Favorite Dylan Covers

[Jazzdog]

Regarding what I thought was the topic here, it would have been Nashville, too. I like the World gone wrong cover, and some others, too, but Nashville gets the nod...

I don't even have it, and it's still my favorite cover!@

[Jazzdog]

FIRST: NO NO NO NO NO NO covers "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Pleeeeeez? NONE, NONE, EVER, none. It's sooooooooo over, dudes and the exceptions do NOT make up for the drivel we've had to suffer through for thirty years now. Please watch "Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid" again if yr needin' a fix.

my words!

ubu

I dunno...Zevon's version is pretty fucking heartwrenching.

[Sundog]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Highway 61 by Johnny Winter. That's a house rocker!

[chris]

There's always Jakob Dylan-- never mind.

How about Nina Simone doing "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues"?

Or if you want BAD: Indigo Girls doing "Tangled Up in Blue" (which isn't quite as horrifying as their cover of Neil Young on the same album). Or Guns and Roses doing "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"...

[Adam]

Many people strongly dislike the Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians version of " A Hard Rain Is Gonna Fall" but I always liked it. Haven't heard it in 6 or 7 years though, so I have no idea if it holds up.

Someone has a blistering version of Maggie's Farm, but I'm totally blanking on the artist.

[GregK]

Or if you want BAD: Indigo Girls doing "Tangled Up in Blue" (which isn't quite as horrifying as their cover of Neil Young on the same album). Or Guns and Roses doing "Knockin' On Heaven's Door"...

or Guns and Roses doing ANYTHING

[Alec]

I have to second XTC's version of "All Along the Watchtower" and add Shawn Colvin doing "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go."

[WD45]

Someone has a blistering version of Maggie's Farm, but I'm totally blanking on the artist.

Rage Against the Machine? They had a searing version on their covers album a while back.

[Alexander]

Someone has a blistering version of Maggie's Farm, but I'm totally blanking on the artist.

Rage Against the Machine? They had a searing version on their covers album a while back.

I seem to recall U2 doing a version of Maggie's Farm...

[patricia]

Although almost everyone, of every genre of music has covered Dylan in one form or another, I still think that The Byrds and Peter Paul and Mary epitomized his music. I still can't hear "Don't Think Twice" by PP&M without tearing up.

But, I like his own version of "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Come", as well as the ONLY version worth listening to of "Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat". Who else could write, or perform lines like:

"It sat on her head like a mattress on a bottle of wine"

Still makes me smile.

[Joe]

As far as the over-renditioned "Knockin' On Heaven's Door Goes" -- for me, the definitive version is Television's (hear THE BLOW-UP).

[danasgoodstuff]

Solomon Burke also did "Maggie's Farm", originally as a non-album B-side for Atlantic in the '60s but it's more recently shown up on various compilations. Besides Jimi, my favorite Dylan coverors are the Band, who completely understand what the're doing since they co-wrote some and worked with the man himself, and the Hollies who understood none of it so they just played and sang it as best they could. Oh, and Elvis P. also did a pretty mean "Don't Think Twice" but my understanding is that Dylan shouldn't [can't believe I left the "n't" out!] really take full credit for that one.

Edited December 8, 2003 by danasgoodstuff

[BruceH]

Van Morrison, with his old band Them, did a great version of "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." I've always liked that one.

[GregK]

Besides Jimi, my favorite Dylan coverors are the Band, who completely understand what the're doing since they co-wrote some and worked with the man himself,

I've always liked the Band's own songs much more than their Dylan covers. I bought the Basement Tapes for their performances and their songs, which not only make at least a little more sense than Bob-o's do, but also are just plain more interesting. I know I'm in the minority, but I find there to be way too much Dylan worship as it is

[Guy Berger]

The Byrds' versions of "Tambourine Man" and "My Back Pages" are major masterpieces. But I also really enjoy their covers of "Chimes of Freedom", "Spanish Harlem Incident", and "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere". Pack up your money, pull up your tent, McGuinn, you ain't going nowhere...

The Band's first album also has a few incredible Dylan covers -- not sure if "Tears of Rage" counts since it was cowritten with Richard Manuel, but "I Shall Be Released" definitely does.

Guy

[DTMX]

Don't know if it's already been mentioned but Bryan Ferry (of Roxy Music) covered "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" on his "These Foolish Things" release - got to be the strangest version ever.

[Alexander]

Van Morrison, with his old band Them, did a great version of "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue." I've always liked that one.

Yeah! That is great! I forgot about that one!

[chris olivarez]

Nina Simone did a great version of "I Shall Be Released".