I’m late coming to this this week. If I’m honest I actually only like the Dylan version 🙈 I think it suits his voice and delivery but outside of that I really don’t like it as a song - sorry!
Love this concept! Maybe I said that last week ? Doesn't matter, still true. To the countdown . . .
5) Odetta
Odetta is fantastic. Bog fan. But this particular version didn't feel natural to me, or something. Maybe its that the musical arrangement is similar to Dylan's but her stately operatic vocals are so different than Dylan, and it creates some dissonance for me? I dont know for sure I just wasn't vibing with it. I had to stop the playlist and listen to a few other Odetta tracks just to remind myself how good Odetta was.
2c) Eddie Vedder
Gen X white boy with hippie boomer parents here. Yes this checks all my boxes. The most faithful tribute to the original out of the bunch, with the added bonus of Eddie Vedder being a better singer than Dylan on his worst day and Dylan's best.
2b) Judy Collins
I liked this one more than I thought I would. Again, largely faithful to the original, and its one that I could believe actually was the original in some parallel timeline. Judys softer voice sweetens it up, making the songs dark messaging a little more palatable. Kind of like a little honey stirred into your oatmeal that you know is good for you but isn't the sausage bacon egg ham and cheese biscuit that you really want.
Oh man I'm hungry.
2a) The Staples Singers
Now its getting interesting. This is a very different arrangement, like an old timey blues spiritual. It sounds like the type of song Dylan himself used to cover, like "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" or "House Of The Rising Son" on his first album. A cover done in an older style that makes it seem like an original. A faux-riginal? I think I just made up a new word.
1. Dylan. Say what you might about Dylan's singing, but his sneering tone is absolutely on point for this song. He knows how to convey the meaning of what he's trying to say, and that's why he's the Master.
I discovered the Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready version a couple years ago, and really like that one, but the Odetta version is new to me and really good too!
I’m late coming to this this week. If I’m honest I actually only like the Dylan version 🙈 I think it suits his voice and delivery but outside of that I really don’t like it as a song - sorry!
There's no need to be sorry, Lou. It's simply not your cup of tea.
Love this concept! Maybe I said that last week ? Doesn't matter, still true. To the countdown . . .
5) Odetta
Odetta is fantastic. Bog fan. But this particular version didn't feel natural to me, or something. Maybe its that the musical arrangement is similar to Dylan's but her stately operatic vocals are so different than Dylan, and it creates some dissonance for me? I dont know for sure I just wasn't vibing with it. I had to stop the playlist and listen to a few other Odetta tracks just to remind myself how good Odetta was.
2c) Eddie Vedder
Gen X white boy with hippie boomer parents here. Yes this checks all my boxes. The most faithful tribute to the original out of the bunch, with the added bonus of Eddie Vedder being a better singer than Dylan on his worst day and Dylan's best.
2b) Judy Collins
I liked this one more than I thought I would. Again, largely faithful to the original, and its one that I could believe actually was the original in some parallel timeline. Judys softer voice sweetens it up, making the songs dark messaging a little more palatable. Kind of like a little honey stirred into your oatmeal that you know is good for you but isn't the sausage bacon egg ham and cheese biscuit that you really want.
Oh man I'm hungry.
2a) The Staples Singers
Now its getting interesting. This is a very different arrangement, like an old timey blues spiritual. It sounds like the type of song Dylan himself used to cover, like "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" or "House Of The Rising Son" on his first album. A cover done in an older style that makes it seem like an original. A faux-riginal? I think I just made up a new word.
1. Dylan. Say what you might about Dylan's singing, but his sneering tone is absolutely on point for this song. He knows how to convey the meaning of what he's trying to say, and that's why he's the Master.
"Big" not "Bog" up at the top there. Although I guess bog's are cool too ;)
I discovered the Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready version a couple years ago, and really like that one, but the Odetta version is new to me and really good too!
I love them all. But young Eddie belting it out is exceptional.
Tough choice this week! I like each of these versions, but if I had to pick, I think I'd go with the Staples Singers, and Pearl Jam in a close second.
I think I like the Judy Collins version best. I have a soft spot for her vocals.