangled Up In Blue" Live

n this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a live cover by Ken Tizzard playing "Tangled Up In Blue" 

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this track:
Wow. The song that never ends, the tune that might just best sum up Dylan, if that is remotely possible. Dylan constantly toyed with this song (check out the Rolling Thunder and Real Live version's if you haven't yet) and even he knows it can't stay stagnant in one form for long, so covering it is a good bet.  Needless to say it is in the top 5 greatest songs he ever wrote if we were ranking them...hmm.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:

This is RtBE's first time hearing Ken Tizzard who is a musician who lives in Campbellford Ontario Canada.

Thoughts on Cover:

A cool trio cover of the tune that starts a bit easy with two guitars and bass. While it picks up tempo a touch as the travels unfold, it stays tight and well sung. A cool live cover that isn't too far from the original. 

Dylan Cover #688 Todd Snider "The Man In Me" 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 Todd Snider playing "The Man In Me"

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Almost a forgotten throw away track from Bob, which proves how great he really is, this peach of a song originally appeared on New Morning. The famous La-la-la's are so unlike Bob it instantly stands out as unique in his back catalog. "The Man In Me" is playful, loving, sincere yet deceptive. It took on an added life after showing up in the cult classic The Big Lebowski and now has a whole new generation digging its quirky sounds.  

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

RtBE did a special focus on Todd Snider covering Dylan back in December for a month, but we didn't get to this full band live gem. So it enters the Dylan Cover Series now instead. 

Thoughts on Cover:

A shaggy, rollicking full band cover from Snider and crew that is a bit wooly and unkept. Strong vocals, guitar bass and drum. A fun ramble through a fun tune. 

Dylan Cover #687 Phil J Gray "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" 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 Phil J Gray playing "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series.

In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

For June we highlight live Dylan covers from Phil J Gray 

Thought's on Original:

From the first time we reviewed a cover of this tune:

This song is so iconic and flat out awesome, even people who dislike Dylan have to enjoy this tune right? Biting and yet not bitter, a toss off of the grandest proportions, "Don' Think Twice, It's All Right" is epic and yet so straight forwardly simple. It easily ranks as one of the bard's best works, truly a classic and has been covered by so many people in so many ways.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on him and his Bob covers.

Thoughts on Cover

A great spin through an excellent song. We end our month of June's special focus on a high note with Mr. Gray! Thanks for reading and listening. 

Happy 50th Anniversary to Bob Dylan and The Band's The Basements Tapes

Happy 50th Anniversary to Bob Dylan and The Band's The Basements Tapes. 

One of the great albums of both artists career, and the start of bootleg/outtakes albums that spawned a whole industry. 

Dylan Cover #686 Phil J Gray "Desolation Row" 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 Phil J Gray playing "Desolation Row" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series.

In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

For June we highlight live Dylan covers from Phil J Gray 

Thoughts on Original:

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

A magnum opus of early Dylan. A song that is mystical and heated, politically charged while never explicit. One of the more expansive songs he has written and an early indicator that Dylan was on another level lyrically. From Ezra Pound to Bette Davis there are literary references, pop culture bits and a complete fabled world that comes alive in the ears. A true high point when it comes to Bob Dylan songs.

Cover:

 

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on his tunes.

Thoughts on Cover:

Gray takes a bit of Dylan's exhausted defeatism out of the tune with this live cover. An impressive cover as this tune is a beast to take on, and Gray does a good job in his particular style.  

Album Review: Joan Osborne - Dylanology Live

Joan Osborne

Dylanology Live

*** out of *****

Back in 2017 Joan Osborne released a collection directly titled Songs of Bob Dylan, (RtBE highlighted a few in our Monday Dylan Cover series) and her newest release, Dylanology Live features a selection of songs from the follow up tour. Osborne sings with dynamics and a few key guests stop by to help liven up the sound. 

Dylan Cover #685 Phil J Gray "Positively 4th Street" 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 Phil J Gray playing "Positively 4th Street" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series.

In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

For June we highlight live acoustic Dylan covers from Phil J Gray

Thoughts on Original:

From the first time we tackled a cover of this song:
There are two songs I go to when I think of mean, spiteful, angry, hurtful, badass Dylan and this is one of them. Young but full of piss and hate, Dylan sings this tune to obviously someone he can't stand. I really don't care who it is specifically about, because that rarely, if ever, matters in songs, but Dylan rips into them here. It is a good one for any artist to use to lash out at slights (real or perceived). It has never been one of my favorites, but it is hard to deny how powerful this tune is. 

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on his tunes.

Thoughts on Cover:
Out of all the covers we are sharing from Mr. Gray this month, this one is the toughest fit for his style. He plays very upbeat, and sings with a palpable radiating positive energy that the meanness of Dylan's words doesn't really match. A solid effort though on a brutal song. 

Happy 40th Anniversary to Bob Dylan's Empire Burlesque

Happy 40th Anniversary to Bob Dylan's Empire Burlesque. 

While not considered one of his classic records,  Empire Burlesque has some interesting moments. The biggest issue/stumbling block in re-visiting the record, outside of the hideous cover art, is just how 80's sounding it is. Self-produced by Dylan, he let Arthur Baker (New Order, Afrika Bambaataa) do the final mixing and the result was a very of-the-time sound in 1985.

Dylan Cover #684 Phil J Gray "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" 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 Phil J Gray playing "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series.

In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

For June we highlight live Dylan covers from Phil J Gray  

Thoughts on Original:

Arriving just after "Idiot Wind" the breezy "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go" acts as a breather on Blood on the Tracks, but on it's own it is a gorgeous little number. A poetic love song that feels fresh every time it slips into the ear as the protagonist is in a world of bliss and doesn't want it to end, but knows it always will. Miles away from "Idiot Wind", but just as vital, showing off Dylan's easy charm and flowing word play/vocal style, I mean how cool is the "I’ll look for you in old Honolulu San Francisco or Ashtabula" run through?   

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on his tunes.

Thoughts on Cover:

A tune that fits Gray's performance style wonderfully and he does a bang up job. 

Dylan Cover #683 Phil J Gray "When The Ship Comes In" 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 Phil J Gray playing "When The Ship Comes In" 

This month we are doing another special focus in RtBE's Dylan Covers series.

In the past we have highlighted The Byrds, Coulson-Dean-McGuiness-Flint, The Hollies, Joan Osbourne, Mountain, Betty LeVette , Reggae Covers and many more.

For June we highlight live acoustic Dylan covers from Phil J Gray

Thoughts on Original:

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

One of our favorite songs from the early days of Dylan. The purest Irish Folk we felt he ever got, Joan Baez was a fan of this one and told a cool story during No Direction Home, about him being pissed at a hotel attendant and then having this song just spiral out of him. Images of the sea, the salt, the song, raiding/pillaging; a pirate song at heart. When we are looking for pure folk Dylan this one usually finds it's way to our ears.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in October 2024 we came across Mr. Gray, aka MUSIC MAN and dug his style of straight ahead, live acoustic Dylan covers. Turns out he does a bunch, so all month we will focus on his tunes.

Thoughts on Cover:  

Excellent, live energetic, well sung,  strummed with passion, accented with harmonica and nailed all around. It is going to be a fun month of live acoustic covers with Phil J Gray.