Monday, April 21, 2025

Dylan Cover #678 Kenny Wayne Shepherd "Ballad of a Thin Man"

 In this ongoing Monday Series we will be exploring various artists versions of Bob Dylan song's. Today's tune is a cover by Kenny Wayne Shepherd  playing "Ballad of a Thin Man'"


All April (and the first week of May) RtBE focuses our Monday Dylan Cover Series on artists who are playing this years New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Today is Kenny Wayne Shepherd who is playing the festival Saturday May 3rd.

Thoughts On Original:
From the first time we tackled a cover of this tune:
Surprisingly we have not touched upon a cover of this track yet in the series, possibly because it has never been anywhere close to a favorite of ours. This tune seems to be a clear product of Dylan's time and space, hounded by media/fans/everyone and lashing out in a burnt out manner. Not containing his best lines or playing it has never really grabbed hold, except a few times in the live setting.

Cover:


Thoughts on Cover Artist:
The Louisiana native Kenny Wayne Sheherd has been on the scene since he could strum, playing electric blues all over the country. We actually saw him live waaaay back in the day on one of his first tours and liked his style but never really jumped on board. There is no doubting though that he can play that guitar. 

Thoughts on Cover:
A stout cover that bangs and drives forward and also allows Shepherd to rip a meaty blues solo right in the middle and again to close. A good cover, with blazing guitar from Shepard on a tune that is not an easy one to make your own. 

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