Dylan Cover #659 Todd Snider "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 Todd Snider playing ""Subterranean Homesick Blues"" 

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 December we highlight live Dylan covers from Todd Snider  

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:
Back in August we posted a cover of Snider doing "Visions of Johanna" and that gave us the inspiration for this months focus. RtBE really dig Todd Snider, and have talked about him multiple times in the past. 

Thoughts on Cover:

A great live cover to start off this month of Snider covering Bob. Snider has a gift of gab and "Subterranean Homesick Blues" is right up his alley. 

Dylan Cover #663 Todd Snider "Tangled Up In Blue" 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 Todd Snider playing "Tangled Up In Blue" 

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 December we highlight live Dylan covers from Todd Snider  

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:

Back in August we posted a cover of Snider doing "Visions of Johanna" and that gave us the inspiration for this months focus. RtBE really dig Todd Snider, and have talked about him multiple times in the past. 

Thoughts on Cover:

We end this month with Snider giving us his take on the classic "Tangled Up In Blue". This wraps up December's special focus on a high note. Snider nails it.  

Thanks for following this series, it has been fun to keep on keepin' on. 

Dylan Cover #662 Todd Snider "Ring Them Bells" 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 "Ring Them Bells" 

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 December we highlight live Dylan covers from Todd Snider  

Thoughts on Original:

The gospel influenced Dylan returns to the forefront on "Ring Them Bells" as Bob mans the piano and delivers the straight ahead hymn. In Chornicles Dylan mentioned this song and gives credit to producer Daniel Lanois. He states:

"Lanois captured the essence of it on this, put the magic into its heartbeat and pulse. We cut this song exactly the way I found it...two or three takes with me on the piano, Dan on guitar and Malcolm Burn on keyboards"

The straight ahead gospel hymn lends itself to many kinds of interpretations and is ripe to be covered. 

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in August we posted a cover of Snider doing "Visions of Johanna" and that gave us the inspiration for this months focus. RtBE really dig Todd Snider, and have talked about him multiple times in the past. 

Thoughts on Cover:

Like all of the covers in this months focus you can tell Snider loves the song but is not particularly well versed in them. Still a fun cover, that would be even better if Todd dug in or played it with a backing band. 

Dylan Cover #660 Todd Snider - "Highway 61 Revisited" - 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 "Highway 61 Revisited"

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 December we highlight live Dylan covers from Todd Snider  

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:

Back in August we posted a cover of Snider doing "Visions of Johanna" and that gave us the inspiration for this months focus. RtBE really dig Todd Snider, and have talked about him multiple times in the past. 

Thoughts on Cover:

One of the more complete covers from Snider from this month. Todd seems to have practiced this one a bit more than a few of the others. He puts his own twist on the tune and delivers a great cover. 

Dylan Cover #661 Todd Snider "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"

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 "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" 

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 December we highlight live Dylan covers from Todd Snider  

Thoughts on Original:

One of the most titanic songs in Dylan's catalog, "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" runs the gamut from indignation, anger, humility, confusion, hopelessness, righteousness...it really has it all. A major statement when it was recorded on Bringin' It All Back Home and at it's core Dylan is raging against hypocrisy in all forms. Dylan has been quoted as saying "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" is one of his songs that means the most to him, and while you can never be sure if Bob is being serious, this one has the whiff of truth to it.  It is a song containing a powerful lyrical flood of imagery that can be overwhelming. It is a fantastic, massive tune and one not very easily covered.  

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:

Back in August we posted a cover of Snider doing "Visions of Johanna" and that gave us the inspiration for this months focus. RtBE really dig Todd Snider, and have talked about him multiple times in the past. 

Thoughts on Cover:

Snider does a great job with this one, getting through it with power and strong playing. Well done indeed. 

Live Streams: Todd Snider: Live from The Buskirk-Chumley Theater

We are now heading into the new normal with live music during the Covid-19 era. Live shows will need to be flexible and live streaming is a great way to keep music going. Streams have become essential for live music junkies like RtBE. Things are (hopefully) improving on the pandemic front but live streams will be an option for artists during the foreseeable future. We will highlight various shows/streams/virtual events for your viewing and listening pleasure and as a way to help out the artists. You can check out our weekly Full Show Friday series for concerts from the past and as always, please support the artists any which way you can.

Today we highlight: Todd Snider: Live from The Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Check out Todd Snider tonight, live streaming from the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. You can catch the live stream over on Mandolin and to get in the mood here is a tune from Todd Snider, his most famous one at that. 

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 #643 Todd Snider "Visions of Johanna" Live

In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's artists, Todd Snider performing a cover of "Visions of Johanna" 

Thoughts on Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
One of the clear high points in Dylan's poetic songwriting, "Visions of Johanna" is a complete stunner, especially the first time you encounter it. Now (on a personal note) if that first encounter just happens to be a hot sweaty night, in the heart of the urban village which Dylan roamed about 30 years before and you happened to be doing the same god damn thing, then so be it. Even if your personal take is different it is hard to wrap your brain around the lyrics and the more you listen the more the mystery deepens. It is elusive, bright, cunning, dismissive, iconic, ironic and tossed off all at once. It is mega and it is nothing...and I can't be more vague than that. Musically he couldn't get it right until he went down to Nashville and it says something that he stuck with this song (unlike say..."She Belongs To Me") and got a version that is magical musically as well, just listen to that bass line throughout from Joe South...a crowning success all around.

The closest I ever got to the sound I hear in my mind was on individual bands in the Blonde on Blonde album. It's that thin, that wild mercury sound. It's metallic and bright gold, with whatever that conjures up.

Cover:

Thoughts on Cover Artist:
RtBE really dig Todd Snider, and have talked about him multiple times in the past. 

Thoughts on Cover:

Well Snider begins the song by saying he can't really do cover songs. While it isn't perfect, it is a fun run through from the troubadour. A valiant effort that is done well and moves along brightly.  

Album Review: Todd Snider - High, Lonesome and Then Some

Hey all, got a review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here:

It is of Todd Snider's newest album, High, Lonesome and Then Some. 

Album Review: Todd Snider - Live: Return of the Storyteller

Hey all, got a review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!

It is of Todd Snider's most recent album Live: Return of the Storyteller. 

Snider is completely at home onstage and this live album, taken from his 2021 tour, finds Snider in a more reflective element then on past live albums from the road dog. 

Support the artist, read the review and peep some video below:

RIP Todd Snider

RtBE are sad to learn of the passing of Todd Snider, he was 59.

Full Show Friday: Todd Snider Live March 2007

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Todd Snider!

Year In Review 2025 - Favorite Albums Part 1 (Honorable Mentions & Let Downs)

Another year is finishing up and @RockBodElec wouldn't be a proper music site if we didn't end the year with a "Best Of" list, so RtBE presents 2025's Favorite Albums Part 1 (Honorable Mentions and Let Downs):

In the instance that RtBE has reviewed the album, either on this site or elsewhere, we will link to that review and just give a quick summation, click on the name/title and you can read our full opinion. RtBE also worked with the Glide Team to give input on their Top 20, so you can expect some overlap if you already have seen that list.

Again the focus here is on full albums, not singles, but long playing releases you can slap on and listen all the way through. We know these are a dying breed, but it still is the way we consume music, no shuffle, Spotify, AI curated playlists, or streaming for us.

These are the albums that just missed out on being included in our top ten favorite for the year (coming soon). After some excellent albums, we have a few releases from artists we dig, which we were let down by. 

Like all of our lists or 'best of'', these are meant to start conversations, not end them...

Album Review: Jesse Welles - Pilgrim

Jesse Welles

Pilgrim

***and1/2 out of *****

One of the fastest risers in the folk music scene Jesse Welles, releases music constantly on social media and his albums allow him to stretch out from his direct acoustic song. Pilgrim brings in a producer and guests expanding the prolific artists sound with some benefits and drawbacks. 

Full Show Friday: Yonder Mountain String Band Delfest 2011

We search the murky back waters of youtube to find full concerts and post them to the site weekly, come back every seven days to help us celebrate Full Show Friday's. These shows are of varying quality and may not be here for long so enjoy them while you can...As always, please support the artist every which way, but especially by seeing them live (if they are still playing)...This week...Yonder Mountain String Band!

This full show is from 2011 as YMSB works their bluegrass magic at DelFest. Not Pro Shot, but the sound and visuals are great from one camera. Full set list below. Enjoy:

Side Show Blues (Todd Snider cover) 
Sometimes I've Won 
Pockets 
Ripcord Blues 
The First Whippoorwill (Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys cover) 
The Prisoner's Song (Vernon Dalhart cover) 
What the Night Brings (Jeff Austin song) 
Ain't No Way of Knowing 
Rain Still Falls 
Criminal
Shake Me Up 
You're No Good (Dee Dee Warwick cover)
One More 
On the Run (>)
Death Trip (> ‘On the Run’ reprise) 
Encore: Southern Flavor