Cover Charge is simple: A covers B, B covers C, C covers D and so on, until I loop back to where I started, Ouroboros-style.
Last time: Joni Mitchell to Bob Dylan
A dilemma for Mr Zimmerman - who do you cover, when everyone else is covering you? Well, the answer, in this instance at least, is none other than The Man In Black. No, not The Gunslinger's Dark Tower nemesis, but Mr Johnny Cash. Here's Bob providing a live cover of Train of Love for a late-90s televised Cash tribute. I've chosen this rendition for the lovely spoken word dedication at the start, when Bob thanks Johnny for sticking up for him, "waaay back when." Everything about this is excellent.
As you just heard, Bob said he was singing this before he was writing songs himself, and that's because Johnny recorded and released it in 1958... making Train of Love one of the oldest songs to ever feature on New Amusements. Also excellent.
Next time: maybe predictably, The Man inflicts self-harm.
Enjoying this series, Martin. Two titans here in this post, for sure. For a fun listen: The Dylan-Cash Sessions that make up much of "Travelin' Thru" (Bootleg Series Vol. 15).
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned, so many roads that could have lead to Dylan. My favorite: Sinéad’s angelic cover of "I Believe in You."
Yes, he's right up there amongst the most covered artists in popular music history, I reckon. Probably only The Beatles covered more. Will investigate the Sinéad cover, cheers.
DeleteIn my opinion, hers is the rare example of the cover version just elevating the original to another level.
DeleteIt's great when that happens. But as you say, rare!
DeleteSuper pairing here, and I love Dylan's dedication at the start. I'm reminded of the lovely portrayal of Bob and Johnny's friendship in A Complete Unknown, although I knew of it it wasn't something I had given much thought to until seeing the film, I'm rather ashamed to say!
ReplyDeleteSame, the film brought their friendship to my attention too.
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